Papers by Keyword: Energy Saving

Abstract: The need for effective security in residential landscapes and the reduction of energy consumption in connection with home management activities have led to a growing interest in the field of smart home technology. Smart home is an emerging field of technology transforming how people live and interact with their homes. This research develops a smart home automation system with a microcontroller to enhance energy efficiency, safety, and convenience through wireless control of household appliance operations. The system employs two modes of control: manual and automatic. The manual mode offers control and monitoring capabilities through a web application, accessible globally. The automatic mode provides security alerts and intelligent appliance control, minimizing the need for human intervention. The effectiveness of integrating a microcontroller with various sensors and relays for home automation is demonstrated, with a Digital Humidity and Temperature (DHT11) sensor and a Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MQ-5) gas sensor performing reliably with an accuracy rate of nearly 90%, and the light-dependent resistor (LDR) achieving a success rate of over 89%. The energy saving and safety achieved by applying the developed smart home automation system in this study demonstrate the viability of microcontroller-based smart home solutions

Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive energy audit and optimization strategy for six motor-driven pumps supplying hot water to essential production circuits in a food manufacturing facility. A Level II audit was conducted to diagnose network inefficiencies, including current and voltage harmonic distortions, power factor issues, and motor load conditions. A complementary demand-side analysis was also performed to align pump operations with actual process requirements and reduce energy losses. Adopting a systems approach, the study focuses on optimizing the overall motor system rather than analyzing components in isolation. Three energy-saving measures were proposed: (i) avoiding idle operations through solenoid valves, (ii) reducing motor power consumption with variable speed drives (VSDs) to match the process-required flow rates, and (iii) optimizing heating to prevent excess water temperature and unnecessary energy consumption. These measures led to substantial energy and cost savings—specifically, annual reductions of 44,079.25 kWh of electricity and 2,921 GJ of thermal energy, equivalent to $67,187 in financial savings and a 214.38-tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions. With payback periods as short as 0.7 years, the proposed actions are economically viable and practically implementable. This research contributes to filling the gap in real-world case studies on industrial energy optimization, particularly in developing countries, by demonstrating that significant savings can be achieved through simple, low-cost interventions. It thereby helps break down the barriers that prevent industries from adopting energy efficiency measures. Despite the specific industrial context, the findings are broadly applicable across sectors due to the widespread use of motor systems. Moreover, the study supports both the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by offering actionable insights for enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in the industrial sector.

Abstract: This research investigates the impact of micro-encapsulated phase change materials (micro-PCMs) on the thermal performance and mechanical properties of concrete, specifically focusing on improving energy efficiency in buildings. Four concrete mixtures were studied: one control mix without micro-PCMs and three mixes containing 7.5%, 15%, and 30% micro-PCMs added to the cement content. The slump, density, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, and temperature changes over time were measured. The results show that incorporating micro-PCMs improves workability to 16% for the mix containing 30% PCM. The unit weight of the concrete decreased with an increase of PCM reduction of up to 4.6% at 30% micro-PCM content. However, there was a significant decline in compressive strength, with reductions to 12.2 and 20.1 MPa after 7 and 28 days for the mix of 30% PCM. Adding micro-PCMs significantly reduced thermal conductivity by as much as 49.2%, enhancing the insulation performance of 30% PCM. The heat transfer analysis indicated that integrating PCMs lowers peak temperatures to 25%, delaying the time to reach peak temperature.

Abstract: Bio-based materials and phase change materials (PCMs) are currently being gradually noticed and emphasized as passive building envelopes. This study focuses on the effect of PCM placement and phase transition temperature on hygrothermal and energy performance. Systematic studies reveal that placing PCM with a phase transition temperature of 24-28 °C in the scenario PCM middle provides considerable results, reducing the summer temperature and relative humidity amplitude, heat load and moisture load by 5%, 0.03%, 8% and 5.8%, respectively. Besides, performance is further optimized with the scenario PCM middle of phase transition temperature of 26-30 °C, with the reductions in temperature and relative humidity fluctuations, heat load and moisture load by 88.6%, 85.4%, 69.65% and 69.63%, respectively. Overall, strategic PCM placement and phase transition temperature improve building energy efficiency and comfort, offering valuable insights for designing bio-based concrete structures.

Abstract: This chapter explores the evolution of public lighting, tracing its historical development from the early days of illumination to contemporary times. It highlights the contemporary significance of public lighting in meeting regulatory standards for illumination, emphasizing the fundamental role of LED technology. LED technology not only ensures compliance with lighting regulations but also significantly reduces network power consumption, thereby mitigating environmental pollution compared to traditional discharge lamps. Furthermore, this chapter underscores the transformative shift in the role of modern lighting systems, which have evolved into multifunctional hubs for the integration of value-added services. These services encompass a wide range of applications, including surveillance cameras, smart parking systems, and electric vehicle charging stations, thereby enhancing the overall functionality and sustainability of urban environments.

Abstract: Waste materials are deemed an environmental burden; although, they can be recycled in the production of sustainable building materials. The aim of this study is to develop an aesthetic architectural rendering green mortar with utilizing recycled waste colored glass as supplementary fine aggregate. Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) has been prepared as a green and sustainable binder by replacing 60 wt% of white Portland cement () with a blend of limestone (LS) powder and metakaolin (MK) with a LS: MK of 1:2 (wt%). LC3-based mortars were prepared in which the binder was combined with expanded polystyrene beads (EPS) as fine aggregate with aggregate volume content of 75%. EPS was partially replaced with recycled waste glass (RWG) at various percentages of 10, 20, and 30 vol.%. Bulk density, thermal conductivity, solar reflectivity and flexural strength of the hardened mortars were determined after 7days of curing. The contribution of the newly developed mortars into reducing internal thermal loads and energy use has been evaluated for administrative/ office building in EGYPT. The mortars incorporating 10 and 20vol.% of RWG possessed thermal conductivity values in the range of thermal insulation rendering mortars. The incorporation of RWG led to enhanced solar reflectivity, an increase by about 77% has been achieved relative to the traditional one coat - rendering mortar; in addition, the newly developed rendering mortar provided a reduction in electric cooling energy annual consumption by about 30%

Abstract: Hot stamping is a well-established and frequently used manufacturing process in automotive body construction. The number of components manufactured in this way is continuously increasing. Hot stamping is used to produce components with a completely martensitic structure, resulting in high strength and hardness. These components are mainly used in safety-relevant areas of the passenger cell, such as the A-pillar, B-pillar, tunnel and sill. For hot-stamping processes, it is necessary to austenitize the blanks. Heating the sheet metal up to 930 °C in a furnace is very energy-intensive. In large-scale industrial applications, the sheets are generally heated in gas-fired roller hearth furnaces up to 60 m long. Apart from the poor energy balance and the high CO₂ emissions of such furnaces, they are associated with high investment and maintenance costs, large space requirements and a long heating time. Rapid heating by means of the Joule effect and direct current instead of alternating current offer an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for sheet metal heating. Therefore, this technology can make a major contribution to environmental protection and resource saving. Within the scope of this work, parts were rapid-heated and subsequently hot-stamped by means of a novel heating system based on direct current with energy savings of up to 80 %. Using electricity guarantees a good CO₂ balance. In addition, resistance heating with a new type of DC-heating system and an adapted process chain is compared with conventional furnace heating. In thermographic images and microstructural examinations of the hot-stamped parts, it can be demonstrated that this direct-current technique is well suited for achieving homogeneous hardness and strength in the whole sheet metal. Thus, this new heating system can enhance the efficiency of the hot-stamping technology.

Abstract: Phase change materials (PCMs) integration into cement mortar is among the new studies of interest regarding modern energy-saving techniques and developing the thermal properties in buildings. This study aims to integrate microencapsulated-PCMs (micro-PCMs) with cement mortar at 0, 5, 10, and 15% to replace natural sand for thermal properties improvement of the building envelope. In addition, the effect of using micro-PCMs on mechanical, thermal properties, and PCMs leakage problems were studied. The cement mortars incorporated with micro-PCMs were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal conductivity, and mechanical properties as (compressive, flexural, and tensile). The results indicate a decreasing trend of thermal conductivity values with the increase in PCMs content in the cementitious system with the percentages of 11, 21, and 30% for 5, 10, and 15% PCMs, respectively. Similarly, mechanical properties results also confirmed that integrating incorporating mortars with PCMs resulted in the reduction in the compressive strength by 22, 31, and 46%, respectively. Therefore, using the PCMs with cement mortar can build envelope applications to store thermal energy, provide the indoor temperature at a comfortable range, and reduce the consumption energy in buildings.

Abstract: Energy saving is one of today’s biggest challenges. Since the construction industry is very energy intensive, there is a question of drastic reduction of energy consumption in all types of buildings. There are different approaches to this issue, but ultimately there is a need to create materials that have high thermal resistance.

Abstract: A novel polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) with energy saving preparation was elaborately designed and synthesized by using acrylic acid (AA), hydroxypropyl acrylate (HPA) and isopentenyl polyethylene glycol (IPEG) as monomers. To investigate the effects of the preparation method on the effectiveness of PCE, the PCEs were prepared from energy-saving method and common method respectively, and the hydration heat evolutions of the cement pastes containing these PCEs were comparatively probed. Furthermore, the working mechanisms of the PCEs by different preparations were identified via adsorption behavior, adsorption kinetic and Zeta potential of the PCE on cement surfaces. The results showed that, this novel PCE prepared in an energy saving manner can significantly prolong the hydration process and present a stronger adsorption capacity. In addition, the adsorption of this PCE on cement surface exhibited a characteristic of pseudo first order kinetic equation model. The evaluation in energy conservation showed that, this energy saving preparation can save 1.548×10⁴ kJ per 10 ton production. The aim of this study is to provide a new avenue to synthesize a PCE with economical method which achieves energy-saving preparation. Due to the indispensable application in construction industry, the innovations from this study contribute to the low energy-consumption production and high eco-effectiveness of the novel PCE, which has potential applications in low-emission building materials.