Article
Energy & Fuels
Alejandro Lara Allende, Andre Stephan
Summary: In the long run, the energy efficiency and emissions reduction performance of green building projects throughout their lifecycle is crucial, with each lifecycle stage making a significant contribution that cannot be overlooked.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Michal Pierzchalski, Elzbieta Dagny Rynska, Arkadiusz Weglarz
Summary: The study investigates the role and impact of life cycle assessment in architectural design, finding that building form and material choices have a significant impact on the environment, and suggests that LCA should be used cyclically as a management tool.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chr Lamnatou, D. Chemisana
Summary: Solar thermal systems play a crucial role in the building sector, and this article presents a multidimensional approach to study their development. By discussing energy policies and conducting Life Cycle Assessment, the environmental impacts of solar thermal systems in buildings were evaluated, with metallic components found to have the highest environmental impacts.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Abdul Rauf, Daniel Efurosibina Attoye, Robert Crawford
Summary: Extensive focus on operational energy research has brought about positive impacts on academia and policymakers. However, there has been limited attention given to embodied energy in building construction. This study investigates the current scenario in the UAE by examining the embodied energy of a residential villa. The findings reveal the proportion of initial and recurrent embodied energy, as well as the life cycle energy, over a 50-year period. The study also emphasizes the potential benefits of incorporating renewable energy sources and highlights areas for future research in the field of embodied energy.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Zaid Alwan, Amalka Nawarathna, Rana Ayman, Mingyu Zhu, Yomna ElGhazi
Summary: Recent advancements in digital tools and Building Information Modelling (BIM) have allowed for better assessment of building performance and energy consumption, indicating that embodied energy is critical in the early stages of a building's life before being overtaken by operational energy. Variations in energy outputs are observed between domestic and commercial buildings, attributed to different design methods, construction materials, occupancy patterns, and energy demands.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Poonam Khatri, Prakash Nepal, Kamalakanta Sahoo, Richard Bergman, David Nicholls, Andrew Gray
Summary: Using the life-cycle assessment methodology, this study estimated the embodied carbon of wood products from California in 2019, taking into account the emissions occurring at different stages of the products' life cycle. The findings suggest that dynamic assessment methods provide a more accurate estimation of the emission reduction benefits of substituting wood for non-wood products, compared to static assessment methods.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Helena Monteiro, Nelson Soares
Summary: This study comparatively assesses the impact of various design options, envelope solutions, and operational conditions on the energy life cycle of a single-family house in southern Europe, and analyzes the contribution of each component and the potential benefits of different circular economy end-of-life scenarios.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Salim Barbhuiya, Bibhuti Bhusan Das
Summary: This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies applied to construction materials. It discusses the importance of LCA in the construction industry and provides an overview of LCA principles, phases, and key parameters specific to construction materials. The paper reviews LCA studies on various construction materials, explores recent advances in LCA for construction materials, and discusses challenges and future directions in LCA implementation for construction materials.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Delphine Ramon, Karen Allacker, Damien Trigaux, Hendrik Wouters, Nicole P. M. van Lipzig
Summary: Strict energy performance requirements have reduced buildings' operational energy use and environmental impact in the past decades. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to assess the environmental impact of buildings, but current studies often ignore the potential changes in operational energy use due to climate change. This study improves the assessment by considering the variations in yearly operational energy use caused by climate change and changes in the electricity mix. The results show that climate change scenarios can significantly affect the energy use and environmental impact of buildings.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Maria Andrea Triana, Roberto Lamberts, Paola Sassi
Summary: This research proposed a Sustainability Index in the Energy Life Cycle to evaluate energy efficiency measures with adaptation to climate change in Brazilian social housing projects. The case study in Sao Paulo highlighted the importance of initial material selection, thermal and energy performance of buildings, and the impact of climate change on building operation. The integrated approach showed significant reductions in energy consumption compared to current practices.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fernanda Belizario-Silva, Lidiane Santana Oliveira, Daniel Costa Reis, Gabriel Torres Gomes Pato, Arthur Coser Marinho, Clarice Menezes Degani, Lucas Rosse Caldas, Katia Regina Garcia Punhagui, Sergio Almeida Pacca, Vanderley Moacyr John
Summary: Life cycle indicators are crucial for decarbonizing the construction sector, but their use is limited in developing countries due to complexity, cost, and fragmented tools. Sidac, an online system, provides a streamlined approach to assess energy and CO2 emissions. It facilitates calculation and disclosure of life cycle indicators for construction products and promotes low-carbon construction. It is aligned with the trend of digitalization and can act as a model for other countries and sectors.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Elena Guidetti, Maria Ferrara
Summary: This paper investigates the potential of embodied energy in existing buildings for supporting city-level decisions and reuse, proposing a comprehensive method for defining and calculating embodied energy. The results highlight new issues for further research.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fahimeh Dokhanian, Mostafa Mohajerani, Hassan Estaji, Morteza Nikravan
Summary: The objective of this research is to select the optimal shading in the life cycle of an educational building based on the evaluation of energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and cost. The study analyzed the performance of six common types of external fixed shadings with different materials in terms of energy, economic, and environmental factors. Among 3600 possible options, a simple overhang concrete shading with a projection of 1 m and an angle of 10 degrees to the horizon was determined to be the most optimal structure.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ricardo Barbosa, Manuela Almeida, Raul Briones-Llorente, Ricardo Mateus
Summary: The energy renovation of existing buildings is crucial for achieving decarbonisation targets in Europe. This article presents a methodological framework to assess the relevance of embodied energy and carbon emissions on the cost-effectiveness of building renovation solutions, showing that a whole life cycle approach may have a negative impact on energy and emissions reduction.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jan Emblemsvag
Summary: The study suggests that wind energy can reduce emissions to some extent compared to using gas turbines. However, achieving an affordable, low-carbon grid incorporating wind energy balanced by fossil fuel generators is infeasible with current technology, emissions, and costs.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chamari Pamoshika Jayarathna, Duzgun Agdas, Les Dawes, Tan Yigitcanlar
Summary: This study analyzed 95 scholarly articles to identify research gaps in the use of multi-objective optimization (MOO) for sustainable supply chain and logistics modeling (SSCLM). The analysis revealed a need for more attention to the social aspect of sustainability and the use of more sophisticated techniques and solution methods, such as hybrid metaheuristics approaches, in SSCLM.
Article
Business
Chamari Pamoshika Jayarathna, Duzgun Agdas, Les Dawes, Marc Miska
Summary: This study identifies sector-specific sustainability indicators and priorities based on the material issues of the logistics sector, highlighting economic performance and energy as important indicators while showing a focus on reporting social sustainability information in sustainability reports. The dominance of environmental and social factors in reporting suggests inconsistencies in sustainability reporting and the need for standardized indicators to ensure comparability of results.
EUROPEAN BUSINESS REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ruben Hidalgo-Leon, Fernando Amoroso, Javier Urquizo, Viviana Villavicencio, Miguel Torres, Pritpal Singh, Guillermo Soriano
Summary: This paper demonstrates the feasibility of four off-grid hybrid power systems to supply energy to the Cerrito de los Morrenos community in Ecuador, and provides the optimal configuration which shows the impact of energy efficiency on costs and CO2 emissions.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Moreira, Jose Macias, Ruben Hidalgo-Leon, Freddy X. Jervis, Guillermo Soriano
Summary: This research examines the impact of groundwater flow induced by tide on the performance of a borehole heat exchanger (BHE) using a case study in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The study finds that tidal effects cause periodic fluctuations in the thermal properties of the ground. An analytical solution is proposed to estimate the phreatic level near the shore, and a relationship is discovered between the effective thermal capacity of the soil and the water level.
ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL-JESTECH
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Tan Yigitcanlar, Duzgun Agdas, Kenan Degirmenci
Summary: The popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) has increased significantly in various industry sectors worldwide, including the public sector. Many cities are aiming to become leaders in urban innovation through the development and deployment of AI systems. However, there is a lack of understanding and empirical studies on the perceptions of city managers regarding urban AI systems. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring city manager perceptions and providing insights for local government operations and future research.
Article
Business
Chamari Pamoshika Jayarathna, Duzgun Agdas, Les Dawes
Summary: This study explores how the logistics sector incorporates sustainability practices towards a circular economy (CE). Through interviews with 14 logistics service providers, 47 sustainable logistics practices were identified and categorized into three key themes: environmental preservation, firm's dynamic capabilities, and social well-being. The findings highlight that economic value creation is the core benefit in the CE transformation, followed by environmental and social value creation.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Ruben Hidalgo-Leon, Javier Urquizo, Christian E. Silva, Jorge Silva-Leon, Jinsong Wu, Pritpal Singh, Guillermo Soriano
Summary: Intelligent buildings play a fundamental role in achieving efficient energy management and reducing carbon emissions. However, they also impose challenges in energy use. This paper provides a comprehensive review of energy harvesting technologies and explores their potential to power or support sensor nodes in buildings. The research findings demonstrate that energy harvesters can partially or fully meet the power requirements of sensor nodes.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Joseph Rosenberger, Zhong Guo, Austin Coffman, Duzgun Agdas, Prabir Barooah
Summary: We propose an open-source wireless network and data management system for collecting and storing indoor environmental measurements and perceived comfort in commercial buildings. The system, called a PCIEM platform, includes devices placed in office areas, a wireless network, and a remote database. Each device, PCFN, has a touchscreen for occupants to provide feedback and sensors to collect environmental data. The platform aims to enable personalized comfort control in real-time. Lessons learned from the design, prototyping, and deployment of a few PCFNs in a commercial building are described.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fernando Amoroso, Ruben Hidalgo-Leon, Kevin Munoz, Javier Urquizo, Pritpal Singh, Guillermo Soriano
Summary: This paper presents a technical-economic assessment of two renewable power systems for a drinking water treatment plant in Pile, Ecuador. The study evaluates the feasibility and impact of a standalone solar PV system and a grid-connected system considering different operating schedules. The results show that the plant's operation schedule has a significant influence on the system parameters and the relationship with the electric utility company as a grid power service user.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Andrea Boero, Adrien Mercier, Christine Mounaim-Rousselle, Agustin Valera-Medina, Angel D. Ramirez
Summary: Renewable energy has increased in the electricity market, but not in transport. Alternatives to fossil fuels are being studied, and ammonia is a potential viable option for sustainable transport. This study conducted a life cycle assessment of an ammonia-fueled passenger car to evaluate its sustainability.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Frank Porras, Arnaldo Walter, Guillermo Soriano, Angel Diego Ramirez
Summary: Space cooling is the fastest-growing energy end-use in buildings worldwide, including Ecuador. However, Ecuador has not proposed new minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for air conditioners since 2013. This study assesses stricter MEPS and estimates the benefits for consumers and society in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The results show that stricter MEPS can reduce AC electricity demand and energy-related emissions, representing a cost-effective option to support national energy efficiency policies.
Article
Economics
Duzgun Agdas, Prabir Barooah
Summary: Much research has been conducted on rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) adoption in the US, but there is a lack of granular economic assessment at a large scale. This study provides household level PV economic assessment for a medium size city in Florida and finds that a large number of households will not benefit from solar installations. The economic viability of PV installations heavily relies on uncertain incentives, and disadvantaged communities have lower installation rates.
Article
Management
Eamon McDermot, Duzgun Agdas, Carlos R. Rodriguez Diaz, Timothy Rose, Eric Forcael
Summary: Improving infrastructure quality is crucial for sustainable development. This research aims to identify the key factors influencing the successful delivery of infrastructure projects, using an example project in Ecuador to provide insights and lessons for future projects in similar contexts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Business
N. N. C. Pushpamali, Duzgun Agdas, Timothy M. Rose, Tan Yigitcanlar
Summary: Reverse logistics practices significantly reduce sourcing costs of materials compared to new materials, while maintaining similar performance standards and protecting the environment. Flexibility remains a challenge, but the industry uptake of reverse logistics could be instrumental in construction with an emphasis on material quality. Quantitative analysis is encouraged for future research.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Samiran Khorat, Debashish Das, Rupali Khatun, Sk Mohammad Aziz, Prashant Anand, Ansar Khan, Mattheos Santamouris, Dev Niyogi
Summary: Cool roofs can effectively mitigate heatwave-induced excess heat and enhance thermal comfort in urban areas. Implementing cool roofs can significantly improve urban meteorology and thermal comfort, reducing energy flux and heat stress.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Qi Li, Jiayu Chen, Xiaowei Luo
Summary: This study focuses on the vertical wind conditions as a main external factor that limits the energy assessment of high-rise buildings in urban areas. Traditional tools for energy assessment of buildings use a universal vertical wind profile estimation, without taking into account the unique wind speed in each direction induced by the various shapes and configurations of buildings in cities. To address this limitation, the study developed an omnidirectional urban vertical wind speed estimation method using direction-dependent building morphologies and machine learning algorithms.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xiaojun Luo, Lamine Mahdjoubi
Summary: This paper presents an integrated blockchain and machine learning-based energy management framework for multiple forms of energy allocation and transmission among multiple domestic buildings. Machine learning is used to predict energy generation and consumption patterns, and the proposed framework establishes optimal and automated energy allocation through peer-to-peer energy transactions. The approach contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhances environmental sustainability.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ying Yu, Yuanwei Xiao, Jinshuai Chou, Xingyu Wang, Liu Yang
Summary: This study proposes a dual-layer optimization design method to maximize the energy sharing potential, enhance collaborative benefits, and reduce the storage capacity of building clusters. Case studies show that the proposed design significantly improves the performance of building clusters, reduces energy storage capacity, and shortens the payback period.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Felix Langner, Weimin Wang, Moritz Frahm, Veit Hagenmeyer
Summary: This paper compares two main approaches to consider uncertainties in model predictive control (MPC) for buildings: robust and stochastic MPC. The results show that compared to a deterministic MPC, the robust MPC increases the electricity cost while providing complete temperature constraint satisfaction, while the stochastic MPC slightly increases the electricity cost but fulfills the thermal comfort requirements.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Somil Yadav, Caroline Hachem-Vermette
Summary: This study proposes a mathematical model to evaluate the performance of a Double Skin Facade (DSF) system and its impact on indoor conditions. The model considers various design parameters and analyzes their effects on the system's electrical output and room temperature.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ruijun Chen, Holly Samuelson, Yukai Zou, Xianghan Zheng, Yifan Cao
Summary: This research introduces an innovative resilient design framework that optimizes building performance by considering a holistic life cycle perspective and accounting for climate projection uncertainties. The study finds that future climate scenarios significantly impact building life cycle performance, with wall U-value, windows U-value, and wall density being major factors. By using ensemble learning and optimization algorithms, predictions for carbon emissions, cost, and indoor discomfort hours can be made, and the best resilient design scheme can be selected. Applying this framework leads to significant improvements in building life cycle performance.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)