This paper presents an established sustainable and integrated design methodology for theefficient heating and cooling of individual buildings and complexes. The methodologyincludes the design basis for combined heat and power systems, refrigeration, air conditioningand heating with pump systems. It is equally applicable for single family houses as well aslarge building complexes and meets a major challenge in the design of heating and coolingsystems, namely, the complexity of energy and power integration.

In this paper, we present the economic analysis of a solid-oxide fuel-cell (SOFC) micro-cogeneration plant in a single-family low-energy house in Finland. Here, we implement a new solid-oxide fuel-cell (SOFC) model in the dynamic building simulation software IDA Indoor Climate and Energy to obtain a match between energy demand and supply.

Object of the R&D activities of the last 2 years was the development of the new generation ofa stationary low temperature PEM fuel cell system (operating temperature max. 80C) withthe following features- 5 kW electrical power- 10 T / kW electrical power- robust continuous operation- lifetime greater than 10.000 h- system volume less than 1.000 dm.This new system is a pre-stage for a market suitable system. With some modifications it alsoallows an upgrade to a middle temperature system (operating temperature max. 120C).

This paper presents the basic parameters and energy flows of an aquifer thermal energystorage (ATES) system combined with reversible water/water heat pumps used for heatingand cooling the new hospital Klina (Antwerp Belgium). The installation system is one of thefirst ATES projects in Belgium, and its operation is monitored with the aid of a DAQ system.The energy flows, primary energy consumption, CO2 emission reduction, were calculatedbased on DAQ loggings of the first 3 years of systems operation.

A more efficient use of energy in the built environment is absolutely necessary. Using theexergy concept delivers more complete information on the use of the energy flows withinbuildings and opens up room for further improvements within the field. The aim of this studyis to gain deeper insight into how the energy is being used in two already efficient buildingsystems, namely a balanced ventilation system with heat recovery and a solar thermal systemfor space heating supply. Furthermore, desirable optimization chances for them will bepinpointed.

We investigate optimal supervisory control of a building energy system with cogeneration of heat and power (CHP). The system consists of a Stirling engine and a supplementary burner, space heating and a domestic hot water (DHW) storage tank. Cost and primary energy (PE)-optimal operation are considered.
The best theoretically possible operating strategy is found using the following assumptions:

The ICEO Project quantifies the thermal and electrical energy consumption in hospitals of an Italian region (Lazio Region). 26 out of the 57 (45,6%) hospitals of the region were selected for a questionnaire in order to acquire information about activities, structural characteristics, technologies and the energetic consumption during the years 2001-2003. Only 61,5% of the selected hospitals supplied the required information. The consumption data show a great variability between hospitals, not always explained by their technological level or by their complexity.

The European research project “EULEB – European high quality Low Energy Buildings” intends to provide information about good examples of energy efficient buildings in use, in order to reduce prejudices and lack of knowledge of many key actors of the build

The construction of a building with an optimized thermal and energy performance and anaccordingly low energy demand does not necessarily require higher investment costs. Thedecisive factor is an interdisciplinary and foresighted an Integrated Energy Design.Although this integrated approach prolongs the design process and increases the planningbudget, in return the construction time and the subsequent costs such as energy and operatingcosts are significantly reduced.

The energy consumption and indoor temperature of 9 housing units sited in the northern region of Honshu Island, Japan were investigated for a full two years from Dec. 2002 to Nov. 2004. Three of the houses were installed with all-electric equipment. The annual and daily energy consumption profiles of two typical houses were analyzed, and the annual energy consumption per house was found to range from 40GJ/year to 120GJ/year. In some houses, energy consumption during the second year decreased due to a rise in energy saving awareness.