The assessment of the direct and indirect requirements for energy is known as embodied energy analysis. For buildings, the direct energy includes that used primarily on site, while the indirect energy includes primarily the energy required for the manufacture of building materials. This thesis is concerned with the completeness and reliability of embodied energy analysis methods. Previous methods tend to address either one of these issues, but not both at the same time. Industry-based methods are incomplete. National statistical methods, while comprehensive, are a ‘black box’ and are subject to errors. A new hybrid embodied energy analysis method is derived to optimise the benefits of previous methods while minimising their flaws. In industry-based studies, known as ‘process analyses’, the energy embodied in a product is traced laboriously upstream by examining the inputs to each preceding process towards raw materials. Process analyses can be significantly incomplete, due to increasing complexity. The other major embodied energy analysis method, ‘input-output analysis’, comprises the use of national statistics. While the input-output framework is comprehensive, many inherent assumptions make the results unreliable. Hybrid analysis methods involve the combination of the two major embodied energy analysis methods discussed above, either based on process analysis or input-output analysis. The intention in both hybrid analysis methods is to reduce errors associated with the two major methods on which they are based. However, the problems inherent to each of the original methods tend to remain, to some degree, in the associated hybrid versions. Process-based hybrid analyses tend to be incomplete, due to the exclusions associated with the process analysis framework. However, input-output-based hybrid analyses tend to be unreliable because the substitution of process analysis data into the input-output framework causes unwanted indirect effects. A key deficiency in previous input-output-based hybrid analysis methods is that the input-output model is a ‘black box’, since important flows of goods and services with respect to the embodied energy of a sector cannot be readily identified. A new input-output-based hybrid analysis method was therefore developed, requiring the decomposition of the input-output model into mutually exclusive components (ie, ‘direct energy paths’). A direct energy path represents a discrete energy requirement, possibly occurring one or more transactions upstream from the process under consideration. For example, the energy required directly to manufacture the steel used in the construction of a building would represent a direct energy path of one non-energy transaction in length. A direct energy path comprises a ‘product quantity’ (for example, the total tonnes of cement used) and a ‘direct energy intensity’ (for example, the energy required directly for cement manufacture, per tonne). The input-output model was decomposed into direct energy paths for the ‘residential building construction’ sector. It was shown that 592 direct energy paths were required to describe 90% of the overall total energy intensity for ‘residential building construction’. By extracting direct energy paths using yet smaller threshold values, they were shown to be mutually exclusive. Consequently, the modification of direct energy paths using process analysis data does not cause unwanted indirect effects. A non-standard individual residential building was then selected to demonstrate the benefits of the new input-output-based hybrid analysis method in cases where the products of a sector may not be similar. Particular direct energy paths were modified with case specific process analysis data. Product quantities and direct energy intensities were derived and used to modify some of the direct energy paths. The intention of this demonstration was to determine whether 90% of the total embodied energy calculated for the building could comprise the process analysis data normally collected for the building. However, it was found that only 51% of the total comprised normally collected process analysis. The integration of process analysis data with 90% of the direct energy paths by value was unsuccessful because: • typically only one of the direct energy path components was modified using process analysis data (ie, either the product quantity or the direct energy intensity); • of the complexity of the paths derived for ‘residential building construction’; and • of the lack of reliable and consistent process analysis data from industry, for both product quantities and direct energy intensities. While the input-output model used was the best available for Australia, many errors were likely to be carried through to the direct energy paths for ‘residential building construction’. Consequently, both the value and relative importance of the direct energy paths for ‘residential building construction’ were generally found to be a poor model for the demonstration building. This was expected. Nevertheless, in the absence of better data from industry, the input-output data is likely to remain the most appropriate for completing the framework of embodied energy analyses of many types of products—even in non-standard cases. ‘Residential building construction’ was one of the 22 most complex Australian economic sectors (ie, comprising those requiring between 592 and 3215 direct energy paths to describe 90% of their total energy intensities). Consequently, for the other 87 non-energy sectors of the Australian economy, the input-output-based hybrid analysis method is likely to produce more reliable results than those calculated for the demonstration building using the direct energy paths for ‘residential building construction’. For more complex sectors than ‘residential building construction’, the new input-output-based hybrid analysis method derived here allows available process analysis data to be integrated with the input-output data in a comprehensive framework. The proportion of the result comprising the more reliable process analysis data can be calculated and used as a measure of the reliability of the result for that product or part of the product being analysed (for example, a building material or component). To ensure that future applications of the new input-output-based hybrid analysis method produce reliable results, new sources of process analysis data are required, including for such processes as services (for example, ‘banking’) and processes involving the transformation of basic materials into complex products (for example, steel and copper into an electric motor). However, even considering the limitations of the demonstration described above, the new input-output-based hybrid analysis method developed achieved the aim of the thesis: to develop a new embodied energy analysis method that allows reliable process analysis data to be integrated into the comprehensive, yet unreliable, input-output framework. Plain language summary Embodied energy analysis comprises the assessment of the direct and indirect energy requirements associated with a process. For example, the construction of a building requires the manufacture of steel structural members, and thus indirectly requires the energy used directly and indirectly in their manufacture. Embodied energy is an important measure of ecological sustainability because energy is used in virtually every human activity and many of these activities are interrelated. This thesis is concerned with the relationship between the completeness of embodied energy analysis methods and their reliability. However, previous industry-based methods, while reliable, are incomplete. Previous national statistical methods, while comprehensive, are a ‘black box’ subject to errors. A new method is derived, involving the decomposition of the comprehensive national statistical model into components that can be modified discretely using the more reliable industry data, and is demonstrated for an individual building. The demonstration failed to integrate enough industry data into the national statistical model, due to the unexpected complexity of the national statistical data and the lack of available industry data regarding energy and non-energy product requirements. These unique findings highlight the flaws in previous methods. Reliable process analysis and input-output data are required, particularly for those processes that were unable to be examined in the demonstration of the new embodied energy analysis method. This includes the energy requirements of services sectors, such as banking, and processes involving the transformation of basic materials into complex products, such as refrigerators. The application of the new method to less complex products, such as individual building materials or components, is likely to be more successful than to the residential building demonstration.

The Swedish energy power system is in the middle of a paradigm shift where the increased share of intermittent energy sources place higher demand on the ability to regulate and balance the generation and consumption of electricity. Demand flexibility, which means that consumers can adjust their energy consumption, is a promising solution to manage the imbalance in the power system. Electric heat pumps in residential buildings are recognized to have potential to serve as a flexible load. In this thesis, an aggregated multi-family residential building model is developed to generate heat load profiles for a larger number of buildings which facilitate an assessment of the heat pump flexibility. The flexibility assessment is performed for a local distribution grid area with 174 buildings and an electricity price region in Sweden with 10 146 buildings with heat pumps. The flexibility assessment analyses the heat pump load deviation between a base load case and a case where the heat pumps receive an off-signal. The assessment takes into consideration seven flexibility parameters and is conducted for ambient temperatures between -20°C and 15°C. The thermal inertia of multi-family residential buildings facilitates a load shift with a duration of 4.4 to 9.8 hours depending on the ambient temperature. The maximal average power reduction for one hour of 10 MW in a distribution grid and 169 MW in an electricity price region illustrates the potential of using heat pumps as a demand flexibility solution in the electricity grid.

The subject of master’s thesis is technological project of residential building in Prague. The thesis is focused on feasibility of the object. An implementation study is elaborated with a detailed solution of the construction process in terms of time and financial. A technology prescription, control and test plan is designed. Construction drawings are processed.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to describe the building-technological project for the construction of a residential building in Hradec Králové. The apartment building is five-storey and has 33 residential units. The work is systematically divided into smaller logical units. First, the project is described in a technical report, followed by studies of the realization of the main building. After the description of the project, an indicative time and financial plan is prepared, which is refined by the schedule and budget itemization of the main building. An integral part of the design is mechanical engineering, staff balance and site construction equipment. To ensure the maximum quality of the work carried out, the technical regulations contain the control and test plans. In order to determine the supply possibilities of the construction it was necessary to carry out an assessment of the wider transport relations around the building.

The aim of the thesis is to design and evaluate a new multipurpose apartment building in Slatina. The object, which includes a parking lot, will be used for housing and recreational/sport purposes. The thesis also deals with basic evaluation of the object from the point of view of construction physics, fire safety and structural stability. The building is designed as a detached construction with graded floors. There is one ground floor and four elevated ones. The entire object is mirror-symmetrical on a transverse axis. The ground floor is designated to include a storage area of the apartment building, mechanical rooms and sanitary facilities of the fitness centre. The fitness centre itself is located on the first floor, along with a gym, administrative area and two special-purpose apartments. The remaining floors are intended for housing purposes. Wall construction system has been chosen for the object. The ground floor is based on a foundation plate made of watertight concrete („bílá vana“) while the supporting system is constituted by reinforced concrete walls. All ceiling constructions are constituted by monolithic plates made of reinforced concrete. Peripheral and inner supporting walls of the upper floors are lined with ceramic blocks HELUZ. Inner communication network consists of prefabricated reinforced concrete staircase and an elevator shaft. Roof construction consists of a flat DUO roof and a green roof.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to evaluate the energy assessment and elaboration of energy performance certificates of the building. The building is an apartment building in Vítkov. The theoretical part deals with centralized heat supply. The calculation part contains a more detailed description of individual relationships and calculation procedures that are used to process energy performance certificates of the building. Furthermore, proposals for measures to improve the energy performance of buildings. In this part there is also a proposal of individual equipment of the new boiler room and thermographic measurement. In the project part there is an energy assessment assessing the building in two variants with individual heat sources. The evaluation is carried out from an energy, economic and environmental aspect.

This master thesis deals with construction technology project of the residential building Rezidence na Plachtě. This building is in Hradec Králové. A technical report is prepared for the construction project, time and financial plan of the construction, a feasibility study of the main technological phases, proposal of the main building machines and mechanisms, schedule of the main object, technological regulations for the implementation of monolithic ceilings by means of a control and test plan. The budget of the main building was prepared as part of the other assignment, calculation according to THU and an economic balance sheet for RC ceiling above the 1st floor. Finally, an assessment of critical surface temperatures was performed.

This thesis deals with an architectural case study of the city block in the Svitava industrial zone bordered by the Svitava river in the east, Ring road in the west, Milady Horákové street in the north and Zvonařka street in the south. Špitálka Smart City is located right in the centre of this area. The thesis is modeled on the Špitálka Smart City urban study, that was the outcome of the pre-thesis seminar in the winter term 2020/21. The urban study objective was the urban renewal of the Brno teplárny (heating plant) area and its surroundings as well as a design of a new urban boulevard. To effectively use the place a residential building with commercial spaces on the groundfloor has been designed. The building consists of four sections, which share two underground storeys providing parking space and space for building services. The case study further develops only the section that is labeled A in the study. Section A offers 23 housing units and a café. The design aims at high quality housing with a view of the city replacing the former industrial zone.

Master´s thesis solves problematic of energy evaluation of residential building in Kyjov. The theoretical part analyzes the legislative requirements, the practical part includes energy audit of brick residential building with 9 apartments for 18 inhabitants.

Master’s thesis is based on analysis and design of a load bearing structure of an apartment block. This structure is supported with a strip footing made of reinforced concrete. The above-ground part of designed structure consists of brick masonry. Floors are constructed of carrying plates. These plates are made of reinforced concrete and precast boards (prestressed concrete). Individual levels are connected with monolithic concrete staircases. The thesis also deals with relevant drawing documentations for chosen parts of construction.