Papers by Author: Hsien Te Lin

Abstract: This study focuses on the performance of air conditioning design at the Dazhi Cultural Center and uses a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation to discuss the differences in wind velocity and ambient indoor temperature between all-zone air conditioning design and stratified air conditioning design. The results have strong implications for air conditioning design and can improve the indoor air quality of assembly halls.

Abstract: This study focuses on the efficiency of passive solar chimney in natural ventilation performance of the conference hall at the Magic School of Green Technology (MSGT) in Tainan, Taiwan. The air exchange rate in the conference hall was between 5.73 ACH and 9.11 ACH, which exceeded the minimum air ventilation rate required in Taiwan. This shows that a passive solar chimney can effectively applied to the conference hall to meet indoor ventilation and air exchange requirements without using air conditioning.

Abstract: This is a case study on the Magic school of Green Technology (MSGT), the first zero-carbon building in Taiwan. This study simulated the energy performance of the MSGT by using eQUEST, a tool for simulating building energy, before the construction was complete. This study compared the simulated energy use with the actual energy use of the MSGT in 2011, and determined that the actual energy use was lower than the simulated energy use. Based on this comparison, the study proved that the MSGT consumed 65% less energy than do similarly sized buildings with the same functions.

Abstract: Greenhouse gas emissions and energy controls of industrial activities have become a main focus of the Taiwanese government, and because the cost of electricity is rising rapidly nowadays, adopting energy conservation measures to achieve cost savings and sustainable operation is essential for industries. In the textile industry, the energy consumption of A/C systems is second only to that of the manufacturing equipment. This study presents the life cycle costs and payback period by replacing old A/C systems with evaporative cooling systems. Based on the analysis, this study concludes that with evaporative cooling systems using only 10% to 15% of the energy used by A/C systems, the average payback period is less than 0.25 years despite the low electricity tariff in Taiwan. This suggests that for either the short term or the long term, evaporative cooling systems are an economical measure for the textile industry.

Abstract: Nowadays, with the growing popularity of dynamic LED advertising signs, the light trespass caused by these signs is being taken more and more seriously. This study analyzes experimentally how various flickering cycles affect the visual fatigue of residents who read in the room adjacent to these signs. According to the results of the research, an increase in the flickering cycle of the sign corresponds with a decrease in the degree of disturbance to adjacent residents. Moreover this study suggests that the flickering cycle of a dynamic LED advertising sign should be set above four seconds to ensure minimal discomfort.

Abstract: Fallow the nature makes it vernacular have always been the highest principles of vernacular architecture. This research uses Toraja traditional residence houses ( Tongkonan ) and the rice barn （alang-alang）in Tana Toraja of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Through this, we attempt to understand how vernacular architecture effectively controls the indoor environment in the high-temperature, high humidity environment to achieve comfortableness with local materials attained and construction methods. By using thermo recorder equipment to recording and measuring the microclimate record for the residence house and the rice barn. After investigation, comparison and analysis of temperature and relative humidity we discover that the interior environment is more comfortable for human residence in the Tongkonan; at the same time the rice barn is presented as the best storage space for their rice and crops. Both types of buildings create a most habitable environment for people and storage space for grains. It also proves that natural material is an efficient resource for local community as sustainable matter.

Abstract: For a community, to be ecological is the way forward to sustainability, and the first step is to avoid unnecessary trips for daily activities. Realizing the required service function of a community can provide the directions and contents to the community and the one in charged for improving the convenience of life, while allowing residents to reach those facilities by walking or biking, thus achieving the ecological goal of energy conservation. This study adopts the Delphi technique to screen the most important and basic service items of the service function for the urban and rural eco-communities, which are supposed to be accessible and easily reached. Furthermore, the study utilizes the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to get different weights of these service items for two kinds of communities. Results show that the facilities of daily life are the most basic and important category of the service function for both kinds of communities; elementary school and senior day care service is the most significant item that urban and rural eco-community must have, respectively.

Abstract: Minangkabau architecture is one of the most identical vernacular architectures in Austronesian world. This research aims to compare and analyze the microclimate of two Minangkabau vernacular houses in villages of Balimbing of Bukittinggi, Sumatra, Indonesia. One of them is covered with palm-sheath roof, and the other is covered with zinc roof. After investigation and a series of measuring assessment, we discover that as human residence, the interior environment of the house with the palm-roof is more comfortable than the zinc-roofed house. Due to a more successful prevention and reduction to high temperature and humidity of the inner space, the palm-roof is recognized as the better housing model to be pursued and using natural material as the efficient resource for the local community.

Abstract: Minangkabau house is one of the most particular houses in Southeast Asia. The uplifted rooftop as the shape of buffalo horns, and large-scale single pile house are its main features. From the 17th to 18th century, Minangkabau people in Indonesia migrated massively from the Pagarruyung area of Sumatra to the state of Sembilan on Malay Peninsula. They brought with them the system of a matrilineal society (Adat pepatih), but there was not a complete transplantation of their particular house. This research conducts field investigations on Minangkabau houses in there two areas and analyzes the reasons of the change and major influential factors. The results show how Minangkabau houses transfer from large single pile house into extended small grouped pile houses, which has become another kind of vernacular houses in Malay Peninsula.

Abstract: In Taiwan, AC systems in buildings with central air conditioning account for over 45% of the total electricity consumed. Inefficient and poorly designed AC systems in existing buildings waste considerable amounts of money and energy. Therefore, retrofitting AC systems has become a widely adopted strategy to save energy while maintaining a comfortable indoor thermal environment. This study analyzes the potential energy savings and payback period of retrofitting AC systems in public buildings. In addition to the required Building Energy Management System (BEMS), several measures are introduced to reduce energy consumption during retrofitting. The main measures include testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) of existing AC systems; replacing over-designed chillers with chillers with smaller capacity; installing frequency conversion in original systems, such that they become variable water volume (VWV) and variable air volume (VAV) systems; and utilizing CO2 concentration control and pre-cooling air systems. Based on analytical results, we conclude that AC system retrofitting can reduce total energy usage by 11.75%, while the average payback period for a retrofit project is 4.71 years, demonstrating that AC system retrofitting in Taiwan is economically sound.