English

The integration of renewable energy systems, mainly active solar ones, in buildings has been an aim of intense research over the last thirty years. Solar thermal systems have become the most widespread, and certainly the most well known RES system, being a commonly accepted solution for hot water production. Within the framework of this paper, which is based on the results of the SEPEDIC-ALTENER project and the Serres project are being analysed all the aspects of RES systems integration in buildings.

Preliminary experiments with a novel glazing system developed at the Desert Architecture and Urban Planning Unit of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev indicated that it may provide improved visual and thermal performance in buildings with large glazed areas located in sunny regions (hot and cold). In winter, it allows solar space heating but reduces glare, local over-heating and damage to furnishings caused by exposure to direct solar radiation.

Evidence suggests that a significant number of large highly-glazed spaces have major design flaws that lead to energy wastage and discomfort. Provision to control solar gains are generally insufficient in these buildings, which can lead to excessively high temperatures during the summer. Besides, the solutions implemented to overcome these issues usually have a high energy cost, whereas passive techniques may well limit these problems. This paper deals with design issues related to solar protections.

External shading systems, window systems and light control systems try to reach the indoor comfort and energy saving by approaches, that are different in complexity, costs and results; besides a good coordination among them could produce better performances. This paper analyses the office space energy demand connected to the use of different glazing materials, light control systems and external fixed shading devices for office buildings, with the aim to optimize their usage aspects and characteristics.

Energy performance standardisation evaluates all measures at the building and building services level that improve energy efficiency. Thermostatic valves are one of the choices, which are considered. To demonstrate their effect, a detached house, a terraced house and an apartment with three different levels of thermal insulation and hydronic heating were evaluated. Variants considered were (1) the fuel, (2) the boiler and (4) thermostatic valves or not. The TRNSYS and BOILSIM tools were used to simulate an Ukkel TRY-year.

The potential of controlling techniques for an electrochromic device is investigated in a systematic way, using both experimental and theoretical tools. Concerning the theoretical part a model was developed in the TRNSYS environment and validated against experimental data. These data were collected from experiments, which were carried out in a PASSYS test cell with a movable wall. Having established a good model performance several cases of window types (such as a 4mm clear window and a low-e double glazing) and controlling strategies for the electrochromic device are simulated.

The paper describes the comfort analysis based on simulation tools, microclimaticmeasurements and people response to interview.The results confirm a discrepancy between quantitative evaluation and sensatioin vote, butlowe then one reported by other authors.

Actually and in the near future, due to the necessity of refrigeration, the need of thermal energy dissipation systems will be increased. One of the best element, is the cooling tower, but it has one mean inconvenient, what is the use of a fan. The use of the fan has the following misfortunes: waste of energy, noise, vibration and dissemination of Legionella, if it is present.

SERRAGLAZE is a breakthrough daylighting system designed to be incorporated into the primary glazing of normal sidelit rooms to save energy and enhance comfort.The paper describes the design, construction and optical properties of the plastic SERRAGLAZE panel, the key component of the system.

The effect of the synoptic scale atmospheric circulation on the urban heat island phenomenon over Athens, Greece, was investigated and quantified for a period of two years, using a neural network approach. A neural network model was appropriately designed and tested for the estimation of the heat island intensity at twenty-three stations during the examined period. The day-by-day synoptic scale atmospheric circulation in the lower atmosphere for the same period was classified into eight statistically distinct categories.