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showing 10 items of 192 documents
Assessing the performance of a large-scale irrigation system by estimations of actual evapotranspiration obtained by Landsat satellite images resampl…
2019
Abstract Remote sensing techniques allow monitoring the Earth surface and acquiring worthwhile information that can be used efficiently in agro-hydrological systems. Satellite images associated to computational models represent reliable resources to estimate actual evapotranspiration fluxes, ETa, based on surface energy balance. The knowledge of ETa and its spatial distribution is crucial for a broad range of applications at different scales, from fields to large irrigation districts. In single plots and/or in irrigation districts, linking water volumes delivered to the plots with the estimations of remote sensed ETa can have a great potential to develop new cost-effective indicators of irr…
IL RETROFIT ENERGETICO. L'EDILIZIA RESIDENZIALE POST-BELLICA DI PALERMO
2015
Il patrimonio edilizio italiano è composto principalmente da costruzioni realizzate nel secondo dopoguerra, quando la speculazione economica e l'urbanizzazione hanno prodotto edifici con caratteristiche di scarsa qualità architettonica ed energetica. Agire sul rendimento energetico degli edifici esistenti, adattandoli alle caratteristiche richieste dalla normativa, a parità di condizioni di comfort, rappresenta una strategia importante per la riduzione dei consumi energetici e per la tutela dell'ambiente. Attraverso l'applicazione di tecnologie e metodologie innovative e la scelta di investimenti adeguati, il retrofit energetico può rappresentare oggi la principale opportunità di crescita i…
Integration of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Glassblock
2012
The paper will show the first results of a research (included in a larger work about the Improvement of glassblocks performance in order to use them for the construction of sustainable translucent building envelops even in Mediterranean and Tropical Areas) aimed to the integration of glassblock with the DSC technology. Glassblock is a high-performance type of glass in the field of sustainable architectural claddings: the process of deposition of the cells on the single glassblock, their best position and the performance of this new kind of glassblock, DSC integrated, will be discussed in the paper in terms of transmittance, light transmission and aesthetical effects, together with the probl…
Lighting control systems: Factors affecting energy savings' evaluation
2015
Abstract The use of automated lighting control systems allows to reduce lighting costs and to achieve significant energy savings. The energy performances of controls are affected by many factors, the impact of which is very difficult to account for during the design process. The goal of this paper is to describe the factors that influence the control systems’ energy performances, to analyze how the currently available calculation tools take them into account and finally to propose a simple method to adjust results obtained from the simulation software.
Politics in play: the playground movement as a socio-political issue in early twentieth-century Finland
2023
This article studies the history of playgrounds in Finland and focuses on the emergence and implementation of the objectives of the international playground movement in the early twentieth century. Specifically, it examines the relations between supervised playgrounds, women’s emancipation, child welfare policies, and political discussion on social class. In doing so, the article illustrates the transnational circulation and implementation of early twentieth century “child-saving” ideas, such as the playground reform. The analysis is done by cross and close reading a wealth of contemporary texts on playgrounds, such as magazines, newspapers, and archival materials. By tracing the interwoven…
Comparison Between Conventional and Vegetated Roof by Means of a Dynamic Simulation
2015
In this paper, a dynamic simulation of a building located in the Campus University of Palermo, Italy, has been carried out. We considered two different scenarios; in the first one, the building as it is, with a conventional covering, while in the second one the roof was equipped with a green roof. The results of the two simulations have been compared, suggesting that such building component could contribute to the energy savings of the building. However, it has to be considered as part of other possible actions devoted to improve the energy efficiency of the whole building. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://…
The use of constructed wetlands for the treatment and reuse of urban wastewater for the irrigation of two warm-season turfgrass species under Mediter…
2017
Constructed wetlands (CWs) represent low-cost technology for the treatment and reuse of wastewater in urban areas. This study aimed to evaluate the pollutant removal efficiency of a CW system and to assess the effects of irrigation using treated urban wastewater on soil and on two warm-season turf species. The research was carried out in Sicily (Italy) on a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow system which was fed with treated urban wastewater following secondary treatment from an activated-sludge wastewater treatment plant. The pilot system was located in an open urban park and comprised two separate parallel planted units. Experimental fields of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Paspalum …
Energy Recovery in Water Distribution Networks. Implementation of Pumps as Turbine in a Dynamic Numerical Model
2014
In complex networks characterized by the presence of private tanks, water managers usually apply intermittent distribution, thus reducing the water volumes supplied to the users, or use Pressure Reduction Valves (PRV) for controlling pressure in the network. The application of Pump As Turbines (PATs) appears as an alternative and sustainable solution to either control network pressure as well as to produce energy. In the present paper, the hydrodynamic model, already presented by De Marchis et al. (2011) was further developed introducing the dynamic analysis of PATs. The model was applied to a district of Palermo network (Italy) characterized by intermittent distribution and by inequities a…
ANALYSIS OF A RECIPROCATE ENGINE–BASED COGENERATION PLANT WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE HEAT RECOVERY FOR INDUSTRIAL USES
2012
In consequence of the increasing awareness on the future scarcity of fossil energy sources and the global warming impact of energy conversion processes, the European Union has been planning several actions to enhance the efficiency of energy use and reduce the environmental impact. The declared goals of EU actions are synthetized in the 20-20-20 formula, consisting of an expected 20% increase of energy efficiency, a 20% contribution to the total energy supply by renewable sources and a 20% abatement of pollutant emissions. Applications of cogeneration in process industry can significantly contribute to achieve these targets. In this paper a reciprocate engine-based Combined Heat and Power (…
Voluntary pension funds contribution in the pension system of Latvia in comparison with Estonia and Lithuania
2020
Pension system formation is one of the questions on the daily agenda for most countries of the world. Most attention and discussion focus on the first two pension system pillars – state compulsory unfunded pension scheme and the state-funded or accumulated pension scheme in pension funds, both based on mandatory contributions. Private voluntary investments are the “third pillar” of pension systems and the gear to ensure an adequate level of income at retirement age by creating private pension funds. Voluntary savings are becoming the source of retirement income received on a monthly basis in line with the progress of private pension funds and expansion of the choice of pension schemes. This…