Major Renovation Research Articles

Mathematical modeling for hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines moving towards industrial decarbonization: Economic feasibility and CO2 reduction analysis

Hydrogen blending has proved to be a promising alternative to reduce CO2 emissions in current applications such as the industrial sector in which natural gas is the fuel source since it can mitigate GHG emissions and help to reach nation’s goal of decarbonization. This study explored the feasibility of different hydrogen blend compositions going from 1% to 30% hydrogen content (by volume) by computational simulations to determine the best performance of the system considering real operating conditions from Central Plant at UC Irvine. This work also performed an economic analysis as part of the implementation plan. It was determined that a blend of 19% H2 content could be implemented without any major renovation of utility infrastructure based on the operating conditions and change in the properties of the mixture. An addition of 30% H2 can reduce around 11% of the emissions produced by pure natural gas. This is equivalent to 1422 kg of CO2 in 1 h. It is evident that the higher the H2 content, the better the CO2 benefits that would be produced, but for the actual application of higher hydrogen content, there is a need for a better understanding of the effects of hydrogen in the current natural gas pipeline. Based on the CO2 savings, it was determined that a 30% blending of hydrogen may save about 22.2% of the economic cost compared to natural gas.

Взаимодействие стейкхолдеров при формировании и управлении децентрализованными фондами капитального ремонта жилищно-коммунального хозяйства

Introduction. The purpose of this study is a systematic analysis of the stakeholder relations on the issue of the formation and management of decentralized capital repair funds. The high social significance of capital repairs of residential real estate, coupled with a high degree of wear and tear, determines the need for coordinated and effective stakeholder interaction, the involvement of public authorities in co-financing expenses and the development of effective mechanisms for the rational allocation of funds from decentralized capital repair funds formed in special accounts in banking organizations and protecting them from inflationary processes.Materials and methods. The authors explore institutional factors in the implementation of major renovations of apartment buildings, identify the key stakeholders of these processes, their interests and risks, and reveal the presence of an agency problem. Based on statistical data and regulations, the authors conduct economic modeling of the formation of a decentralized capital repair fund using the example of an existing homeowners' association, and calculate target indicators for the efficiency of capital repair fund management.Results. The conducted research revealed inconsistency of the current management approaches and the impossibility of forming major overhaul funds in sufficient size to replace elevator equipment after the shelf life expiry without external financing. The authors conduct a study of the agency problem that arises when managing funds placed in special accounts for major overhaul, and identify the presence of informal institutional factors that prevent the formation of a "mature real estate owner".Discussion. Based on the results of the study, the authors proposed regulatory measures that could positively affect the effectiveness of relations on the issue of formation and management of decentralized capital repair funds. In addition to regulatory measures, the authors consider it necessary to involve municipal deputies in awareness-raising activities aimed at creating a “mature property owner.” The scientific novelty of this study consists in the development of management and regulation methods for the formation of decentralized capital repair funds on the basis of the synthesis of stakeholder and institutional approaches.

The Historical Building and Room Acoustics of the Stockholm Public Library (1925–28, 1931–32)

The Stockholm Public Library was realized in two distinct phases of construction in the 1920s and early 1930s, and remains a well-known work in twentieth-century architecture, with a heritage status today. While previous studies have focused on the library’s architectural design, particularly its lighting, acoustics were also an important aspect of the building’s design and construction. This study marks the first detailed investigation of the library’s architectural acoustics, with a suite of standard measurements performed to assess and characterize the library’s historical room and building acoustics. Reverberation time measurements in the library’s reading rooms yielded results of about 1.5–2 s for frequencies associated with speech. A significantly longer reverberation time of 5–6 s was measured in the library’s central rotunda, confirming a prominent acoustic issue in the library, where appropriate heritage discussions are needed in the future as the library undergoes a major renovation in the coming years. A comparison of the measured airborne and impact sound insulation of the 1920s and 1930s reading room ceilings also yielded interesting results. While the materials in library’s two construction periods are notably different, the airborne sound insulation performance of the 1920s and 1930s floors or ceilings was comparable and in line with contemporary standards. Impact sound insulation results from the 1920s and 1930s floors, however, differed significantly, with the latter displaying a relatively poor performance. Flanking transmission effects related to historical construction details and deviations from archival plans were investigated and discussed. This work emphasizes the practical and academic importance of conducting on-site measurements, and the close mutual development of modern architecture, construction, and architectural acoustics.

Evolution of the (Energy and Atmosphere) credit category in the LEED green buildings rating system for (Building Design and Construction: New Construction), from version 4.0 to version 4.1

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a certification program for quantitatively assessing the qualifications of homes, non-residential buildings, or neighborhoods in terms of sustainability. LEED is supported by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a nonprofit membership-based organization. Worldwide, thousands of projects received one of the four levels of LEED certification. One of the five rating systems (or specialties) covered by LEED is the Building Design and Construction (BD + C), representing non-residential buildings. This rating system is further divided into eight adaptations. The adaptation (New Construction and Major Renovation) or NC applies to newly constructed projects as well as those going through a major renovation. The NC adaptation has six major credit categories, in addition to three minor ones. The nine credit categories together have a total of 110 attainable points. The Energy and Atmosphere (EA) credit category is the dominant one in the NC adaptation, with 33 attainable points under it. This important credit category addresses the topics of commissioning, energy consumption records, energy efficiency, use of refrigerants, utilization of onsite or offsite renewable energy, and real-time electric load management. This study aims to highlight some differences in the EA credit category for LEED BD + C:NC rating system as it evolved from version 4 (LEED v4, 2013) to version 4.1 (LEED v4.1, 2019). For example, the updated version 4.1 includes a metric for greenhouse gas reduction. Also, the updated version 4.1 no longer permits hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants in new heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems (HVAC & R). In addition, the updated version 4.1 classifies renewable energy into three tiers, differentiating between onsite, new-asset offsite, and old-asset offsite types.

From a grand hotel to an urban symbol: the Astor Hotel in old and new Tianjin

This article examines the enduring iconicity, multifaceted functions, and changing meanings of the Astor Hotel in Tianjin—one of the first international hotels in modern China—from the mid-19th century to the 21st century. Originally built more than 150 years ago, the Astor Hotel still stands exactly where it did in the former British Concession in Tianjin. This hotel was not only a venue boasting Tianjin’s most expensive accommodations but also a crucial site where politics, technology, economics, social, and cultural changes intersected and developed in its treaty port incarnation. Moreover, the expansion of the Astor Hotel evolved along with the development of Tianjin from a hypercolonial city to a Chinese-run metropolis. Shortly after the Communist Revolution in China, its ownership was overtaken by the Tianjin Municipal Government. Following a sequence of major renovations and commercial relaunches in the 1990s, the Astor Hotel was restored and reconstructed as an emblem of Tianjin’s historical status as an international and cosmopolitan city in China. Both continuity and changes will be emphasised in the discussion of the Astor Hotel’s history, as well as its multiple functions and shifting symbolic significance.

The high flux nano-X-ray diffraction, fluorescence and imaging beamline ID27 for science under extreme conditions on the ESRF Extremely Brilliant Source

ABSTRACT In this overview article, we present the main features of the upgraded ID27 beamline which is fully optimised to match the exceptional characteristics of the new Extremely Bright Source (EBS) of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). The ID27 beamline has been converted to a 120-m-long instrument and has undergone a major refurbishment of all its critical components including both hardware and software environments. We will successively introduce the ID27 undulator X-ray source, optical scheme and the main components of the experimental hutch. We will illustrate the potential of this new instrument through some selected research examples.

The role of policy and regulation in promoting green buildings

Green buildings play a crucial role in sustainable development by reducing energy consumption, minimizing environmental impact, and enhancing occupant health and well-being. This review explores the role of policy and regulation in promoting green buildings, highlighting the importance of government intervention in driving sustainable building practices. Government policies and regulations play a pivotal role in shaping the adoption of green building practices. Through a combination of mandates, incentives, and standards, governments can encourage the construction and renovation of buildings that prioritize energy efficiency, water conservation, and environmental sustainability. Mandatory building codes and standards are among the most effective tools governments use to promote green buildings. These codes set minimum requirements for energy performance, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality, ensuring that new constructions and major renovations meet established sustainability criteria. In addition to mandatory standards, governments also use financial incentives to encourage green building practices. These incentives may include tax credits, grants, or subsidies for building owners and developers who incorporate sustainable design features or achieve green building certifications. Furthermore, governments can influence the market through procurement policies that prioritize green buildings for public projects. By leading by example, governments can create a ripple effect in the private sector, encouraging more developers and building owners to embrace sustainable building practices. Overall, the role of policy and regulation in promoting green buildings is essential for advancing sustainable development goals. By setting clear standards, providing incentives, and leading by example, governments can create an environment where green buildings are the norm rather than the exception, leading to a more sustainable built environment for future generations.

Low carbon emission renovation of historical residential buildings

The urgency of renovating residential buildings in heritage conservation areas while addressing carbon emission reduction and energy performance has become a concern in the context of climate change. European directives stress the importance of enhancing existing buildings to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. An approximately 100-year-old wooden apartment building in the heritage conservation area in Võru, Estonia, was designed as a nearly zero-energy building (nZEB). This study examined the impact of different renovation scenarios, considering both embodied and operational carbon emissions. During the study, the technical requirements of the National Heritage Board were developed in several aspects. The results of this study indicate that it is possible to renovate buildings in heritage conservation areas and achieve great energy performance. In addition to improving energy performance, it is possible to make the restoration of a significantly damaged exterior with intermediate repairs more cost-effective for the owner. Deep renovation of a historical wooden building decreases its carbon footprint as it leads to more energy-efficient renovation solutions. This is because operational emissions dominate over embodied emissions in a cold climate. From an environmental perspective, it is more feasible to renovate historically valuable buildings more deeply than it is to upgrade the external appearance of buildings. Renovation work to achieve an nZEB building should include insulating the thermal envelope while restoring the historical appearance and preserving the original building profile. In conclusion, this study offers a comprehensive analysis of various scenarios, including carbon footprint, energy performance, and cost optimality, related to different renovation strategies for buildings located in heritage conservation areas. There is a need to align heritage board technical requirements with the environmental perspective. Given that major renovation is more cost-effective and better at preserving the exterior appearance compared to staged renovation, the former should be preferred to ensure the owner's willingness to pay.

Embodied Carbon and the Nuances in Office-to-Residential Conversions

Reducing carbon emissions associated with buildings is a top priority for mitigating the human impacts from climate change. Reducing carbon emissions resulting from the manufacturing, designing, constructing, investing, owning, operating, occupying, renovating, and demolishing of buildings is essential to safeguard the environment from negative consequences. This paper relates to the environment and human influence on the climate and addresses the different amounts of embedded carbon for building activities ranging from new buildings to major renovations to minor renovations, using a methodology termed the “whole-life carbon measurement”. The data from the case studies indicate that refurbished or renovated buildings exhibit the least carbon footprint compared to other alternatives. This outcome can be attributed to the sustainable practice of reusing materials, coupled with the positive effects of retrofitting. The expectation that refurbished buildings would demonstrate a lower carbon footprint aligns with the principles of sustainability, emphasizing the environmental benefits of repurposing existing structures. While embedded carbon is currently not priced, it is important that it be accurately measured over the entire life cycle of buildings if the real estate industry is to meet sustainability goals.

Making Space, Engaging Students

Reed College is a small liberal arts college located in Portland, Oregon. Students work and study on a mostly residential campus and the library has historically been the heart of academic and campus life. This relationship was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic as Reed shifted to online learning and library staff worked remotely. After more than a year, students and library staff returned to campus but other disruptions impacted student use of services and physical library space. A major seismic renovation closed a large section of the library. During this 18-month renovation, almost 40 percent of library seating and assigned desks were unavailable for student use. These major disruptions meant that both incoming and some upper-level students had no established relationship to the library beyond virtual interactions. It became evident there was a need to re-engage and re-energize students’ relationship with all aspects of library spaces and services.

Страхование капитального ремонта в Российской Федерации: актуальные проблемы и перспективы

Issues of provision of housing to citizens, dilapidation of the housing stock of the country and the importance of its renovation are named among the acute problems in Addresses of the President of the Russian Federation . A wisely developed system of major renovations of apartment blocks is the most optimal problem solution. However, although the adopted measures have been advanced and timely, they could not alleviate the emerging destructive tendencies, so the legislator has brought forward an initiative to introduce a mechanism of insurance of major renovations in the Russian Federation. This idea is not new in the world’s practice and is quite efficiently implemented in foreign laws and orders, primarily in form of an insurance coverage or performance bond. Its practical implementation in Russia and prospects of successful functioning present a relevant civil task. Following the results of the study, the authors conclude that the efficiency of this novelty will depend on the level of development of its implementation, establishment of the optimal legal framework and organizational mechanism.

Comparing bluegill growth among newly constructed, renovated, and established flood-control reservoirs in southeastern Nebraska

Perrion MA, Lebsock JR, Werner JP, Blank AJ, Miller BT. 2024. Comparing bluegill growth among newly constructed, renovated, and established flood-control reservoirs in southeastern Nebraska. Lake Reserv Manage. 40:57–65. Multiple reservoirs have been constructed in the last 10 yr in southeastern Nebraska for flood control and recreational purposes. In addition, other existing reservoirs have undergone major renovations in the same time period to remove sediment and aquatic invasive species. This situation created the opportunity to compare bluegill (Lepomis machrochirus) growth between newly constructed, renovated, and established reservoirs. This study analyzed bluegill growth data from 8 different flood-control reservoirs in southeastern Nebraska in 2021 and 2022. The study objectives were to (1) determine aging precision of scales and otoliths in bluegill and (2) evaluate bluegill growth among new, renovated, and established flood-control reservoirs. For all bluegill collected during the study, exact percent agreement for otolith ages between 2 readers was 89.6%, and percent agreement was 99.1% within 1 yr of age. For scales, exact percent agreement was 48.0% and 84.3% within 1 yr. Mean lengths at age for all reservoir types were similar for age-2 bluegill, whereas age-3 bluegill had longer mean lengths in renovated reservoirs than in either new or established reservoirs. Mean lengths of age-4 bluegill from new and renovated reservoirs were similar, but greater than mean lengths of age-4 bluegill in established reservoirs. Results of this study further demonstrate the greater precision of whole view otolith aging for bluegills compared to scale estimates and will benefit future managers making management decisions for bluegills. Managers can also use information ascertained from bluegill growth metrics to further manage bluegill populations based on reservoir age and management objectives.

Assessment of indoor environmental quality and seasonal well-being of students in a combined historic technical school building in Slovakia.

One of the major present challenges in the building sector is to construct sustainable and low-energy buildings with a healthy, safe, and comfortable environment. This study is designed to explore long-term impacts of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) parameters in a historic technical school building on the health and comfort of students. The main objective is to identify environmental problems in schools and to direct public policy towards the enhancement of in-service historic buildings. The collected data on five consecutive days in various seasons from five different classrooms indicate allergy in 45% and asthma in 10% of students. Environmental factors, such as temperature, draught, noise, or light, affected 51% of students' attention. Low temperature, unpleasant air, noise, and draught were found to be the most frequent concerns for students. The lowest temperature was measured during spring at 17.6°C, the lowest humidity of 21.1% in winter, the largest CO2 amount in the air in autumn at 2041ppm level, and the greatest total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) as 514µg/m3. The experimental and statistical analysis results suggest the necessity of a comprehensive restoration of the building with a focus on enhancement of IEQ as well as replacement of old non-standard materials. An effective ventilation system is also necessary. The building requires major renovations to preserve its historic features while safeguarding the well-being and comfort of students and staff. Further research is needed on acoustics, lighting, and energy factors as well as the health effects of old building materials.

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center audio enhancement to support architecture

Opened in 1976 and without a major renovation since, the 98,000-sf SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center was in dire need of transformation. The building’s aging infrastructure needed a comprehensive modernization to meet accessibility requirements, the escalating requirements of contemporary performance, and to present a new face to the public as the premier cultural institution in the state capital. The existing theater’s acoustics represented a challenge to effectively accommodate the wide range of performance types including Broadway roadshows, the Sacramento Choral Society, and the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera. Major renovations work included a complete exterior renovation; new mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and theatrical systems; and substantial updates to the interior finishes throughout the building. Providing an accessible venue to all patrons and performers was the primary goal of the project. Significant modifications to the external and internal circulation included removal of the entire audience chamber floor and new seating and aisle ways throughout. An electro-acoustic enhancement system was designed to provide an acoustically tunable audience chamber and electronic shell on stage to meet all the needs of the resident companies. Design and implementation of the electro-acoustic enhancement system will be discussed, including challenges of performer buy-in and audio orchestra shell integration.

К ВОПРОСУ РЕШЕНИЯ ПРОБЛЕМ ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИИ ПАНЕЛЬНЫХ ЗДАНИЙ

This article discusses issues related to the overhaul of large-panel residential buildings. The authors pay attention to a key aspect of this process, namely the repair of the joints of wall panels, as well as methods to identify places where the tightness of the seams in panel houses is broken. One of the important stages of the study is thermal imaging scanning, which allows you to accurately determine areas with the greatest heat loss and identify problem areas that require immediate intervention. The article also provides a brief description of the different types of sealants and their applications in the context of wall joint repairs. This is significant because choosing the right sealants and applying them correctly can greatly improve the effectiveness and longevity of a repair. The authors of the study emphasize not only the importance of proper repair of wall panel joints, but also the need to comply with building maintenance requirements and timely major repairs using high-quality materials. This is key to ensuring the durability of wall panel joints. Effective major renovations help create a favorable indoor microclimate and reduce energy costs, which is important not only from the point of view of improving living conditions, but also from an economic point of view in the modern construction industry.

A Wireless Sensor Network for Residential Building Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Monitoring: Design, Instrumentation, Data Analysis and Feedback

This article outlines the implementation and use of a large wireless instrumentation solution to collect data over a long time period of a few years for three collective residential buildings. The sensor network consists of a variety of 179 sensors deployed in building common areas and in apartments to monitor energy consumption, indoor environmental quality, and local meteorological conditions. The collected data are used and analyzed to assess the building performance in terms of energy consumption and indoor environmental quality following major renovation operations on the buildings. Observations from the collected data show energy consumption of the renovated buildings in agreement with expected energy savings calculated by an engineering office, many different occupancy patterns mainly related to the professional situation of the households, and seasonal variation in window opening rates. The monitoring was also able to detect some deficiencies in the energy management. Indeed, the data reveal the absence of time-of-day-dependent heating load control and higher than expected indoor temperatures because of a lack of occupant awareness on energy savings, thermal comfort, and the new technologies installed during the renovation such as thermostatic valves on the heaters. Lastly, we also provide feedback on the performed sensor network from the experiment design and choice of measured quantities to data communication, through the sensors’ technological choices, implementation, calibration, and maintenance.

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of refurbishment alternatives for façade assemblies typically used in existing buildings in the Mediterranean region in Spain

The building sector is a major contributor to the environmental impact in the European Union due to energy consumed, extraction of resources and greenhouse gas emissions. Particularly, the existing building stock represents a greater challenge than new constructions, since up to 85% of the buildings existing in 2050 have already been built. The extensive lifespan of buildings mean that construction assemblies remain standing for long periods of time, which accounts for most of the embodied environmental impact and affects its energy performance during the use stage. Also, because the façade surfaces generally cover most of the building envelope, they have strong potential to reduce existing buildings’ environmental impacts and energy consumption, when undertaking major refurbishments. This paper aims to compare the environmental performance of different refurbishment alternatives for façade assemblies typically used in existing buildings in the Mediterranean region in Spain. For this purpose, a three-step methodology based on a life cycle approach was applied: (I) Identification of existing façade assemblies and their related refurbishment alternatives, (II) Bill of Materials, and (III) Environmental, cost and energetic impact of each façade and their refurbishment alternatives were analysed with the Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost methodologies and U-values calculation, respectively. The results were used to draw conclusions to help construction sector practitioners, such as building designers and contractors, to make decisions during the design and construction stages in major renovation projects. They could also be used to select the optimum façade refurbishment alternatives, aiming at nearly zero-energy buildings.

Why do people (not) energy renovate their homes? Insights from qualitative interviews with Danish homeowners

Global climate changes and the need for transition to a low-carbon future have emerged as one of the most critical challenges of contemporary society, and decisions made by homeowners about major energy relevant renovations are essential as part of reaching climate goals. However, the installation of energy efficiency measures is still not widespread and needs to be stimulated to meet the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. This article provides insights into renovation processes by Danish homeowners currently being in the process of renovating their homes. Data were collected through 19 explorative qualitative interviews in the informants’ homes. By using practice theory as an analytical framework, we seek to broaden the traditional policy approach of rational actors by contributing with a broader and more context-rich understanding of homeowners’ renovation processes and how, or not, energy renovation is part of such processes. The results show that home renovation is a dynamic process that is not always carefully planned or intended, but rather evolves as technologies, know-how, and meanings develop and change. Specific challenges for energy renovation are identified concerning its perceived benefits, complexities, policy conditions, and associated meanings. The challenges of energy renovation are researched in context of other types of home renovations that are often implemented at the same time, but which differ fundamentally. Based on systematic evidence of the challenges and implementation context of energy renovation, recommendations for initiatives relevant to stimulate in policy and marketing are provided.

A Review of Non-Residential Building Renovation and Improvement of Energy Efficiency: Office Buildings in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Germany

Existing buildings are a source of great potential for energy efficiency through renovation. In this study, the national energy requirements equivalent for the major renovation of existing non-residential buildings using the example of office buildings in five European case countries are drawn out and discussed. The non-residential building sector has been found to be complex and heterogenous with much less available data than for the residential sector, but having greater average specific energy consumption per floor area. The existing non-residential building stock in the studied countries has been divided into varying amounts of groups and sub-groups. The energy requirements have been shifting from the increasing requirements for the U-values of the building envelope (before the 2000s) towards calculated energy demand for buildings as a whole (currently). The requirements for buildings in the near future will be carbon emission based. The energy efficiency of N-RBs in all of the studied case countries have been steadily improved during different decades of construction. Relatively older office stock combined with the relatively late introduction of national energy requirements was found to have a significantly larger potential for energy savings. Different terms and contents in national requirements were used to describe the principles of “major renovation” as from EPBD.

Tracking of the C/2022 E3 (ZTF) from Trivandrum Observatory

Established in 1837, the Trivandrum observatory has been working over the past 185 yr as an institution catering to the scientific and academic community. After a major renovation recently, the arrival of the comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) has provided an opportunity for the Trivandrum observatory to explore its capability in astronomy. The sky remained clear from February 13th onwards for 5 days, providing a much awaited window for tracking of the path of the comet. An apparent change in the coma is visualized in the images which could be associated with the increase in the radial distance from the Earth and also due to the increase in distance from the Sun.