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Rising temperatures, increase in population, and dense urban morphology have resulted in increased cooling energy demands. The conventional degree-days method to calculate cooling energy demand considers only the sensible heat load of air and neglects the latent component. This study aims to estimate the cooling degree days based on the heat index (by considering both the sensible and latent loads) for the current and future years (2050 and 2080). Further, the ventilation load index for each of these cities has been established to unlock the impact of ventilation on the building's total energy consumption for current and future years. The results show that heat index-based degree days have a stronger relationship with the buildings' cooling energy consumption and, therefore, can predict the cooling energy demand of buildings with 20% higher accuracy than conventional temperature-based degree days. Analysis shows that cooling degree-days and frequency of temperature above the comfort range continue to increase in Pakistan, highlighting increased degree-days in the range from 11.0 to 41.6% by 2050 and from 28.4 to 126.5% by 2080. Prompt actions are essential to enhance the resilience of Pakistan's national grid to meet these future cooling energy demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we employ both the spillover index of Diebold and Yilmaz [1], and the wavelet coherence approaches to investigate the impacts of return spillovers and dynamic timefrequency linkages between crude oil prices and five developed stock markets in Europe (the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, German, and France) in the pre and during Covid-19 outbreak periods. The results highlight that IBEX and CAC series are net recipients of risks, while the other assets are a net transmitter of shocks in the pre-Covid-19 period. In contrast to the results for the pre-Covid-19 period, LSE, CAC, and IBEX are the net recipients of return spillovers, reaching a maximum level of about 23% during the Covid-19 outbreak. Specifically, in comparison with the pre-Covid-19 period, the return transmission is more apparent during the Covid-19 crisis. More importantly, there exist significant dependent patterns about the information spillovers, and time-frequency linkages between crude oil and five major stock markets might provide urgent prominent implications for portfolio managers, investors, and government agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student residence halls occupy 26% of the total area of a typical university campus in the UK and are directly responsible for 24% of university’s annual CO2emissions. Based on five years measured data, this paper aims to investigate the energy-related environmental and economic performance of electrically heated residence halls in which space heating is provided by two different types of electric heaters, that is, panel heater (PHT) and storage heater (SHT). Secondly, using statistical and machine learning methods, the paper attempts to investigate the relationship between daily electricity consumption and five factors (ambient temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed and type of day). Data analysis revealed that electricity consumption of both halls is mainly driven by ambient temperature only, whereas SHT residence has 39% higher annual electricity bill and emits 70% higher CO2emissions on a per square metre basis compared to the PHT residence hall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University buildings, such as student residence halls with year-round consistent energy demands, offer strong opportunities for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems. The economic and environmental feasibility of a CHP project is strongly linked with its optimum sizing. This study aims to undertake such an assessment for a CHP system for a student residence hall located in London, the United Kingdom (UK). The study also aims to undertake a sensitivity analysis to investigate the effect of different parameters on the project’s economics. Necessary data are collected via interviews with the University’s Energy Manager. Modeling of the CHP system is performed using the London South Bank University (LSBU, London, the UK) CHP model. Results demonstrate that optimum sizing of CHP is crucial for achieving higher economic and environmental benefits and strongly depends on the authenticity of the energy consumption data, based on which the CHP is being sized. Use of incorrect energy data could result in an undersized or oversized CHP system, where an oversized system will result in higher negative results compared to an undersized system. Finally, Monto Carlo statistical analysis shows that electricity price is the significant factor that could affect the project’s economics. With an increasing spark gap, the payback period decreases, and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universities in the United Kingdom that have installed Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology are making good moves towards achieving their CO2 reduction targets. However, CHP may not always be an economical option for a university campus due to numerous factors. Identification of such factors is highly important before making an investment decision. A detailed technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of CHP is, therefore, indispensable. This study aims to undertake a detailed assessment of CHP for a typical university campus and attempts to highlight the significance of such factors. Necessary data and information were collected through site visits, whereas the CHP sizing was performed using the London South Bank University (LSBU) CHP model. The results suggest that there is a strong opportunity of installing a 230 kW CHP that will offset grid electricity and boilers thermal supply by 47% and 75%, respectively, and will generate financial and environmental yearly savings of £51k and 395 t/CO2, respectively. A wider spark gap decreases the payback period of the project and vice versa. The capital cost of the project could affect the project's economics due to factors, such as unavailability of space for CHP, complex existing infrastructure, and unavailability of a gas connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]