This paper proposes a new predictive control strategy for a distributed collector field of a solar desalination plant. The main purpose of the controller is to manipulate the water flow rate to maintain constant the outlet-inlet temperature gradient in the collectors in spite of disturbances....

A great number of daylighting research activities including investigations of innovative daylighting systems, lighting controls, and development of daylighting design tools are being conducted in Australia, North America, and Europe. There is a strong need for coordination and sharing of the...

Around 5000 agricultural biogas plants were operating in Germany by the end of 2009. There is a recognized need for their assessment, comparison and performance improvement. Prerequisites for their reliable assessment include: 1) detailed and reliable performance data, 2) defined criteria for...

Solar XXI building is a low energy office building where passive and active solar strategies have been applied to reduce the use of energy for heating, cooling and lighting, combining also an extensive photovoltaic façade for electricity production. Solar XXI opened in 2006 and is considered a...

The solar heating and nocturnal radiant cooling techniques are combined aiming at a novel solar heating and cooling panel (termed as SHCP) to be easily assembled as construction components for building roofing or envelope and also compatible with surroundings for its versatile coating colors,...

This paper aims to address the characteristics of urban microclimates that affect the building energy performance and implementation of the renewable energy technologies. An experimental campaign was designed to investigate the microclimate parameters including air and surface temperature,...