energy-consumption

Projection of World Energy Generation and Consumption till 2040

The question of energy efficiency is more than important nowadays, it is an urgent issue which needs real solutions.

What is the current scenario and the forecast regarding power consumption worldwide? Power consumption is always growing due to the strong development and leadership of emerging economies, such as Asian ones. The projection for 2040 is that this consumption will grow at a spectacular rate of 48%. The International Energy Outlook 2016 presented by EIA says that the renewables, hydro and wind power mainly, is the fastest growing energy which will rise 2,6% by 2040, while natural gas will do it slower reaching 1,9% more than now. Oil and other liquids will decrease their position on the energy consumption market from 33% in 2012 to 30% in 2040. Another important energy source is the nuclear power generation which will show an incredible growth from 2,3 trillion kWh registered in 2012 to 4,5 trillion kWh by 2040.

The similar trend projected till 2020, is supported by another review presented by World Energy Council (Figure 1)comsumption1

The current energy consumption demand is applied for different purposes, the main applications are motors, lighting and home appliances and consumer electronics (Figure 2).energy-comsumption

It is difficult to reduce this consumption, especially in industrialized and developing countries, moreover, demand for energy will continue to grow. So, another way to treat this sensitive question is through improved practices of energy efficiency which are based on accumulated knowledge and experience and proper application of modern technologies. This enables the user to track and measure the energy use, analyze the efficient and inefficient areas and reviewer the energy reduction strategies. Specific technological solutions capable to deliver the accurate information in real time, process and analyze data is of enormous help. They provide valuable insights, identify cost-effective procedures and help in developing systematic programs focused on energy efficiency.

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Torre-Sevilla

Energy Efficiency Management in Smart Buildings, Example of Torre Sevilla in Spain

Torre Sevilla, a real estate property owned by Caixabank in Seville, South of Spain, is a good example of smart building management which impacts positively on the energy efficiency making it possible to reduce 30% of energy waste and optimize preventive maintenance.

The central management system measures and controls all the parameters and actions, such as air conditioning, ventilation, lightning, stair pressurization, energy meters reading and fire detection, among other things. Besides having information in real time on the electric consumption per user and floor, the system adjusts the demand to the needs of each consumer. Through more than 60.000 sensors installed in Torre Sevilla it is possible to collect the relevant information on the functioning of the skyscraper in real time as well as control the building.

The tower also uses the renewable energy, to be more exact, solar energy which is totally beneficial in the South of Spain. Power generation through solar panels installed on the top of the building (100 kWh/day) covers the needs of daily consumption of light contributing this way to reach energy efficiency in the operation of the building.

Currently there are several offices with approximately 2.000 people registered as users of the building. In the near future it is foreseen to increase the number of sensors up to 100.000 covering all the points of data collecting in regard with power consumption. Torre Sevilla is scheduled to operate at full capacity by 2017 with incorporation of a shopping center and a luxurious hotel on the upper floors.

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The-TWIN-elevators-system-facilitates-energy-saving

The TWIN elevators system facilitates energy saving

Energy savings affect all the parts of a building, and elevators should not be an exception. The TWIN elevators system, designed by Thyssen Krupp, has two cabins, arranged one over the other; they operate independently in the same hoistway.

Each elevator has its own functions of traction, control and safety units. They also share the same guide rails, as well as the floor’s doors. The cars move independently in the hoistway, with a minimum clearance at all time for security reasons.

The system allows to ‘park’ one of the two cabins during off-rush hours, which allows the system to operate as a traditional elevator. This is not a minor issue, since elevators leave a large physical footprint in a building. The fact to put two cabins on the same hoistway makes fewer drives hafts necessary, as stacking the cars increases the capacity by 40%. This also saves a little energy.

Therefore, the system saves energy consumption, time to the users and reduces the consumption of materials.

energy-in-time

Summary of Energy in Time 5th steering committee

On Tuesday 19th, the meeting began with an introduction made by Heikki Rostila, of Caverion, who thanked all the guests for their attendance and congratulated them on finally reaching such a far away land for the majority of people as it Levi, located in Finnish Lapland. The committee guests had the opportunity to know in forehand the cultural and touristic offer of the region thanks to the exhibition that a local touristic manager made.

After that, the committee walked through the Levi Panorama Hotel facilities, so they could see at first hand the operation of the many different energy systems of the hotel, which will serve as one of the demo-sites for the Energy In Time project.

Real work began on the afternoon, when each one of the leaders of the different work packages started their exhibitions about the advances achieved in their respective areas, as well as they came to an agreement on how to solve possible mishaps.

That night, it took place the fellowship gala, which was celebrated in the incomparable eyesight that a frozen lake next to the hotel facilities gives, and in where the guests enjoyed not only typical Finnish plates but also the hospitality of the Finnish population.  The most brave ones dived later into the frozen waters of the lake, a non-recommendatory experience for those sensitive to the cold.

On Wednesday 20th, the objective of the working tables was to coordinate the diverse modules and the members of the technical areas of the committee reviewed the protocols for data entry and output of the different components of the final application.   Then, the managers of the areas of dissemination and exploitation  showed the advances made in the creation of communication/marketing plans as well as in the market analysis of the different key exploitation results.

Finally, Belén Gómez, manager of the Energy In Time committee, finished the meeting by offering a general vision of the project status and explaining which would be the next milestones for the project to face for the next 6 months until the 6th steering committee takes place.