The project takes place in the framework of a process of collaboration and knowledge transfer bet... more The project takes place in the framework of a process of collaboration and knowledge transfer between Italy and China. This research is related to the energy planning of Huai Rou, a new town near Beijing that will host about 80 thousand people with more than 3,5 million of m 2 distributed by residences, commercial buildings and parking. Huai Rou New Town represents a case study in the field of planning and realizing harmonious cities that means to plan and realize eco-settlements in which energy and material inputs are minimized and thus outputs emissions, while integration of different utilities and recycling are promoted in order to reduce energy and mass flows. To that end, the following measures are mainly implemented: to plan a suitable lay out for controlling solar radiation and wind effects, to design buildings with a low energy approach, to promote their mixed use, to use available local sources, i.e. renewable energies, to create a smart integration of the main utilities (w...
ABSTRACT Population migration from poorer rural areas to richer industrial ones has been a very c... more ABSTRACT Population migration from poorer rural areas to richer industrial ones has been a very common phenomenon in Italy. These depleted rural areas are characterized by a slow pace of development or socio-economic decline. Territorial areas of this kind, defined as Limited Resources Areas (LRA), and their possible development, have been studied in the last two years in Italy, focusing attention on the energy parameter, the role of which is taken into account from the very early stages of the planning process. Methodologies used and most important results are briefly outlined, as well as the need of a reliable index for energy projects evaluation. It is proposed to derive such an index from the second law of thermodynamics, focusing the attention on entropy flows. The advantage of such an approach – that allows planners to take into account both the energy and the environmental issues – are discussed within the framework of the generic issue of development planning. Examples of applications in the island of Pantelleria are given.
ABSTRACT Thermal behaviour of a four storey bioclimatic building to be constructed in Messina (Si... more ABSTRACT Thermal behaviour of a four storey bioclimatic building to be constructed in Messina (Sicily) has been analysed using the computer simulation model SMP. The northern side of the building is earth protected, while a large part of the south facade is sunspaced. Because of low thermal losses and high solar contribution, auxiliary energy demand is so low that central heating system is not necessary. A simple methodology based on the available information on frequency distribution and persistence periods of daily solar radiation values is proposed for the evaluation of energy consumption during the heating season. Thermal performance has been analysed also for clear day conditions in order to evaluate overheating. Summer operation has also been evaluated.
The ecological transition of cities is crucial for the ecological transition of the entire world.... more The ecological transition of cities is crucial for the ecological transition of the entire world. This transition goes through the transformation of the current linear urban metabolism into a circular metabolism that mimics the functioning of ecosystems. A metabolism aiming to the minimisation of material inputs (products, water, food) in order to minimise both the withdrawal of resources from the environment and waste production. This goal can be achieved by adopting the principles of the circular economy, maximising the use of renewable sources and energy efficiency, and redesigning urban services, such as mobility and water-and-waste cycles. In order to bring about this transformation, it is not enough to work on technologies and techniques because citizens’ behaviour, lifestyles and cultural values are affected. Furthermore, treating the city as a living organism, i.e., as a complex system, requires an appropriate design and governance method underpinned by a systemic vision.
ABSTRACT The possibility of using different cooling tools working with lower radiant temperatures... more ABSTRACT The possibility of using different cooling tools working with lower radiant temperatures and higher air velocity is explored. Lower energy consumptions may be achieved in specific climates with reasonable levels of thermal comfort.
ABSTRACT The interactive effect of physical environment and architectural features on thermal com... more ABSTRACT The interactive effect of physical environment and architectural features on thermal comfort are computer simulated in rooms naturally ventilated. Results of parametric analyses for three Italian locations are given.
ABSTRACT The paper describes a finite differences Trombe wall model validation, based on experime... more ABSTRACT The paper describes a finite differences Trombe wall model validation, based on experimental data recorded at a passive systems test station in Central Italy. The computer code has been checked step by step, due to the different reliability of the data and to the various algorithms used in the code. Thus, cloudy and clear nights with no thermocirculation were simulated and compared with experimental data, then evening hours with thermocirculation, but no sun and, finally, a full day was simulated and compared. Some inaccuracy has been found in the simulation of wind effect on outer glass convective heat transfer coefficient. The code, however, has been found to provide data in reasonable good agreement with experiments. Thus, allowing for some uncertainties about input data used and for some measurements unreliability, the overall performance of the simulation model may be considered satisfactory.
In Europe, the recent application of regulations oriented to zero-energy buildings and climate ne... more In Europe, the recent application of regulations oriented to zero-energy buildings and climate neutrality in 2050 has led to a reduction in energy consumption for heating and cooling in the construction sector. The thermal insulation of the building envelope plays a key role in this process and the requirements about the maximum allowable thermal transmittance are defined by country-specific guidelines. Typically, high insulation values provide low energy consumption for heating; however, they may also entail a risk of overheating in summer period and thus negatively affect the overall performance of the building. In addition, the embodied energy and related emissions caused by the manufacturing and transportation processes of thermal insulation cannot be further neglected in the evaluation of the best optimal solution. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the influence in terms of embodied and operational energy of various walls’ thermal insulation thicknesses on residential buil...
The project takes place in the framework of a process of collaboration and knowledge transfer bet... more The project takes place in the framework of a process of collaboration and knowledge transfer between Italy and China. This research is related to the energy planning of Huai Rou, a new town near Beijing that will host about 80 thousand people with more than 3,5 million of m 2 distributed by residences, commercial buildings and parking. Huai Rou New Town represents a case study in the field of planning and realizing harmonious cities that means to plan and realize eco-settlements in which energy and material inputs are minimized and thus outputs emissions, while integration of different utilities and recycling are promoted in order to reduce energy and mass flows. To that end, the following measures are mainly implemented: to plan a suitable lay out for controlling solar radiation and wind effects, to design buildings with a low energy approach, to promote their mixed use, to use available local sources, i.e. renewable energies, to create a smart integration of the main utilities (w...
ABSTRACT Population migration from poorer rural areas to richer industrial ones has been a very c... more ABSTRACT Population migration from poorer rural areas to richer industrial ones has been a very common phenomenon in Italy. These depleted rural areas are characterized by a slow pace of development or socio-economic decline. Territorial areas of this kind, defined as Limited Resources Areas (LRA), and their possible development, have been studied in the last two years in Italy, focusing attention on the energy parameter, the role of which is taken into account from the very early stages of the planning process. Methodologies used and most important results are briefly outlined, as well as the need of a reliable index for energy projects evaluation. It is proposed to derive such an index from the second law of thermodynamics, focusing the attention on entropy flows. The advantage of such an approach – that allows planners to take into account both the energy and the environmental issues – are discussed within the framework of the generic issue of development planning. Examples of applications in the island of Pantelleria are given.
ABSTRACT Thermal behaviour of a four storey bioclimatic building to be constructed in Messina (Si... more ABSTRACT Thermal behaviour of a four storey bioclimatic building to be constructed in Messina (Sicily) has been analysed using the computer simulation model SMP. The northern side of the building is earth protected, while a large part of the south facade is sunspaced. Because of low thermal losses and high solar contribution, auxiliary energy demand is so low that central heating system is not necessary. A simple methodology based on the available information on frequency distribution and persistence periods of daily solar radiation values is proposed for the evaluation of energy consumption during the heating season. Thermal performance has been analysed also for clear day conditions in order to evaluate overheating. Summer operation has also been evaluated.
The ecological transition of cities is crucial for the ecological transition of the entire world.... more The ecological transition of cities is crucial for the ecological transition of the entire world. This transition goes through the transformation of the current linear urban metabolism into a circular metabolism that mimics the functioning of ecosystems. A metabolism aiming to the minimisation of material inputs (products, water, food) in order to minimise both the withdrawal of resources from the environment and waste production. This goal can be achieved by adopting the principles of the circular economy, maximising the use of renewable sources and energy efficiency, and redesigning urban services, such as mobility and water-and-waste cycles. In order to bring about this transformation, it is not enough to work on technologies and techniques because citizens’ behaviour, lifestyles and cultural values are affected. Furthermore, treating the city as a living organism, i.e., as a complex system, requires an appropriate design and governance method underpinned by a systemic vision.
ABSTRACT The possibility of using different cooling tools working with lower radiant temperatures... more ABSTRACT The possibility of using different cooling tools working with lower radiant temperatures and higher air velocity is explored. Lower energy consumptions may be achieved in specific climates with reasonable levels of thermal comfort.
ABSTRACT The interactive effect of physical environment and architectural features on thermal com... more ABSTRACT The interactive effect of physical environment and architectural features on thermal comfort are computer simulated in rooms naturally ventilated. Results of parametric analyses for three Italian locations are given.
ABSTRACT The paper describes a finite differences Trombe wall model validation, based on experime... more ABSTRACT The paper describes a finite differences Trombe wall model validation, based on experimental data recorded at a passive systems test station in Central Italy. The computer code has been checked step by step, due to the different reliability of the data and to the various algorithms used in the code. Thus, cloudy and clear nights with no thermocirculation were simulated and compared with experimental data, then evening hours with thermocirculation, but no sun and, finally, a full day was simulated and compared. Some inaccuracy has been found in the simulation of wind effect on outer glass convective heat transfer coefficient. The code, however, has been found to provide data in reasonable good agreement with experiments. Thus, allowing for some uncertainties about input data used and for some measurements unreliability, the overall performance of the simulation model may be considered satisfactory.
In Europe, the recent application of regulations oriented to zero-energy buildings and climate ne... more In Europe, the recent application of regulations oriented to zero-energy buildings and climate neutrality in 2050 has led to a reduction in energy consumption for heating and cooling in the construction sector. The thermal insulation of the building envelope plays a key role in this process and the requirements about the maximum allowable thermal transmittance are defined by country-specific guidelines. Typically, high insulation values provide low energy consumption for heating; however, they may also entail a risk of overheating in summer period and thus negatively affect the overall performance of the building. In addition, the embodied energy and related emissions caused by the manufacturing and transportation processes of thermal insulation cannot be further neglected in the evaluation of the best optimal solution. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the influence in terms of embodied and operational energy of various walls’ thermal insulation thicknesses on residential buil...
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Papers by Federico Butera