The contemporary demand for reducing carbon emission is changing the way architects design buildings, thus influencing a wide range of new solutions. In this paper, the author presents a method that intends to contrib...The contemporary demand for reducing carbon emission is changing the way architects design buildings, thus influencing a wide range of new solutions. In this paper, the author presents a method that intends to contribute for the discussion of recent strategies that lower the buildings＇ consumption of energy. The study establishes three priority parameters to analyze the faqades based on the materials, the practices and the thermal behavior. Each parameter is measured separately scaled from artificial to natural building materials, local to distant practices and insulation to inertia. The design of facades has been evolving to follow complex regulations that aim to increase the required sustainable performance of buildings. Scientific data is measurable individually by each parameter, though the cross influence between parameters raise the level of complexity. Shading systems, solar passive energy influence the measurement but the growing use of renewable energies affects the measurements of energy consumption. Each design responds differently to climatic conditions, and requires complex analyses considering the specificity of the natural environment and cultural context. The discussion makes use of scientific data that influences architectural design, the research requires a broader perception thus including cultural aspects. Recent high tech insulating systems have an effect on design solutions that characterize biophilia （human love of nature）. The wisdom of traditional local solutions tested over generations holds cultural aspects of biomimicry （nature as model）. The aim is to discuss whether the framework based on biophilia and biomimicry is useful for the research.展开更多
If Europe is to achieve the planned transition to a low carbon economy by 2050, succeeding in improving the energy efficiency of the largely inefficient existing building stock will be pivotal. Certain energy efficien...If Europe is to achieve the planned transition to a low carbon economy by 2050, succeeding in improving the energy efficiency of the largely inefficient existing building stock will be pivotal. Certain energy efficiency retrofitting obligations have now emerged as part of the EU＇s Energy Performance in Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive. Challenges for retrofitting currently include gaps in technical skills both amongst building trades and professionals, a lack of awareness of building owners and users, concerns about compromising cultural heritage as well as a lack of viable business models, comparatively high cost and resulting long pay-back periods currently hamper the progress. Lessons can be drawn here form the EU-funded initiative CONCERTO, which helped 58 communities in 23 countries to reduce their dependence on conventional energy supply by implementing energy efficiency measures and integrating renewable energy sources not at single building scale but community scale. Almost all of these entailed retrofitting activities bad to find solutions to the issues mentioned. This paper presents a selection of conclusions regarding retrofitting to be drawn from the analysis undertaken under the project CONCERTO premium, which analysed outcomes across the 58 projects on behalf of the European Commission and focuses in particular on the political relevance of outcomes.展开更多
This paper details the prospects for a civil nuclear power station in Estonia. Due to its climate change commitments, Estonia needs a new source of electricity provision. There is little academic literature on Estonia...This paper details the prospects for a civil nuclear power station in Estonia. Due to its climate change commitments, Estonia needs a new source of electricity provision. There is little academic literature on Estonia, and this research builds upon previous work but is more detailed in its analysis with primary data included in the form of interviews with Estonian energy industry experts. All the conditions that have led to nuclear energy being considered as an option are assessed, along with why it represents the most strategic path for Estonia in terms of electricity provision. Through the interview analysis a framework is established and advanced for the successful initiation of a national nuclear power plant project. This research is therefore of high value for small EU countries who intend to consider nuclear energy as an option in their energy mix or have more advanced plans to develop a nuclear program.展开更多
文摘The contemporary demand for reducing carbon emission is changing the way architects design buildings, thus influencing a wide range of new solutions. In this paper, the author presents a method that intends to contribute for the discussion of recent strategies that lower the buildings＇ consumption of energy. The study establishes three priority parameters to analyze the faqades based on the materials, the practices and the thermal behavior. Each parameter is measured separately scaled from artificial to natural building materials, local to distant practices and insulation to inertia. The design of facades has been evolving to follow complex regulations that aim to increase the required sustainable performance of buildings. Scientific data is measurable individually by each parameter, though the cross influence between parameters raise the level of complexity. Shading systems, solar passive energy influence the measurement but the growing use of renewable energies affects the measurements of energy consumption. Each design responds differently to climatic conditions, and requires complex analyses considering the specificity of the natural environment and cultural context. The discussion makes use of scientific data that influences architectural design, the research requires a broader perception thus including cultural aspects. Recent high tech insulating systems have an effect on design solutions that characterize biophilia （human love of nature）. The wisdom of traditional local solutions tested over generations holds cultural aspects of biomimicry （nature as model）. The aim is to discuss whether the framework based on biophilia and biomimicry is useful for the research.
文摘If Europe is to achieve the planned transition to a low carbon economy by 2050, succeeding in improving the energy efficiency of the largely inefficient existing building stock will be pivotal. Certain energy efficiency retrofitting obligations have now emerged as part of the EU＇s Energy Performance in Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive. Challenges for retrofitting currently include gaps in technical skills both amongst building trades and professionals, a lack of awareness of building owners and users, concerns about compromising cultural heritage as well as a lack of viable business models, comparatively high cost and resulting long pay-back periods currently hamper the progress. Lessons can be drawn here form the EU-funded initiative CONCERTO, which helped 58 communities in 23 countries to reduce their dependence on conventional energy supply by implementing energy efficiency measures and integrating renewable energy sources not at single building scale but community scale. Almost all of these entailed retrofitting activities bad to find solutions to the issues mentioned. This paper presents a selection of conclusions regarding retrofitting to be drawn from the analysis undertaken under the project CONCERTO premium, which analysed outcomes across the 58 projects on behalf of the European Commission and focuses in particular on the political relevance of outcomes.
文摘This paper details the prospects for a civil nuclear power station in Estonia. Due to its climate change commitments, Estonia needs a new source of electricity provision. There is little academic literature on Estonia, and this research builds upon previous work but is more detailed in its analysis with primary data included in the form of interviews with Estonian energy industry experts. All the conditions that have led to nuclear energy being considered as an option are assessed, along with why it represents the most strategic path for Estonia in terms of electricity provision. Through the interview analysis a framework is established and advanced for the successful initiation of a national nuclear power plant project. This research is therefore of high value for small EU countries who intend to consider nuclear energy as an option in their energy mix or have more advanced plans to develop a nuclear program.
