Search results for "Environmental resource management"
showing 10 items of 459 documents
The importance of reliable climatic data in the energy evaluation
2012
Abstract In the last few years, more and more attention has been focused on energy issues, as it is pointed out, for example, by the Directive 2002/91/EC on the Energy Performance of Buildings and Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. However, in order to do that, reliable tools for technicians to design systems for such topics should be provided. Nowadays, several software are available; the weak point is the availability of reliable climatic data and, above all, the ones referring to solar radiation. In this work, after a short overview of the world climatic databases, a description of three statistical methods for the elaboration of a climatic…
Smart Cities and Municipal Building Regulation for Energy Efficiency
2015
The “Smart Cities & Communities Initiative” of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan is the strategic European response to lead cities and regions to a carbon free future. In this contest energy efficiency in buildings has a crucial role and must be considered in a holistic approach to the urban planning. In order to implement the minimum requirements stated by the European Directive about the Energy Performance of Buildings, and in order to consider different planning layers with the view to a smart city planning, local regulations are a key factor aiming at sustainable territorial planning. This paper investigates the possibility to draft a basic structure of Municipal Building Regulat…
A theoretical and methodological framework for the analysis and measurement of environmental heritage at local level
2017
Abstract The study aims to assess the lived experience and the environmental heritage perceived level by residents of an high complexity rural area, and which is, in this context, the role played by production of renewable energies. The paper introduces the concept of rural capital as an effective tool for environmental heritage analysis and measurement. The proposed theoretical and methodological approach allows, in fact, its analysis in order to understand what dimensions related to territoriality are connected to the perceived level of environmental heritage at local level. Translated into operational terms, the methodology has resulted in an empirical analysis of a rural and inner area …
Smart renewable generation for an islanded system. Technical and economic issues of future scenarios
2012
The subject addressed in this paper is the analytical study of the transition of an energy generation system for a real MV/LV distribution system from one that is “fuel-based” to a distributed and smart “renewables-based” system. The paper outlines both the technical and the economic issues related to such a transition from one type of system to the other. The study is carried out for a real islanded network located in the Island of Pantelleria (Mediterranean Sea). The results obtained are presented and discussed, putting into evidence the technical, environmental and economic benefits of using smart technologies and renewable energy sources.
Biomineralix (COST action TD0903), 2009-2014: an overview.
2015
Biomineralization is the process by which living systems produce minerals. At theEuropean scale, this particular scientific field associates researchers of diverse horizons,ranging from zoology, mineralogy, palaeontology, and environmental sciences to materialssciences, dentistry and bone surgery. In this context, the COST Action TD0903, also referredas Biomineralix, was set up in November 2009 under the auspices of the COST Office inBrussels. This scientific network was active during four and half years, until May 2014. Itassociated 17 European countries, and a total of 29 laboratories. Its main objectives weremultiple: 1. To promote biochemical and proteomic research on the biomineralisat…
Multicriteria evaluation of heating choices for a new sustainable residential area
2015
Abstract The city of Loviisa in Finland is planning a new sustainable residential area with a total of 240,000 m2 of residential houses and apartment buildings with services. The city wants to promote sustainable energy solutions in the area, considering various renewable energy forms for heating. The aim of this research is to evaluate which heating system would be best for a new single-family house when different technical, economic, environmental and usability criteria are considered. A group of experts evaluated the alternative heating systems with respect to the criteria. The citizens were involved with a questionnaire to provide preference information for different criteria. Altogethe…
An investigation of the impacts of some external contextual factors on ERP systems success assessment: a case of firms in Baltic-Nordic region
2006
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are among the largest information systems (IS) investments made by firms, and the use of such systems is spreading globally. Many researchers have discussed their adoption and implementation, few have investigated the impact of external contextual factors on the success of such technologies in adopting firms. This study aims to fill this gap in research by examining the effects of three external contextual factors, i.e., industry type, industry climate, and national economic climate on ERP success assessment. We obtained data from Estonia and Finland and our analysis shows that industry and national economic climates have significant relationships …
Wood energy production, sustainable farming livelihood and multifunctionality in Finland
2012
Abstract Climate change and the projected depletion of fossil energy resources pose multiple global challenges. Innovative technologies offer interesting possibilities to achieve more sustainable outcomes in the energy production sector. Local, decentralized alternatives have the potential to sustain livelihoods in rural areas. One example of such a venture has emerged around heating businesses in rural Finland, and is referred to as heat entrepreneurship. Heat entrepreneurship entails a system where a local forest owner, usually a farmer, provides heat to a small community or local building, such as a school. Heat is produced using local forest resources that would otherwise be unutilized.…
Climate change and reindeer management in Finland: Co-analysis of practitioner knowledge and meteorological data for better adaptation.
2020
Abstract We studied interannual variability and changes over time in selected climate indices in the reindeer management area (RMA) in northern Finland. We present together the knowledge possessed by reindeer herders with information from meteorological measurements over three decades. The practitioner knowledge was gathered via a survey questionnaire addressing herder observations of long-term changes (approximately during the past 30 years) in climatic conditions and their impacts on herding during the four seasons. A set of temperature-, precipitation- and snow-related indices relevant for herding within the RMA was derived from spatially interpolated daily meteorological data (1981–2010…
Some European green roof norms and guidelines through the lens of biodiversity : do ecoregions and plant traits also matter?
2018
Abstract Green infrastructure and in particular green roofs are crucial to meet the challenge of sustainable urbanisation fostered by the current European Research and Innovation agenda. Several documents were issued in the last decades in Europe for regulating the design, construction and up-keep of roof greening. In particular, the actual German guidelines have been widely adopted as a reference basis for green roof design and regulation worldwide, because of its exhaustiveness and proven building- and landscaping tradition. With the aim to assess the effectiveness of green roof guidelines and norms in supporting plant and soil biodiversity in different ecoregions, and particularly of the…