Luminous performance and energy savings of a solar tracking mirror system for daylighting

The aim of the present study is the proposal of a novel tracking mirror system for the daylighting of deep interior spaces, such as commercial buildings, underground railway stations, parkings, etc.. The analytical approach demonstrates that it is possible to supply an acceptable workplane illuminance for 6/8 hours per day during the year in southern Italy. The experimental data, obtained by means of a physical model, support the theoretical analysis. Benefits in terms of energy savings and illuminance level, especially in clear sky conditions, are outlined.

Innovative office building - lighting, productivity and energy

In December 2000, a new demonstration building for lighting research "Valotalo" (Light House) wasinaugurated at Helsinki University of Technology. The newest experimental technologies for integration of artificial and daylight were applied in order to validate their efficiency and peoples acceptance. Photovoltaic panels of 7 kW maximum power were integrated in the south faade. A 30 m2 solar heating system mounted on the roof of "Light House" produces warm service water. A daylighting test room is also built on the roof for further daylight research.

Global energy savings in office buildings by the use of daylighting.

Outlines a study carried out in order to assess the impact of lighting energy savings on global energy consumption for office buildings. It is the result of combining both daylighting and thermal aspects in an integrated approach, and the present article concentrates on the simulation results. A modelling exercise was carried out for several facade configurations, for the four main orientations and three combinations of internal wall reflection coefficients. To perform the simulations, a daylighting simulation tool (ADELINE) was coupled with a dynamic thermal simulation software (TRNSYS).

DG XII programme: retrofitting of museums for antiquities in the Mediterranean countries.

This project has studied a selection of 16 typical museums for antiquities in five Mediterranean countries and was partly funded by the JOULE III of the European Commission DG XII. Through an elaborate analysis and complete refurbishment of the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, the programme has provided an example for an innovative museum design based on present-day know-how.

Solatube integrates ventilation into tubular skylight.

                   

Large-scale glass atrium maximises natural energy.

The Sapporo Factory is a large-scale commercial building complex in the heart of snowy Hokkaido. The complex has a large barrel-roof glass atrium with a comfortable indoor environment, which is maintained by making the most of cool outdoor air in summer and sunshine in winter. The atrium also provides a bright indoor space, which is never covered with snow, even in winter. Any snow falling on the glass roof is removed using the natural characteristics of snowfall.

A novel concept of facade for daylighting and natural cooling.

The role of metallic surfaces is not only to save energy in winter and in summer by separating the inside and the outside. New and inexpensive ways of collecting solar energy for internal heating, new ways of ventilating, heating and cooling through the fabric elements are described. Two very significant prospects are : radiative cooling by metallic surfaces and enhancement of indirect daylighting by optimised ceilings. The subject of the European CURES program is to promote these new technologies by simulating and testing them.

Integrated Smart control of heating, cooling, ventilation, daylighting and electrical lighting in buildings.

The present energy consumption of European Buildings is higher than necessary, given the developments in control engineering. Optimization and integration of smart control into building systems can save substantial quantities of energy on a European scale while improving the standards for indoor comfort.

Energy comfort 2000 - the application of low energy technologies to seven new non-domestic buildings.

This paper describes the results coming out of the European Commission supported THERMIE Target Project Energy Comfort 2000. This was the first Target project, containing eight non-domestic buildings, started in July 1993 and to be completed at the end of 1998. The project aimed to design and construct buildings which use less than 50% of the energy of a traditional equivalent, by using passive methods, particularly to avoid the need for air-conditioning. High quality internal conditions were to be achieved.

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