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Abstract: The problematic nature of the centrality of the focal core formed of the Technological Design/ Energy / Environment relationship has never been so evident as at the present time, together with the need to tackle it urgently. Humanity has been directly interfacing with the energy issue and the "non-renewability" of resources on the one hand, and the question of harmful and climate-changing emissions on the other part for other for at least thirty years. This is the reason why it is our principal scientific and ethical duty to focus a major part of our attention and efforts on research – as proved in Italy by a significant part of the activities of PhD Program in "Planning Design Technology" of Sapienza University of Rome, by "NZEB" cluster of SITdA Italian Society of Technology of Architecture and by National Work Group "Green Economy for Architecture and Cities" of CNGE National Council on the Green Economy – in order to take significant steps forward. And to provide incisive answers for the emergency situations represented by, to use the two iconic terms of the much larger set of questions, the Climate and Energy problems. On the other hand, if it is true that the Nearly Zero Energy Building slogan specifically alludes to the scale of action, what is certain is that, at an international level, this is not the sole correct level on which we can and we must operate in order to have a chance of success, effectiveness and obtainment of that efficiency referred to in the first European directive 2002/91/EC through to the most recent 2010/31/EU “Energy Performance of Buildings” and 2012/27/EU "Energy Efficiency" which, inter alia, establish the concept of NZE architecture. So the working dimension becomes primarily "a-scaleable", in its need to oscillate constantly, with ongoing feedback, between actions at various leveles. Research related to the broad areas of Nearly Zero Energy Architecture developed in recent years fits into Technological Design in this sense and in this light, mainly in relation to regeneration of the existing architectural heritage, technologies for new building projects, process governance, the systemic approach on an urban scale, environmental and energy sustainability protocols, smart communities and cultural heritage. Keywords: Near Zero Energy Architecture, Technological Design, Ecoefficiency, Built Environment, Green Economy. |
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Abstract: Measurement of elemental carbon (EC) and black carbon (BC) aerosols was carried out using AE-31, 7 channel aethalometer at Kathmandu and Biratnagar; two mega cities of Nepal, for five months, January to May 2011 to study its temporal and spatial variation. Total solar radiation was also monitored using Kipp and Zonen CMP 6 pyranometer. Monthly concentration variation for EC and BC was distinct in both study sites. At Biratnagar, monthly EC concentration varies from 3.3 -20.7 µg /m3 while in Kathmandu it varies between 6.0-13.7 µg /m3. Similarly, BC monthly concentration ranges from 3.3 -20.1 µg /m3 and 7.0-14.9 µg /m3 respectively. It was found that both EC and BC were highest during January in both the sites and it decreases gradually. Monthly average solar radiation shows a maximum value in May and minimum in January. A distinct anti-correlation between monthly average carbonaceous aerosols and total solar radiation was observed. Moreover, there was a pronounced diurnal variation of both carbonaceous aerosols EC and BC in the sites with two high peaks one in the morning at about 9:00 and another at late evening 20:00 local time with minimum concentration in the afternoon. The nature of peaks were different at two sites. Biratnagar shows a larger evening peak while Kathmandu shows in the morning inferring heavy domestic and industrial fuel consuming activities in evening and morning respectively. In addition to this, daily and monthly concentration of EC was more than BC at Biratnagar reflecting slightly more biomass fuel consumption than fossil fuel for domestic, industrial and other urban activities. In contrast to this, Kathmandu shows more domination of fossil fuel than biofuel because of reverse order concentration of carbonaceous aerosols. Total solar radiation also shows apparent diurnal variation in both sites with the highest value at around noon time. Keywords: Carbonaceous aerosol, Black carbon, Elemental carbon, Aethalometer, Total solar radiation. |
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Abstract: Today, the implementation of energy infrastructure needs a complex “dialogue” between two apparently different aspects: technical aspects that characterize the processes of production and transformation of energy for the territory, and socio-ecological aspects related to the biological, organizational, and economic variables for cultural, creative, and productive energies of the territory. This new dimension of designing and building the energy infrastructures replaces to the classic esthetical idea of the landscape an integrated vision of human habitat in which innovations play a key role for the redefinition of relationships between téchne, bios and oikos. On these subjects, this article proposes a reflection on a methodological approach to re-think energy infrastructures as technological-environmental interfaces between land resources, energy needs, living dynamics, and inhabiting practices of territories and cities. Four possible scenarios are presented starting from some research experiences developed on Italian Abruzzo region. Through these experiences, emerges a new strategic, tactic and operational framework for the design of energy infrastructures. A new design framework in which energy infrastructures can contribute to re-build relations and connections between the acceptance/correlation of technological innovations and resilience, inclusiveness and vitality of the landscape. Keywords: Resilience, Inclusiveness, Vitality, Energy Infrastructure, Technological Design.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: The electrical power output of photovoltaic (PV) cell depends on its operating temperature during its absorption of solar radiation and conversion of solar energy to electrical energy. The increase in PV panel temperature due to overheating negates its electrical yield and efficiency. In addition, overheating causes hot spots, failure of adhesive seals and delamination. An effective way to combat this problem is to reduce the operating temperature of PV panel by cooling. In the present work, a novel thermal management technique for improved cooling of flat PV panel is proposed with the use of serrated fins rather than straight fins. For this reason, the thermal and electrical performance of the flat PV panel with cooling system consisting of duct, brushless DC cooling fan, a plate fin and serrated fins of varying angles (30˚, 45˚and 60˚) made up of aluminium were investigated experimentally. Experiments were conducted at constant wind velocity (1 m/s) with the developed technique in the location of Tiruchirappalli (78.6 E to 10.8 N), Tamil Nadu, India with flat 10 W PV panel. By using serrated fins of varying angles of 30˚, 45˚, 60˚ and plate fin (90°), the temperature of the PV panel decreased by a maximum of 4˚C, 7˚C, 6˚C and 3˚C respectively. Similarly the PV power increased in the range of 15.38%, 61.53%, 41.53% and 7.69% for 30˚, 45˚, 60˚ and plate fin (90°) respectively. It is concluded that 45˚ angled serrated fin is more efficient in providing the cooling effect than the other angles of serrated fins considered. Keywords: Photovoltaic, serrated fin, thermal management, heat transfer, IV characteristics. |
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Abstract: The State of California’s renewable energy policies and energy incentives are the main drivers of renewable generation development occurring in the Pacific Northwest. The largest wind integration efforts are happening within the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) Balancing Area (BA). BPA is approaching a 40 percent wind penetration factor. Such a large wind penetration imposes significant challenges on the transmission system operation requiring more system studies in operational time frame. These challenges include needs for additional voltage regulation requiring more switching operations, dealing with higher ramping rates and carrying additional regulation reserve as well as additional difficulty in Columbia River management (river scheduling). This paper discus some of those challenges in more details. Keywords: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Balancing Area (BA), System Operating limits (SOL), Transmission System Operation, Wind Penetration..Download Full Article |