bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reducing peak load of renewable energy at district level with predictive twins
Authors: Borsboom W A , Mossallam B Eslami , der Linden R J P van 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
One of the major challenges in the energy transition of the built environment is how to integrate energy-producing neighbourhoods into the existing energy infrastructure. The aim is to avoid the peak load of local renewable energy by consuming it at district level as much as possible. The energy transition puts an increasing burden on the local energy grid, because of the increasing electrical load on the demand side by heat pumps and electrical vehicle charging, but also because of the increasing intermittent supply of energy through solar power and wind turbines. With a predictive twin, a digital representation at building and neighbourhood level, supply and demand can be better balanced, so more solar power is used locally and peak load is avoided. The predictive twin “SirinE”, developed by TNO, is a hybrid scalable model consisting of both a physical model for the building and installations, and an AI (Artificial Intelligence) model to describe the user behaviour. In the Horizon 2020 project syn.ikia, we are deploying this predictive twin in a model predictive controller (MPC) to use a temporary excess capacity of on-site solar energy as efficiently as possible. In this paper we present the model structure and the first simulation results for the energy prediction needed for the MPC.
Fostering deep renovation and unburdening homeowners through digital platforms
Authors: Greco Angela , Olivadese Rosamaria 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The customer journey of private homeowners towards deep renovation poses several challenges resulting in users not implementing energy efficiency measures. The conversion rate from orientation to implementation needs to increase and the whole renovation process to accelerate. Platforms are seen as playing a key role in accelerating renovations, acting as intermediary between the customer and the providers, reducing the friction between demand and supply. In this paper, we provide an overview of roles and impacts of digital platforms accelerating sustainability in the Dutch built environment. We analysed the outlook of 64 existing (digital) platforms to study their role in the customers journey. Our findings suggest that platforms offering individual guidance in the orientation phase of the customer journey are more likely to witness homeowners choosing for one or multiple energy efficient interventions as opposed to collective initiatives.
Effects of energy-efficient renovation concepts on occupant behaviour and hence building performance
Authors: Spiekman M E , Boess S U , Santin O Guerra , Rovers T J H , Nelis N 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Dwellings and systems are becoming ever more complex. In achieving high energy performances, the interaction among user, building and systems plays an increasingly crucial role. We studied this interaction in 16 recently renovated low-energy dwellings, to advance the field in terms of methods, and to derive pointers for improved renovation concepts. We used sensors to monitor the indoor environment. And we further developed a method that uses questionnaires, diaries and a so-called 'walk through the house' interview technique to gain insights into occupant behaviour and the reasons for the occupants’ behaviours. The results show that the observed behaviour was almost always a normal response to the situation, but often not the behaviour that was expected when designing the renovation concept. A major reason for this was the occupants’ efforts to reduce discomfort, which was often the result of the renovation solution itself (for example draught, noise or a warm bedroom). So, we found that behaviour was often a quite normal reaction to the renovation solution. We conclude that the resulting underperformances of renovation concepts are caused by technology centred design. We posit that this can be improved by testing renovation concepts in real world situations.
Review on shallow geothermal promoting energy efficiency of existing buildings in Europe
Authors: Liu Zhengxuan , K.Qian Queena , Visscher Henk , Zhang Guoqiang 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The energy-saving renovation of existing buildings has been attracted sufficient attention to reduce fossil fuels and mitigate global warming in Europe. The shallow geothermal for building cooling and heating, as an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective alternative, has been widely explored to promote energy efficiency of existing buildings. However, few studies conduct the comprehensive overview on the applications, developments, and existing issues of shallow geothermal promoting energy efficiency of existing buildings (SGPEEEB) in Europe. The objective of this paper is to review the current application status and future trends of SGPEEEB in Europe. First, the common utilization forms and classifications of used shallow geothermal technologies are introduced to further clarify the investigated subject. Then, the research and application status of SGPEEEB has also analyzed and discussed. At last, this study proposes the future trends and comments of SGPEEEB in Europe.
Development and monitoring of the MEED high efficient shower heat recovery unit
Authors: Jacobs Piet , Kemp Richard , Vijlbrief Olav 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In well isolated dwellings especially with multiple residents domestic hot water (DHW) accounts often for more than 50% of the energy consumption.Currently there exist shower heat recovery units which recover 40 - 70 percent of the heat in the shower water. This efficiency can drop due to fouling of the heat exchanger, which is often not accessible. Further this is a component efficiency. The system efficiency also depends on the cooling down of the shower water due to evaporation and conduction losses to wall and floor tiles. During renovation it is often practically only possible to preheat the cold water port of the thermostat with the shower heat recovery unit. The cold water feed to the boiler would then not be preheated. In apartments it is not possible to install the highly efficient pipe-in-pipe heat exchangers as they have to be installed on the floor below the bathroom. Which only leaves shower tray heat recovery units which are in the lower range of the mentioned efficiency. In practice therefore during renovation shower heat recovery is not often applied.To address these problems a new patented concept for shower heat recovery has been developed. The Multi Energy Efficient Shower cabin (MEED) involves an insulated shower cabin (tray and walls) which is closed to minimize evaporation losses. The hot shower water is pumped up and flows over an integrated helix heat exchanger. This heat exchanger is able to extract 82% of the heat and is accessible for cleaning. In the shower cabin also an electrical 10 liter 6 kW boiler is integrated, so all cold water is preheated and directly hot water is provided which minimalizes pipeline losses. The MEED has enough capacity to shower endlessly. The MEED has been installed in existing social rental housing, private housing and in hotels. First monitoring results indicate a system efficiency of more than 70%. Aside the shower the MEED is able to provide all DHW, which makes a storage vessel superfluous. This is provides important space gain in smaller dwellings.
Novel ATES triplet system for autarkic space heating and cooling
Authors: Bloemendal M. , van Esch M.S. , Vardon P.J. , Pape J.J. , Hartog N. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Governments and companies have set high targets in avoiding CO2 emissions and reducing energy. Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems can contribute by overcoming the temporal mismatch between the availability of sustainable heat (during summer) and the demand for heat (during winter). Therefore, ATES is an increasingly popular technique; currently over 3000 low temperature ATES systems are operational in the Netherlands. Low-temperature ATES systems use heat pumps to allow the stored heat to be supplied at the required temperature for heating (usually around 40-50°C) and for cooling in summer. Although on average a conventional low-temperature ATES system produces 3-4 times lower CO2 emissions when compared to gas heating, the heat pumps still require substantial amounts of external electricity, causing over 60% of the remaining primary energy use. In the ATES triplet system, the temperatures in the hot and cold wells of an ATES system are increased and decreased respectively to match the required delivery temperatures and a third well is added at an intermediate temperature. With this strategy, other sources of sustainable heat and cooling capacity can supply the subsurface close to the temperatures required in the hot and the cold well. However, the return temperatures from the building systems do not conform with either of the hot or cold wells and an additional well is used to store water at the return temperature. Additional components are then required to supply the hot and cold wells (from the third well) by increasing the temperature in summer (e.g. solar collectors) and decreasing it in winter (e.g. dry coolers). In this study the feasibility of this concept is evaluated. Simulations and an economical evaluation show significant potential for triplet ATES with economic performance better than conventional ATES while the CO2 emissions are reduced by a factor of ten. As the temperature differences are larger, the volume of groundwater required to be pumped is considerably lowered, causing an additional energy saving. Ongoing research focusses on analysing the energy balance and energy loss in the subsurface, well design requirements, working/operational conditions of each well, as well as the integration of building system components, such as the influence of weather conditions on performance of system components.
Decentralized ventilation unit for window frame integration
Authors: Davidsson H , Johansson D , Chowdary S K 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning reported in “Energi i bebyggelsen” that 80 % of the detached houses in Sweden were under-ventilated, and had a flow of 0.23 l/(s·m2) on average instead of, by the code, required 0,35 l/(s·m2). Well known concerns here are lacking indoor environmental quality and a risk of moisture problems in certain rooms and in the envelope. The naturally ventilated houses have a higher airflow at low outdoor temperatures which increases the energy use for heating. Adding proper ventilation to all Swedish detached houses could according to Besmå’s pre-study “Potential för energieffektivisering i småhus (2019)” increase the annual energy need by 5.5 TWh. Many of these use electric heating resulting in a heavy pressure on the electricity production and distribution. One way to solve this problem is to install mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Installing such system in older houses is however often costly and often carries technical and practical problems. Ducts must be installed in every room in the building, requiring space which often leads to reconstruction of walls and ceilings. Another way to solve this is reinforce the existing ventilation in the house with a decentralised ventilation unit with heat recovery. The technical solution is to mount several smaller ventilation unit with heat recovery in the building skin in order to ventilate individual rooms. The solution does not require any ducts to be installed. This simplifies the installation and reduces the maintenance. In this report we study a decentralised ventilation unit with heat recovery intended to be installed in window frame to lower the cost of the combination of ventilation and window renovation. In this report we measure draft, short-circuiting between inlet and outlet air, air mixing in the room, noise and heat recovery efficiency of the ventilation unit. The results show that no draft and no short-circuit occurs and that the mixing of the air in the room is high and an efficiency of the heat recovery of approximately 70 %.
Energy users’ social drivers to transition from natural gas: a Dutch municipality case study
Authors: Hajarini M S , Zuiderwijk A M G , Diran D D D , Chappin E J L 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Dutch municipalities have a vital role in creating policy concerning natural gas replacement with sustainable sources in the built environment by 2050, i.e., the so-called heat transition. Over the years, information provision from research and consultants to municipal policymaking in the heat transition has covered mainly the techno-economic dimension. However, a gap remains in the social information provision which enables more comprehensive and inclusive decision-making. This study answers the following research question: What social aspects do municipal policymakers need to consider in municipal heat transition policymaking? We first conducted a systematic literature review concerning energy users’ social drivers to transition from natural gas. Second, we conducted a single case study on the policymaking process of heat transition projects in the municipality of Zoetermeer in the Netherlands. The case study involved heat transition actors with various roles in municipal decision-making, including municipal policymakers, researchers, corporations and citizens. Then we developed a framework of the social drivers of energy users to transition from natural gas. Finally, this framework was enriched in an ex-ante evaluation in a semi-structured workshop. Our study shows that energy users’ social drivers can be categorized as behavioural belief, normative belief, and control belief. These social drivers combined with the techno-economic aspects shape the energy users’ participation in the heat transformation.
Home energy renovation: UK owner-occupied householder uncertainties, information and data needs
Authors: Simpson Kate , Cockbill Stuart , Childs Peter 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Homes must become low energy, resilient to climate change and provide comfort for households, as part of the European renovation wave. Renovation involves millions of decisions and actions. Owner-occupied households are a key group of decision-makers, but with conflicting demands on their time and finances. Householders collect information from multiple sources. However, previous research has found that the detail of available information and data on renovation is difficult to find. Therefore, this paper aims to identify householder uncertainties and related information and data needs, to support early-stage energy renovation decision-making. Co-design has been found to be beneficial in designing energy demand reduction strategies, leading to meaningful outcomes for householders, however, it was found to lead to further information requirements. The open virtual information exchange reported here, inspired by co-design and virtual workshop approaches, was effective in identifying uncertainties and gathering feedback on information types and data to address them. Householders’ require trusted specialists to visit the home in-person. The information identified could be shared via trials at renovation information hubs, potentially using digital apps to connect renovation opportunity, householders’ and trusted practitioners. There is much householder uncertainty around housing renovation and more work is needed to move able-to-pay householders from renovation planning to renovation in practice.
Sustainability assessment of waterproof membranes for radon mitigation in buildings
Authors: Felicioni Licia , Jiránek Martin , Lupíšek Antonín 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Gas radon is the main source of ionising radiation for humans and the second cause of lung cancer, just after smoking. Radon is present in the ground, and its concentration differs soil by soil according to the permeability and the mineral composition. Since radon mainly penetrates a building through cracks and fractures at the foundation level, it is necessary to focus on that area. The problem of high radon indoors concentration is present largely in Europe and in those countries where the heating indoors is privileged since there is a high-temperature difference between outdoors and indoors in winter. The waterproof membranes placed continuously in the structures that are in contact with the soil are one of the cheapest and easy-to-install radon mitigation solutions. Membrane-based measures, like all remedial measures, represent operational and embodied environmental impacts; the lasts were more or less ignored so far. Still, as buildings are becoming energy-efficient and should ensure a high level of indoor comfort, the environmental impacts of these membranes are recognised as being noteworthy and shall be methodically examined. The paper aims to assess the contribution of embodied impacts of five macro-categories of membranes that could be installed to protect buildings against radon. The embodied impacts are calculated for the A1-A3 LCA stages and compared against each other in relation to one square meter and the radon resistance.
Innovation opportunities from made-to-order gypsum boards in renovation projects: a case study in Denmark
Authors: Nussholz Julia , Toca Pérez Cristina , Salling Stephanie , Søgaard Jørgensen Michael , Wandahl Søren 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
To reduce embodied emissions and waste in renovation projects, new resource efficient and low waste construction processes are needed. One possible solution to reduce waste at the construction can be made-to-order (MTO) customisation of standard products that are delivered in the right size and quantity. A key construction process in renovation projects is the installation of gypsum for partition wall construction. Today, gypsum boards are cut to the right size at the construction site, resulting in 15-30% of waste. In several countries, pilots for delivering MTO gypsum boards in the right length for the building dimension have shown significant potential to reduce waste and increase productivity. This study aims to help the material manufacturer Saint-Gobain Denmark explore innovation opportunities from MTO gypsum boards for the Danish market. Work sampling at a renovation project is conducted to identify the activities of the current installation process and potential time savings from MTO. Interviews are used to identify actors and their roles in the current value chain for partition wall construction in Denmark and possible scenarios to offer MTO. Results show that a rise in the production time from 31% to 36% could be achieved by avoiding measuring and cutting of boards at the construction side. Two value chain scenarios for delivering MTO in the Danish market are presented. Based on the results, potential drivers and barriers for MTO in the Danish market are discussed.
Development and application of a novel AR-tool being used in energy renovations
Authors: Jalilzadehazhari Elaheh , Kurkinen Eva-Lotta 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The majority of the buildings in Sweden were constructed before national energy codes became effective. Although performing energy renovations and/or energy-related maintenances can significantly improve the energy performance of these buildings, the energy renovation rate is very low in Sweden. The low energy renovation rate is associated with various challenges including lack of technical drawings to specify the position of hidden objects and lack of information about material specifications. An augmented reality (AR) tool was therefore developed to not only locate the position of hidden objects but also create IFC files being used by BIM management systems. The tool was later applied in real practice to evaluate its effectiveness in detecting hidden objects. The analyses of results showed that the application of the AR tool in energy renovations and/or energy efficiency-related maintenances can be beneficial as it could successfully locate hidden objects. However, the application of the AR-tool had different limitations related to the sensitivity of sensors in detecting hidden objects, connections between the software programs and hardware devices to integrate the digital information into the real-life environment, and finally time required for setting up the AR tool.
Environmental lifecycle impact assessment for CULTURAL-E climate and cultural based solution sets
Authors: Bari R Di , Jorgji O , Turrin F , Pinotti R , Pozza C 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The situation reported from the Global Status Report 2021 and the now war-related risks urge the application of measures for decreasing emissions and energy consumption, aiming carbon neutrality by 2050. Smart solutions for decreasing energy consumption are researched and implemented in the context of energy efficient buildings and Plus Energy Houses (PEHs). As PEHs gained an increasing consideration for the challenge of energy consumption reduction, their design produced a multitude of solutions. In such a multitude, an optimum is defined by accounting and comparing the performance offered by provided technologies and the actual technical requirements. The latter can be affected by the geographical/climate context as well as the user behaviour and socio-cultural aspects. This objective has been addressed in the CULTURAL-E research framework. Furthermore, in compliance with the current climate targets, this framework attributes a central role to the environmental performance of systems designed for PEHs. In this work, environmental impacts’ investigations of solution sets for PEHs are provided according to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The developed bottom-up approach provides lifecycle information hierarchically on three levels (component, solution sets and PEH), while information of operation energy is derived through building energy simulations and average user-related energy usage. The selected 8 case studies are drawn from the CULTURAL-E research and include solution sets tailored for climate and socio-cultural clusters. Innovative technological components as well as conventional technologies are included. Based on such analyses, an environmental (CO2) payback periods have been estimated, i.e., the time required to recoup the total expended embodied CO2 through building operation carbon positivity. Results identified potentials for climate mitigation and different performance levels of the implemented technologies and photovoltaics systems, especially for countries in which a faster shift to renewable energy sources is needed for meeting the 2050’s environmental targets.