The International Space Station (ISS) is the biggest multinational space program ever with 16 countries involved. Since November 2000 the station is permanently occupied with a crew of 3 astronauts. Till 2006 the station will be further assembled and the crew will be increased to 7 astronauts. To maintain a comfortable and safe environment under micro gravity conditions in a completely sealed space habitat advanced ventilation technology had to be developed to maintain air temperature, air humidity and air velocity as well as contaminant concentrations well below required levels.

This study investigates the application of night ventilation techniques in ten urban canyons, situated in the extended region of Athens, Greece. In order to determine the impact of the urban environment on the night ventilation performance, the outdoor air temperature and wind profile have been measured inside and outside the experimental canyons.

In urban areas, people stand the most of their time in indoor environment. In this context, indoor air quality is more and more a subject of concern. Outdoor air quality can have a large impact on indoor air quality. An experimental study has been conducted into a dwelling, in collaboration between the LHVP and the CSTB, in order to study the indoor concentration of pollutants depending on the outdoor pollution and the air renewal due to ventilation system. Different experiments have been conducted in an empty dwelling situated in a polluted area in Paris during winter and summer periods.

In the framework of SOLVENT project, work was carried out to develop strategies and dissemination material to assist the efficient application of solar and passive ventilation in urban buildings. The information gathered during the project is synthesized in a website designed for the 'informed' architect and also useful to HVAC engineers in their discussions with their clients.

The Building Regulations with regard to the energy performance of buildings in the Netherlands is an attempt to a performance oriented requirement in conjunction with a test standard. The test standard in fact means a calculation procedure. The requirements are given in the Dutch Building Decree. This Decree is coupled to the building act. Within the scope of an application for a building permit is has to be proven that the energy use of the building does not reach the maximum allowed energy amount set for that building.

It is expected that there will be in 2003 an energy performance regulation for the Flemish Region. In the framework of the VLIET-EPIGOON project, a proposal for such legislation is under preparation. This paper describes the global context for the envisaged regulation. Moreover, a number of specific issues are briefly presented.

Ventilation plays an important role in the RT 2000 regulation. This new French thermal regulation takes into account energy for heating and lighting through a C coefficient (primary energy in kWh), as well as summer comfort for non air-conditioned buildings. The paper focuses on the calculation of the C Coefficient. For the ventilation side of it, the calculation method aims both to have simple input data and physically based algorithms. The fact that it was chosen to have a computer based approach made this possible.

Energy Performance standardisation and legislation is receiving an increased interest in many countries. The paper is split up in 3 parts: An overview of the present status: which countries have such regulation in force or under preparation, what is the link with European standardisation? What are the challenges for achieving an effective EP approach? What are important on-going activities?

The Coolhouse project is exploring the viability of alternatives to air-conditioning in southern European countries using innovative passive and low energy cooling and ventilating techniques, with an emphasis on ground cooling. The project will demonstrate a variety of passive cooling techniques and the use of ground cooling systems for housing in Crete and Portugal, a nursing home in southern France and a community centre in Italy. The project partners include architects, energy designers, social housing providers and developers, the project will last 48 months.