Speaker
Paolo Blecich
(University of Rijeka, Croatia)
Description
The presentation gives an overview of requirements, plans and future possibilities for construction of solar sustainable buildings in the Adriatic region. Sustainable buildings have already become common in Austria, Germany and Scandinavian countries. On the other hand Italy, Slovenia and Croatia are increasingly participating in projects and presenting results involving solar sustainable buildings. This happens because one-fifth of a country’s primary energy demand is consumed in private and public buildings. Space heating, space cooling and domestic hot water preparation (DHW) make tree-quarters of a household’s total energy expenditure. Increasing concern about price and availability of energy sources has promoted sustainable solar housing. These new generation buildings are often referred to as passive and low energy buildings because they need as little as one tenth of the energy required in standard buildings, while providing better comfort. Development of highly efficient active and passive solar systems has potentiated the conversion of solar energy into energy for heating, lighting and powering appliances. Favourable ambient conditions in the Adriatic region present great opportunity to build sustainable solar buildings with less severe requirements than in regions having temperate or cold climate. More than a conservation strategy, renewable energy strategies are implemented in sustainable buildings for regions having mild climates. Nevertheless, careful design and construction of these buildings, both from the architectural and engineering point of view, is necessary. Building sustainable houses instead of conventional ones we would be able to consume less energy and slow climate changes while hoping for a new energy era.
Author
Paolo Blecich
(University of Rijeka, Croatia)
