Conventional Energy Use Research Articles

An Application of Machine Learning to Estimate and Evaluate the Energy Consumption in an Office Room

There are no exact criteria for the architecture of openings and windows in office buildings in order to optimize energy consumption. Due to the physical limitations of this renewable energy source and the lack of conscious control over its capabilities, the amount of light entering offices and the role of daylight as a source of energy are determined by how they are constructed. In this study, the standard room dimensions, which are suitable for three to five employees, are compared to computer simulations. DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus are utilized to simulate the office’s lighting and energy consumption. This study presents a new method for estimating conventional energy consumption based on gene expression programming (GEP). A gravitational search algorithm (GSA) is implemented in order to optimize the model results. Using input and output data collected from a simulation of conventional energy use, the physical law underlying the problem and the relationship between inputs and outputs are identified. This method has the advantages of being quick and accurate, with no simulation required. Based on effective input parameters and sensitivity analysis, four models are evaluated. These models are used to evaluate the performance of the trained network based on statistical indicators. Among all the GEP models tested in this study, the one with the lowest MAE (0.1812) and RMSE (0.09146) and the highest correlation coefficient (0.90825) is found to be the most accurate.

Energy-Saving Benefits of Air-Source Heat Pump-Assisted Solar Water Heating Systems in Large Stadiums

With the rising trend of national sports, sports events are more and more favored by people and many large stadiums have emerged as the times require. Due to the particularity of sports, large stadiums are often equipped with independent hot water preparation systems for the convenience of sports enthusiasts. However, the traditional hot water preparation process not only consumes a lot of energy but also brings a lot of potential environmental pollution, which seriously violates the original intention of hot water preparation. Solar energy is clean energy that can be recycled and has a promising market prospect, but its heat production is greatly affected by the weather. Based on this, the paper has proposed a new solar water heating system (SWHS) that relies on the assistance of an air source heat pump (ASHP), aiming to solve the problem of hot water preparation in large sports stadiums from both economic and stability aspects. Taking the Xi’an Olympic Sports Center as an example, the article established the ASHP-aided SWHS and analyzed the differences between the system and other hot water preparation methods in terms of energy efficiency and benefits in terms of economy and environment. The results of the study showed that the energy replacement factor of the ASHP-aided SWHS reached 0.91, which was equivalent to replacing 91% of the annual conventional energy use in one year with this system, with significant energy-saving benefits. This demonstrates the high applicability and energy efficiency of the ASHP-aided SWHS in large sports stadiums.

The impact of energy consumption to environmental sustainability: an extension of foreign direct investment induce pollution in Vietnam

PurposeAccording to the crusade of the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs-6, 7,8,12 and 13) that addressed pertinent issues around, clean access to water, access to energy, responsible consumption and climate change mitigation alongside, respectively, Paris Kyoto Protocol agreement of mitigation of climate changes issues of vision 2030.Design/methodology/approachThis purpose of this study aimed to assess the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis following the ecological footprint perspective with a data set covering the period 1995–2018. It is well-established that anthropogenic human activities are the root cause of environmental deterioration. To this end, the current study is fitted in a multivariate framework to ameliorate for omitted variable bias for the data set from 1995–2018 on a quarterly frequency using autoregressive distributive lag methodology. Subsequently, the stationarity status of the study underlines series were examined with a conventional unit root test and the Pesaran’s bounds test for cointegration analysis.FindingsEmpirical evidence from the bounds test to cointegration traces the co-integration relationship between ecological footprint, conventional energy use, foreign direct investment, international tourism arrival and water resources over the sampled period. The study, in the long run, affirms the N-shaped relationship between ecological footprint and foreign direct investment in Vietnam. Additionally, the present study validates the hypothesis of energy consumption-induced pollution emissions. The relationship between international tourism arrival and quality of the environment is statistically positive in both the short-run and long-run, as 1% in international tourism arrival worsens the quality of the environment by 0.45% and 0.4% in the short-run and long-run, respectively. Interestingly, water resource's major environmental issues that have plagued the Vietnam economy are inversely related to ecological footprint. Based on findings, Vietnamese policymakers may need to consider drafting appropriate environmental policies to tackle global warming while concurrently boosting economic development.Originality/valueThe present study focuses on Vietnam on the determinant of environmental quality measured by a broader indicator (ecological footprint). It is well-established that anthropogenic human activities are the root cause of environmental deterioration. The present study claims to distinct from previous literature in two-folds, namely, in terms of scope. Vietnam holds a very interesting energy mix and environmental dynamics, which has been ignored in the literature. Second, we argue to be the first based on our survey to explore the theme by incorporation of water resources and foreign direct investment intensification in the conventional pollution determinant model. This is in a bid to highlights the policy blueprint for the country (Vietnam), which is currently plagued with high pollution issues and the region at large.

Important aspects for the planning of biogas energy plants: Malatya case study

Conventional energy use causes various environmental impacts of global warming. Also, as a result, renewable energy sources are more beneficial because they generate virtually no emissions. Biogas is historically recognized as a by-product of the anaerobic (oxygen-free) decomposition of agricultural waste. One of the most critical issues for biogas plants in electricity production is the economically and environmentally safe disposal of vast volumes of digestate. In this study, an extensive pathway for the establishment of a large-scale biogas energy plant was presented. Under these lightings, a case plant built in Akçadağ-Malatya was investigated from the techno-economic point of view. The case plant was built to generate heat and power as well as solid and liquid fertilizer. The produced biogas and methane were respectively recorded as 229,49 m3/h and 139,08 m3/h. It was determined that electricity generation in an amount of 5,256,000 kWh per year from the digested feedstock was available with the maximum power capacity of 625 kWh. The annual and daily heat energy outputs were calculated as 6,482,400 kWh and 640 kWh, respectively. The solid and liquid fertilizers were respectively determined as 40,891.03 t/a and 5,152.74 t/a. According to the results, total investment costs per the produced electricity for the biogas energy plant were calculated as 1451.53 €/kWh. The payback period was calculated as 2.22 with a net present value of 944,714.44 €. CO2 emissions have been reduced by 14,105 tons per year thanks to the co-generation system.

Diversified Energy Use in Twentieth-Century Japanese Households

Abstract This article examines the popularization process of rentan and mametan (cylindrical anthracite briquettes and anthracite briquette balls) in Japanese households. It points out that the scarcity of wood and charcoal and the supply of anthracite and molasses (used as an adhesive) from Asian countries encouraged the invention and implementation of such new types of fuels in the interwar period. They were widely accepted because they did not change conventional energy use habits. The study also shows that until the diffusion of imported fluid fossil fuels such as oil and gas in the 1960s, those kinds of briquettes had been supporting the energy consumption of family units as transitional energy. In other words, while Japan was experiencing a so-called “energy revolution” from coal to oil in the industrial sector, the use of diverse energy sources continued in the household sector. These two different paths of energy consumption played a role in mitigating overall energy constraints and concurrently sustaining a high economic growth.

Wireless Intelligent Power Switch berbasis Wireless Sensor Network

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Dynamic linkage between renewable and conventional energy use, environmental quality and economic growth: Evidence from Emerging Market and Developing Economies

The role of renewable and fossil fuel energy consumption on environmental sustainability remains inconclusive due to varied economic and technological structure. This study provides new insight by assessing the nexus between the utilization of two energy categories — renewable and conventional, environmental quality and economic growth embodying capital, trade openness and government expenditure. A panel data of 45 Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs) from 1990 to 2014 was employed in the study. We applied heterogeneous panel data approach and second-generational econometric techniques that permit cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity. The evaluation of long-term effects conducted by AMG, along with CCEMG and MG estimators revealed that besides other factors such as government expenditure, capital, and trade openness, non-renewable and renewable energy utilization significantly contributes to the economic growth of the selected EMDEs. The study acknowledges the trade-off effect between environmental quality and economic growth. Using Dumitrescu and Hurlin test, we found strong evidence to support the feedback hypotheses among renewable energy, consumption of conventional fuels, economic growth and CO2 emissions. From a policy perspective, the empirical findings recommend the implementation of effective policies that promote green power and economic structural adjustment in order to diminish the level of atmospheric CO2 emissions.

The Application of Courtyard and Settlement Layouts of the Traditional Diyarbakır Houses to Contemporary Houses: A Case Study on the Analysis of Energy Performance

Conventional energy use has brought environmental problems such as global warming and accelerated efforts to reduce energy consumption in many areas, particularly in the housing sector. For this purpose, bioclimatic design principles and vernacular architecture parameters have started to be examined in residential buildings nowadays. Thus, the demand for less energy-consuming houses has started to increase. In this study, we aimed to specify the significance of traditional architectural parameters for houses in the hot-dry climatic region of Diyarbakır, Turkey. Within the scope of the study, a case was based on the urban fabric of the traditional houses in Historical Diyarbakir Suriçi-Old Town settlement and the Şilbe Mass Housing Area was discussed. The courtyard types, settlement patterns, and street texture of traditional Diyarbakır houses were modeled by using DesignBuilder energy simulation program for the case study. Annual heating, cooling, and total energy loads were calculated, and their thermal performances were compared. The aim is to create a less energy-consuming and sustainable environment with the adaptation of traditional building form-street texture to today’s housing sector. Development of a settlement model, which is based on traditional houses’ bioclimatic design for hot-dry region, was intended to be applied in the modern housing sector of Turkey. Moreover, adapting local forms, urban texture, and settlement patterns to today has significant potential for sustainable architecture and energy-efficient buildings. According to this study, the optimum form and layout of traditional houses, which are one of the climate balanced building designs, provide annual energy savings if integrated and designed in today’s building construction. As a result of this study, if the passive design alternatives such as building shape, layout, and orientation were developed in the first stage of the design, energy efficient building design would be possible. The study is important for the continuation of traditional sustainable design.

A PROPOSED FRAMEWORK FOR STUDYING OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE APPLICATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN SMALL ENTERPRISE FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Small enterprises have the attention of economic and social policy planners in various countries of the developed and developing world alike, because they have an important role in achieving economic and social development. The energy sector plays an important role in achieving development. Energy is a key factor in supporting the production process and achieving economic development, which provides job opportunities and helps improve the standard of living in general. The study aimed at developing a proposed framework for studying the economic impact of the application of renewable energy in small projects to achieve sustainable development, showing the economic, social, environmental and technological benefits resulting from the application of renewable energy in small projects. An applied case study of a solar-powered plant and a comparison with a diesel generator system has been used. The study reached several results, the most important of which are: (The prominent role of small projects in the economies of developing countries, especially in achieving sustainable development through contributing to the achievement of economic, social and environmental goals.) Reliance on renewable sources of energy is a promising alternative to traditional energy. To conventional energy sources and reduce pollution resulting from conventional energy use). The study recommends the need to pay attention to small projects because they have an effective role in economic, social and environmental, as well as interest in renewable energy sources as a means to support energy security in Egypt, especially with the entry of traditional sources and the increase in the value of support allocations allocated to these sources.

Optimizing buildings energy performance through photovoltaic panel integration within a mobile shading system

The paper aims at evaluating the energy performance of an office building that integrates photovoltaic panels in a mobile shading system with horizontal elements, based on simulations, while also defining the optimum performance parameters: shading degree, orientation and inclination angle. The impact analysis of the energy performance of an office building model conveys a perspective on the benefits of integrating this type of dynamic (adaptable) envelope, taking into consideration the general context of energy conservation and the limitations imposed to conventional energy use. The combined envelope system optimizes the energy performance by allowing winter solar gains, reducing overheating in summer and transforming the solar energy in electricity. The simulations are made by using an average size office building model located in the city of Iasi, Romania. The 3D model was designed in Archicad, while the thermodynamic simulations are performed in PHPP, Design Builder and SolarPro programs. The results show significant improvement of energy performance by choosing a shading system with horizontal elements using the optimum inclination angle for the shading device and the minimum inclination for the photovoltaic panels. Combined with the shading system which reduces the cooling energy demand, the entire system provides a substantial decrease in heating and cooling energy demand.

Measurement of Acceptance of Waste-to-Energy (WtE): A United States Sample

As Renewable Energy (RE) such as solar and wind power has become more heavily utilized as recognized energy sources over the last several years, general awareness of innovative forms of green energy production has increased. This paper reviews Waste-to-Energy (WtE), an innovative and emerging form of RE, in terms of acceptance by the public. This paper utilizes the Fishbein and Azjen (1975) Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Leadership-Led Change Theory of Andrews, McConnell, and Westcott (2010) for the basis for examining variables that relate to acceptance of WtE. The present research examines to what extent individuals’ acceptance of WtE is predicted by attitudes regarding global warming, conventional energy use, U.S. energy production, government leadership change, trust in innovation, renewable energy knowledge, WtE knowledge, income, and net worth. All predictors except income showed statistically significant and positive correlations with acceptance of WtE. Multiple regression analysis revealed that four of these predictors had statistical significance and a positive relationship with WtE acceptance: knowledge of WtE, global warming and conventional energy beliefs, innovation trust, and net worth. Policy implication of this study is that education and marketing efforts should focus on increasing consumer knowledge of WtE as an innovative and trustworthy source of renewable energy.

An energy management method of sensor nodes for environmental monitoring in Amazonian Basin

In this paper we specifically address the constraint of energy consumption related to wireless sensor networks deployed at remote regions where the geographical access is complicated and consequently the maintenance routines seldom occurs. This research proposes an energy management method for environmental monitoring at the Amazonian Basin, where the interval between maintenance routines is greater than 6 months and the geographical location constrains the access to the sensor nodes. The proposed method is based on the duty cycling technique and aims to extend the sensor node lifespan in case of its external power source fails or its power consumption increases due to damages in sensor node devices. The management energy algorithm embedded into the sensor node employs the Shepherd Equation to simulate curves of battery discharge for each power consumption condition and thus it enables to estimate accurately the lifespan of a sensor node. Therefore, the sensor node is aware of its available energy and was programmed to react to it by switching between predefined operating modes to save energy and prolong as much as possible its lifespan. The Sensor Energy Management Method (SEMM) ensures that sensor nodes are operational throughout maintenance periods so that at least data acquisition tasks are performed to guarantee historical data sets essential to hydrological forecasts. A sensor node prototype was built and the SEMM was validated by a number of indoors experiments. The sensor node lifetime was increased by 20 % when the proposed method was compared to a conventional energy use.

Solar heating systems for recirculation aquaculture

The literature over the past 25 years indicates that there has been a continued interest in using passive and active solar technologies to reduce the conventional energy required to maintain water temperatures in small recirculation aquaculture systems. Although all of the experimental systems reviewed report favourable results, there is little information available to guide system designers. This paper describes the use of a simulation model to predict the annual conventional energy consumption of a 10.6 m 3 RAS enclosed in a double layer polyethylene greenhouse in two different climates. The water was maintained at 22.5 °C and the recirculation rate was 10% of tank volume per day. Simple unglazed solar collectors have also been combined with the greenhouse to further reduce energy consumption. The effect of increasing collector area on the solar fraction and utilization of useful energy was predicted. Finally, the model was used to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of condensation on the inner cover, ventilation rates and energy use. It was found that in a hot dry climate, the greenhouse alone was sufficient to reduce the conventional energy requirements by 87%; while in the cooler temperate climate reductions of 66% were possible. When solar collectors were added to the system, conventional energy requirements were reduced further and depended on the area of collector used. For example, in the temperate climate location, conventional energy requirements were reduced to 23% of a RAS enclosed in a non-solar building when 26 m 2 of solar collector inclined at the optimum angle for winter energy collection were used. Although condensation could be successfully reduced by ventilation of the greenhouse, this increased conventional energy requirements because the potential for evaporation was increased. Covering the tanks at night was found to be a more effective strategy because it reduced condensation and conventional energy use simultaneously.

New Solar Thermal Energy Applications for Commercial, Industrial, and Government Facilities

ABSTRACT The science of non-imaging optics, developed by Roland Winston at The University of Chicago, has created a breakthrough in solar energy collection technology. It is now possible for roof-integrated solar thermal energy collectors to efficiently produce heated fluids at temperatures up to 750°F for use in building energy systems. In addition to the production of hot water, some of the new solar thermal energy applications that are now feasible are HVAC systems that use double-effect absorption chillers, desiccant dehumidification, thermal electric power from steam-driven and ORC engines, combined power, heating, and cooling systems, industrial process heat over a wide temperature range, and commercial refrigeration. By incorporating passive solar design concepts, such as daylighting, with these active solar energy systems, significant reductions in conventional energy use in buildings are now possible. This article discusses new solar thermal collectors that employ non-imaging optics, several projects that use the new collectors, and new solar thermal building applications for the very near future.

A cost-neutral energy strategy incorporating renewables and energy-efficiency for the city of Manaus in Brazilian Amazonia

We report an assessment of maximum feasible cost-neutral reduction in the environmental impacts of energy demand growth in the city of Manaus, Brazil. Manaus is a rapidly growing city located in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest (1500 km of rainforest in all directions!). Owing to its geographical isolation, it is attractive to explore the extent to which modern renewable and energy efficiency technologies can move it towards energy sustainability – or at least significantly reduce or delay the next expansion of its conventional energy supply project – without increasing the net present value (NPV) of the energy scenario from the societal perspective. Our results, based on collection and analysis of new and existing data, show that on a technical fix basis (ie, without political support for broader policy changes for reducing conventional energy use), about a quarter of conventional energy consumption for the year 2002 can be cost-neutrally replaced with efficiency and renewables.

The magic of solar adobe

This article describes the energy efficient features of a house in Santa Fe. It is a modern version of ancient adobe house of the area. The homes solar features added no net cost to its construction and save more than 80% on conventional energy use. Topic areas covered are as follows: art of adobe; solar design; back-up heat; energy and cost performance.

An Integrated Approach to an Energy Efficient House

An energy efficient house has been built in Tasmania. It uses nearly 80% less conventional energy than an average house in the region. The intention of the designer was to demonstrate that if such a house could operate successfully in the coldest state of Australia, similar or even better results could be achieved in other temperate regions of the country. Active solar heating in combination with a heavily insulated light weight building envelope is the main feature of this integrated design for energy efficiency. The house, simple in construction, has been designed to operate effectively, a) without heat storage, while maintaining thermally comfortable indoor conditions and b) with heat (rock) storage and solar preheating of water in future, which will further reduce conventional energy use. Particularly evident in the design is the direct problem solving approach and innovative use of presently available technology.

Solar Energy and the Policies of First and Second Best

Though most economists recognize the importance of first best and second best theories, very few realize the importance of applying these theories toward a rationale for government involvement in the develop? ment of solar energy In order to clarify the definition of these terms, first best energy policies are those which would increase social welfare even if the economy were functioning under conditions of perfect com? petition. Second best energy policies are those designed to increase social welfare in an imperfectly competitive energy sector of the econ? omy. [Yokell, p. 357] Both first and second best policies are explored in this paper as they relate to solar energy. Economists often advocate the elimination of the federal government from the energy sector of the economy as a step to reinstate conditions of perfect competition. This, however, does not account for the nonmarket benefits that can be attributed to solar energy but which are not cap? tured by the producers and/or consumers of solar energy systems. These benefits suggest that a first best policy would be for the federal govern? ment to support the development of a solar energy industry even if the energy sector of the economy were perfectly competitive. Jince the energy sector is not perfectly competitive, second best poli? cies are appropriate. Proof that the economy is not perfectly competi? tive and, therefore, needs second best policies are evident by: 1) utility companies that supply conventional energies at average cost instead of marginal cost; 2) the largely unpriced negative externalities resulting from conventional energy use; and 3) the past as well as current existing heavy government subsidies to conventional energy sources. The argu? ment developed in this paper is that the federal government will remain heavily involved in the energy sector of the economy and therefore should give more balanced support to solar energy. The first section of the paper explains the past and present govern? ment involvement in the energy sector of the economy. The second sec? tion builds first and second best rationales for government involvement