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0-impact built environment

does DOE-ZEB definition makes sense?

US-DOE just released a document called: A Common Definition for Zero Energy Buildings”The question is, is it useful? The actual definition for a ZEB building proposed in the document, besides many explanations and other scale level definitions, is: a ZEB building is an energy-efficient building where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual delivered…
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Toilet (r)evolution ahead

. Following the previous post, here is a example of a different approach: . We are trying to improve on everything, as for instance drinking water use in sanitation. New technologies are developed, but the problem solving is in most cases single issue oriented: the water use is reduced, but other resource use in increased,…
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We have technologies, but not the materials…

BOOK REVIEW: Materials and energy : a story of linkages René Kleijn, 2012 . Lots of books and papers provide very interesting insights and details about the future, sustainability , resources, urban livability etc. However, none really wonders if you multiply every solution to the global level, to serve 7 billion and later 9 billion,…
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“Transition Zero” SBE16conference

Large-scale NET-Zero Refurbishment , or : Mass renovation of the building stock for 0-energy performance, is the focus of the International conference in Utrecht from 6-8 April 2016. The conference, entitled Transition Zero is organised as a joint initiative of 6 Universities/Professors of applied science in the Netherlands, and Hosted by Utrecht University of applied…
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windturbine (r)evolution ahead!

  Windturbines create a huge impact on materials resources. ( its even doubtful if we can create a sustainable energy world, given the resource and energy needs for that. (Kleijn, 2012, book review to follow) The construction however can be much more resource efficient if we move to open structure towers (which the steel industry…
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