Sacha Silvester

Development of Dutch occupancy and heating profiles for building simulation

ABSTRACT Building simulations are often used to predict energy demand and to determine the financial feasibility of the low-carbon projects. However, recent research has documented large differences between actual and predicted energy consumption. In retrofit projects, this difference creates uncertainty about the payback periods and, as a consequence, owners are reluctant to invest in energy-efficient technologies. The differences between the actual and the expected energy consumption are caused by inexact input data on the thermal properties of the building envelope and by the use of standard occupancy data. Integrating occupancy patterns of diversity and variability in behaviour into building simulation can potentially foresee and account for the impact of behaviour in building performance. The presented research develops and applies occupancy heating profiles for building simulation tools in order create more accurate predictions of energy demand and energy performance. Statistical analyses were used to define the relationship between seven most common household types and occupancy patterns in the Netherlands. The developed household profiles aim at providing energy modellers with reliable, detailed and ready-to-use occupancy data for building simulation. This household-specific occupancy information can be used in projects that are highly sensitive to the uncertainty related to return of investments.

Economic and CO2 Emission Benefits of a Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station for Workplaces in the Netherlands

The paper analyses the economic and environmental benefits of charging electric vehicles (EV) at workplaces in the Netherlands using photovoltaic panels (PV). A 10kW EV-PV charging system is used to charge the electric cars directly from photovoltaic panels. The cost of using a gasoline vehicle is compared with that of an electric vehicle that is charged from the grid or from solar panels. It is found that charging EV from PV results in huge savings in fuel cost, taxes and lower CO2 emissions. A comparison is made for solar panels installed on rooftops and as a solar carport and the impact of feed-in tariffs on PV generation revenues is evaluated.

Synergy in a Smart Photo Voltaic (PV) Battery: SYN-ENERGY

This paper introduces ‘SYN-ENERGY’ a novel Sustainable Product Design (SPD) concept. SYN-ENERGY is the synergy obtained by smart integration of energy conversion and storage media into one functional unit. To demonstrate the validity of this concept, an analysis is presented of the ‘Smart Photo Voltaic (PV) Battery’ design. This Smart PV Battery combines in one functional unit: a rechargeable battery, an energy converter, and intelligence for smart battery management and power matching. Consumer products powered by Smart PV Batteries will be more sustainable and provide ‘user mobility’ and independence of the mains in location and time. The synergy gained is not merely the result of optimising one single function, but rather a cluster of objectives. Not only the efficiency in energy conversion and storage is improved, but also the products become more sustainable. Therefore, the designer obtains more freedom in shapes and structural features as well, or the products become potentially more ergonomical and aesthetically pleasing.

Developing for developing nations: Exploring an affordable solar home system design

Developing technological solutions for the developing nations is more than simply re-sizing a prevalent solution from the developed world. Not only the environmental conditions, but also the technology usage varies greatly between the developing nations in sunnier latitudes around the world and the developed nations of north-western Europe. This paper sheds light on the various technical and non-technical factors to be considered for designing a standalone PV system for low-income households in emerging economies. The significance of the battery in a low-cost PV system is examined and the role of power electronics in such a system design is highlighted. Finally, the paper proposes a system design methodology. This paper presents an overview of the current initiatives in the Solar Home System landscape, and identifies gaps that can be potentially filled by technology.

Understanding the present and the future electricity needs: Consequences for design of future Solar Home Systems for off-grid rural electrification

Solar Home Systems (SHSs) can fulfil the basic energy needs of the globally unelectrified population. With costs as one of the biggest barriers for SHS uptake, optimizing the system size with energy needs is crucial. Where most solutions focus only on the present needs, this work also addresses the future energy needs. The methodology includes extensive mapping of the current electricity needs in rural Cambodia through data analysis on existing SHSs in the field. Additionally, a 2-month field research was carried out in Cambodia to assess the qualitative state of electricity usage and investigate the future (2021) energy needs. A data analysis was performed on 111 SHSs (100 Wp, 1200 Wh). SHS users were found to have a mean energy consumption of 310 Wh/day, with σ = 159 Wh. Most energy was consumed at night. The field research showed a clear demand for more energy and more appliances. The appliances attached to SHS in the future will be more diverse in power consumption and usage duration, resulting in a wide variety of energy consumption and high power peaks, causing fast and deep battery discharges. Three load profiles are presented. Solutions are discussed that can be applied to ensure the SHSs fit with future energy needs.

Concept House Village; A Next Step in the Development of Sustainable Housing in the Netherlands

To be able to develop and implement high-impact sustainable innovations in the built environment, researchers, product/-service developers and policymakers in the region of Rotterdam felt the necessity to work with users to prototype, test and validate potential solutions in real life situations. In collaboration with European partners initiatives, the Concept House Village in Heijplaat Rotterdam was developed. The inner-city docklands of Rotterdam is an area in transition and forms an ideal setting for a real life test bed for future sustainable urban living and working. In this chapter the history, ambitions, context and the partnership is described. Furthermore the accompanying research and development program is enlightened. Additionally the business modeling of Concept House Village as a R&D facility is considered.

Acting from a participatory attitude in a networked collaboration

We present a participatory process in the context of networked collaboration in the field of construction, and offer the concept of participatory attitude as having a key facilitating role in it. The concept is developed through reflexive narratives from the first five months of a sustainable renovation process. Characteristics of the participatory attitude identified here were sustained listening, bridging, demonstrating and eliciting. The attitude helped build mutual trust, which in turn engaged residents in reflecting on their everyday practices in relation to the future technical make-up of their home. Questions remain how well democratic aims were represented in the process. No residents were left behind, because system gaps were bridged.