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Learning Commons is being actively implemented in the design of university buildings to encourage diverse learning. Because the usage patterns of Learning Commons are different from those of regular classrooms, this design trend also has a significant impact on energy use trends in university buildings. To identify this trend, a one-year energy monitoring was conducted in a university building with a large Learning Commons built in 2022. To adjusted primary energy consumption was 599 MJ/m2year. This is a 55% reduction compared to the baseline, achieving ZEB Ready in the Japan’s definition. To analyze the students’ expectations and impressions of the building, an environmental satisfaction survey was conducted as well. From the questionnaire survey, more than 90% of the students were satisfied with the overall environment, confirming the students’ satisfaction with the building. It was also found that the satisfaction with space environment based on the space size and fixtures has a significant impact on workspace productivity related to study efficiency, as well as overall satisfaction.

Green taxes are taxes collected to protect the environment by controlling the negative effects of certain activities and products on the environment. They are also an instrument of environmental policy and can therefore contribute to several sustainable development goals. According to the studies carried out, the green economy aims to ensure sustainable development. The main objective of this paper is to identify the existing relationships between green taxes and sustainable economic development through a dynamic panel analysis. A dynamic panel analysis was therefore carried out on the existing links between environmental taxes and charges at the European level and the indicators of the circular economy. The results of the two dynamic regressions for the two dependent variables, namely total green taxes and energy taxes, show a positive and significant correlation with the variation of GDP and with primary energy consumption, confirming the hypothesis that environmental taxes and energy taxes are closely linked to these two important indicators of sustainable development. Thus, as GDP changes, the taxes on energy production and the energy products used in both transport and stationary applications increase. As a result of the analysis, we can note that the increase in primary energy consumption and the consumption of raw materials leads to an increase in environmental and energy taxes. Energy taxes are a possible solution to reduce CO2 emissions in third world countries and may even stimulate climate action. In contrast, we found no significant correlation between green taxes and the following variables: Human Development Index, net greenhouse gas emissions, private investment and gross value added related to circular economy sectors, the consumption of raw materials, waste generated, waste treatment, the supply, transformation, and consumption of renewable energy, public expenditure on environmental protection, and climate-related economic losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we analyze the correlation between GDP/capita variation, primary and renewable energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on the one hand, and green taxes on the other. Green taxes are the main instruments used to limit activities that have a negative impact on the environment. These consist of taxes paid by producers and/or consumers for any activity that generates pollution. The results of dynamic regressions, validated by the applied robustness tests, indicate a significant and positive correlation between primary energy consumption and total environmental taxes, respectively energy taxes. At the same time, this shows that variation in GDP/capita significantly and positively influences transport taxes and pollution taxes. In contrast, net greenhouse gas emissions and the supply, transformation and consumption of renewable sources and waste do not significantly influence the total green taxes and their components. This finding is useful to both academic research and government policies for the realistic substantiation of the levels of green tax revenues and for establishing appropriate measures meant to reduce CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since economic development is often associated with an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, it is especially important to answer the question of whether it is possible to achieve sustainable economic development and improve energy efficiency at the same time, which implies a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose of this study was to build models that can help find the environmental and economic determinants of energy efficiency in European countries. An ecological and economic determinants of energy efficiency indicators of 38 European countries were found based on panel regression models. The models were built based on statistical data characterizing the level of their economic development and consumption of diverse types of energy for 1995-2021. To obtain the necessary approximations of energy efficiency indicators, one of three types of models was used: the random effects method, the fixed effects method, or the pooled model. For this, appropriate statistical tests were used. As a result, it was found that the factors that have a statistically significant impact on the energy intensity of GDP in European countries include the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions, unemployment rate, primary energy consumption per capita, and gross electricity production per capita. The findings showed that determinants of primary energy consumption were domestic consumption of solid fossil fuels per capita, domestic natural gas consumption per capita, and primary energy consumption per capita. The study results generally confirm the modern-day thesis that economic development can be achieved while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The monitoring of factors that have a statistically significant impact on the indicators under consideration can become an essential element of the modern energy efficiency management system of the national economies of European countries

Bu çalışmada doğrusal regresyon analizinin varsayımlarının sağlanmadığı durumlarda kullanılabilecek olan kantil regresyon analizi ile Türkiyede 2000-2020 yılları arasındaki CO2 emisyonu ve birincil enerji tüketimi arasındaki ilişkinin modellenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalımanın ilk böümünde uygun regresyon modeli elde edildikten sonra, veri setine aykırı değerler eklenerek bu gözlemlerin varlığında sonuçlar yeniden elde edilmiş ve kantil regresyonun performansı değerlendirilmiştir. Uygun modelin seçiminde hata kareler ortalamasının karekökü (RMSE) ve ortalama mutlak hata (MAE) kriterleri kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre; Türkiye’de 2000-2020 yılları arasında ortalama CO2 emisyonu 289.62±68.12 milyon ton ve ortalama birincil enerji tüketimi 4.66±1.21 exajoule olarak belirlenmiştir. CO2 emisyonundaki değişimin %98.74’nün birincil enerji tüketimi ile açıklandığı ve değişen varyans probleminin varlığında kantil regresyon analizinin, doğrusal regresyon analizinden daha güvenilir sonuçlar verdiği elde edilmiştir. Kantil regresyon modeline göre; birincil enerji tüketimindeki bir exajoule’luk artışın CO2 emisyonunun τ=0.50. kantilinde yaklaşık olarak 54.3 milyon ton artışa sebep olacağı belirlenmiştir. Aykırı değerlerin varlığında τ=0.25 ve τ=0.50 için elde edilen kantil regresyon modelleri en uygun modeller olup birbirine oldukça yakın sonuçlar vermiştir. Bu modellerin, CO2 emisyonu ve birincil enerji tüketimi arasındaki ilişkinin modellenmesinde çıkarsama amaçlı kullanılması önerilmektedir.

This paper discusses the energy issue in the European Union and the EU’s progress on energy efficiency since the Energy Efficiency related Directive of 2012 (EED): (i) The energy consumption dynamics (primary and final energy consumption), (ii) Directives and other regulations adopted by the EU’s institutions between 2012-2022, for energy consumption and efficiency targets established for the entire Union and for its member states, (iii) The National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) corresponding to the 2020 accomplishments and the 2030 projections, (iv) The same 2030 forecasts in the long-term context of climate neutrality to be ensured up to 2050. All these will be approached below in our argumentation. Effective energy consumption data are retrieved from Eurostat and the International Energy Agency (IEA). Optimism comes up for the 2030 perspective, since the 2020 specific performances were delivered, partly despite the recent COVID-19 pandemic related circumstances of 2020. A list of possible responses to some questions will conclude this paper: ‘How receptive will the member states be in the future for transposing the EU's energy efficiency ambitions into their own strategies?’ and ‘Will the European policies be rigorous enough, and flexible to achieve the long-term objectives?’.

In this article, we analyze the correlation between GDP/capita variation, primary and renewable energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on the one hand, and green taxes on the other. Green taxes are the main instruments used to limit activities that have a negative impact on the environment. These consist of taxes paid by producers and/or consumers for any activity that generates pollution. The results of dynamic regressions, validated by the applied robustness tests, indicate a significant and positive correlation between primary energy consumption and total environmental taxes, respectively energy taxes. At the same time, this shows that variation in GDP/capita significantly and positively influences transport taxes and pollution taxes. In contrast, net greenhouse gas emissions and the supply, transformation and consumption of renewable sources and waste do not significantly influence the total green taxes and their components. This finding is useful to both academic research and government policies for the realistic substantiation of the levels of green tax revenues and for establishing appropriate measures meant to reduce CO2 emissions.

Improvements in envelope performance have reduced heat loss from insulation, and the ratio of heat loss through ventilation load has become relatively large. In recent years, the use of heat recovery ventilation systems (HRV) has particularly increased. However, ventilation generates not only ventilation load but also air conveying fan power, such that conserving energy for both is important. Therefore, this paper focuses on a passive ventilation system with a solar air heater (PVSAH), which is a passive ventilation system that does not use air conveying fan power and uses a solar air heater that uses solar energy. The total energy consumption of the PVSAH, the widely used mechanical exhaust ventilation system (EV), and the HRV, which has high energy efficiency, was compared with the ventilation load plus air conveying fan power. The primary energy evaluation and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were compared by region, and the optimal system was proposed according to regional characteristics. In warmer zones, the PVSAH saved the most energy, while the HRV increased energy consumption. The comparison of CO2 emissions by ventilation systems when using heat pumps for cooling and heating showed that PVSAH > MEV > HRV for Heating Degree-Day (HDD) 1500 and below, PVSAH > HRV > MEV for HDD 1500 to 2750, and HRV > PVSAH > MEV for HDD 2750 and above. MEV were favored in that order. As the CO2 emission factor decreases, the difference in CO2 emissions between systems decreases. If the difference in emissions becomes smaller, then considering the initial and running costs and the risk of failure of the system is crucial. A simple system configuration with low risks of failure and maintenance, such as PVSAH, may prove advantageous in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vital component of achieving climate neutrality in the future involves bolstering energy efficiency measures in educational institutions and improving the overall knowledge on sustainable solutions. To achieve fruitful outcomes, the active involvement of various stakeholders, such as managers, teaching staff, and students, is indispensable. By implementing energy-efficient building systems, advancing the use of renewable energy sources, and incorporating sustainable practices into the curriculum, educational institutions can decrease their environmental impact and conserve resources for future generations. Active participation from all stakeholders, including managers, teaching staff, and students, is essential for the success of these efforts. Providing students with a comprehensive education on sustainability equips them to apply this knowledge in their future professions, thus contributing to a more sustainable society. To gain insights into the existing state of sustainability within educational systems, a comprehensive study of educational institutions was undertaken. To assess and compare schools' sustainability, a composite indicator was developed. The study's findings reveal that the implementation of mandatory and optional measures can lead to a substantial reduction in primary energy consumption by 39% and greenhouse gas emissions by 34% in educational institutions. The average abandonment costs for mandatory measures are 5.87 EUR/kgCO2/year, but the average value for optional measures is 33.80 EUR/kgCO2/year. It is suggested demonstration projects be implemented in institutions where specialists in RE, mechatronics, building engineering systems, and environmental technologies are trained by showcasing technologies needed for the transition to climate neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Duzce University Journal of Science & Technology is the property of Duzce University Journal of Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper discusses the energy issue in the European Union and the EU's progress on energy efficiency since the Energy Efficiency related Directive of 2012 (EED): (i) The energy consumption dynamics (primary and final energy consumption), (ii) Directives and other regulations adopted by the EU's institutions between 2012-2022, for energy consumption and efficiency targets established for the entire Union and for its member states, (iii) The National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) corresponding to the 2020 accomplishments and the 2030 projections, (iv) The same 2030 forecasts in the long-term context of climate neutrality to be ensured up to 2050. All these will be approached below in our argumentation. Effective energy consumption data are retrieved from Eurostat and the International Energy Agency (IEA). Optimism comes up for the 2030 perspective, since the 2020 specific performances were delivered, partly despite the recent COVID-19 pandemic related circumstances of 2020. A list of possible responses to some questions will conclude this paper: 'How receptive will the member states be in the future for transposing the EU's energy efficiency ambitions into their own strategies?' and 'Will the European policies be rigorous enough, and flexible to achieve the long-term objectives?'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy forecasting based on univariate time series has long been a challenge in energy engineering and has become one of the most popular tasks in data analytics. In order to take advantage of the characteristics of observed data, a partially linear model is proposed based on principal component analysis and support vector machine methods. The principal linear components of the input with lower dimensions are used as the linear part, while the nonlinear part is expressed by the kernel function. The primal-dual method is used to construct the convex optimization problem for the proposed model, and the sequential minimization optimization algorithm is used to train the model with global convergence. The univariate forecasting scheme is designed to forecast the primary energy consumption of the electric power sector of the United States using real-world data sets ranging from January 1973 to January 2020, and the model is compared with eight commonly used machine learning models as well as the linear auto-regressive model. Comprehensive comparisons with multiple evaluation criteria (including 19 metrics) show that the proposed model outperforms all other models in all scenarios of mid-/long-term forecasting, indicating its high potential in primary energy consumption forecasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the principal components that are characteristic to a varied number of indicators specific to the economic, social and environmental interconnectivity. The data are drawn primarily from the World Bank's WDI, the UNDP's HDI and Our World in Data's Indicators. Using cross-section panel data from 2000 to 2021, for a number of 32 European countries, a considerable number of factors are generated by conducting the principal component analysis. The results of the analysis depict an image where the three-dimensional interconnectivity is described to a greater extent by components such as: the agricultural sector's value added as a percentage of the GDP, the total quantity of primary energy consumed per capita, the percentage of the population that has access to internet, the percentage of individuals that are unemployed, the population density, the total dependency ratio, the industrial sector's value added as a percentage of the GDP and the percentage of the female population that has attained at least secondary education. Together with the GDP, the obtained factors are statistically analysed in order to observe the existing correlations between economic growth and the economic, social and environmental interconnectivity. According to the results of the Pearson correlation, both positive and negative relationships of moderate intensities exist between economic growth and the factors that address the three-dimensional interconnectivity. Furthermore, recommendations are made for future research regarding the creation of an index based on the components that form the factors previously obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Erciyes Akademi is the property of Erciyes Universitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Green growth emphasizes the production and supply of eco-friendly products and is considered a suitable strategy for economic growth along with the preservation of natural resources and reducing pollution emission in different countries. Given that Iran as a developing country does not perform well in terms of the green growth index, it is necessary to evaluate energy consumption, pollution of various economic activities, and identifying economic opportunities for green growth in terms of production and employment indicators. This study, using the multi-factor energy input-output method and input-output table data related to 2016, investigates the impact of final demand on primary energy consumption, CO2 emission, economic growth, and energy jobs which in turn identifies green growth potentials in Iran's economic sectors with considering both growth and employment indicators. The results show that the sectors related to the production of agricultural and livestock products, services and food products have the lowest CO2 emissions for each unit of production growth and the growth of energy jobs. On the other hand, due to the low growth potential of transportation services, base metals, rubber and plastic products, encouraging higher final demand for products will not be attractive; so that, structural changes in these sectors are necessary for planning green growth.

This article aims to carry out a comparative analysis in the European Union and in Romania, in the period 1991-2021, on the achievement of the ambitious energy efficiency objectives, by assessing the achievement of the assumed targets for primary and final energy consumption at the level of the years 2020 and 2030. Since 2007, EU leaders have been concerned about the decarbonisation of the energy sector, a first essential measure being to reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2020. As part of the decarbonisation objectives for 2050, we start from this premise, according to which energy efficiency must be improved, thus accelerating the transition of all member states of the European Union to clean energy and sustainable growth of economies. So, by using energy more efficiently and therefore consuming less, we can contribute both to protecting the environment and to mitigating climate change. The hypothesis from which we start in this study is that the target for 2020 of the level of primary and final energy consumption has been met, due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to test this hypothesis, Eurostat data were analyzed using the quantitative research method for both the European Union and Romania. As a result of the analysis carried out, this hypothesis can be fully confirmed, since from 2021, which coincides with the beginning of the recovery of economies, an increase in primary and final energy consumption can be observed again, after a sharp decrease in 2020, even below the level of the targets set for 2020. With regard to the targets assumed by the European Union for 2030, the consumption of primary and final energy is well above the predetermined values. And the conclusions show us with certainty, the need to make an additional effort in order to achieve them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased consumption of fossil fuels worldwide has resulted in unprecedented historic environmental degradation and global warming. According to the United Nations, this is both the defining crisis of our time and a race the world could win given the right policy attention. Researchers seek to find critical pathways to provide policy recommendations for reducing environmental degradation. This paper aims to investigate the effect of energy productivity on environmental degradation in Germany while controlling for economic growth, primary energy consumption, and globalization for the period between 1990Q1 and 2019Q4. The outcomes of the Fourier ARDL long-run estimates indicate that (i) both energy productivity and globalization have a negative effect on carbon emissions in Germany, and (ii) both economic growth and primary energy consumption have positive effects on carbon dioxide emissions. These outcomes provide significant policy insights to EU members with respect to reducing their reliance on Russian energy imports amidst the rising energy bills and ongoing geopolitical war with Ukraine while increasing investments to realize their energy turnaround policy objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements in envelope performance have reduced heat loss from insulation, and the ratio of heat loss through ventilation load has become relatively large. In recent years, the use of heat recovery ventilation systems (HRV) has particularly increased. However, ventilation generates not only ventilation load but also air conveying fan power, such that conserving energy for both is important. Therefore, this paper focuses on a passive ventilation system with a solar air heater (PVSAH), which is a passive ventilation system that does not use air conveying fan power and uses a solar air heater that uses solar energy. The total energy consumption of the PVSAH, the widely used mechanical exhaust ventilation system (EV), and the HRV, which has high energy efficiency, was compared with the ventilation load plus air conveying fan power. The primary energy evaluation and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were compared by region, and the optimal system was proposed according to regional characteristics. In warmer zones, the PVSAH saved the most energy, while the HRV increased energy consumption. The comparison of CO2 emissions by ventilation systems when using heat pumps for cooling and heating showed that PVSAH > MEV > HRV for Heating Degree-Day (HDD) 1500 and below, PVSAH > HRV > MEV for HDD 1500 to 2750, and HRV > PVSAH > MEV for HDD 2750 and above. MEV were favored in that order. As the CO2 emission factor decreases, the difference in CO2 emissions between systems decreases. If the difference in emissions becomes smaller, then considering the initial and running costs and the risk of failure of the system is crucial. A simple system configuration with low risks of failure and maintenance, such as PVSAH, may prove advantageous in the future.

Promoting the development and utilization of solar energy is a practical way to alleviate the energy crisis and achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. Recently, interest has arisen in the dual-functional active solar thermal façade (ASTF) system that produces hot water throughout the whole year and reduces cooling and heating load as a function of the building façade. Here, a mathematical model of the ASTF system is built and validated by the experimental data, and the annual performance of the ASTF system in representative cities in three climate regions is evaluated. The results are that compared with the common solar water system, the ASTF system adds passive energy savings, which accounts for 5.8%, 7.2% and 11.4% of the total primary energy savings of the system for Shanghai, Beijing and Lanzhou. Compared with the traditional wall, the ASTF saves 16.4% and 23.0% of cooling energy consumption and 102.3% and 92.4% of heating energy consumption for Shanghai and Beijing, respectively. Additionally, it saves 74.7% of heating energy consumption for Lanzhou. Lastly, the impact of the design parameters and operation parameters of the system are investigated, respectively. This study demonstrates a viable path to promoting cost-effective active solar thermal façades in different climates, and the results can be beneficial to further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enerji, sanayi devrimi ile birlikte talebi ve önemi sürekli artan, günümüzde mal ve hizmetlerin üretiminde zorunlu bir girdi olarak kullanılan önemli bir kaynaktır. Türkiye’de de son yıllarda artan talep ve enerji ihtiyacına bağlı olarak, enerji tüketimi ve büyüme arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi ülke ekonomisine yön veren politikaların belirlenmesi hususunda son derece önem arz etmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı; Türkiye’de enerji tüketiminin büyüme üzerindeki etkisini 1970-2016 dönemi itibari ile yıllık birincil enerji tüketimi (BET), reel gayri safi yurtiçi hasıla ve reel sermaye birikimi verileri kullanılarak araştırmaktır. Analizde yapısal kırılma altında, serilerin uzun dönemli ilişkileri Hatemi-J eş-bütünleşme ve FMOLS testi, kısa dönemli ilişkileri ise VECM modeli ile ortaya konulmuş, analiz sonucunda BET ile RGSYH arasında hem kısa hem de uzun dönemde pozitif ve anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Bununla birlikte, değişkenler arasındaki ilişkinin yönü Toda-Yamamoto nedensellik testi ile incelenmiş ve BET’den RGSYH’ya doğru tek yönlü bir nedensellik olduğu görülmüştür. Son olarak değişkenler arasındaki dinamik ilişki, Kalman Filtresi yöntemi ile tahmin edilmiş ve analiz neticesinde BET’in büyüme üzerindeki etkisinin pozitif yönlü olduğu ancak zamanla azaldığı tespit edilmiştir.

Energy consumption plays a key role in economic development for all countries. Keeping up with the future trend of energy consumption is essential for governments and energy companies. In this research, the primary energy consumption for Saudi Arabia, India, Philippines, and Vietnam is systematically studied using different forecasting models. Based on the actual data derived from the year 2006 to 2016, a novel discrete grey forecasting model termed NDGMS(1,1,k,c) is proposed where the Simpson numerical integration formula is applied to construct the background value. The expressions of the present model are all derived and then, its unbiased property is proved. As demonstrated by the results, the NDGMS(1,1,k,c) model can achieve better prediction accuracy than other forecasting models, and it is quite applicable to predicting a sequence based on homogeneous/non-homogeneous exponential law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new grey Theta forecasting model is established to predict primary energy consumption. The parameter θ is used to adjust the slope of this trend. In addition, this hybrid method can be used in combination with other forms of grey model, which has great potential to improve the accuracy of prediction. The pseudo-code of the model is given, and the computational complexity of the proposed method is calculated. The robustness of the model is measured by the examples of primary energy consumption in China, the United States, India, Russian Federation and Japan. Numerical examples show that the proposed model is superior to other competitive models. Based on the local curvature adjustment of the Theta line, the proposed method can improve the predictive performance of the grey model in nonlinear trend data. Then, the future trends of global primary energy consumption and total carbon dioxide emissions are also forecasted. Predictions show that only China and India are expected to see annual primary energy demand rise by more than 5% over the next five years, while the United States, Japan and other countries will see no growth in demand for primary energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh is well on course to become one of the leading emerging market economies in the world. Hence, it can be expected that the economic growth of Bangladesh would substantially increase over the next decade. This, in turn, is likely to boost the energy consumption levels of the nation whereby meeting the surge in the energy demand would be a crucial agenda of the government. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that influence the nation's energy demand. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to evaluate the macroeconomic determinants of total, renewable, and non-renewable energy demands in Bangladesh between 1980 and 2014. Besides, the analysis is conducted for both primary energy and electricity consumption levels. The econometric methods used in this study controlled for the structural break issues in the data. The key findings, in a nutshell, show that economic growth and household consumption expenditure positively influence the overall primary energy and electricity demands in Bangladesh while income inequality exerts opposite effects. Besides, technological innovations are found to be reducing the total and non-renewable energy demand in Bangladesh while increasing the demand for renewable energy. On the other hand, positive oil price shocks are found to be ineffective in influencing the renewable energy demand but slightly reducing the non-renewable energy demand. Finally, the causality estimates portray the feedback hypothesis in almost all the cases to highlight the inter-relationships between economic growth and energy demand in Bangladesh. Hence, in line with these findings several critically important policy implications are suggested for managing the overall energy demand in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A building model was developed and 22 EPC were determined and analysed. • Different heating technologies were compared to determine final and primary energy. • Pollutant emissions resulting from the building's energy needs was calculated. • An analysis of the relationship between emissions and energy demand was indicated. • Critical review of the methodology for determining EPC were presented. The assessment of energy efficiency and the environmental impact of building operation, in energy terms, determine to a large extent the energy intensity of the housing sector as a whole and the planning of energy transition measures. In order for these measures to be properly targeted and the building assessment to be reliable, it is necessary to accurately determine the energy demand of the building. The calculation model presented in the article allows for a multivariate assessment of a building's energy demand using static methods. The methodology presented in the article for the determination of energy performance certificates for buildings is complemented by an interpretation regarding the efficiency of the energy systems in the building and the environmental emissions. A model of the existing single-family building was evaluated for this purpose, and subjected to a multivariate analysis depending on the configuration of the heating system. Final and primary energy values, fuel consumption and emissions of pollutants to the environment were determined for each of total twenty-two variants. The analysis carried out and the results obtained show that there is no logical relationship between the primary energy indicator, used for the energy assessment of buildings, and the energy intensity of the building and its environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting the development and utilization of solar energy is a practical way to alleviate the energy crisis and achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. Recently, interest has arisen in the dual-functional active solar thermal façade (ASTF) system that produces hot water throughout the whole year and reduces cooling and heating load as a function of the building façade. Here, a mathematical model of the ASTF system is built and validated by the experimental data, and the annual performance of the ASTF system in representative cities in three climate regions is evaluated. The results are that compared with the common solar water system, the ASTF system adds passive energy savings, which accounts for 5.8%, 7.2% and 11.4% of the total primary energy savings of the system for Shanghai, Beijing and Lanzhou. Compared with the traditional wall, the ASTF saves 16.4% and 23.0% of cooling energy consumption and 102.3% and 92.4% of heating energy consumption for Shanghai and Beijing, respectively. Additionally, it saves 74.7% of heating energy consumption for Lanzhou. Lastly, the impact of the design parameters and operation parameters of the system are investigated, respectively. This study demonstrates a viable path to promoting cost-effective active solar thermal façades in different climates, and the results can be beneficial to further research.

We examine the stationarity properties of primary energy consumption for "Fragile Five" countries and assesses whether shocks on coal, natural gas, and oil consumption are permanent or temporary. The findings suggest that shocks on coal consumption are temporary for Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey, while are permanent for India and Indonesia. Moreover, the effect of shocks on natural gas consumption is temporary for five fragile countries except for South Africa. Finally, it is found that shocks on oil consumption are temporary for only India and Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A report released by the WHO indicates that aerosols from infected people are one of the major sources of the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, as the COVID-19 infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, it has become necessary to reconsider the design and operation of buildings. Inside school buildings in cold regions, not only is it not easy to increase ventilation during the winter, but it may also be difficult for students to attend classes while wearing masks during the summer because such buildings are not equipped with air-conditioning systems. In short, school buildings in cold climates have more problems than those in warm climates. We report on the results of indoor environmental measurement using our developed CO2-concentration meters, a questionnaire survey on students’ feeling of being hot or cold (i.e., ‘thermal sensation’), and a comparison of energy consumption before and after the spread of COVID-19 infection in schools in Sapporo, Japan, a cold-climate area. The results indicate that (1) more than 70% of the students participated in window ventilation by the CO2 meter, and (2) a relatively good indoor environment was maintained through the efforts of teachers and students. However, we also found that (1) 90% of the students felt hot in summer and (2) 40% felt cold in winter, (3) energy efficiency worsened by 7% due to increased ventilation, and (4) air quality was not as clean as desired during the coldest months of the year. Therefore, investment in insulation and air conditioning systems for school buildings is needed.

Copyright of Strategy & Development Review is the property of Strategy & Development Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Understanding the difference of the multi-relationships between tourism, environment, and economic growth is an effective way to reduce inequality, but little is known about multivariate differences induced by different income levels. Thus, we empirically explored these multi-relationships between tourism, economic growth, CO2 emissions, and primary energy consumption at different development stages using a series of panel models, leading to enlightening results. A cointegration relationship exists between CO2 emissions and all other variables in all countries selected. CO2 emissions in low-income countries increase by 0.084% for a 1% increase in expenditure of inbound tourists per capita, and CO2 emissions in the low-income countries and high-income countries increase by 0.072% and 0.059%, respectively, for a 1% increase in the net inflow of international tourists. In addition, the lower the income countries, the greater the impact of tourism on CO2 emissions and the higher the income countries, the higher the number of feedback Granger causality. Our results imply that the differences in multi-relationships induced by different income levels are of great importance for government policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In recent decades, excessive using fossil fuels has been resulted in emitting greenhouse gases such as CO2, consequently, environmental pollution. In this study, the techno-economic analysis of the CCHP/PV hybrid system application for a sample building was examined to reduce the environmental pollution and primary energy consumption of the buildings. The life-cycle cost analysis was utilized as a robust economic criterion. To investigate the effect of climate conditions on the system performance, five cities of Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, Tehran, Bandar Anzali, and Ardebil were considered and evaluated. The results showed that the pollution emission rate and primary energy consumption of the building were declined by the CCHP/PV system up to 10.14 % and 26.52 % for the coldest climates, respectively. Moreover, an increase of 33.33 % was observed compared to the conventional system due to its high initial investment. However, the sensitivity analysis of energy tariffs, as well as equipment prices indicated favorable results and a bright horizon for these systems.

Fuel cells are considered one of the key technologies to reach the ambitious European goal of a low carbon economy, by reducing CO 2 emissions and limiting the production of other pollutants. The manuscript presents an assessment of the life cycle energy and environmental performances of a solid oxide fuel cell system for household applications using primary data from the manufacturing phase and experimental data for the start-up and operation phases. The Life Cycle Assessment methodology is applied, based on a functional unit of 1 MJ of exergy and includes the life cycle steps from the raw materials extraction to the maintenance. The results show a particular relevance of the operation stage on the impacts (about 98% of cumulative energy demand and more than 63% of about half of the examined environmental impacts), mainly due to the fuel supply and, focusing on climate change, to the CO 2 emissions during the conversion of chemical energy into electricity. Manufacturing step is the main responsible of the remaining half of the impacts, with a contribution higher than 38%, mainly imputable to the stacks production. For almost half of the examined impact, a contribution of 20–30% is caused by the maintenance step, with a relevant contribution of the stacks and DC/DC booster substitutions. The analysis highlights that eco-design solutions of the assessed system can be traced in the improvement of the energy system efficiency and reduction of emissions during the operation, and in the increase of the durability of the system components, thus reducing the number of their substitutions. The results of a sensitivity analysis on the selection of the functional unit also clarified the importance of the recovery of the thermal energy generated by the fuel cells, in order to avoid concurrent energy generation from conventional sources. Unlabelled Image • The LCA of a solid oxide fuel cell system for household application is presented • Operation is responsible of more than 63% of about half on the impacts • The contribution of the manufacturing is higher than 38% for half of the impacts • Improvement of efficiency can allow for reducing the impacts of fuel cells • Extending the useful life of the system components is a valid eco-design solution [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]