Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Also available in print.

In response to the protracted and ineffective international action on the climate change crisis, this study critically considers the potential of building-integrated agriculture (BIA) as retrofitting strategy to improve the climate change adaptation (CCA) capacity of buildings in South African inland cities. Based on a pragmatism paradigm, the study uses a mixed method research design, to evaluate current BIA farms and their efficacy as CCA retrofitting strategies to improve the thermal performance of the local built environment. The exploratory research is structured in three phases. During the first phase the unused and underutilised spaces of Hatfield, a rapidly changing neighbourhood in Tshwane, South Africa, are mapped and defined in terms of their latent climate change adaptation capability. Secondly, the spatial and technological characteristics of the current BIA industry is surveyed through a series of interviews and observational studies. As the final research phase, a specific BIA farm type, passively controlled non-integrated rooftop greenhouses, is assessed in terms of its reciprocal thermal impact on the built environment. As outcome, the research findings reveal a land-use form that can contribute to the climate change adaptation response strategies of South African cities on a spatial level. Unfortunately, the design resolution and technological realisation, specifically the prevalent form currently implemented in Johannesburg and Tshwane, adversely affect both farmers and building occupants during overheated periods. As a result, the study advocates developing and testing contextually appropriate technological solutions in the BIA industry. The study advances the climate change discourse by assessing the performance of BIA farms as constituent entities in networks of small-scaled climate change adaptation projects in resource constrained urban environments. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Architecture / PhD / Unrestricted

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Today many buildings and it´s nearby surroundings are designed to achieve some kind of environmental goal.The issue concerning energy consumption is currently at focus and it is relevant that we start increase the share of renewable energy. Solar energy is an infinite resource and should therefore be considered when selecting an energy supplier.   Uppsala University hospital is facing major restructuring when parts of the existing buildings will be refurbished and a large new building will be constructed. White Architects have developed a study concerning the new building and for some of the existing buildings on the hospital campus. Uppsala County requires tough energy measures and wants the new building to be classified as an eco-building in Whites following work. The classifications will involve high energy source requirements.   This work has been conducted to see if solar power can be envisaged as a supplementary energy source for the University hospital and also to investigate the aesthetic impact of solar cells on the new building. In this report, solar cells integrated on the facade and PV modules on the roofs have been studied. Focus has been to evaluate the potential of what each option can produce and what opportunity they have to become an intrinsic part of the architecture   The type of solar cell module, which in this case study has been proven to generate most electricity is stand-alone modules on roofs. These are however, more difficult to reconcile with the architecture. Solar cells on the facades should therefore still be considered as an alternative application.The result shows that the potential energy that can be generated by solar panels on the new building is large but not in relation to hospital´s electricity use. It is for that reason questionable whether solar installation, applied on the new building, can be seen as a good additional source of energy or if it will more become a matter of public relations.

Solar photovoltaic technology (PV) is a promising clean energy source that assists in climate change mitigation. This is due to solar PV having minimal greenhouse gas emissions when operating compared to burning fossil fuel. Solar PV is also a versatile technology owing to its multiple applications within the built environment. Buildings are responsible for nearly half of the world’s energy consumption; thus, reducing buildings’ energy usage through environmentally-responsive design techniques, in addition to the application of PV products, can not only assist in reducing the energy consumed by buildings, but also contributes to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Architects, in particular, play a substantial role in achieving sustainable/environmentally responsive designs; hence, their collaboration is essential. This study investigated American and Canadian architects’ level of awareness and interest in Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) and Building Applied Photovoltaic (BAPV) products. It also aimed to shed light on the barriers that are responsible for slowing down the adoption process. This study was conducted in two phases: a) a web-based survey questionnaire administered to architects who have an active membership in the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), and the American Institute of Architects (AIA); b) in-depth interviews with architects and key informants in the solar industry. The results indicated that architects are aware of PV benefits and the products available for buildings’ application; however, they lack essential practical knowledge. Furthermore, the results indicated that PV systems’ capital cost is the major perceived barrier to PV adoption in the building industry. Other reported barriers are: the lack of government financial incentives in some jurisdictions, the problematic grid connection process and the lengthy application lead times. Recommendations based on this study’s results include, but are not limited to, providing financial support mechanisms, simplifying the administrative procedures of financial support mechanisms and grid access permits, and offering education and training to architects through architectural associations and academic institutions.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2009. / Mode of access: Internet. Title from PDF title page; viewed on August 6, 2009. "Presented to the faculty of Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Architecture." Major professor: Dr. Jens Pohl. "June 2009." Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-111).

M.Ing. (Electrical Engineering Science) / One of the challenges of modern technology is remote control in real-time. Wireless technologies are used to control solar systems connected or not connected to the grid. Nevertheless wireless communications present some defects when they are facing basements of buildings and thick walls. To overcome that weakness, wire technologies seem to be the solution. The use of power line communications (PLC) technology presents a financial advantage, given the fact that PLC uses power wire to transmit data. PLC did an interesting leap forward in the last few years, and this drives researchers to carry out research in that field of Electrical Engineering. The advantages offered by PLC cannot be over-emphasized, but neither should the inherent problems affecting its commercial take-off be underestimated. This work creates a background study for experimental measurement and eventual implementations on PLC. A 2FSK modulation was implemented at CENELEC B standards, and the carrier signal was sent through a low wattage solar microinverter. The inverter was built in compliance with the IEEE 1547 standard. Two different coupling circuits were also built as well as the transceiver. The entire system was fed by a 250 W- 18 V monocrystalline solar panel. This investigation presents many options to integrate a communication system in a solar system. The case study has shown that a message sent through an H-bridge inverter is related to many parameters such as the modulation scheme, the coding techniques, the type of control and the DC link voltage. The result presents a very weak probability, which implies that the other options should be investigated.

This thesis has as the main objective to investigate how to mitigatenegative impacts of urban environments and industrial agriculturethrough architectural design. The applied methodology is based inSynergetic Building Integrated Agriculture (SBIA) in combinationwith strict sustainability requirements (ecological, economical andsocial). Through the qualitative study of SBIA and built case studies it waspossible to identify the common factors and state-of-art technologyto be integrated in the design. This synergetic design proposal thus highlights the importance of amultidisciplinary approach for a successful future implementation ofsustainable SBIA design.

10 billion people will inhabit this planet by 2050. In order to feed such a large number of people research shows that food production will need to increase by 70%.This project explores what a foodcentric city planning can look like, where agriculture is not only integrated into the built environment, but rather the main generator of urban form. A block typology specifically tailored to create optimal growing conditions is rolled out as a high density agricultural grid across Bromma airport, and addresses issues of combining large scale structures with small scale human life.