Energy Efficiency最新文献

The important role of heat pump technology in the decarbonization challenge of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems is nowadays widely recognized by the scientific community and stakeholders. In this field, Ground Source Heat Pump systems represent one of the most promising solutions because of the much more favourable temperature of the ground if compared to ambient air, which is affected by weather conditions. Furthermore, air source heat pumps are further penalized by the defrosting cycles of the finned coil heat exchanger during the heating period. The continuous reduction of the building peak thermal loads and energy needs, thanks to the improvement of standards and European targets in the building sector, has revived the interest of operators in horizontal geothermal systems. In the past, this type of ground heat exchangers was normally not considered due to the large space needed for their installation. In the literature there is a lack of works and research of ground source heat pump systems coupled with shallow flat-panel ground heat exchangers. The present work improves the knowledge of this latter technology. The study analyses and compares the thermal behaviour of flat-panel and vertical 2U ground heat exchangers loops by means of using TRNSYS simulation tool. The simulations have been used to obtain the energy performance of the ground loops coupled with the heat pump. The comparison highlights the differences between different case studies and how the flat-panel ground heat exchangers field is a possible alternative to the current systems.

The technology manufacturing industry has been confirmed as one of the most polluting industries in the world. Hence, this article develops green psychology ownership theory to address how sustainable leadership affects renewable energy strategy adoption through the mediating role of GPO and the moderating role of institutional pressure in the context of the technology manufacturing industry. However, previous research paid insufficient attention to the drivers of adopting a renewable energy strategy, so this article borrows from the theory of cognitive consistency to address the adoption model. To validate the renewable energy strategy model, this article collects 100 chief executive officers of technology manufacturing firms and 300 followers in Taiwan. It uses multilevel growth curve modeling to analyze the longitudinal data. The empirical result can contribute to the literature on energy conversion and management and guide technology manufacturing firms to achieve sustainable renewable energy development

This study investigates consumers’ reactions to housing energy labels, which are mandated for inclusion in new real estate advertisements in Japan. By employing an eye-tracking experiment, we collected data on the reaction times and the number of round trips between two areas of interest (AOIs) to identify the most effective design elements for energy labels. Additionally, a panel analysis was conducted to control for individual effects, utilizing both the experimental data and the responses to a follow-up questionnaire. The dependent variables in the panel analysis were the reaction times and number of round trips between the AOIs. The findings reveal that energy labels in real estate advertisements significantly enhance consumers’ understanding of energy-saving standards. Furthermore, the results underscore the critical role of label design. Specifically, positioning reference information on the left side of the label improves clarity. If a property exhibits poor energy-saving performance, emphasizing the deviation from the energy-saving standard proves effective. Moreover, this study suggests that using energy labels is effective regardless of the degree of consumers’ concern about the environment. Given that energy labels raise consumers’ awareness of household energy standards and promote energy-saving behavior, the early implementation of labeling for all properties, whether for sale or rent, is strongly recommended.

This study explores the profound impact of emotional amplification on public attitudes towards waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration facilities through the lens of emotional contagion theory. A cohort of 240 participants initially underwent baseline assessments of their perceptions of WTE facilities. They were then exposed to stimuli designed to evoke positive or negative emotional responses, followed by reassessment to identify shifts in their perceptions and acceptance levels. Utilizing paired t-tests and one-way ANOVA, the analysis revealed that emotional amplification markedly influences public attitudes, with participants showing increased support or opposition depending on the emotional valence of the stimuli. These findings underscore the crucial role of emotions in shaping public opinion on WTE incineration facilities, offering essential insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and community leaders. The integration of emotional contagion theory with empirical research provides a novel perspective on the interplay between emotions and public perceptions in environmental discourse, advancing our understanding of the factors driving public opinion and aiding stakeholders in managing opposition incidents effectively.

Many range hoods on the market that use double-inlet Sirocco fans have significant shortcomings. This issue can be addressed by utilizing high-efficiency in-line duct fans. In this study, a commercially available canopy range hood was used as a reference unit. Two high-efficiency in-line duct fans, IL-Model(1) and IL-Model(2), were designed using professional fan design software. The target design specifications to compete with the internal Sirocco fan in the reference unit were around 22–24 CMM and 900–1100 Pa, respectively. These two fans were produced using 3D printing. Wind tunnel tests for IL-Model(1) and IL-Model(2) showed that the maximum air flow rate differed by less than 10% compared to CFD software analysis. When comparing the performance of the two fans to the Sirocco fan under the same 150 mm outlet diameter, the maximum air flow rate increased by 36.45% and 26.29%, the maximum static pressure increased by 33.04% and 38.30%, and the power consumption decreased from 23.9 W/CMM to 17.0 W/CMM and 20.0 W/CMM, respectively. This design effectively improves the performance and energy efficiency of range hoods.

In the last decade, global IP traffic has increased more than tenfold, and so has the demand for Data Center services, leading to concerns about increasing energy consumption. The huge diffusion and rapid growth of the Data Centers industry not only increases the availability and quality of cloud and data services, but also the demand for electricity and water by the digital services industry. The decarbonization process requires the deployment of non-programmable renewable energy sources in power systems, requiring unprecedented attention to grid flexibility and securityIn this context, Data Centers can provide balancing services by Demand Response strategies, modifying or temporarily reducing their electrical consumptions during specific times. Thereby, this research first presents the energy consumption derived from an experimental survey carried out in an existent Data Center. On this basis, a numerical energy model developed using TRNSYS software has been calibrated and validated. Finally, the possibility for DC to participate in the electricity flexibility market a novel demand response strategy that exploits the fluctuations of indoor air temperature and humidity has been investigated. As a result, the proposed flexibility scenario gives rise to a reduction of the electricity needs of about 30% of the cooling load.

Energy consumption has garnered significant attention in recent years as a primary driver of global warming. Modifying consumer behavior, particularly within the residential sector, which accounts for a substantial share of global energy consumption and carbon emissions, is crucial for reducing consumption and achieving sustainable development. Aiming to integrate the concepts of Responsible consumption (RC) and behavioral interventions within the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) theoretical framework, this research seeks to develop a conceptual model to explain and promote responsible energy consumption behavior. Research data were collected through questionnaires and expert interviews. Data analysis was conducted using the Fuzzy Delphi Method, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in SmartPLS4 software, and scenario writing employing the Cross-Impact Balance (CIB) method. In this study, Behavioral interventions (individual or combined) designed based on the principles of responsible innovation (RI) alongside TPB variables play a key role. The results indicated that combined interventions significantly impact the intention and behavior of Responsible consumption and, as mediating and moderating variables, play a significant role in translating intention into behavior. In contrast, individual interventions alone exhibit weaker effectiveness. Furthermore, 8 future-oriented scenarios for reducing household energy consumption were designed, revealing that participatory and supportive scenarios focused on promoting Responsible consumption behavior have a greater impact on behavior change. By integrating RI, TPB, and behavioral interventions within an analytical and scenario-based model, this research provides a novel framework for energy policymaking in developing countries. It emphasizes the operational and policy role of behavioral interventions.

The residential sector significantly contributes to total energy consumption in the European Union. Over the past decades, the average floor area per person has increased steadily, resulting in higher energy demand for building materials, heating and cooling. However, the distribution of floor area is not equal across different demographic groups and household compositions. Redistributing floor area offers a significant opportunity to save resources and reduce the need for new construction by avoiding unnecessary consumption. Strategies such as moving, sharing and rearranging can facilitate this redistribution in the residential sector. In order to assess the feasibility of these strategies, this paper examines the current residents’ behaviour in the residential sector regarding space use and explores the potential for change. It draws on empirical data from an online survey conducted in Germany, Sweden, Poland and Portugal. By conducting a cluster analysis of the collected data, the paper identifies two groups with the highest potential for change in residential space use. It examines their willingness to change their space use patterns and investigates the acceptance of specific strategies that could lead to a reduction in the need for new construction in the residential sector. In order to promote more efficient use of space in the residential sector, the paper recommends encouraging space sharing, supporting structural changes in dwellings, and providing incentives for moving from under-occupied dwellings. It advocates for the implementation of tailored policies that consider the characteristics of each group, along with targeted awareness-raising efforts to increase policy acceptance.

Energy efficiency improvement is one of the win–win measures for sustainable development by simultaneously saving energy resources, reducing greenhouse gases, and promoting economic development. However, firms may postpone their energy efficiency plans due to credit constraint conditions. This paper evaluates how credit constraint conditions affect energy efficiency improvement based on data of 5,154 manufacturing firms from 39 countries. The estimation results indicate that lifting credit constraints for constrained firms would increase their energy efficiency by seven percentage points. The aggregate results at the industrial sector level are consistent with those documented in previous studies. However, our results further reveal that energy efficiency and treatment effects vary across industrial sectors and firms within a sector of interest. This provides supportive evidence for policymakers to design loan guarantee programs and credit supply, among the sectoral policies and regulations, for energy efficiency improvement.

The focus of utilities worldwide has shifted towards energy saving, energy efficiency and demand flexibility, aiming for sustainable consumption and production. United Nations have declared ‘responsible consumption and production’ a sustainable development goal (SDG12). Energy sustainability and reduced GHG emissions can be achieved through responsible consumption, energy efficiency, adopting energy-saving technologies and policies. The proposed research investigated the energy-saving perspectives of Indian Generation Z (aged 15–24) and Millennials (aged 25–40). A comprehensive survey involving 556 Gen Z and Millennials explored their attitudes toward energy conservation, focusing on adopting energy-saving attributes, interest in emerging energy-saving technologies and policies, perspectives on global warming, willingness to sacrifice comfort, and the societal influences shaping their views. The findings revealed that 73% of Gen Z and 85% of Millennials prioritise ‘energy conservation. An in-depth understanding of these perspectives holds significant potential for crafting effective, future-ready energy strategies and policies for sustainable development. Acceptance rate of all energy-saving technologies, except device remote control, among the Gen Z and Millennials is above 75%, which is a positive sign towards sustainability. Gen Z and Millennials share similar opinions on the perspectives towards sacrificing comfort for energy saving, influence of society on energy conservation and energy-efficient technologies. They differ in perceiving energy-saving opportunities and energy-saving policies. The findings are validated using statistical tools and ANOVA.