Multi-level, Multi-stage and Stochastic Optimization Models for Energy Conservation in Buildings for Federal, State and Local Agencies

Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) project selection is made difficult given real-world constraints, limited resources to implement savings retrofits, various suppliers in the market and project financing alternatives. Many of these energy efficient retrofit projects should be viewed as a series of investments with annual returns for these traditionally risk-averse agencies. Given a list of ECMs available, federal, state and local agencies must determine how to implement projects at lowest costs. The most common methods of implementation planning are suboptimal relative to cost. Federal, state and local agencies can obtain greater returns on their energy conservation investment over traditional methods, regardless of the implementing organization. This dissertation outlines several approaches to improve the traditional energy conservations models. Any public buildings in regions with similar energy conservation goals in the United States or internationally can also benefit greatly from this research. Additionally, many private owners of buildings are under mandates to conserve energy e.g., Local Law 85 of the New York City Energy Conservation Code requires any building, public or private, to meet the most current energy code for any alteration or renovation. Thus, both public and private stakeholders can benefit from this research. The research in this dissertation advances and presents models that decision-makers can use to optimize the selection of ECM projects with respect to the total cost of implementation. A practical application of a two-level mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC) improves the current best practice for agencies concerned with making the most cost-effective selection leveraging energy services companies or utilities. The two-level model maximizes savings to the agency and profit to the energy services companies (Chapter 2). An additional model presented leverages a single congressional appropriation to implement ECM projects (Chapter 3). Returns from implemented ECM projects are used to fund additional ECM projects. In these cases, fluctuations in energy costs and uncertainty in the estimated savings severely influence ECM project selection and the amount of the appropriation requested. A risk aversion method proposed imposes a minimum on the number of ���of projects completed in each stage. A comparative method using Conditional Value at Risk is analyzed. Time consistency was addressed in this chapter. This work demonstrates how a risk-based, stochastic, multi-stage model with binary decision variables at each stage provides a much more accurate estimate for planning than the agency���s traditional approach and deterministic models. Finally, in Chapter 4, a rolling-horizon model allows for subadditivity and superadditivity of the energy savings to simulate interactive effects between ECM projects. The approach makes use of inequalities (McCormick, 1976) to re-express constraints that involve the product of binary variables with an exact linearization (related to the convex hull of those constraints). This model additionally shows the benefits of learning between stages while remaining consistent with the single congressional appropriations framework.

La implementaci��n de la trayectoria de desarrollo sostenible por parte de los peque��os estados insulares en desarrollo del Pac��fico frente a su condici��n de vulnerabilidad

La investigaci��n busca determinar el prop��sito que persiguen los peque��os Estados insulares en desarrollo del Pac��fico al adoptar una trayectoria de desarrollo sostenible. Se plantea que la adopci��n de una trayectoria de desarrollo sostenible es la estrategia por medio de la cual estos Estados buscan hacer frente a su condici��n de vulnerabilidad; lo cual logran a trav��s del uso de la diplomacia en distintos escenarios multilaterales, con el fin de modificar tanto sus pr��cticas como las de otros actores.

Three-dimensional analysis of fracture, corrosion and wear surfaces

A brief look at the history of fractography has shown a recent trend in the quantification of topographic parameters through the use of three-dimensional reconstruction techniques, which associate SEM stereoscopy and stereophotogrammetry software, allowing the calculation of the elevation measurement at numerous points of the topography due to the parallax that takes place during the tilting of the sample along the microscope eucentric plane. Several investigators have used reconstruction techniques to correlate some fractographic parameters, such as fractal dimension and fractured to projected area ratio, to the mechanical properties of materials, such as fracture toughness and tensile strength. So far, the search for a clear relationship between the fracture topography and mechanical properties has provided ambiguous results. The present work applied a surface metrology software to reconstruct three-dimensionally fracture surfaces (transgranular cleavage, intergranular and dimple fracture), corrosion pits and tribo-surfaces in order to explore the potential of this stereophotogrammetry technique. The existence of a variation in the calculated topographic parameters with the conditions of SEM image acquisition reinforces the importance of both good image acquisition and accurate calibration methods in order to validate this 3D reconstruction technique in metrological terms. Preliminary results did not indicate the existence of a clear relationship between either the true to project area ratio and CVN absorbed energy or the fractal dimension and CVN absorbed energy. It is likely that each fracture mechanism presents a proper relationship between the fractographic parameters and mechanical properties. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Avalia����o preliminar do potencial e��lico com recurso a um modelo de Mesoescala

Mestrado em Engenharia Qu��mica. Ramo optimiza����o energ��tica na ind��stria qu��mica.

Optimiza����o da gest��o de energia e da seguran��a de um edif��cio baseada num sistema t��cnico centralizado

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obten����o do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Mec��nica Perfil Energia, Refrigera����o e Climatiza����o

ENCOURAGE architecture: support for heterogeneous smart grids

Our society relies on energy for most of its activities. One application domain inciding heavily on the energy budget regards the energy consumption in residential and non-residential buildings. The ever increasing needs for energy, resulting from the industrialization of developing countries and from the limited scalability of the traditional technologies for energy production, raises both problems and opportunities. The problems are related to the devastating effects of the greenhouse gases produced by the burning of oil and gas for energy production, and from the dependence of whole countries on companies providing gas and oil. The opportunities are mostly technological, since novel markets are opening for both energy production via renewable sources, and for innovations that can rationalize energy usage. An enticing research effort can be the mixing of these two aspects, by leveraging on ICT technologies to rationalize energy production, acquisition, and consumption. The ENCOURAGE project aims to develop embedded intelligence and integration technologies that will directly optimize energy use in buildings and enable active participation in the future smart grid environment.The primary application domains targeted by the ENCOURAGE project are non-residential buildings (e.g.: campuses) and residential buildings (e.g.: neighborhoods). The goal of the project is to achieve 20% of energy savings through the improved interoperability between various types of energy generation, consumption and storage devices; interbuilding energy exchange; and systematic performance monitoring.

Efici��ncia energ��tica e energias renov��veis em edif��cios

As preocupa����es com a escassez dos recursos f��sseis, o aumento gradual e acentuado dos seus pre��os e problemas ambientais, cada vez mais h�� uma preocupa����o em rela����o �� efici��ncia energ��tica e as energias renov��veis, sendo estes os dois pilares para se encaminhar para uma pol��tica energ��tica sustent��vel. Sobretudo nos edif��cios que s��o respons��veis por grande parte do consumo de energia mundial. Cabo Verde tem um elevado grau de desperd��cio energ��tico e de consumo de energia el��trica, torna-se imprescind��vel ressaltar a import��ncia da an��lise de Efici��ncia Energ��tica nas Edifica����es. Contudo, em Cabo Verde, relativamente �� vertente da efici��ncia energ��tica nos edif��cios, n��o existe ainda uma legisla����o que de alguma forma condicione o consumo de energia e os impactos ambientais associados aos edif��cios. De igual forma, as constru����es com caracter��sticas bioclim��ticas ou incorporando sistemas passivos ainda n��o s��o pr��tica corrente, pois n��o existe nenhuma regulamenta����o que garante que o projetista aquando a conce����o de um edif��cio aplique estrat��gias de constru����o bioclim��tica ou integra����o das energias renov��veis, fazendo o uso do potencial dos recursos renov��veis existente no pa��s. Assim, o conforto dos ocupantes dos edif��cios e a diminui����o das necessidades de consumo n��o est��o presentes de uma forma satisfat��ria na constru����o de edif��cios em Cabo Verde. Neste contexto, a presente disserta����o tem como intuito, recolher e estruturar informa����o relativa a tem��tica da efici��ncia energ��tica e energias renov��veis nos edif��cios de forma a promover a efici��ncia energ��tica nos edif��cios e apoiar o desenvolvimento das energias renov��veis em Cabo Verde, contribuindo para a mudan��a de mentalidade. Assim este estudo pretende refletir sobre a import��ncia da constru����o sustent��vel, a Certifica����o Energ��tica, sistemas e procedimentos para garantir, no m��nimo, igual conforto dos ocupantes e simultaneamente a redu����o do consumo de energia nos edif��cios, mudan��a de comportamentos e escolhas com menor consumo energ��tico. S��o ainda apresentados as possibilidades de integra����o das energias renov��veis nos edif��cios. Assim decidiu-se analisar a implementa����o de um sistema de microgera����o fotovoltaico, para aumentar a efici��ncia energ��tica de edif��cios de acordo com a legisla����o vigente em Cabo Verde. Nestes termos, �� dimensionado um sistema para atender cerca de 70% do consumo anual de energia el��trica do edif��cio, com consumo de 3869 kWh/ano. Com a realiza����o deste estudo, pretende-se incentivar a implementa����o de unidades de microprodu����o fotovoltaica para a produ����o de energia el��trica em edif��cios, bem como aproximar o cidad��o comum das solu����es t��cnicas/econ��micas no campo do aproveitamento das energias renov��veis para a produ����o de energia el��trica.

Gest��o de Energia Renov��vel para Sistemas Insulares - Projeto para Ilha de Santiago – Cabo Verde

A op����o pela elabora����o do presente projeto decorre da import��ncia que as energias renov��veis j�� t��m, e poder��o vir a assumir, no contexto do desenvolvimento econ��mico das ilhas de Cabo Verde. O projeto foi elaborado com base nas necessidades reais do pa��s, identificadas por estudos realizados por entidades especializadas na ��rea, e visa desbravar vias para um poss��vel e desej��vel alargamento da utiliza����o de energias renov��veis no pa��s. O projeto �� direccionado para a produ����o de energia visando complementar o abastecimento atrav��s da rede p��blica, que �� gerida por uma empresa estatal, a ELECTRA. Pressup��e que toda a energia produzida �� adquirida por esta empresa como, ali��s, legalmente est�� estabelecido. Na elabora����o do projeto teve-se em conta o impacto ambiental do mesmo, incluindo os seus efeitos no plano financeiro. O projeto assenta num diagn��stico relativamente aprofundado do setor de produ����o de energia el��trica e caracteriza o setor tal como se apresenta actualmente. Foi direccionado essencialmente para a ilha de Santiago, a maior do pa��s, que congrega cerca de 56 % da popula����o. Procedeu-se, em particular, a uma an��lise detalhada dos parques e��licos e solares existentes no pa��s. O projeto avalia com relativa profundidade a evolu����o recente da procura de energia el��trica, e o potencial das energias renov��veis, com ��nfase nas energias e��lica e solar, as mais relevantes para o pa��s, pelo menos no futuro pr��ximo. O sistema tarif��rio foi, igualmente, objecto de discuss��o no decurso da elabora����o do projeto. Finalmente, a elabora����o do projeto conduziu-nos ao estudo das orienta����es estrat��gicas, objetivos e pol��ticas governamentais para a ��rea da produ����o de energia el��trica. No plano financeiro, foram considerados tr��s cen��rios baseados no grau de utiliza����o da radia����o solar (fotovoltaica) ou aproveitamento dos ventos (e��lica). Para cada cen��rio foram avaliadas alternativas, que consistem basicamente na utiliza����o de diferentes pre��os de venda, num leque que se situa em n��veis compar��veis aos que actualmente s��o praticados.

Perfil de uso dos stents farmacol��gicos no Brasil: dados da Central Nacional de Interven����es Cardiovasculares (CENIC)

FUNDAMENTO: Os stents farmacol��gicos (SF) foram um grande avan��o no tratamento da cardiopatia isqu��mica, mas cr��ticas t��m sido feitas �� extrapola����o dos resultados favor��veis de ensaios cl��nicos para a pr��tica cl��nica di��ria. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o uso dos stents farmacol��gicos (SF) no Brasil, entre os anos de 2000 e 2005. M��TODOS: Por meio do banco de dados da Central Nacional de Interven����es Cardiovasculares (CENIC), da Sociedade Brasileira de Hemodin��mica e Cardiologia Intervencionista, foram analisados todos os procedimentos com uso de SF entre os anos de 2000-2005. Os grupos foram divididos nos bi��nios (2000-2001(A), 2002-2003 (B) e 2004-2005(C)), e as caracter��sticas cl��nicas, angiogr��ficas e os desfechos foram comparados. An��lise estat��stica foi realizada com teste quiquadrado ou ANOVA, sendo significativo p<0,05. RESULTADOS: No per��odo estudado foram avaliados 154.406 procedimentos, e os SF foram utilizados em 10.426 interven����es (7% do total). Observou-se progressivo e estatisticamente significativo aumento uso dos SF no per��odo analisado: 0,14% em 2000-2001, 5% em 2002-2003, e 14% em 2004-2005 (p<0,0001). Ap��s 2001, observou-se aumento dos ��ndices de sucesso (96,58% em 2000-2001 (A), 99,69% em 2002-2003 (B) e 99,56 em 2004-2005 (C), A x B com p<0,001; B x C com p=0,015) e redu����o nas taxas de ��bito hospitalar (1,59% no grupo A, 0,38% no grupo B, 0,66% no grupo C, p=0,59 para A x B; e p<0,0001 para B x C). CONCLUS��O: O uso dos SF no Brasil cresceu significativamente nos ��ltimos anos, com melhora dos ��ndices de sucesso e diminui����o do ��bito hospitalar.

What determines the wavelength of self-organized shoreline sand waves?

Shoreline undulations extending into the bathymetric contours with a length scale larger than that of the rhythmic surf zone bars are referred to as shoreline sand waves. Many observed undulations along sandy coasts display a wavelength in the order 1-7 km. Several models that are based on the hypothesis that sand waves emerge from a morphodynamic instability in case of very oblique wave incidence predict this range of wavelengths. Here we investigate the physical reasons for the wavelength selection and the main parametric trends of the wavelength in case of sand waves arising from such instability. It is shown that the existence of a minimum wavelength depends on an interplay between three factors affecting littoral drift: (A) the angle of wave fronts relative to local shoreline, which tends to cause maximum transport at the downdrift flank of the sand wave, (B) the refractive energy spreading which tends to cause maximum transport at the updrift flank and (C) wave focusing (de-focusing) by the capes (bays), which tends to cause maximum transport at the crest or slightly downdrift of it. Processes A and C cause decay of the sand waves while process B causes their growth. For low incidence angles, B is very weak so that a rectilinear shoreline is stable. For large angles and long sand waves, B is dominant and causes the growth of sand waves. For large angles and short sand waves C is dominant and the sand waves decay. Thus, wavelength selection depends on process C, which essentially depends on shoreline curvature. The growth rate of very long sand waves is weak because the alongshore gradients in sediment transport decrease with the wavelength. This is why there is an optimum or dominant wavelength. It is found that sand wave wavelength scales with ��0/�� where ��0 is the water wave wavelength in deep water and �� is the mean bed slope from shore to the wave base.

Risk aversion and embedding bias

In Selten (1967) ?Strategy Method,? the second mover in the game submits a complete strategy. This basic idea has been exported to nonstrategic experiments, where a participant reports a complete list of contingent decisions, one for each situation or state in a given sequence, out of which one and only one state, randomly selected, will be implemented.In general, the method raises the following concern. If S0 and S1 are two differentsequences of states, and state s is in both S0 and S1, would the participant make the same decision in state s when confronted with S0 as when confronted with S1? If not, the experimental results are suspect of suffering from an ?embedding bias.?We check for embedding biases in elicitation methods of Charles Holt and Susan Laury(Laury and Holt, 2000, and Holt and Laury, 2002), and of the present authors (Bosch-Dom?nech and Silvestre, 1999, 2002, 2006a, b) by appropriately chosen replications of the original experiments. We find no evidence of embedding bias in our work. But in Holt and Laury?s method participants tend to switch earlier to the riskier option when later pairs of lotteries are eliminated from the sequence, suggesting the presence of some embedding bias.

06014-007 Lower Coldwater-Palmer Creek Watershed Final Report

Lower Coldwater and Palmer Creeks in Butler and Floyd counties are subwatersheds of the Cedar River, which provides drinking water to Cedar Rapids, IA. The increasing concentration of nitrate+nitrate in the river is of concern to the Cedar Rapids water utility, and IDNR snapshot monitoring shows Coldwater and Palmer to be significant potential sources (above the 90th percentile for subwatersheds monitored). Both creeks are also on the Iowa Section 303(d) list of impaired waters (aquatic life). Citizens of these predominantly agricultural watersheds organized the Coldwater-Palmer Watershed Improvement Association to deal proactively with nonpoint source pollutants from crop and livestock operations through a performance-based environmental management program. The locally-adapted program implemented by the Coldwater-Palmer watershed council rewards participants for environmental accomplishments - soil quality improvement and nutrient source reduction as measured by accepted, scientifically-based tests and models. Most of the locally��appropriate BMPs used to improve performance are undertaken voluntarily at participants' initiative. WIRB funds will be combined with funding from the Iowa Com Growers Association and significant in-kind support from the Cedar River Watershed Monitoring Coalition, Iowa State University Extension and other partners. The project will result in sustainable reduction in nutrient loading achieved with voluntary participation of a majority of watershed farm operators.

Laatuj��rjestelm��n rakentaminen ja laatuk��sikirjan mallintaminen energiayhti��lle

Ty�� on osa Kotkan Energia Oy:ss�� toteutettua laatuprojektia. Ty��ll�� haettiin uutta, oikeaa suuntaa jo aiemmin k��ynnistetylle laadun kehitykselle. Ty��n tavoitteena oli rakentaa yhti��lle asiakasl��ht��inen laatuj��rjestelm��, joka kattaa kaikki Kotkan Energian toiminnot. Lis��ksi diplomity��h��n kuului j��rjestelm��n dokumentointi ja erityisesti laatuk��sikirjan mallintaminen. Laatuj��rjestelm��n pohjana k��ytettiin ISO DIS 9001:2000 -laatustandardiehdotusta. Uudistetun standardiluonnoksen katsottiin palvelevan vanhoja ISO-laatustan-dardeja paremmin energiayhti��n tarpeita, koska ehdotus korostaa asiakastyytyv��isyytt��, prosessiajattelua ja jatkuvaa parantamista. Diplomity��projekti jakaantui selke��sti kolmeen osaan. Ensimm��isess�� vaiheessa laatuj��rjestelm��n ja laadun kehitt��misen nykytilanne kartoitettiin haastattelujen ja aiemmin laaditun laatumateriaalin avulla. Selvityksen perusteella toisessa vaiheessa tehtiin kehitysehdotuksia ja -suunnitelmia sek�� k��ynnistettiin j��rjestelm��n perusrakenteiden luominen ja henkil��st��n koulutus. Laatuj��rjestelm��n keskeisi�� osia rakennettiin yhteisty��ss�� koko henkil��st��n kanssa. Diplomity��n kolmannessa vaiheessa Kotkan Energian menettelytavat dokumentoitiin laatuk��sikirjan asiakirjoiksi. Dokumentointiin sis��ltyiv��t sek�� vanhat, uudistetut ett�� suunnitellut toimintaperiaatteet. Samalla k��ynnistettiin my��s prosessien menettelyohjeiden laatiminen. Laatuprojektin aikana kehitettiin useita uusia ja toimivia k��yt��nt��j�� sek�� niihin liittyvi�� dokumentteja. N��iden luotujen menettelytapojen kautta on jo saatu aikaan laadun parannusta. Osana ty��t�� luotiin Kotkan Energian prosessien kuvaustapa. Muita t��rkeimpi�� ideoituja ja toteutettuja uusia ty��kaluja laadun hallintaan ovat tiimisopimus, asiakaspalautelomake, toimittajien arviointilomake, poikkeamaraportti sek�� koulutus- ja matkatietolomake. Laatuj��rjestelm��n viimeistelyyn ja kehitt��miseen liittyv��t ideat jalostettiin jatkosuunnitelmiksi.

Kest��v��n kehityksen n��k��kulmien huomioiminen kunnan energiaratkaisussa

Diplomity��n tavoitteena on tuottaa informaatiota kunnalliseen p����t��ksentekoon, jonka avulla kest��v��n kehityksen n��k��kulmia voidaan huomioida kunnan energiaratkaisusta p����tett��ess��. Yhten�� ty��n l��ht��kohtana on ollut my��s uusi EU-direktiivi, jonka mukaan ymp��rist��n��k��kohtia voidaan huomioida julkisten hankintojen tarjouspyynt��menettelyss�� valintaperusteena. Tarkastelun kohteena oli kokoluokaltaan 0,5–3 MW:n aluel��mp��laitokset sek�� polttoaineiden tuotantoketjut. Ty��ss�� vertailtavat polttoaineet olivat mets��hake, raskas poltto��ljy, kevyt poltto��ljy ja turve. Diplomity��ss�� on perehdytty kest��v��n kehityksen k��sitteeseen ja muodostettu sen mukaan ekologiselle, sosiaaliselle ja taloudelliselle n��k��kulmalle kunnallisen energiaratkaisun indikaattoreita. Empiirisess�� osassa k��sitell����n kest��v��n kehityksen n��k��kulmien muodostumista Enon energiaosuuskunnan toimintaan perustuen. K��ytett��v��t kest��v��n kehityksen n��k��kulmien mukaiset indikaattorit ovat polttoaineen tuotannosta ja k��yt��st�� aiheutuvat kasvihuonekaasup����st��t, polttoaineen tuotannon ty��llisyysvaikutukset sek�� energian hinnan muodostuminen osuuskunnan asiakkaille. T��ss�� diplomity��ss�� tarkastelluilla kest��v��n kehityksen indikaattoreilla mitattuna, mets��hakkeen k��yt��ll�� energiantuotannossa on positiivinen vaikutus niin kunnan kasvihuonekaasutaseessa, ty��llisyystilanteessa sek�� my��s enemm��n kuluttajayst��v��llinen asema, l��mm��n hinnan vakauden ansiosta, kuin muilla ty��ss�� k��sitelt��vill�� polttoaineilla. Polttoaineen tuotantoketjun osalta mets��hakkeelle saatiin tuotannon ja k��yt��n aiheuttamaksi kasvihuonekaasup����st��ksi 2,9–4,2 g CO2-ekv/MJ. Tulos perustuu Enon energiaosuuskunnan polttoaineen hankinnassa k��yt��ss�� oleviin keskim����r��isiin et��isyyksiin mets��kuljetuksessa (250 m) ja kaukokuljetuksessa (15 km). Tuotannon ja k��yt��n aiheuttamat kasvihuonekaasup����st��t olivat raskaalla poltto��ljyll�� 88,2 g CO2-ekv/MJ, kevyell�� poltto��ljyll�� 85,0 g CO2-ekv/MJ ja turpeella 104,0–108,1 g CO2-ekv/MJ. Mets��hakkeen osalta polttoaineen tuotannon osuus koko tarkastellun energiaketjun kasvihuonekaasup����st��ist�� oli noin 43–57 %. Enon energiaosuuskunnan tapauksessa vuoden 2005 odotetulla toiminta-asteella mets��hakkeella tuotetun l��mm��n tuotantoketjun kasvihuonekaasup����st��t ovat noin 160 t CO2-ekv. Kevyell�� poltto��ljyll�� tuotetun l��mm��n tuotantoketjun kasvihuonekaasup����st��t olisivat noin 3700 t CO2-ekv sek�� turpeen (50 %) ja mets��hakkeen (50 %) seosk��ytt����n perustuvalla ketjulla noin 2300–2400 t CO2-ekv. Samaisella toiminta-asteella ty��llisyysvaikutukset ovat k��ytett��ess�� mets��haketta 2,2–8,6 htv, raaka��ljy�� 0,12 htv ja turvetta 1,4–1,6 htv. Mets��hakkeen k��ytt�� aluel��mp��laitosten p����polttoaineena takaa my��s vakaan hintakehityksen osuuskunnan asiakkaille.

The eTwinning Experience: Beyond the Classroom

The purpose of this paper is to give a presentation of the programme eTwinning, the use of CLIL methodology in eTwinning projects, give a glimpse of a successful project carried out by secondary students and present the future ahead regarding Higher Education. eTwinning offers the suitable environment to use the English language in a ���real��� context; it can be integrated in any subject due to its cross-curricular nature. In short, it prepares the student for the real world: international research, to get to know other cultures, to communicate and to learn content. I will start by giving a general view of what eTwinning is about. The second part will deal will eTwinning and CLIL. How CLIL methodology fits perfectly in the carrying out of eTwinning projects. In the third part, and drawn from personal experience, a project will be shown: ���Addressing the Energy Crunch; Every Little Action Helps��� as a good example of how to integrate content-learning in a collaborative project between different schools in Europe. The last part will deal with the future of eTwinning and Higher Education, within the new programme just approved by the European Parliament: Erasmus+ (2014-20).