Papers by Elisa Tomassoni
This research is focused on the study of the behavior of several envelopes with high energy perfo... more This research is focused on the study of the behavior of several envelopes with high energy performance in a Mediterranean climate, in terms of energy saving, thermal comfort and sustainability. The high energy efficient buildings attracts considerable attention since the recent Directives 2010/31/EU and 2012/27/EU set as an objective the standard of nearly zero-energy building for new constructions. The German Passivhaus standards (characterized by super-insulated wooden envelopes) represent a good model to be followed in cold climates while the adoption of this model in Mediterranean climates causes summer overheating problems. The new Directives recently highlighted the importance to consider the specific climate, however the development of constructive techniques for energy efficient envelopes suitable for a Mediterranean climate still remains an open question. Therefore the aim of the study is to verify, analytically and experimentally, the performance of super-insulated wooden...
Energy and Buildings, 2015
The paper aims at studying the effect of both high thermal insulation and high thermal mass techn... more The paper aims at studying the effect of both high thermal insulation and high thermal mass techniques in buildings' dynamic behaviour in Mediterranean climates. The two techniques can lead to conflicting requirements when considering winter and summer conditions, or even high daily temperature ranges. Therefore, the best solution for the summer can be the worst solution for the winter. Therefore, it is necessary to identify insulation measures that conserve the mass' dynamic behaviour. Experimental investigations were carried out on a single-family house to characterize the behaviour of its walls with different thermal inertia. Thermal simulations made it possible to explore different retrofit configurations also including dynamic strategies. The solutions were compared on comfort, energy savings and global cost. The study shows that the most suitable intervention is the maximization of the internal heat capacity and the introduction of an external insulation layer sealed in wintertime and ventilated in summer, thus maintaining the existing massive envelope's seasonal dynamic behaviour by alternatively maximising thermal barrier effect and heat loss. Considering this, the authors introduced a recently patented dynamic system that reduces both summer discomfort levels and consumption of about 20 % and 43 % respect to the worst retrofit solution.
Energies, 2020
The current energy inefficiencies in relocatable temporary camps of the Armed Force troops create... more The current energy inefficiencies in relocatable temporary camps of the Armed Force troops create logistic challenges associated with fuel supply. The energy needs of these camps are primarily satisfied by diesel engine generators, which imply that a significant amount of fuel needs to be continuously provided to these camps, often built in remote areas. This paper presents an alternative solution, named Smart Hybrid Energy System (SHES), aiming towards significantly reducing the amount of fuel needed and minimizing transportation logistics while meeting camp energy demands. The SHES combines the existing diesel generators with solar power generation, energy storage, and waste heat recovery technologies, all connected to a microgrid, ensuring uninterrupted electricity and hot water supplies. All components are controlled by an energy management system that prioritizes output and switches between different power generators, ensuring operation at optimum efficiencies. The SHES compone...
ENERGIES, 2020
The current energy inefficiencies in relocatable temporary camps of the Armed Force troops create... more The current energy inefficiencies in relocatable temporary camps of the Armed Force troops create logistic challenges associated with fuel supply. The energy needs of these camps are primarily satisfied by diesel engine generators, which imply that a significant amount of fuel needs to be continuously provided to these camps, often built in remote areas. This paper presents an alternative solution, named Smart Hybrid Energy System (SHES), aiming towards significantly reducing the amount of fuel needed and minimizing transportation logistics while meeting camp energy demands. The SHES combines the existing diesel generators with solar power generation, energy storage, and waste heat recovery technologies, all connected to a microgrid, ensuring uninterrupted electricity and hot water supplies. All components are controlled by an energy management system that prioritizes output and switches between different power generators, ensuring operation at optimum efficiencies. The SHES compone...
Applied Energy, 2014
ABSTRACT The EU regulations on energy saving have been implemented in Italy with the adoption of ... more ABSTRACT The EU regulations on energy saving have been implemented in Italy with the adoption of the North-European super-insulated model that led to the construction of buildings not much related to their climatic context. The European Directives 2010/31/EU and 2012/27/EU highlighted the importance to consider the specific climate but the development of a technical culture suitable for a temperate climate still remains an open question. The aim of the paper is to quantify the effect on energy consumptions, comfort levels, environmental sustainability of the adoption of 3 energy efficient envelopes recently introduced in Mediterranean area and characterized by different thermal inertia (masonry, wood–cement, wood). In order to achieve this goal, a multidisciplinary approach was adopted involving: the study of the energy performance in winter and summer using analytical models both in semi-stationary and dynamic conditions (Termo and EnergyPlus programs) and the detailed analysis of thermal bridges (Therm software); the analysis of the annual comfort through dynamic analysis with Fanger’s PMV and adaptive comfort models; the quantification of environmental–economic impacts through LCA analysis (SimaPro software) with Eco-indicator 99, CED, EPS 2000 and IPCC 2001 GWP methods and LCC considering financial and environmental costs. The results made it possible to stress the differences between the various adopted methods and demonstrate that in such energy efficient envelopes the thermal mass has low influence on energy saving while it has a great effect on comfort levels and environmental burdens, with a conflicting incidence on these two aspects.
Uploads
Papers by Elisa Tomassoni