Solar Energy


Book Description

Solar Energy is an authoritative reference on the design of solar energy systems in building projects, with applications, operating principles, and simple tools for the construction, engineering, and design professional. The book simplifies the solar design and engineering process, providing sample documentation and special tools that provide all the information needed for the complete design of a solar energy system for buildings to enable mainstream MEP and design firms, and not just solar energy specialists, to meet the growing demand for solar energy systems in building projects.




Renewable Energy


Book Description

This book discusses renewable energy resources and systems as well as energy efficiency. It contains twenty-three chapters over six sections that address a multitude of renewable energy types, including solar and photovoltaic, biomass, hydroelectric, and geothermal. The information presented herein is a scientific contribution to energy and environmental regulations, quality and efficiency of energy services, energy supply security, energy market-based approaches, government interventions, and the spread of technological innovation.




Solar Technologies for Buildings


Book Description

A complete overview of solar technologies relevant to the built environment, including solar thermal energy for heating and cooling, passive solar energy for daylighting and heating supply, and photovoltaics for electricity production Provides practical examples and calculations to enable component and system simulation e.g. Calculation of U-values, I-V curve parameters and radiance distribution modelling Discusses the new trends in thermal energy use, including the architectural integration of collector systems, integrated ventilation photovoltaics facades and solar powered absorption cooling systems Coverage of cutting-edge applications such as active and passive cooling techniques and results from ongoing research projects




Energy Efficiency in Buildings


Book Description

Buildings are one of the main causes of the emission of greenhouse gases in the world. Europe alone is responsible for more than 30% of emissions, or about 900 million tons of CO2 per year. Heating and air conditioning are the main cause of greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. Most buildings currently in use were built with poor energy efficiency criteria or, depending on the country and the date of construction, none at all. Therefore, regardless of whether construction regulations are becoming stricter, the real challenge nowadays is the energy rehabilitation of existing buildings. It is currently a priority to reduce (or, ideally, eliminate) the waste of energy in buildings and, at the same time, supply the necessary energy through renewable sources. The first can be achieved by improving the architectural design, construction methods, and materials used, as well as the efficiency of the facilities and systems; the second can be achieved through the integration of renewable energy (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) in buildings. In any case, regardless of whether the energy used is renewable or not, the efficiency must always be taken into account. The most profitable and clean energy is that which is not consumed.




Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design (GreenSource Books)


Book Description

Design High-Performance Alternative Energy Systems for Buildings A comprehensive reference for architects and engineers, this GreenSource book provides practical design and installation guidelines for some of the most commercially viable alternative energy technologies. Construction materials, system deployment, typical installations, and environmental impact are covered. Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design includes information on LEED design, energy conservation, and solar power financing and return on investment. Power purchase agreements (PPAs) and national and international carbon cap and trade are also discussed. Valuable appendices contain detailed design data tables and certified equipment listings. Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design covers: Solar power system physics and technologies California solar initiative program Energy conservation Passive heating solar technologies Fuel cell technology Wind energy technologies Ocean energy technologies Hydroelectric and micro-hydro turbine power Geothermal energy Biofuel, biogas, and thermal depolymerization technologies Fission- and fusion-type nuclear power Air pollution abatement




Optimal Design and Retrofit of Energy Efficient Buildings, Communities, and Urban Centers


Book Description

Optimal Design and Retrofit of Energy Efficient Buildings, Communities, and Urban Centers presents current techniques and technologies for energy efficiency in buildings. Cases introduce and demonstrate applications in both the design of new buildings and retrofit of existing structures. The book begins with an introduction that includes energy consumption statistics, building energy efficiency codes, and standards and labels from around the world. It then highlights the need for integrated and comprehensive energy analysis approaches. Subsequent sections present an overview of advanced energy efficiency technologies for buildings, including dynamic insulation materials, phase change materials, LED lighting and daylight controls, Life Cycle Analysis, and more. This book provides researchers and professionals with a coherent set of tools and techniques for enhancing energy efficiency in new and existing buildings. The case studies presented help practitioners implement the techniques and technologies in their own projects. - Introduces a holistic analysis approach to energy efficiency for buildings using the concept of energy productivity - Provides coverage of individual buildings, communities and urban centers - Includes both the design of new buildings and retrofitting of existing structures to improve energy efficiency - Describes state-of-the-art energy efficiency technologies - Presents several cases studies and examples that illustrate the analysis techniques and impact of energy efficiency technologies and controls




Handbook of Energy Systems in Green Buildings


Book Description

This handbook provides a comprehensive summary on the energy systems used in green buildings, with a particular focus on solar energy - the most common renewable energy source applied in this field. With the growing concern about environmental protections, the concepts of green building have been widely promoted and implemented in nowadays building designs and constructions. Among all, sustainable energy systems, including energy harvesting, conversion, and storage, is one of most important design factors in green buildings. Unlike traditional energy systems which highly rely on fossil fuel, green buildings utilize renewable energy source or high efficient energy systems, or both, to provide environmental friendly, low carbon waste energy. The most updated concepts, designs, technologies developed and implemented in heat pumps, cooling systems, power systems, and energy storage will be discussed here in details. This handbook is subdivided into 7-9 main sections to provide an in-depth discussion from foundational principles to practical techniques. In addition, different cases about green energy systems implemented in global will be discussed. The book will be structured easy-to-read, to make it more accessible to graduate students and professionals in diverse scientific and engineering communities, including applied physics, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, material engineering, and chemical engineering.




Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB)


Book Description

Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB): Concepts, Frameworks and Roadmap for Project Analysis and Implementation provides readers with the elements they need to understand, combine and contextualize design decisions on Net Zero Energy Buildings. The book is based on learned lessons from NZEB design, construction, operation that are integrated to bring the most relevant topics, such as multidisciplinarity, climate sensitivity, comfort requirements, carbon footprints, construction quality and evidence-based design. Chapters introduce the context of high performance buildings, present overviews of NZEB, cover the performance thresholds for efficient buildings, cover materials, micro-grid and smart grids, construction quality, performance monitoring, post occupancy evaluation, and more. - Offers a roadmap for engaging in energy efficiency in high performance buildings projects - Combines solid grounding in core concepts, such as energy efficiency, with a wider context that includes the technical, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions - Covers key areas for decision-making - Provides a logical framework to analyze projects in the context of environmental change - Presents worldwide examples and cases for different climates and societies




Renewable Energy Technologies


Book Description

This book deals with the emerging generation of renewable energy technologies, covering solar energy (photovoltaic, thermal and thermodynamic energy conversion), wind energy, marine energy, small hydropower, geothermal energy, biofuels, biogas and the use of wood as a substitute for fossil fuels.




Zero-Energy Buildings


Book Description

The building industry is one of the largest energy consumers and countries all over the world are striving to design buildings that satisfy the user’s expectations while containing their energy consumption. In this context, zero-energy buildings have emerged as a technological paradigm that can solve this global issue, but its implementation in different contexts has brought a profound debate about its technical, social, and environmental limitations. Thanks to contributions from a variety of scholars from different countries, this book explores different aspects of the zero-energy buildings and gives the reader a broad view of the feasibility of implementation in different contexts.