What leads to variations in the results of life-cycle energy assessment?An evidence-based framework for residential buildings

Residential buildings are one of the major contributors to climate change due to their significant impacts on global energy consumption.Hence,most countries have introduced regulations to minimize energy use in residential buildings.To date,the focus of these regulations has mainly been on operational energy while excluding embodied energy.In recent years,extensive studies have highlighted the necessity of minimizing both embodied energy and operational energy by applying the life-cycle energy assessment(LCEA)approach.However,the absence of a standardized framework and calculation methodology for the analysis of embodied energy has reportedly led to variations in the LCEA results.Retrospective research endeavoured to explore the causes of variations,with a limited focus on calculating embodied impacts.Despite the undertaken attempts,there is still a need to investigate the key parameters causing variations in LCEA results by examining methodological approaches of the current studies toward quantifications of embodied and operational energies.This paper aims to address three primary questions:‘what is the current trend of methodological approach for applying LCEA in residential buildings?’;‘what are the key parameters causing variations in LCEA results?’;and‘how can the continued variations in the application of LCEA in residential buildings be overcome?’.To this end,40 LCEA studies representing 157 cases of residential buildings across 16 countries have been critically reviewed.The findings reveal four principal categories of parameters that potentially contribute to the varying results of LCEAs:system boundary definition,calculation methods,geographical context,and interpretation of results.This paper also proposes a conceptual framework to minimize variations in LCEA studies by standardizing the process of conducting LCEAs.

Performance analysis of a zeotropic mixture(R290/CO_2) for trans-critical power cycle

Low critical temperature limits the application of CO_2 trans-critical power cycle.The binary mixture of R290/CO_2has higher critical temperature.Using mixture fluid may solve the problem that subcritical CO_2 is hardly condensed by conventional cooling water.In this article,theoretical analysis is executed to study the performance of the zeotropic mixture for trans-critical power cycle using low-grade liquid heat source with temperature of200℃.The results indicated that the problem that CO_2 can't be condensed in power cycle by conventional cooling water can be solved by mixing R290 to CO_2.Variation trend of outlet temperature of thermal oil in supercritical heater with heating pressure is determined by the composition of the mixture fluid.Gliding temperature causes the maximum outlet temperature of cooling water with the increase of mass fraction of R290.There are the maximum values for cycle thermal efficiency and net power output with the increase of supercritical heating pressure.

One Year Minergie-A--Switzerlands Big Step towards Net ZEB

The first available label standardizing a zero-balanced type of building is the Swiss Standard Minergie-A. The standard prescribes an annual net zero primary energy balance for heating, domestic hot water and ventilation. Electricity consumption for appliances and lighting is excluded. Additionally, Minergie-A is the first standard worldwide which includes a requirement in regard to embodied energy. Based on an analysis of 39 Minergie-A buildings, this paper shows that a wide range of different energy concepts and embodied energy strategies are possible in the scope of the label. The basis of all Minergie-A buildings is a well-insulated building envelope. However, the step from the Swiss Standard Minergie-A to a Net ZEB （net zero energy building） standard which includes electricity consumption for appliances and lighting is not a very big one. Increasing the size of the photovoltaic system is sufficient in most cases. Anyway, some of the Minergie-A buildings evaluated are also Net ZEBs. In this paper, it is also shown that the net zero balance during the operational phase of Net ZEBs clearly outweighs the increased embodied energy for additional materials in a life cycle energy analysis.

A review of cryogenic power generation cycles with liquefied natural gas cold energy utilization

Liquefied natural gas （LNG）, an increasingly widely applied clean fuel, releases a large number of cold energy in its regasification process. In the present paper, the existing power generation cycles utilizing LNG cold energy are introduced and summarized. The direction of cycle improvement can be divided into the key factors affecting basic power generation cycles and the structural enhancement of cycles utilizing LNG cold energy. The former includes the effects of LNG-side parameters, working fluids, and inlet and outlet thermodynamic parameters of equipment, while the latter is based on Rankine cycle, Brayton cycle, Kalina cycle and their compound cycles. In the present paper, the diversities of cryogenic power generation cycles utilizing LNG cold energy are discussed and analyzed. It is pointed out that further researches should focus on the selection and component matching of organic mixed working fluids and the combination of process simulation and experi- mental investigation, etc.

Diagnostic Study of Global Energy Cycle of the GRAPES Global Model in the Mixed Space-Time Domain

Some important diagnostic characteristics for a model’s physical background are reflected in the model’s energy transport, conversion, and cycle. Diagnosing the atmospheric energy cycle is a suitable way towards understanding and improving numerical models. In this study, formulations of the “Mixed Space-Time Domain”energy cycle are calculated and the roles of stationary and transient waves within the atmospheric energy cycle of the Global-Regional Assimilation and Prediction System （GRAPES） model are diagnosed and compared with the NCEP analysis data for July 2011. Contributions of the zonal-mean components of the energy cycle are investigated to explain the performance of numerical models. The results show that the GRAPES model has the capability to reproduce the main features of the global energy cycle as compared with the NCEP analysis. Zonal available potential energy （AZ） is converted into stationary eddy available potential energy （ASE） and transient eddy available potential energy （ATE）, and ASE and ATE have similar values. The nonlinear conversion between the two eddy energy terms is directed from the stationary to the transient. AZ becomes larger with increased forecast lead time, reflecting an enhancement of the meridional temperature gradient, which strengthens the zonal baroclinic processes and makes the conversion from AZ to eddy potential energy larger, especially for CAT （conversion from AZ to ATE）. The zonal kinetic energy （KZ） has a similar value to the sum of the stationary and transient eddy kinetic energy. Barotropic conversions are directed from eddy to zonal kinetic energy. The zonal conversion from AZ to KZ in GRAPES is around 1.5 times larger than in the NCEP analysis. The contributions of zonal energy cycle components show that transient eddy kinetic energy （KTE） is associated with the Southern Hemisphere subtropical jet and the conversion from KZ to KTE reduces in the upper tropopause near 30？S. The nonlinear barotropic conversion between stationary and transient kinetic energy terms （CKTE） is reduced predominantly by the weaker KTE.

The Development of a Physical Conservation Fidelity Global Spectral Model-From Dynamic Framework to a Full Model

The fidelity scheme of physical conservation laws has been applied in the dynamic framework of a global spectral model. In this study, a set of diabatic physical processes are also involved. Based on six 30-day numerical integrations of real-time data, we show that the full model is able to reproduce the primary features of global energy cycle and hydrological distribution. Additionally, the root-mean-square error is dramatically decreased when diabatic processes are considered. Another advantage is that the false structure of ＂double Intertropical Convergence Zone （ITCZ）＂ is not seen in the result, although the orecioitation rate becomes lower.

Introduction of Huaihe River Basin Energy and Water Cycle Experiment and Research

Huaihe River Basin Energy and Water Cycle Ex-periment and Research (HUBEX), as one of the Ninth Five-Year Plan (1996-2000) Major Programs support-ed by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC), successfully passed the check-up and won high appraisement from the experts. Huaihe River Basin, located in the inland of the eastern Asia monsoon area, is the key base for rice-cotton production and suf-fers from the frequent drought and flood. In order to in-vestigate the climate problem of Huaihe River Basin area,

Recent Progress of Earth Science Satellite Missions in China

Earth Science from Space is an interdisciplinary discipline that studies the interactions,mechanisms,and evolution of the Earth system through space observation.In China,the national medium-to long-term civilian space infrastructure development plan and the space-science pilot project from the Chinese Academy of Sciences are two programs associated with advancing the Earth science from space.This paper reports recent scientific findings,developments and the status of the six missions.It is organized as the following sections:Introduction,two satellite missions that are already in orbit—the TanSat-1 for atmospheric COand the LuTan-1 for global surface deformation,a Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Inventory Satellite to be launched in 2022,and three missions that passed the PhaseⅡstudy and planned for near future—the Ocean Surface Current multiscale Observation,the Terrestrial Water Resources Satellite.Climate and Atmospheric Components Exploring Satellites(CACES),followed by the conclusion.

Solving Nonlinear Differential Equation Governing on the Rigid Beams on Viscoelastic Foundation by AGM

In the present paper a vibrational differential equation governing on a rigid beam on viscoelastic foundation has been investigated. The nonlinear differential equation governing on this vibrating system is solved by a simple and innovative approach, which has been called Akbari-Ganji＇s method （AGM）. AGM is a very suitable computational process and is usable for solving various nonlinear differential equations. Moreover, using AGM which solving a set of algebraic equations, complicated nonlinear equations can easily be solved without any mathematical operations. Also, the damping ratio and energy lost per cycle for three cycles have been investigated. Furthermore, comparisons have been made between the obtained results by numerical method （Runk45） and AGM. Results showed the high accuracy of AGM. The results also showed that by increasing the amount of initial amplitude of vibration （A）, the value of damping ratio will be increased, and the energy lost per cycle decreases by increasing the number of cycle. It is concluded that AGM is a reliable and precise approach for solving differential equations. On the other hand, it is better to say that AGM is able to solve linear and nonlinear differential equations directly in most of the situations. This means that the final solution can be obtained without any dimensionless procedure Therefore, AGM can be considered as a significant progress in nonlinear sciences.

Suppression of inner energy dissipation in Yb-doped NaErF_(4)upconversion nanocrystals through an energy cycling strategy

Suppression of the inner energy dissipation,related to the lattice phonons and inner defects,in lanthanide doped upco nversion luminescent materials remains a formidable challenge.Herein,we reveal an energy cycling strategy capable of suppressing the inner energy dissipation in lanthanide doped upconversion nanocrystals.Yb^(3+)ions were introduced in Er^(3+)heavily doped nanocrystals as an energy reservoir to compete with the inner energy dissipation.The detailed energy cycling processes between Er^(3+)activator and Yb^(3+)reservoir,responsible for the enhancement of Er^(3+)upconversion intensity,are proposed and further verified on the basis of spectral observations.The energy cycling strategy,with unique merits like facile and cost-effective preparation as well as broad scope of application,is highly valuable in lanthanide luminescent nano materials.

Enhancing upconversion of Nd3+ through Yb^(3+)-mediated energy cycling towards temperature sensing

Photon upconversion of lanthanides has been a powerful means to convert low-energy photons into high-energy ones.However,in contrast to the mostly investigated lanthanide ions,it has remained a challenge for the efficient upconversion of Nd^(3+)due to the deleterious concentration quenching effect.Here we report an efficient strategy to enhance the upconversion of Nd^(3+)through the Yb^(3+)-mediated energy cycling in a core-shell-shell nanostructure.Both Nd^(3+)and Yb^(3+)are confined in the interlayer,and the presence of Yb^(3+)in the Nd-sublattice provides a more matched energy for the upconversion transitions occurring at the intermediate state of Nd^(3+)towards much better population at its emissive levels.Moreover,this design also minimizes the possible cross-relaxation processes at both intermediate level and the emissive levels of Nd^(3+)which are the primary factors limiting the upconversion performance for the Nd^(3+)-doped materials.Such energy cycling-enhanced upconversion shows promise in temperature sensing.

THE ENERGY BUDGETS UNDER DIFFERENT SYNOPTIC CONDITIONS OVER HUAIHE RIVER BASIN DURING HUBEX FIELD OBSERVATION PERIODS IN 1999

In different synoptic conditions and at different time scales,the analysis of the energy budgets by Bowen Ratio Method and Bulk Schemes over Huaihe River Basin during the field observation periods of HUBEX in 1999 shows that,(1)the averaged latent heat flux is an order of magnitude more than the averaged sensible heat flux during the observation period:(2)the variation of total cloud amount is out of phase with the terms of energy budgets except for the downward longwave radiation which maybe is related to the cloud's height and class:(3)the values of sensible and latent heat fluxes are small during rain episodes,but thereafter,the values become high and then up to maximum.It is similar to the other terms of the energy budgets except for the downward longwave radiation.The diurnal variation of energy budgets indicates that the daytime precipitation exerts great influence to the energy budgets,but the nighttime precipitation makes little influence; (4)the variation of the latent heat flux is in phase with the evaporation,which indicates that the latent heat flux calculated by bulk schemes is reliable:(5)the means of the sensible and latent heat flux and momentum flux by bulk schemes for the time period from May to August are, respectively,30.71W/m^2.116.81W/m^2.2.86×10^(-2)N/m^2 in 1998 and 30.28W/m^2,107.35 W/m^2,2.74×10^(-2)N/m^2 in 1999.The values of these two years are similar.During summer in 1999 the magnitude and activity of sensible heat flux are strongest in June and those of the latent heat flux are in August.

Major Scientific Achievements of the First China–Japan Cooperative GAME/HUBEX Experiment: A Historical Review

In the summers of 1998 and 1999, Chinese and Japanese scientists cooperatively conducted the first large-scale energy and water cycle experiment(WCRP/GEWEX/GAME/HUBEX: World Climate Research Program/Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment/Asian Monsoon Experiment/Huaihe River Basin Energy and Water Cycle Experiment) in the Huaihe River basin, Anhui Province of China. The main objective of this field experiment(HUBEX)was to investigate the multiple-scale structure characteristics, life cycles, and genesis and development mechanisms of the Meiyu system in East Asia as well as the cause of related flooding disasters. It was a joint China-Japan cooperative meteorological and hydrological observation experiment. On the basis of intensive observations, scientists from the two countries conducted follow-up investigations through collating and compiling data and performing scientific analysis during the following five years. It can be concluded that the HUBEX project has yielded comprehensive and remarkable achievements. This paper introduces the major scientific results derived from this field experiment and the ensuing investigations, and reassesses their merits and shortages for the purpose of providing useful experience and proposing new research targets as well as prospects for the initiation of a new joint scientific Meiyu experiment in the middle and lower Yangtze River basin.