Thisara Manupriya Sathkumara, Anuradha Samarajeewa Waidyasekara and Hasith Chathuranga Victar
The use of renewable energy has become necessary because of the harmful effects of current energy sources on the environment, limited availability and financial crisis…
Abstract
Purpose
The use of renewable energy has become necessary because of the harmful effects of current energy sources on the environment, limited availability and financial crisis. Transparent solar panels have emerged as a promising technology for integrating renewable energy generation into building structures. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the feasibility of transparent solar panels for high-rise building façades in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
The research apprehended a qualitative approach, including two expert interview rounds adhering to the Delphi technique with 17 and 15 experts each per round. Manual content analysis was incorporated to analyse the collected data.
Findings
Regarding operation and maintenance, the study emphasizes the importance of regular inspection, cleaning and repair of transparent solar panels to ensure optimal performance and longevity. These activities contribute to maximizing energy generation and maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the building. The benefits of implementing transparent solar panels on building façades are manifold. They include renewable energy generation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy efficiency and enhanced architectural aesthetics. Furthermore, the research findings underscore the potential of transparent solar panels to contribute to Sri Lanka’s sustainable development goals and address the country’s increasing energy demand. However, the study also identifies challenges that need to be addressed for successful implementation.
Originality/value
This study contributes to understanding the feasibility of transparent solar panels for high-rise building façades in Sri Lanka. The research findings offer valuable insights into the operation and maintenance aspects, benefits, challenges and strategies for implementing transparent solar panels effectively. This knowledge can guide policymakers, architects and developers in making informed decisions regarding the integration of transparent solar panels, thereby promoting sustainable and energy-efficient building practices in Sri Lanka.
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M.A. Alghoul, M.Y. Sulaiman, B.Z. Azmi, K. Sopian and M.Abd. Wahab
During the last 20 years, interest in the closed adsorption heat pump and refrigeration systems has increased steadily. In this paper, consideration is given to aspects of…
Abstract
Purpose
During the last 20 years, interest in the closed adsorption heat pump and refrigeration systems has increased steadily. In this paper, consideration is given to aspects of adsorption refrigeration in terms of existing materials used in adsorption refrigeration, heat transfer characteristics of materials, and cost of materials and manufacturing.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is a general review of adsorption refrigeration technology.
Findings
In recent years several papers have been published in this area and many aspects of the system have been addressed. Much effort has been devoted to enhance materials properties.
Originality/value
The paper provides information of value to those involved with heat pump and refrigeration systems technology.
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Francis O. Uzuegbunam, Fynecountry N. Aja and Eziyi O. Ibem
This research aims to investigate the influence of building design on the thermal comfort of occupants of naturally ventilated hospital (NVH) wards to identify the aspects with…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to investigate the influence of building design on the thermal comfort of occupants of naturally ventilated hospital (NVH) wards to identify the aspects with the most significant influence on the thermal comfort of hospital buildings during the hot-dry season in the hot-humid tropics of Southeast Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
Field measurements, physical observations and a questionnaire survey of 60 occupants of the wards of the Joint Presbyterian Hospital, Uburu in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were undertaken. The data were analysed using Humphreys' neutral temperature formula, descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.
Findings
The results revealed that the neutral temperature for the wards ranges from 26.2 °C to 29.9 °C, the thermal condition in the wards was not comfortable because it failed to meet the ASHRAE Standard 55 as only 65% of the occupants said the thermal condition was acceptable. The number and sizes of windows, building orientation, the presence of high-level windows and higher headroom significantly influenced the occupants' thermal comfort vote.
Practical implications
This research is valuable in estimating comfort temperature and identifying aspects that require attention in enhancing the capacity of NVH wards to effectively meet the thermal comfort needs of occupants in the hot-humid tropics of Southeast Nigeria and other regions that share similar climatic conditions.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of this nature that provides valuable feedback for building design professionals on the performance of existing hospital buildings in meeting users' thermal comfort needs in the hot-dry season of the hot-humid tropics in Southeast Nigeria.
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Harmeet Singh, Fatemeh Massah and Paul G. O'Brien
In this chapter the potential to use water-based Trombe walls to provide heated water for building applications during the summer months is investigated. Design Builder software…
Abstract
In this chapter the potential to use water-based Trombe walls to provide heated water for building applications during the summer months is investigated. Design Builder software is used to model a simple single-story building with a south-facing Trombe wall. The effects of using different thermal storage mediums within the Trombe wall on building heating loads during the winter and building cooling loads during the summer are modeled. The amount of thermal energy stored and temperature of water within the thermal storage medium during hot weather conditions were also simulated. On a sunny day on Toronto, Canada, the average temperature of the water in a Trombe wall integrated into a single-story building can reach ∼57°C, which is high enough to provide for the main hot water usages in buildings. Furthermore, the amount of water heated is three times greater than that required in an average household in Canada. The results from this work suggest that water-based Trombe walls have great potential to enhance the flexibility and utility of Trombe walls by providing heated water for building applications during summer months, without compromising performance during winter months.
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Kaustov Chakraborty, Surajit Bag and Andrea Chiarini
The rapid increase in importance of the remanufacturing operation in the present scenario is just because of its ability to retrieve the functional value of the End-of-Use or…
Abstract
Purpose
The rapid increase in importance of the remanufacturing operation in the present scenario is just because of its ability to retrieve the functional value of the End-of-Use or End-of-Life products which is as good as the original product. However, customers are still concerned about the reliability of the remanufactured product which is considered as one of the major problems in the area of remanufacturing. The purpose of this paper is to study and analyse the behavioural pattern of the mixture failure rate of a remanufactured product.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to analyse the behavioural pattern of the mixture failure rate, different proportions of new and remanufactured products are mixed. In this paper, a two-parameter Weibull distribution is used to observe the mixture failure rate characteristics. Also, the mixture failure rate of the remanufactured product is evaluated under two conditions, that is when the shape parameter of new and remanufactured components is the same and when the shape parameter values are different.
Findings
From the analysis, it is observed that the mixture failure rate is always decreasing in nature when the shape parameter values are same. In that case, the value of the mixture failure rate depends only on the proportion of the new components. When the shape parameter values are different, the mixture failure rate characteristics depend upon the shape parameter value of the remanufactured product.
Originality/value
The results of the research can be applied to any remanufactured automotive product. This study also shows the behavioural characteristics of the mixture failure rate of a remanufactured product at different mixture proportions.
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Jayarami Reddy Konda, Madhusudhana N.P. and Ramakrishna Konijeti
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the flow of Casson nanofluid past a nonlinear permeable stretching sheet in the presence of thermal radiation, chemical reaction, viscous…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the flow of Casson nanofluid past a nonlinear permeable stretching sheet in the presence of thermal radiation, chemical reaction, viscous dissipation, heat source, and magnetohydrodynamics.
Design/methodology/approach
Appropriate transformations are used to convert the boundary layer equations into nonlinear ODEs which are then solved numerically by using the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg fourth-fifth order method along with shooting technique.
Findings
Solution of this systems is obtained for velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. Graphical illustrations are added to discuss the effect of evolving parameters against above-mentioned distributions. Tabular values of local skin friction factor, local Nusselt number, and local Sherwood number are also added and studied accordingly.
Originality/value
A good agreement of the present results has been observed by comparing with the existing literature results. It is noted that skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number decrease with Casson parameter and increase with suction parameter.
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Sonali A. Deshmukh, Praveen Barmavatu, Mihir Kumar Das, Bukke Kiran Naik, Vineet Singh Sikarwar, Alety Shivakrishna, Radhamanohar Aepuru and Rathod Subash
This study has covered many types of solar-powered air-conditioning systems that may be used as an alternative to traditional electrically powered air-conditioning systems in…
Abstract
This study has covered many types of solar-powered air-conditioning systems that may be used as an alternative to traditional electrically powered air-conditioning systems in order to reduce energy usage. Solar adsorption air cooling is a great alternative to traditional vapor compression air-conditioning. Solar adsorption has several advantages over traditional vapor-compression systems, including being a green cooling technology which uses solar energy to drive the cycle, using pure water as an eco-friendly HFC-free refrigerant, and being mechanically simple with only the magnetic valves as moving parts. Several advancements and breakthroughs have been developed in the area of solar adsorption air-conditioners during the previous decade. However, further study is required before this technology can be put into practise. As a result, this book chapter highlights current research that adds to the understanding of solar adsorption air-conditioning technologies, with a focus on practical research. These systems have the potential to become the next iteration of air-conditioning systems, with the benefit of lowering energy usage while using plentiful solar energy supplies to supply the cooling demand.
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Christian Koranteng, Barbara Simons, Kwabena Abrokwa Gyimah and Jimmy Nkrumah
Accra, the capital city of Ghana, is seeing high-rise buildings springing up with extensive glazing. Given the challenges of the country concerning energy provision, guaranteeing…
Abstract
Purpose
Accra, the capital city of Ghana, is seeing high-rise buildings springing up with extensive glazing. Given the challenges of the country concerning energy provision, guaranteeing comfort in buildings and sustainability aspects, this trend is questionable and worrying in this pandemic era. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate how glazing types and their properties could reduce cooling loads and provide comfort by following the recommendations set by the Ghana Green Building Council (GHGBC) after the Green Star of South Africa, as well as other references found in literature.
Design/methodology/approach
Indoor thermal conditions were monitored to evaluate prevailing indoor conditions. Using a simulation application, various options were probed based on the Green recommendations and others found in literature to improve thermal comfort within the structure. Moreover, a questionnaire survey with observation was undertaken with 250 architects to understand the basis of decisions taken when specifying glazing for buildings.
Findings
The results indicate that cooling loads increased by 2% when the GHGBC after the Green Star of South Africa recommendations were applied. However, the use of the recommendations of previous research conducted in Ghana could reduce cooling loads by 38% to save energy. Suggested strategies of air velocity up to 1.0 m/s as well as thermal mass, comfort ventilation, conventional dehumidification and air-conditioning were found to be means to improve indoor comfort. Furthermore, the architects revealed that around 40% of multi-storey buildings are 70%–100% glazed. Of all the buildings, 62.4% was found to be glazed with single pane windows, making them use so much energy in cooling. Additionally, the survey underlined the client’s preference, cost and functionality as the three main bases for the choice of glazing in multi-storey office buildings.
Originality/value
A significant contribution of this study to the body of knowledge is the provision of empirical evidence to support the fact that due to climate difference, each country needs to undertake more experimental research works to be able to come out with standards that work. Thus, the GHGBC after the Green Star of South Africa does not necessarily work within the climatic context of Ghana.
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Naser Waheeb Alnaser and Waheeb Essa Alnaser
This paper allows more accurate estimation of the economy in investing in PV electrification for buildings, especially for Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCCC) where they…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper allows more accurate estimation of the economy in investing in PV electrification for buildings, especially for Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCCC) where they have nearly similar climate and building structure. The actual solar electricity yield from this building is used to make empirical modelling.
Design/methodology/approach
The accurate automated daily-recorded solar electricity from 8.64 kW solar PV on a rooftop of Sadeem Building at Awali, Bahrain, was modelled to polynomial equations of order of 6. The effect of the tilt (β) and azimuth (Ψ) angle of PV panels for smart and sustainable buildings is studied.
Findings
The correlation of each set of polynomial equation (R2) is listed and had reached a highest value of 0.9792 (for order of 6) with lowest value of 0.1853 (for order of 1). The model may be also applied to the GCCC. The results show that each kW of PV will have a solar electricity yield, on average, of 4.1 kWh. It also shows that the tilt angle has little influence on the solar electricity yield (less than 10%) when the tilt angle changed from 26° to 0° or from 26° to 50°. The influence of the azimuth angle is found to be more than 50% in changing Ψ from 90° to 180°.
Research limitations/implications
The model may not be restricted to Bahrain but applies – to a certain extent – to GCCC (six countries) and to other countries having buildings with similar roof design and at latitude close to the latitude of Bahrain.
Practical implications
The model enables developers and investors to estimate, with high accuracy, the solar electricity provided from a building if PV panels are to be installed on its rooftop (or facade) at different tilt (β) and azimuth (Ψ) angle for smart and sustainable buildings.
Social implications
Empirically finding out how much each kW of solar PV integrated to the building will produce solar energy electricity (in kWh), that is, 1 kW of PV yield, on average, 4.1 kWh.
Originality/value
Establishing empirical models to evaluate the outcome of each installed kW of PV panels. Each 1 kW installation of PV panels is 4.0 kWh/day, on average. This is less than what commercial companies claim for this region, that is, 1 kW produces 5.5 kWh/ day – which affects the estimated economic outcome of PV projects.
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Ghaith Warkozek, Stéphane Ploix, Frédéric Wurtz, Mireille Jacomino and Benoit Delinchant
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a problematic phenomenon that can occur when managing multi electrical sources systems by optimization.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a problematic phenomenon that can occur when managing multi electrical sources systems by optimization.
Design/methodology/approach
The energy management problem is formulated as a linear optimisation problem. Two approaches are developed and applied to detect the possible existence of equivalents solutions. The first is based on Dulmage‐Mendelsohn (DM) decomposition. With this method the structure of the optimisation problem is analysed. The second approach is a numeric approach; the detection of equivalents solutions is made by the formulation of new optimisation problem and the objective function of this problem is to maximise the distance between two equivalents solutions.
Findings
The numeric approach is more efficient than the structural approach. In some cases, applying DM decomposition may not be sufficient to detect the risk of W effect. This is because DM decomposition does not take the value of variable's coefficient into consideration, which is important to determine the degrees of freedom in the set of variables.
Originality/value
Multi sources systems are widely used, especially in buildings where renewable energies have good potential application. The linear formulation of the management problem may induce an existence of equivalent command strategies. The detection approach presented in this paper shows that some solutions are better than others from an applicabability point of view. They will not exhaust rapidly the storage system. This approach can be implemented in virtual sources plant to avoid solutions with this so‐called W effect.