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WG3-MitigationofClimateChange.jpg IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, Working Group III: Chapter 6 Last Updated on 2010-08-05 00:00:00 Originally published by our Content Partner: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (other articles) Residential and commercial[1] buildings Table of Contents Executive Summary 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Trends in buildings sector emissions 6.3 Scenarios of carbon emissions resulting from energy use in buildings 6.4 GHG mitigation options in buildings and equipment 6.4.1 Overview of energy efficiency principles 6.4.2 Thermal envelope 6.4.3 Heating systems 6.4.4 Cooling and cooling loads 6.4.5 Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems 6.4.6 Building energy management systems (BEMS) 6.4.7 Active collection and transformation of solar energy 6.4.8 Domestic hot water 6.4.9 Lighting systems 6.4.10... More »
Solarpanelsresepa.jpg Solar power (Buildings) Last Updated on 2010-04-25 00:00:00 Solar power is any process that generates electricity from the sun's radiation. There are two chief technologies for such electrical production: (a) photovoltaics (PV), where solar panels convert sunlight directly to electrical current; and (b) concentrating solar rays to boil water, which is used to provide power. In spite of the enthusiasm for solar plants in a few western countries, the technology requires significant subsidies to compete with fossil fuels, hydroelectric and nuclear power alternatives; in point of fact solar power supplied a mere .0002 of the world power supply as recently as 2008. Although solar is classified as a renewable energy source, there are some significant environmental impacts, including the generation of toxic cadmium residues and the significant destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats. Strides are being made in terms of... More »
Green building.jpg Green building (Buildings) Last Updated on 2009-08-31 00:00:00 Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy, water, and materials — thereby reducing a building’s impact on human health and the environment through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and deconstruction. This practice can also be referred to as sustainable design or green architecture. Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by efficiently using energy, water, and other resources, protecting occupant health, improving employee productivity in commercial buildings, and reducing waste, pollution, and environmental degradation. Sustainability is a related concept that is integral to green building. Effectively using the concepts of sustainability while building will lead to reduced... More »
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