The pursuit of reducing energy consumption and enhancing thermal efficiency across various sectors to foster sustainable practices has gained significant prominence in recent years, driven by the global environmental crisis. Sweco consultancy has undertaken a study focusing on underfloor heating systems for bathrooms in low-energy buildings located in Sweden. The objective is to analyse the energy usage and thermal loss to the ground based on the thickness of insulation employed. Literature findings indicate that the thermal loss to the ground should comprise approximately 15 % of the total energy, and there exists a logarithmic relationship between the thermal conductivity and density of the insulation material. In the present study, multiple simulation models were developed using IDA-ICE to assess the supplied energy and the percentage of heating loss through the ground for two typical bathrooms situated on adjacent floors of a residential building in Stockholm. The analysis encompasses scenarios where the construction is directly built on the soil or on a concrete slab, as well as the potential thermal loss from the upper level bathroom to the lower level. The results demonstrate that without an insulation layer the heating loss through the ground is remarkably high, approximately 60 %. When employing an insulation thickness of 200 mm or greater, the distinction between constructing on a concrete slab or on the soil becomes negligible. Furthermore, with a 300 mm insulation thickness, the heating loss percentage decreases to over 15 %. The simulations also reveal that the lower level bathroom can benefit from the energy loss occurring in the upper level bathroom. In instances where there is no insulation, the upper level experiences a 56 % energy loss, resulting in energy savings of over 70 % for the lower level bathroom. By incorporating a 45 mm insulation thickness on the upper level floor, this percentage is reduced to 13 %, leading to energy savings of over 25 % for the lower level bathroom.

High latitude and altitude ecosystems are currently undergoing rapid and unprecedented warming in response to anthropogenically induced climate change. Subarctic, alpine regions are particularly vulnerable to increases in air temperature and changing precipitation regimes, which have caused cascading hydrological and ecological impacts. In addition to changing flow regimes, thawing permafrost, and declining glaciers, widespread changes in vegetation composition, density and distribution have been observed across northern regions. Specifically, treeline is advancing with increasing latitude and altitude and shrubs are increasing in height, extent, and density. Despite widespread documentation of this northern greening, few field-based studies have evaluated the hydrological implications of these changes. Quantification of total evapotranspiration (ET) across a range of vegetation gradients is essential for predicting water yield, yet challenging in cold alpine catchments due to heterogeneous land cover. Direct field-level measurements of transpiration (T) and evaporative partitioning across subarctic, alpine ecosystems and species are rare, yet essential to assess sensitivities and hydrological response to changing climate drivers. This thesis presents six years of surface energy balance components and ET dynamics and two years of sap flux measurements and critical zone stable water isotope sampling at three sites along an elevational gradient in a subarctic, alpine catchment near Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. These sites span a gradient of thermal and vegetation regimes, providing a space-for-time comparison for future ecosystem shifts: 1) a low-elevation boreal white spruce forest (~12-20 m), 2) a mid-elevation subalpine taiga comprised of tall, dense willow (Salix) and birch (Betula) shrubs (~1-3 m) and 3) a high-elevation subalpine taiga with short, sparse shrub cover (< 0.75 m) and moss, lichen, and bare rock. We utilize both mass flux measurements and stable water isotopes to evaluate the timing, magnitude, sensitivities, and sources of plant water uptake across these vegetation covers. Total ET decreased and interannual variability increased with elevation, with mean May to September ET totals of 349 (±3) mm at the forest, 249 (±10) mm at the tall, dense shrub site, and 240 (± 26) mm at the short, sparse shrub site. The shrub sites exhibited similar ET losses over 6 years despite differences in shrub height and abundance, although daily rates were higher at the tall shrub site in the peak growing season. From May to September, ET:R ratios were the highest and most variable at the forest (2.19 ± 0.37) and similar at the tall, dense shrub (1.22 ± 0.09) and short, sparse shrub (1.14 ± 0.05) sites. In the mid-growing season, mean T rates were greater at the dense shrub site (2.0 ± 0.75 mm d-1) than the forest (1.47 ± 0.52 mm d-1). During this time, T:ET was lower at the forest (0.48) than at the tall, dense shrub site (0.80). During the growing season between the two years, 2020 was considerably wetter and cooler than 2019. At the tall shrub site, during the mid-growing season (July 1-Aug 15), T dropped considerably in 2020 (-26%), as T was suppressed during the short, wet growing season. In contrast, T at the forest was only moderately suppressed (-3%) between years in this same period. Evapotranspiration was more strongly controlled by air temperature during the early and late season at the forest, while ET at the shrub site was more sensitive to warmer temperatures in the mid-growing season. At the shrub sites, ET was energy limited with no observed soil moisture limitation on T. While 2H and 18O of volume weighted precipitation became more depleted with elevation, the opposite was true in xylem water, where 2H and 18O became more enriched with elevation. Plant water uptake was more reflective of snow water at the forest site than both shrub sites, particularly early in the year and during dry periods. Near-surface bulk soil water had more negative lc-excess at the forest throughout the season and with depth, highlighting increased contributions from soil evaporation. This study combined direct measurements of sap flux, ET, and critical zone isotopes to provide new details on multi-year plant-soil-water dynamics, critical zone water cycling, and species-specific plant water uptake patterns in seasonally frozen soils, which have not previously been reported in cold regions. Our results suggest that advances in treeline will increase overall ET and lower interannual variability; however, the large growing season water deficit and stable water isotope signature at the forest indicates strong reliance on soil moisture from late fall and snowmelt recharge and the potential for plant water stress. Differences between the shrub species were apparent in the sap flux and stable isotope measurements, highlighting the need to further evaluate species specific responses and feedbacks when predicting hydrological fluxes across subarctic ecosystems. Overall, our results suggest that predicted changes in vegetation type and structure in northern regions will have a considerable impact on water partitioning and will vary in a complex way in response to changing precipitation timing, phase and magnitude. / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy

<p> A relatively simple climatic model based on the energy balance has been used to examine the climatic responses due to increases in carbon dioxide CO2. Simulations concerning the CO2 concentration, the cloud fraction and the ocean's mixed-layer depth were all performed using an IBM-PC personal computer. The results were intended to provide a better understanding of the processes involved in an EBM, as well as the importance of this type of model in simulating climatic responses. There were four main areas of study within the research centred around both a decrease and an increase in CO2 concentration, changes in the cloud fraction and the influence of the ocean's mixed-layer. </p> <p> The role of the oceans in the climate system is still somewhat of a mystery to most scientists. in terms of its affect on a CO2 enhanced climate. Changes in the cloud fraction serve either to enhance or suppress the effect of CO2 on the surface temperature of the planet. This is dependant on whether the amount of cloud is reduced or increased. The focus of the study is based on the changes in carbon dioxide concentration levels. Simulations confirm, that when CO2 is reduced. the surface temperature will decrease as well. When CO is halved. the temperature decrease is 2.51 ° C. In contrast, when CO2 is doubled the surface temperature rose by 2.91 °C . Thus. causing the present clay climate of the model to warm drastically. </p> <p> The reliability of the results proved to be difficult to assess. The model tends to overestimate decreases in temperature when co~ is reduced in content. However. Burt's model does seem to accurately represent increases in temperature for 2x CO2 .The simulation results fall within a range defined by the results of selected radiative convective models (RCM). Nevertheless. there is a need for increased research in the area of effects. produced by other parameters on a CO2 enhanced climate. </p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Arts (BA)

BTX biodegradation rates, biochemical expression patterns and microbial ecology were studied under anoxic (denitrifying), anoxic/microaerobic/aerobic, and anoxic/microaerobic conditions in activated sludge sequencing batch reactors. The studies showed that toluene and m-xylene were denitrified via benzoyl-CoA reductase. Although benzene, o-, and p-xylene were recalcitrant under denitrifying conditions, they were biodegraded under microaerobic (< 0.2 mg/L dissolved oxygen) and nitrate or nitrite (NOx)-supplemented microaerobic conditions. The patterns of the specific enzymes associated with BTX biodegradation under microaerobic conditions indicated that the three compounds were metabolized by oxygen-dependent pathways. The expression levels of catechol 1, 2-dioxygenase and catechol 2, 3-dioxygenase under microaerobic conditions were induced to levels as high as under aerobic conditions (> 4 mg/L dissolved oxygen). Benzene, o-, and p-xylene biodegradation rates were twice as fast under NO_x-supplemented compared to NO_x-free microaerobic conditions, and the specific biodegradation rates under aerobic and NO_x-supplemented microaerobic conditions were comparable. 16S rRNA probes targeting representative toluene-degraders were used to investigate the microbial communities in the three sequencing batch reactors by using a dot blot hybridization technique. The hybridization results suggest that multiple redox environments fostered a more diverse microbial community and the activities of the target organisms in the reactors with multiple redox environments were higher than in the single redox reactor. Additionally, facultative toluene-degraders appeared to play a less significant role than the strict anoxic and aerobic toluene-degraders in all three SBRs. / Ph. D.

Tesis por compendio / [EN] The main objective of this Thesis was to study the energy metabolism in small ruminants under different nutrition sceneries. As methodology we utilized indirect calorimetry instead of direct calorimetry or feeding trials. Within indirect calorimetry we worked with a portable open circuit gas exchange system with a head hood. This open circuit respiration system permitted completed the whole energy balance and evaluate the efficiency of utilization of the energy of the diet for different physiological circumstances as milk production in dairy goats or maintenance in sheep. Besides, we could quantify in each trial some of the wastes related to environmental pollution as CH4 emissions and excretion of nitrogen in feces and urine. In this thesis three experiments were designed, two in dairy goats and other in sheep as we described below. In the first experiment, digestibility, energy balance, carbon and nitrogen balance, milk performance, rumen parameters and milk fatty acids and metabolites were obtained. Metabolic cages and open circuit indirect calorimetry system were the methods applied. Treatments consist in two mixed diets with alfalfa as forage. Within the concentrate, oat grain was replaced with rice bran. No significant differences were found for metabolizable energy intake (MEI), 1254kJ/kg of BW0.75 on average, and heat production (HP); 640 kJ/kg of BW0.75 on average. No differences were obtained for milk production (2.2 kg/d on average) and milk fat was greater in the rice bran diet (6.9% vs. 5.3% for rice bran and oat diets, respectively). Energy balance was positive and milk metabolites correlated these found. Regards to CH4 emissions, determined in vivo by gas exchange indirect calorimetry, goats fed the rice bran significantly reduced methane production (23.2 g/d vs 30.1 g/d). In the second experiment, we also used two types of diets, but in this case we substituted the forage and maintained the same concentrate; in one of the diets a grass (Maralfafa [Pennisetum sp.]- M diet) was used as forage and in the other an extensively used leguminous (Alfalfa [Medicago sativa]- A diet). Methods and analysis were the same that in Experiment 1, and here we include metabolites in urine and blood plasma. The dry matter intake was higher for diet A (1.8 vs 1.6 kg/d, respectively) and digestibility coefficients were higher for diet M. However, no significant differences were shown in MEI (1089 kJ/kg of BW0.75, on average) and HP (639 kJ/kg of BW0.75on average). Higher milk yield was observed in A diet than M diet (1.8 vs. 1.7 kg/d, respectively) and metabolites in urine, plasma and milk indicated better use of diet A than M, while no differences in milk composition were found (5% of fat and 4.3% of protein). Methane production was higher for A diet (28.5 g/d) than M diet (25.9 g/d), although these differences were not statistically significant. In the third experiment, energy partition was compared in two sheep breeds (Manchega vs. Guirra) fed above maintenance. We fed again with mixed diets and metabolic cages, indirect calorimetry, nitrogen balance and integral calculus were the tools used for these energy partitioning approach. An approximation of division of heat production was done. ME for maintenence was estimated at 354 kJ/kg of BW0.75and day, on average for the two breeds. Basal metabolic rate was different between breeds; 270 vs. 247 kJ/kg of BW0.75for Guirra and Manchega, respectively. / [ES] El objetivo principal de esta tesis fue estudiar el metabolismo energético en pequeños rumiantes bajo diferentes escenarios de nutrición. Como metodología se utilizó la calorimetría indirecta en vez de calorimetría directa o pruebas de alimentación. Dentro de la calorimetría indirecta trabajamos con un sistema portátil de circuito abierto de intercambio de gases con una "urna" (Heat hood). Este sistema de circuito abierto de respiración nos permitió completar todo el balance energético y evaluar la eficiencia de la utilización de la energía de la dieta para diferentes estados fisiológicos como producción de leche en cabras u oveja en mantenimiento. Además fue posible cuantificar en cada ensayo algunas perdidas relacionadas con la contaminación ambiental como emisiones de CH4 y la excreción de nitrógeno en heces y orina. En esta tesis se diseñaron tres experimentos, dos en cabras en lactación y otro en ovejas como describimos a continuación. En el primer experimento se han determinado, digestibilidad, balance energético, balance carbono nitrógeno, producción de leche, parámetros ruminales, ácidos grasos y metabolitos en leche. Jaulas metabólicas y un sistema de circuito abierto de calorimetría indirecta fue el método aplicado. Los tratamientos consistieron en dos dietas mixtas con alfalfa como forraje y dentro del concentrado el grano de avena fue reemplazado por cilindro de arroz. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la energía metabolizable ingerida (MEI) de 1254 kJ/kg PV0.75 en promedio y una producción de calor (HP) de 640 kJ/kg PV0.75 en promedio. La producción de leche no presentó diferencias significativas entre las dos dietas, (2,2 kg/den promedio), la grasa de la leche fue mayor en la dieta de cilindro de arroz (6,9% vs. 5,3% para cilindro de arroz y avena respectivamente). El balance energético fue positivo y correlacionado a los metabolitos en leche determinados. En cuanto a las emisiones de CH4, determinadas en vivo mediante el intercambio de gases por calorimetría indirecta, las cabras alimentadas con el subproducto redujeron significativamente la producción de metano (23,2 g / d vs 30,1 g / d.). En el segundo experimento, también utilizamos dos tipos de dietas, pero en este caso sustituimos los forrajes y mantuvimos el mismo pienso; en una de las dietas se utilizó como forraje una gramínea (Maralfafa [Pennisetum sp.] - dieta M) y en el otro una leguminosa de uso extendido (Alfalfa [Medicago sativa] - dieta A). Los métodos de análisis y análisis fueron los mismos que los utilizados en el Experimento 1, y se incluyeron además análisis de metabolitos en orina y plasma. La materia seca ingerida fue mayor para dieta A (1,8 vs 1,6 kg/d, respectivamente), los coeficientes de digestibilidad fueron mayores para la dieta M. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en MEI (1089 kJ/kg PV0.75, en promedio) y HP 639 kJ/kg PV0.75, en promedio). La producción de leche fue mayor en la dieta A que la dieta M, (1,8 vs. 1,7 kg/d, respectively) y los metabolitos en orina, plasma y leche indican un mejor aprovechamiento de la dieta A. No se presentaron diferencias en la composición de la leche (5% de grasa and 4.3% de proteína). La producción de metano fue mayor para la dieta A (28,5 g/d) que para la dieta M (25,9 g/d), aunque estas diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas. En el tercer experimento se compararon la partición energética en dos razas de ovejas (Manchega vs. Guirra) en mantenimiento. Fueron alimentadas con dietas mixtas en jaulas metabólicas, calorimetría indirecta, balance carbono nitrógeno y cálculos integrales fueron las herramientas utilizadas para un aproximación de la partición energética. Se realizó una aproximación de división de producción de calor. El ME para mantenimiento se estimó en 354 kJ/kg PV0.75/ día, en promedio para las dos razas. Las diferencias en la tasa metabólica basal entre las razas fu / [CA] El principal objectiu d'aquesta tesi va ser estudiar el metabolism energètic en xicotets ruminants baix diferents escenaris de nutrició. Com a metodologia es va utilitzar la calorimetria indirecta en compte de calorimetria directa o proves d'alimentació. Dins de la calorimetria indirecta treballarem amb un sistema portatil de circuit obert d'intercanvi de gasos amb "urna" (Heat hood). Aquest sistema de respiració de circuit obert ens va permetre completar tot el balanç energètic i avaluar l'eficiència de la utilització de l'energia de la dieta per a diferents circumstàncies fisiològiques com produccion de llet en cabres o manteniment en ovelles. A més va ser possible quantificar en cada assaig algunes perdues relacionades amb la contaminacion ambiental com a emissions de CH4 i l'excreció de nitrogen en femta i orina. En aquesta tesi es van dissenyar tres experiments, dos en cabres en lactación i un altre en ovelles com vam descriure a continuació. En el primer experiment s'han determinat,digestibilidad, balanç energètic, balanç carboni nitrogen, producció de llet, paràmetres ruminales, àcids grassos i metabòlits en llet. Gàbies metabòliques i un sistema de circuit obert de calorimetria indirecta va ser el mètode aplicat. Els tractaments van consistir en dues dietes mixtes amb alfals com a farratge i dins del concentrat el gra de civada va ser reemplaçat per cilindre d'arròs. No es van trobar diferències significatives en l'energia metabolizable ingerida (MEI) de 1254 kJ/kg PV0.75 en mitjana i una producció de calor (HP) de 640 kJ/kg PV0.75 en mitjana. La producció de llet no va presentar diferències significatives entre les dues dietes, (2.2 kg/donen mitjana), el greix de la llet va ser major en la dieta de cilindre d'arròs (6.9% vs. 5.3% per a cilindre d'arròs i civada respectivament). El balanç energètic va ser positiu i correlacionat als metabòlits en llet determinats. Quant a les emissions de CH4, determinades en viu mitjançant l'intercanvi de gasos per calorimetria indirecta, les cabres alimentades amb el subproducte van reduir significativament la producció de metà (23.2 g / d vs 30.1 g / d.).En el segon experiment, també utilitzem dos tipus de dietes, però en aquest cas substituïm els farratges i vam mantenir el mateix pinso; en una de les dietes es va utilitzar com a farratge una gramínea (Maralfafa [Pennisetum sp.] - dieta M) i en l'altre una **leguminosa d'ús estès (Alfals [Medicago sativa] - dieta A). Els mètodes d'anàlisis i anàlisis van ser els mateixos que els utilitzats en l'Experiment 1, i es van incloure a més anàlisi de metabòlits en orina i plasma. La matèria seca ingerida va ser major per a dieta A (1,8 vs 1,6 kg/d, respectivament), els coeficients de digestibilidad van ser majors per a la dieta M. No obstant açò no es van trobar diferències significatives en MEI (1089 kJ/kg PV0.75, en mitjana) i HP 639 kJ/kg PV0.75, en mitjana). La producció de llet va ser major en la dieta Al fet que la dieta M, (1,8 vs. 1,7 kg/d, respectively) i els metabòlits en orina, plasma i llet indiquen un millor aprofitament de la dieta A. No es van presentar diferències en la composició de la llet (5% de greix i 4.3% de proteïna). La producció de metà va ser major per a la dieta A (28,5 g/d) que per a la dieta M (25,9 g/d), encara que aquestes diferències no van anar estadísticament significatives. En el tercer experiment es van comparar la partició energètica en dues races d'ovelles (Manxega vs. Guirra) en manteniment. Van ser alimentades amb dietes mixtes en gàbies metabòliques, calorimetria indirecta, balanç carboni nitrogen i càlculs integrals van ser les eines utilitzades per a un aproximació de la partició energètica. Es va realitzar una aproximació de divisió de producció de calor. L'EM para manteniment es va estimar en 354 kJ/kg PV0.75 / dia, en mitjana per a les dues races. Les diferències en la taxa metabòlica basal entre les races va ser de 2 / Criscioni Ferreira, PF. (2016). Application of an open circuit indirect calorimetry system for gaseous exchange measurements in small ruminant nutrition [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/64069 / Compendio

Yes / Seasonal rhythms in energy balance are well documented across temperate and equatorial zones animals. The long-term regulated changes in seasonal physiology consists of a rheostatic system that is essential to successful time annual cycles in reproduction, hibernation, torpor, and migration. Most animals use the annual change in photoperiod as a reliable and robust environmental cue to entrain endogenous (i.e. circannual) rhythms. Research over the past few decades has predominantly examined the role of first order neuroendocrine peptides for the rheostatic changes in energy balance. These anorexigenic and orexigenic neuropeptides in the arcuate nucleus include neuropeptide y (Npy), agouti-related peptide (Agrp), cocaine and amphetamine related transcript (Cart) and pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc). Recent studies also indicate that VGF nerve growth factor inducible (Vgf) in the arcuate nucleus is involved in the seasonal regulation of energy balance. In situ hybridization, qPCR and RNA-sequencing studies have identified that Pomc expression across fish, avian and mammalian species, is a neuroendocrine marker that reflects seasonal energetic states. Here we highlight that long-term changes in arcuate Pomc and Vgf expression is conserved across species and may provide rheostatic regulation of seasonal energy balance. / Academy of Medical Sciences, Leverhulme Trust

Soil freezing/thawing is of importance in the transport of water, heat and solute, with coupled effects. Due to complexity in soil freezing/thawing, uncertainty could be influential in both experimentation and simulation work in frozen soils. Solute and water in frozen soil could reduce the freezing point, resulting in uncertainty in simulation water, heat and solute processes as well as in estimation of frozen soil evaporation. High salinity and groundwater level could result in high soil evaporation during wintertime. Seasonal courses in energy and water balance on surface have shown to be influential to soil water and heat dynamics, as well as in salt accumulation during wintertime. Water and solute accumulated during freezing period resulted in high evaporation during thawing period and enhanced surface salinization. Diurnal changes in surface energy partitioning resulted in significant cycle of freezing/thawing as well as in evaporation/condensation in surface layer, which could in turn affect atmosphere. Uncertainties in experiments and simulations were detectable in investigation of seasonally frozen soils with limited methods and simplified representations of reality in two agricultural fields in northern China. Soil water and solute contents have shown to be more uncertain than soil temperatures in both measurements and simulations. The combination of experiments with process-based model (CoupModel) has proven to be useful in understanding freezing/thawing processes and in identification of uncertainty, when Monte-Carlo based methods were used for evaluation of simulations. Correlations between parameters and model performance indices needed to be taken into account carefully in calibration of the process-based model. Parameters related to soil hydraulic processes and surface energy processes were more sensitive when using different datasets for calibration. In using multiple model performance indicators for multi-objective evaluation, the trade-offs between them have shown to be a source of uncertainty in calibration. More proper representations of the reality in model (e.g., soil hydraulic and thermal properties) and more detailed measurements (e.g., soil liquid water content and solute concentration) as input would be efficient in reducing uncertainty. Relationships between groundwater, soil and climate change would be of high interest for better understanding of cold regions water and energy balance. / 土壤冻融过程对于水热及溶质的运移具有十分重要的影响，并对于寒旱区水文过程的研究有着深远意义。在冻土中，溶质的存在导致冰点降低，改变土壤冻融规律，进而影响冻融土壤水热运移。冻融土壤地表水分及能量平衡的季节性变化规律对土壤水热运移及盐分的积累影响较大。同时，土壤冻融的水热平衡日变化规律对表层土壤水热过程影响较为强烈，并进而影响地表的气象变化。试验研究表明，高溶质含量及浅埋深地下水条件为地表的蒸发提供了便利条件，因为高溶质含量土壤冰点降低，同一负温条件下的液态含水量增大，为蒸发提供了可利用水分；而浅埋深地下水对冻融期水盐的表聚提供的方便，进而有助于融化期地表水分的大量蒸发及下层土层水分的大量向上补给。例如，当地下水初始埋深设置在1.5 m时，对于初始含盐量分别为0.2%，0.4% 和0.6% g/g的冻融试验组，冻融期累积蒸发量分别为51.0，96.6和114.0 mm。同样的增加趋势在其它初始地下水埋深设置试验组里也被验证，且初始地下水埋深越浅，累积蒸发量也越大。对于利用有限的试验数据及简化的数值模型对冻融土壤水热及溶质研究，由于试验及模型的不确定性，会造成结果的不确定性。而通过利用不确定性分析的方法将试验结果与数值模型结合起来可以较好地理解土壤冻融过程及处理不确定性，并进而为改进试验方法及完善数值模型提供参考。模型不确定分析结果表明，模型参数之间，及参数与模型模拟效果评价因子之间存在较强的相关性，会造成模拟结果的不确定性。而不同模拟方法的结果对比表明，在进行冻融土壤水热及溶质模拟时，建立更为完善的考虑更为详细的过程的数值模型可以提高模型的模拟效率，减小模拟结果的不确定性。同时，试验数据的不确定性也显示出了对模拟结果的显著影响。精确的试验数据及更为科学的试验方法有助于减少模拟结果的不确定性。在减少模拟结果的不确定性上也有重要作用。同时，由于寒区水文过程的复杂性及在气候变化过程中的重要性，有必要进一步开展寒区地下水，土壤水热盐与气候变化关系的研究，以便于制定更为合理的寒区水资源管理策略。 / Frysning och tining är av betydelse för kopplade flöden av vatten, värme och lösta ämnen i mark. Komplexiteten i sambanden mellan lösta ämnen, ofruset vatten och fryspunkten skapar en osäkerhet vid simuleringar av processer för både vatten, värme och lösta ämnen i marken samt för avdunstningen från markytan. Årtidsberoende mönster i energi- och vattenbalansen för markytan påverkar värme- och vattendynamiken i marken samt ackumulering av salter under vintern. Dygnsvariationer i energibalansens uppdelning vid markytan ger upphov till frysning/tining samt avdunstning och kondensation i ytliga lager som har återkopplingar också till tillstånden i atmosfärens ytskikt. Osäkerheter i både experiment och i simuleringar spårades i undersökningar av säsongstyrd frysning av mark i två provincer av norra Kina. Begräningar i metodik och förenklingar av naturens komplexitet kunde klargöras. Kombinationen av experiment och processbaserad modellering med CoupModel var lyckosam för föreståelsen av frysning/tining och kunde klargöra osäkerhet med hjälp av Monte Carlo teknik. Korrelation mellan parametrar och prestanda hos modellen var en viktig del av kalibreringsproceduren. En förbättrad processbeskrivning av marken och minskad parameterosäkerhet kan erhållas om också mer detaljerade mätningar inbegrips i framtida studier. Sambanden mellan grundvatten, mark och klimatförändringar är av största intresse för en bättre kunna beskriva kalla regioners vatten- och energibalanser. / <p>QC 20160329</p>

The law on energy audits for large companies was adopted by the Swedish Parliament in 2014 and implies that companies that answer to the law are to present a representative picture of their energy consumption. In addition, suggestions for cost-effective measures are to be made, that will lead to reduced energy consumption and more efficient use of energy. This energy audit was made in accordance with directives and the Swedish Energy Agency’s recommendations. It was done for Umeå Energy’s office building at Dåvamyrans CHP, which is their largest CHP for district heating. The building was completed in 2007, and is connected to the powerplant Dåva 1 by a subsurface tunnel. Dåva 2 was completed in 2010 to meet the increased need for heating in Umeå, and to reduce the share of oil in Umeå Energy's fuel mix. It is a highly energy efficient and environmentally sound facility for the production of district heating.   As an energy simulation program IDA ICE performs very well when it comes to estimating a building's actual energy consumption, this program will be used for the energy audit of the office. The energy audit separates itself to estimate the energy consumption in the building for heating, cooling, building electricity and business electricity and exclude the external consumptions for lighting and transports.   Measurements were taken for a week for the buildings electricity consumption. The values were then used together with an inventory of the effects of lighting, electrical components and assumptions for electricity consumption for the office part, to appreciate the building's total needs of business electricity. Inventories of ventilation and temperature measurements were made to get the heating demand for the model. Personal Attendance was also estimated, to be able to simulate the cooling need for which measurements are not available. The model was corrected thoroughly to match the estimated electric consumption and the heat consumption that had been measured, and corrected on the basis of boundaries for the model.   The results showed that the building has a total annual energy requirement of 157,5 [kWh/m2], 97 [kWh/m2] for district heating, 55,2 [kWh/m2] for electricity consumption and 5,1 [kWh/m2] for district cooling . The corrected simulation according to measurements and estimates was used to make an energy balance for district heating, and to simulate different improvement actions that was later analyzed for individual and simultaneous influence on each other.   A conclusion was drawn that the measure which favors both district heating, district cooling and electricity consumption, is a combination of all limited measures including the replacement of LED lamps for certain areas, turning of the lights and shutting down computers after hours, as well as the reduction of the air handling units operating times and reducing the temperature with one degree for the entire building. These combined measures balance and affect each other positively, and can provide potential savings of between 27 000 and 37 000 [SEK] per year depending on varying energyprices district heating and electricity.    Other practical measures that should be done is conducting measurements for the hot water demand, cooling need and electricity consumption for the building, since they aren’t being conducted currently. An adjustment of the ventilation flows should also be made, this is because some diverging flows were detected during measurements. It should be examined how the activation of night cooling functions during the summer. If it would be activated during summer it would provide a reduced cooling requirement.    Keywords: Energy Audit, Energy Efficiency, District Heating, Electricity Consumption, IDA ICE, Umeå Energi / Lagen om energikartläggning för stora företag antogs av Sveriges Riksdag år 2014 och innebär att företagen som är inräknade ska redovisa en representativ bild av sin energiförbrukning. Dessutom ska det lämnas in föreslag för att göra kostnadseffektiva åtgärder, som ska leda till en minskad energiförbrukning och effektivare användning av energi. Denna energikartläggning har gjorts enligt lagens riktlinjer och Energimyndighetens rekommendationer för energikartläggningar. Kartläggningen gjordes för kontorsbyggnaden vid Dåvamyrans kraftvärmevärk, som är Umeå Energis stora produktionsanläggning för fjärrvärme. År 2007 färdigställdes kontoret och ligger i anslutning till Dåva 1 via en tunell under jorden. Dåva 2 färdigställdes 2010 för att möta det ökade behovet av fjärrvärme i Umeå och för att minska andelen olja i Umeå Energis bränslemix. Den är en väldigt energieffektiv och miljöanpassad anläggning för produktion av fjärrvärme.   Eftersom energisimuleringsprogrammet IDA ICE presterar mycket bra när det kommer till att uppskatta en byggnads verkliga energiförbrukning, kommer detta program att användas för energikartläggningen av byggnaden. Energikartläggningen avgränsar sig till att endast ta med energiförbrukningen inom byggnaden för uppvärmning, fjärrkyla, fastighetsel och verksamhetsel. Från kartläggningen exkluderas den yttre förbrukningen i form av belysning, motorvärmarstolpar och transporter som tillkommer i verksamheten.   Mätningar gjordes under en vecka för elförbrukningen. Dessa användes sedan tillsammans med inventerade effekter för belysning, elektriska komponenter och antaganden för elförbrukningen för kontorsdelen till att uppskatta byggnadens totala behov av verksamhetsel. Inventeringar av ventilation och mätningar för temperaturer gjordes för att få uppvärmningsbehovet för modellen. Personnärvaro uppskattades också för att kunna simulera ett fjärrkylabehov där mätningar inte finns att tillgå. Modellen korrigerades grundligt för att matcha den uppskattade elföbrukningen och fjärrvärmeförbrukningen som hade mätts, normalårskorrigerats och korrigerats utifrån avgränsningar.    Resultatet visade att byggnaden har ett totalt årligt energibehov på 157,5 [kWh/m2], varav 97 [kWh/m2] för fjärrvärme, 55,2 [kWh/m2] för elförbrukningen och 5,1 [kWh/m2] för fjärrkylan. Grundsimuleringen användes för att göra en energibalans för fjärrvärmen och simulera för olika förbättringsåtgärder som senare analyserades för enskild och sammanlagd påverkan på varandra.    Som slutsats drogs att den åtgärd som gynnar både fjärrvärme, elförbrukning och fjärrkylaförbrukning, är en kombination för alla begränsade åtgärder som innefattar byte av led lampor, släckning av belysning och avstängning av datorer efter arbetstid, reducering av ventilationssystemets drifttider och reducering av temperaturen i byggnaden med en grad. Dessa sammanlagda åtgärder balanserar och påverkar varandra positivt och kan ge en potentiell besparing på mellan 27 000 och 37 000 [kr] per år beroende på varierande energipris för el och fjärrvärme.    Andra praktiska åtgärder som framgår av metodavsnittet är att mätningar för tappvarmvatten, fjärrkyla och byggnadens elförbrukning borde införas eftersom sådana mätningar inte görs i nuläget. En injustering av ventilationsflöden borde också göras, detta eftersom avvikande flöden upptäcktes under mätningar. Sedan borde det undersökas hur aktiveringen av nattkyla fungerar under sommartid, att det ses till så att den är på, eftersom det skulle ge ett reducerat kylbehov för den varma perioden om den inte vore aktiverad.   Nyckelord: Energikartläggning, Energieffektivisering Fjärrvärme, Elförbrukning, IDA ICE, Umeå Energi, Umeå / Nej

The Greenland ice sheet is the largest Northern Hemisphere store of fresh water, and it is responding rapidly to the warming climate. In situ observations document the changing ice sheet properties in the lower accumulation area, Southwest Greenland. Firn densities from 1840 meters above sea level retrieved in May 2012 revealed the existence of a 5.5-meter-thick, near-surface ice layer in response to the recent increased melt and refreezing in firn. As a consequence, vertical meltwater percolation in the extreme summer 2012 was inefficient, resulting in surface runoff. Meltwater percolated and refroze at six meters depth only after the end of the melt season. This prolonged autumn refreezing under the newly accumulated snowpack resulted in unprecedented firn warming with temperature at ten meters depth increased by more than four degrees Celsius. Simulations confirm that meltwater reached nine meters depth at most. The refrozen meltwater was estimated at 0.23 meters water equivalent, amounting to 25 % of the total 2012 ablation. A surface energy balance model was used to evaluate the seasonal and interannual variability of all surface energy fluxes at that elevation in the years 2009 to 2013. Due to the meltwater presence at the surface in 2012, the summer-averaged albedo was significantly reduced (0.71 in 2012; typically 0.78). A sensitivity analysis revealed that 71 % of the subsequent additional solar radiation in 2012 was used for melt, corresponding to 36 % of the total 2012 surface lowering. This interplay between melt and firn properties highlights that the lower accumulation area of the Greenland ice sheet will be responding rapidly in a warming climate. / Stability and Variations of Arctic Land Ice (SVALI) / Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE) / Greenland Analogue Project (GAP)

The reliance on freshwater released by mountain glaciers and ice caps demands that the effects of climate change on these thermally-sensitive systems are evaluated thoroughly. Coupling climate variability to processes of mass and energy exchange at the glacier scale is challenged, however, by a lack of climate data at an appropriately fine spatial resolution. The thesis addresses this challenge through attempting to reconcile this scale mismatch: glacier boundary-layer observations of meteorology and ablation at Vestari Hagafellsjökull, Iceland, and Storglaciären, Sweden, are related to synoptic-scale meteorological variability recorded in gridded, reanalysis data. Specific attention is directed toward synoptic controls on: i) near-surface air temperature lapse rates; ii) stationarity of temperature-index melt model parameters; and iii) glacier-surface ablation. A synoptic weather-typing procedure, which groups days of similar reanalysis meteorology into weather categories , forms the basis of the analytical approach adopted to achieve these aims. Lapse rates at Vestari Hagafellsjökull were found to be shallowest during weather categories characterised by warm, cloud-free weather that encouraged katabatic drainage; steep lapse rates were encountered in weather categories associated with strong synoptic winds. Quantitatively, 26% to 38% of the daily lapse-rate variability could be explained by weather-category and regression-based models utilizing the reanalysis data: a level of skill sufficient to effect appreciable improvements in the accuracy of air temperatures extrapolated vertically over Vestari Hagafellsjökull. Weather categories also highlighted the dynamic nature of the temperature-ablation relationship. Notably, the sensitivity of ablation to changes in air temperature was observed to be non-stationary between weather categories, highlighting vulnerabilities of temperature-index models. An innovative solution to this limitation is suggested: the relationship between temperature and ablation can be varied as a function of weather-category membership. This flexibility leads to an overall improvement in the simulation of daily ablation compared to traditional temperature-index formulations (up to a 14% improvement in the amount of variance explained), without the need for additional meteorological data recorded in-situ. It is concluded that weather categories are highly appropriate for evaluating synoptic controls on glacier meteorology and surface energetics; significant improvements in the parameterization of boundary-layer meteorology and ablation rates are realised through their application.