English

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.

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.

HVAC load weighs a large portion of overall building energy consumption. A low storeybuilding of 20,000m2 floor area adopted a task ambient conditioning system (TAC) to reduceHVAC load while maintaining work environment. Other design techniques such as doubleskinfacade and structural thermal storage system, were also applied and the TAC systemachieved comfortable personal work-environment with reduced demand.

The paper presents a comparative study among six different solutions regarding the energysupply of a high-tech building. All the solutions take into account the coupling of the sourcesof energy and the energy storage, considering equipments like: boilers, compression andabsorption refrigeration machines, thermal motors, fuel cells, storage tanks and the use of theunderground water and an artificial lake. The functioning of the different solutions wassimulated using Simulink - Matlab.

The climate in southern Brazil is characterised by mild winters and hot-humid summerswhich requires the design to be adaptable to the often conflicting summer and winterrequirements. In the residential sector, air conditioning consumption is still low, but it hasbeen growing significantly along with an increase in peoples purchasing power whichemphasizes the importance of encouraging a change in construction practices [1].

The energy utilization of a country can be evaluated using exergy analysis, which is a way to asustainable development, to gain insights into its efficiency. The authors have conducted variousstudies on analyzing the energy utilization efficiencies of Turkey and extended here these studiesby dealing with the investigation of the thermodynamic parameters in the Turkish residentialcommercialsector (TRCS).

This study investigated the impacts of lifestyle in terms of family patterns, life schedules and climate factors upon household energy consumption, as well as to unfold the main causes of household energy consumption under various climatic lifestyles. Based on the findings of the previous studies, it was assumed that space heating, cooling, lighting and entertainment/media equipments usages are the major lifestyle and climate related sources of household energy consumption.

This paper deals with the use of passive solutions to reach thermal comfort conditions in aneducational building under specific tropical climatic conditions. A case study of a green highschool building located in the French tropical island of La Reunion at an altitude of 600mwas used.

The paper discusses the newly revised ASHRAE GreenGuide, particularly as it relates to thetopic of indoor environmental quality. The updated Guide includes a new chapter on LEEDGuidance for Mechanical Engineers and a new chapter on building systems Impact on theLocal Environment- both indoor and outdoor.