Review on the European Strategies for Energy-Efficient Buildings
Reduction of the energy consumption in the building stock is an essential part of the sustainability strategies of the European Union on economy, environment and Climate Change. Operation and use of the residential and tertiary sector buildings are responsible for roughly 40% of the total final energy consumed in its Member States. This demand is supplied mainly from the imported fossil fuels. Energy-efficiency of buildings has grown to one of the main mechanisms in pursuits to alter the negative trends of growing consumption that would lead to an increase of the import dependence and increase of greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, the European policy has shown signs of success but the targets seem to have been set as too ambitious. A review on the energy-efficiency strategies is presented in this paper in order to propose an explanation for the delay. It has been identified as insufficient links between statistics on the energy supply and the energy demand in various parts of the existing building...
Water and sunlight: regenerative hydronics
Hydronic technologies are undergoing significant transformations in an attempt to revolutionise resource independence in buildings. On-site energy generation and waste regeneration are at the centre of this potential paradigm shift. This text initially discusses recent developments in hydronics systems regarding energy source, materiality, distribution and location in buildings, and plenum typology. Secondly, it evaluates emerging innovation in water-based radiation geared particularly toward zero net energy buildings. Lastly, the text presents current research in hydronic technology in which water heating and disinfection are fully integrated into a facade system through microoptics integration. This discussion contributes to the evaluation of incorporating microoptics into future building technologies in which water, waste, and energy are synergistically balanced. The integration of microoptics can fuel radical innovation leaps in this front enabling regenerative hydronics.
Low-temperature thermal expansion of PEEK, HTA and some of their composites reinforced with carbon fibres
Abstract The thermal expansion of poly(ether ether ketone), a modification of poly (ether sulphone) and carbon fibre reinforced composites of these polymers has been measured over the range −153 to 27°C with a push-rod diameter. Where other measurements are available for comparison, agreement is obtained within experimental scatter. Some multidirectional composites are tested and the measured values of thermal expansion are explained qualitatively. It is thought that the specimen size has had a significant effect on these results. The longitudinal and transverse coefficients of thermal expansion of Hercules AS4 fibre have been calculated.