Search Results (177)

Recent theoretical and empirical studies highlight that information asymmetry and owner–manager conflict of interest can distort corporate investment decisions. Building on this premise, we hypothesize that superior environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance mitigates these frictions by (H1) alleviating financing constraints and (H2) intensifying external analyst scrutiny. To test these hypotheses, we examine all Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share non-financial firms from 2009 to 2023. Using panel fixed-effects and two-stage least squares with an industry–province–year instrument, we find that higher ESG performance significantly reduces investment inefficiency; the effect operates through both lower financing constraints and greater analyst coverage. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that the improvement is pronounced in small non-state-owned, non-high-carbon firms but absent in large state-owned high-carbon emitters. These findings enrich the literature on ESG and corporate performance and offer actionable insights for regulators and investors seeking high-quality development. Full article

Offsite construction (OSC) offers a promising alternative for accelerating refurbishment projects across Italy and Europe. However, its adoption remains limited due to technical, regulatory, and cultural barriers. This study, conducted as part of the OFFICIO project, maps the current European OSC landscape, with a focus on wood and light-steel technologies for sustainable building refurbishment. Combining a literature review, analysis of funded projects, and market data for 541 OSC products, the study develops tailored KPIs to assess these products’ technical maturity, prefabrication level, and environmental integration. The results reveal that wood-based OSC, although less widespread, is more mature and centered on the use of multi-layer panels, while steel-based systems, though more prevalent, remain largely tied to semi-offsite construction, indicating untapped development potential. Research efforts, especially concentrated in Mediterranean regions, focus on technological integration of renewable energy systems. A significant literature gap was identified in information concerning panel-to-wall connection, critical for renovation, limiting OSC’s adaptability to regeneration of existing buildings. The findings highlight the need for cross-sector collaboration, legislative clarity, and better alignment of public procurement standards with OSC characteristics. Addressing these issues is essential to bridge the gap between research prototypes and industrial adoption and accelerate the sustainable transformation of Europe’s construction sector to help meet climate neutrality targets. Full article

This study investigates strategies for urban-scale renewable energy integration through a photovoltaic-centric approach, with a case study of a district in Barcelona. The methodology integrates spatial and morphological data using a geographic information system (GIS)-based and clustering framework to address challenges of CO₂ emissions, air pollution, and energy inefficiency. Rooftop availability and photovoltaic (PV) design constraints are analysed under current urban regulations. The spatial analysis incorporates building geometry and solar exposure, while an evolutionary optimisation algorithm in Grasshopper refines shading analysis, energy yield, and financial performance. Clustering methods (K-means and 3D proximity) group PV panels by solar irradiance uniformity and spatial coherence to enhance system efficiency. Eight PV deployment scenarios are evaluated, incorporating submodule integrated converter technology under a solar power purchase agreement model. Results show distinct trade-offs among PV scenarios. The standard fixed tilted (31.5° tilt, south-facing) scenario offers a top environmental and performance ratio (PR) = 66.81% but limited financial returns. In contrast, large- and huge-sized modules offer peak financial returns, aligning with private-sector priorities but with moderate energy efficiency. Medium- and large-size scenarios provide balanced outcomes, while a small module and its optimised rotated version scenarios maximise energy output yet suffer from high capital costs. A hybrid strategy combining standard fixed tilted with medium and large modules balances environmental and economic goals. The district’s morphology supports “solar neighbourhoods” and demonstrates how multi-scenario evaluation can guide resilient PV planning in Mediterranean cities. Full article

Thermal comfort of occupants is characterized by operative temperature (Top), while thermal environment is usually controlled by air temperature (Ta). For perimeter areas in buildings, the use of Ta in the control may lead to uncomfortable conditions. In this paper, thermostat controls based on air (TC-Ta) and Top (TC-Top) were compared in an office module based on different glazing ratio (GR) and indoor units. The results showed that, for a fan–coil system, with TC-Top, thermal comfort can be better, while for a ceiling panel system thermal comfort was similar with both controls. For fan coils, with TC-Top, Ta in offices became higher in the winter and lower in the summer, which improved thermal comfort along with increased energy use. For both GR conditions, the radiant panel could compensate for the presence of cold/warm surfaces, and it decreased the differences between the two controls, especially during cooling, which made the radiant system more suitable in large GR condition. With TC-Top, for the ceiling panel system, the increment of energy use was quite small. According to the results, under large GR, TC-Top was better for the fan–coil system to assure thermal comfort, and both control methods could be used in ceiling panel system. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of the two control strategies for both convective and radiant systems, highlighting their performance under varying GR conditions. The results also provide guidance for the optimal control of different indoor units under different GR conditions. Full article

The integration of energy-active elements into the building envelope in the form of large-area heating/cooling, active thermal protection (ATP), thermal barriers (TB), and TABS represents a technical solution that is consistent with the principles of energy sustainability, resilience, and adaptability to climate change and ensures affordable and clean energy for all while protecting the climate in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The aim and innovation of our research is to develop energy multifunctional facades (EMFs) that are capable of performing a dual role, which includes the primary known energy functions of end elements and the additional innovative ability to serve as a source of heat/cooling/electricity. This new function of EMFs will facilitate heat dissipation from overheated facade surfaces, preheating of hot water, and electricity generation for the operation of building energy systems through integrated photovoltaic components. The theoretical assumptions and hypotheses presented in our previous research work must be verified by experimental measurements with predictions of the optimal operation of building energy systems. Most existing studies on thermal barriers are based on calculations. However, there are few empirical measurements that quantify the benefits of ATP in real operation and specify the conditions under which different types of ATP are feasible. In this article, we present the development, design, and implementation of an experimental prototype of a prefabricated building module with integrated energy-active elements. The aim is to fill the knowledge gaps by providing a comprehensive framework that includes the development, research, design, and implementation of combined energy systems for buildings. The design of energy systems will be developed in BIM. An important result of this research is the development of a technological process for the implementation of a contact insulation system with integrated ATP in modular and panel buildings with a lightweight envelope. Full article

With the development of alternative energy technologies, energy production from renewable sources is gaining wide application. One of the types of renewable energy sources is solar power. In the past 5 years, solar cells have become very popular for both private electricity microgeneration and large power plants. There are two main options for installing solar photovoltaic panels: on the roof of a house or the ground; on specially made frames. When installing solar cells on the roof, it is not always possible to choose a tilt angle that is appropriate for all seasons, since the angle is mainly adjusted to the plane of the roof. When installing solar cells on the ground, it is usually possible to choose both the orientation relative to the cardinal points and the tilt angle relative to the ground. There are various theories about the best tilt angle of solar cells for producing the most amount of energy during the year. Therefore, the aim of the present research study is to develop an original research methodology for determining an optimal tilt angle for solar cells. The research study examined six different tilt angles of solar cells, 0°, 30°, 35° 40° 45° and 50°, orienting the cells towards the south. The research study used 18 identical monocrystalline solar panels with a power of 20 W. Three solar panels were set at each angle. This way, the experiment had three replications at each angle of the solar cells. The measurements were recorded by a GWL840 data logger with an interval of 10 s. The experiment was conducted by placing all solar cell modules on the roof of the building at Lat. 56.66181° and Long. 23.75238°. During the experimental period, the highest efficiency was found for the solar panels set at 50° and 40°, reaching the total solar irradiation of 266.61 Wm⁻² and 266.27 Wm⁻², respectively. Full article

Achieving the synergistic effect of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation (PRCM) is a core pathway for promoting green and low-carbon transition and realizing the “dual carbon” goals, as well as a crucial mechanism for coordinating ecological environment governance with climate action. Based on panel data from three major urban agglomerations (Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta) between 2008 and 2019, this study employs network centrality and structural holes to characterize urban network positions (UNP), and systematically investigates the impact mechanisms and spatial heterogeneity of urban network positions on PRCM synergy using a dual fixed-effects model. The findings reveal that (1) urban network positions exert significant inhibitory effects on the overall synergy of PRCM, meaning higher centrality and structural hole advantages hinder synergistic progress. This conclusion remains valid after robustness checks and endogeneity tests using instrumental variables. (2) Heterogeneity analysis shows the inhibitory effects are particularly pronounced in Type I large cities and southern urban agglomerations, attributable to environmental governance path dependence caused by complex industrial structures in metropolises and compounded pressures from export-oriented economies undertaking industrial transfers in southern regions. Northern cities demonstrate stronger environmental resilience due to first-mover advantages in heavy industry transformation. (3) Mechanism testing reveals that cities occupying advantageous network positions tend to reduce environmental regulation stringency and research and development investment levels. Conversely, cities at the network periphery demonstrate late-mover advantages by embedding environmental regulations and building stable technological cooperation partnerships. This study provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing urban network spatial configurations and implementing differentiated environmental governance policies. It emphasizes the necessity of holistically integrating network effects with ecological effects during new-type urbanization, advocating for the establishment of a multi-scale coordinated environmental governance system. Full article

The construction industry faces a growing need for automation to reduce costs, improve accuracy and productivity, and address labor shortages. One area that stands to benefit significantly from automation is panelized prefabricated building envelope retrofits, which can improve a building’s energy efficiency in heating and cooling interior spaces. In this paper, we propose using cable-driven parallel robots (CDPRs), which can effectively lift and handle large objects, to install these panels. However, implementing CDPRs presents significant challenges because of their nonlinear dynamics, complex trajectory planning, and precise control requirements. To tackle these challenges, this work focuses on a new application of established control and trajectory optimization theories in a CDPR simulation of a building envelope retrofit under real-world conditions. We first model the dynamics of CDPRs, highlighting the critical role of damping in system behavior. Building on this dynamic model, we formulate a trajectory optimization problem to generate feasible and efficient motion plans for the robot under operational and environmental constraints. Given the high precision required in the construction industry, accurately tracking the optimized trajectory is essential. However, challenges such as partial observability and external vibrations complicate this task. To address these issues, a Linear Quadratic Gaussian control framework is applied, enabling the robot to track the optimized trajectories with precision. Simulation results show that the proposed controller enables precise end effector positioning with errors under 4 mm, even in the presence of external wind disturbances. Through comprehensive simulations, our approach allows for an in-depth exploration of the system’s nonlinear dynamics, trajectory optimization, and control strategies under controlled yet highly realistic conditions. The results demonstrate the feasibility of CDPRs for automating panel installation and provide insights into their practical deployment. Full article

Energy transition is a challenge for remote northern communities mainly relying on diesel for electricity generation and space heating. Solar-assisted ground-coupled heat pump (SAGCHP) systems represent an alternative that was investigated in this study for the Kuujjuaq Forum, a multi-activity facility in Nunavik, Canada. The energy requirements of community buildings facing a subarctic climate are poorly known. Based on energy bills, technical documents, and site visits, this study provided an opportunity to better document the energy consumption of such building, especially considering the recent solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed on part of the roof. A comprehensive model was developed to analyze the building’s heating demand and simulate the performance of a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) coupled with PV panels. The air preheating load, accounting for 268,200 kWh and 47% of the total heating demand, was identified as an interesting and realistic load that could be met by SAGCHP. The GSHP system would require a total length of at least 8000 m, with boreholes at depths between 170 and 200 m to meet this demand. Additional PV panels covering the entire roof could supply 30% of the heat pump’s annual energy demand on average, with seasonal variations from 22% in winter to 53% in spring. Economic and environmental analysis suggest potential annual savings of CAD 164,960 and 176.7 tCO₂eq emissions reduction, including benefits from exporting solar energy surplus to the local grid. This study provides valuable insights on non-residential building energy consumption in subarctic conditions and demonstrates the technical viability of SAGCHP systems for large-scale applications in remote communities. Full article

Confronted with the climate emergency, reducing CO₂ emissions has become a priority for all nations of the world because the follow-up of humanity depends on it. Most European Union (EU) member states have pledged to cut their net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and reach full carbon neutrality by 2050, using 1990 as the baseline year. Despite this common effort, there is still a lack of effective decision-making on carbon neutrality strategies applied throughout the life cycle of a building in all EU countries. A common strategy is proposed in this study to fill this gap in the literature. The building sector is a real lever for reducing the carbon footprint and saving energy. Currently, the methodology for achieving large-scale carbon neutrality is well established. However, there is only a limited number of experts worldwide who have mastered this technology, making it challenging to develop a standardized approach for all nations. The absence of extensive, regular, and consistent data on carbon emissions has considerably hindered the understanding of the root causes of climate change at both the building and neighborhood levels. Is it not it time to break this barrier? With this in mind, this study was carried out with the intention of proposing a common method to achieve carbon neutrality at the neighborhood scale in European Union countries. The most significant parameters having a direct impact on carbon emissions have facilitated the adaptation of the three types of neighborhood in the different capitals of the EU countries, in particular, local building materials, microclimate, the energy mix of each country, and the mode of daily transport. The life cycle assessment of the three districts was conducted using the Plaides LCAv6.25.3 tool in combination with Meteonorm software version 8.2.0, considering a 100-year lifespan for the buildings. In addition, the cost of the various environmental impacts is assessed based on the monetary indicators for European Committee for Standardization indicators method. The main results showed that the distribution of carbon dioxide is 73.3% higher in urban areas than in sustainable neighborhoods and 39.0% higher in urban districts than in rural districts. Nearly zero emissions in the next decade are again possible by applying the scenario involves global warming combined with the complete (100%) renovation of all buildings and the transition to 100% electric vehicles along with the use of solar panels. This strategy makes it possible to reduce between 90.1% and 99.9% of the emission rate in residential districts regarding EU countries. Full article

Hybrid building construction, in which the steel frame is filled with modular panels made of wood, is a relatively new technical solution. This type of structure allows the integration of large window surfaces. The aim of this study is to indicate the optimal glazing system, taking into account energy consumption, thermal comfort and economic indicators. A house made using new hybrid technology with an area of 152.4 m², located in Bialystok (Northeastern Poland) and in Kiruna (Northern Sweden), was selected as the reference object. Energy simulations of this building were performed with DesignBuilder v. 6.1.8.021 software. Due to the large format of the glazing, the assessment of the thermal environment was performed using the PMV index. An economic analysis aimed at selecting the optimal type of glazing was carried out. It was based on the most commonly used indicators such as LCC, NPV and IRR. The results of this study indicated that the selection of triple-glazed windows in the reference house reduced energy demand by over 22% for Bialystok and about 24% for Kiruna compared to double-glazed windows. Even greater effects can be achieved by using quadruple-glazed windows, as they provide energy savings of 36% and 39%, respectively, for these locations. The results of the analysis performed for a 2% increase in energy prices showed that triple and quadruple windows had a similar LCC value when the discount rate was lower than 2.5% for the Bialystok site. Quadruple-glazed windows were the best option for the Kiruna site when the discount rate was less than 5%. This research study found that, assuming a stable financial situation and a small increase in energy prices, it is recommended to use triple-glazed windows in the climate of Northeastern Poland. In more severe weather conditions, for example those characteristic of the area of Northern Sweden, quadruple-glazed windows are recommended. Full article

Modular construction is a modern and efficient type of construction that has gained wide recognition in the construction industry. Limited research has been conducted on how large door openings affect the stress state of modular blocks. The present study aims to investigate the features of the stressed state of modular blocks with large door openings and the effect of size and place of the doors on the openings on the overall structural behavior of the building. Four full-scale (room-sized) modular blocks of the “lying cup” type were tested to failure under vertical loading with eccentricity simulating wind effects. The varied parameters of the specimens included concrete strength and the size of the window openings. Experimental results revealed that crack opening characteristics, main load-bearing wall deformations, horizontal deflections, and failure patterns under vertical loads are directly influenced by the small thickness and increased flexibility of the blocks. The effects of size and the placement of openings on the overall structural behavior of the building were analyzed. Tests revealed the distribution of compressive stresses in the main load-bearing walls of the “lying cup” blocks with an embedded reinforced concrete panel, considering vertical load eccentricity. Maximum compressive stresses in the longitudinal walls reached 70–80% of concrete strength, while in end walls and panel walls, they were 50–60%. Additionally, non-uniform deformations were observed in the supports of main load-bearing walls near the conjunction with the end walls and the edges of door openings. Average compressive strains in these walls were in the range of 470–500 × 10⁻⁶, which corresponds to 22–29% of the cylindrical compressive strength of concrete. Partial factors accounting for loading conditions were introduced, allowing for further processing and the evaluation of the experimental data along with developing methods of analysis of buildings constructed with modular blocks. Full article

In Europe, renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic panels and wind power plants are developing dynamically. The growth of renewable energy is driven by rising energy prices, greenhouse gas emission restrictions, the European Union’s Green Deal policy, and decarbonization efforts. Photovoltaic farms generate energy intermittently, depending on weather conditions. Given the increasing number of new installations, ensuring the power balance and transmission capacity of the electrical grid has become a major challenge. To address this issue, the authors propose a technical solution that allows the energy generated by photovoltaic systems to be stored in the form of heat. Thermal energy from solar power and wind energy offers significant potential for energy storage. It can be accumulated during summer in specially designed sand-based heat storage systems and then used for heating purposes in winter. This approach not only reduces heating costs but also decreases greenhouse gas emissions and helps balance the power grid during sunny periods. Post-industrial areas, often located near city centers, are suitable locations for large-scale heat storage facilities supplying, among others, public utility buildings. Therefore, this article presents a concept for utilizing high-temperature sand-based heat storage systems built in decommissioned underground mining excavations. Full article

Urbanization and population growth have heightened the need for sustainable, efficient building materials that combine acoustic and thermal insulation with environmental and economic sustainability. Sandwich composite panels have gained attention as versatile solutions, offering lightweight structures, high strength, and adaptability in construction applications. This study evaluates manual, semi-automatic, and automatic production methods, selecting the automatic process for its efficiency, precision, and suitability for large-scale production. Extensive characterization techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Thermogravimetry (DTG), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and flammability tests, were employed to evaluate the morphological, thermal, acoustic, and fire-resistant properties of the panels. The P200 sample, produced automatically, demonstrated high acoustic absorption in the mid–high frequencies (2000–4000 Hz), strong interlayer adhesion, and low thermal conductivity (2.75 W/mK), making it effective for insulation applications. The flammability tests confirmed compliance with EPA 1030 standards, with a low flame propagation rate (1.55 mm/s). The TGA-DTG and DSC analyses revealed the thermal stability of the panel’s components, with distinct degradation stages being observed for the polyurethane core and non-woven textile layers. The FE-SEM analysis revealed a compact and homogeneous structure with strong adhesion between the core and textile layers. These results highlight the potential of sandwich composites as eco-friendly, high-performance materials for modern construction. Full article

Urban soiling, consisting of dust, industrial byproducts, and other pollutants, presents a significant risk to the effectiveness and safety of solar energy systems. To achieve the goal of net zero, having renewable energy systems such as solar panels in urban environments can help. This review will examine the composition and variety of urban soiling and evaluate its impact on PV installation. The study will analyze the efficiency loss attributable to soiling, focusing on its impact on small-scale installations such as rooftops, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), and large-scale urban solar installations. Furthermore, this study will also investigate various developing technologies and strategies to reduce the effects of urban soiling. This encompasses the examination of automated cleaning systems and robotic maintenance, with a specific focus on their potential effectiveness. This review aims to underline the importance of addressing urban soiling within the framework of sustainable urban development and the expansion of solar energy, with further research into the development of soiling mitigation technologies. Finally, soil management and further research gaps will be discussed. Full article