Browsing by Author "Konstantaras, John"
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- Latent thermal energy storage application in a residential building at a mediterranean climatePublication . Coelho, Luis Manuel Rodrigues; Koukou, Maria K.; Dogkas, George; Konstantaras, John; Vrachopoulos, Michail Gr.; Rebola, Amândio; Benou, Anastasia; Choropanitis, John; Karytsas, Constantine; Sourkounis, Constantinos; Chrysanthou, ZenonAn innovative thermal energy storage system (TESSe2b) was retrofitted in a residential building in Cyprus with a typical Mediterranean climate. The system comprises flat-plate solar collectors, thermal energy storage tanks filled with organic phase change material, a geothermal installation consisting of borehole heat exchangers with and without phase change material and a ground source heat pump, an advanced self-learning control system, backup devices and several other auxiliary components. The thermal energy storage tanks cover the building’s needs at certain temperature ranges (10–17 ◦C for cooling, 38–45 ◦C for heating and 50–60 ◦C for domestic hot water). A performance evaluation was conducted by comparing the TESSe2b system with the existing conventional heating and cooling system. The systems were simulated using commercial software, and the performance of the systems and the building’s energy needs were calculated. Based on the energy quantities, an economic analysis followed. The equivalent annual primary energy consumption with the conventional system resulted in being 43335 kWh, while for the storage system, it was only 8398 kWh. The payback period for the storage system was calculated to be equal to 9.76 years. The operation of the installed storage system provided data for calculations of the seasonal performance factor and storage performance. The seasonal performance factor values were very high during June, July and August, since the TESSe2b system works very efficiently in cooling mode due to the very high temperatures that dominate in Cyprus. The measured stored thermal energy for cooling, heating and domestic hot water resulted in being 14.5, 21.9 and 6.2 kWh, respectively. Moreover, the total volume of the phase change material thermal energy storage tanks for heating and domestic hot water was calculated to be roughly several times smaller than the volume of a tank with water as a storage medium.
- Training for sustainable and healthy building for 2050 part 2: incorporation of new knowledge and dissemination for the sustainability of the trans-european training experiencePublication . Lucas, Susana; Koukou, Maria K.; Aleksiejuk-Gawron, Joanna; Justino, Júlia; Rafael, Silviano; Livieratos, Antonios D.; Carriço, Nelson; Konstantaras, John; Vrachopoulos, Michail Gr.; Coelho, Luís; Benedetti, Anna Chiara; Mazzoli, Cecilia; Ferrante, Annarita; Scoccia, Rossano; Famiglietti, Jacopo; Bakon, Tomasz; Tourou, PavlosThis paper presents the innovative key knowledge breakthroughs achieved as one of the results of the BUILD2050 Erasmus+ project, focused on its contribution to advancing climate-resilient building engineering education and practice. In a recent work, the new methodologies applied in the BUILD2050 initiative were presented. This work discusses the incorporation of new knowledge in the courses and dissemination for the sustainability of the trans-European training experience. The challenge faced by the European Union for 2050 is achieving climate neutrality and decarbonization across all economic sectors, including the significantly impactful construction sector. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to develop technologies in an integrated way, following a holistic approach appropriately adapted to climatic conditions, cultural contexts, and natural resource availability through circular economy methodologies. To this end, it is necessary to develop innovative training methods with multidisciplinary content, incorporating a transnational perspective and scope, enabling continuous updating through learning cycles. These study cycles could be shorter and more complementary, allowing greater flexibility in knowledge acquisition while also enabling the creation of specialized training programs similar to those currently available. The BUILD2050 project has developed a transformative educational framework comprising eight comprehensive “Pilot Training” courses to address the critical challenge of integrating sustainability and circularity concepts into educational curricula at all levels, building engineering training and professional development. Addressing this gap is essential for transforming the construction sector and achieving global climate goals. The results of the BUILD2050 project demonstrate the potential of structured, trans-European training experiences to enhance professional competencies and support the transition to climate-neutral construction. Moving forward, widespread adoption and continuous dissemination of these educational advancements will be vital in ensuring a sustainable built environment by 2050.
- Training for sustainable and healthy building for 2050: New methodologies for an integrated and transnational education approach targeting skills development for the transition toward ZEB and PEB buildingsPublication . Koukou, Maria; Lucas, Susana; Justino, Júlia; Rafael, Silviano; Livieratos, Antonios; Carriço, Nelson; Konstantaras, John; Vrachopoulos, Michail; Benedetti, Anna Chiara; Mazzoli, CeciliaThe development of existing technologies and the emergence of new technologies aiming at the total decarbonization of the buildings sector by 2050 requires and encourages upskilling and reskilling of existing professionals as well as the development of new subjects from higher education courses to be able to respond to the demands of these challenges. In responding to those challenges, the main objective of the research is to design, implement, and evaluate a novel, integrated, and transnational educational approach aimed at equipping professionals and students in the construction sector with the necessary skills to achieve sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. This study aligns with the European Union’s 2050 decarbonization goals by developing innovative methodologies that address the multidisciplinary challenges of sustainable building design, operation, and renovation. The proposed educational approach was developed in the framework of an Erasmus+ project entitled “Training for Sustainable and Healthy Building for 2050 (BUILD2050)”. Six higher education institutions from five European countries joined forces to create transversal skills in the building sector knowledge for emerging challenges through an integrated training composed of eight training courses for students and professionals of the construction area. In this work, the pedagogical approach used to develop the course contents, curricular development issues, technology, and infrastructure, as well as student support, the results obtained from the evaluation carried out after the pilot training of the eight training courses, and best practices and lessons learned, are presented and discussed. The courses’ learning objectives, the learning material, and the assessment activities were well-accomplished. However, based on the feedback of students and teachers, some improvements for future editions of the courses are required.