ALBERT

Description: In this paper, the authors propose a techno-economic comparative analysis between different lighting solutions, using, respectively, floodlight with metal halide lamps, luminaires with fluorescent lamps and LED floodlights. The comparison is aimed to identify general criteria for assessing the techno-economic sustainability of the use of LED lighting for indoor sports facilities, since this solution is very often proposed to achieve a reduction of the electrical power for lighting. From a technical standpoint, the analysis takes into particular consideration the aspects related to the satisfaction of lighting requirements, safety and energy efficiency. From an economic standpoint the investment, the operating and the maintenance costs are evaluated. To make comparisons on an economic basis, specific indicators are used. From the obtained results it is possible to highlight as the solution that uses the LED floodlights is characterized by highest energy efficiency. This solution requires a smaller number of luminaires and it has limited maintenance costs compared to the other solutions, but it has high investment costs, which involve reasonable payback times only when the sports facility is used intensively and for competitions of high level.

Description: In this paper, the authors discuss the results of a measurement survey of artificial optical radiation emitted by 8 W LED tubes suitable for the substitution of 18 W fluorescent lamps used for general lighting. For both types of lamps, three different color temperatures were chosen, 3000 K, 4000 K, and 6000 K. These measurements were performed to evaluate the photobiological safety of the sources. The radiance and irradiance values have been measured in a wide range of wavelengths (180–3000 nm). The measurement results obtained for the LED tubes have been compared to those of similar measurements obtained for fluorescent lamps. The analysis has been focused on the range of wavelengths 300–700 nm, the blue light range, which turned out to be defining for the risk groups of the lamps. This classification is a function of the maximum permissible exposure time as indicated in the European Standard EN 62471 on the photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems.

Description: In this paper the authors describe in detail the exposure limit values concerning artificial optical radiation due to the main incoherent light sources found in offices. In particular, for some examples of significant sources chosen as case studies, we discuss the results of in situ measurements of the exposure values using a broadband photoradiometer. By comparing the measurement results with the exposure limit values specified in the European legislation, the maximum exposure times for workers have been evaluated. From the analysis of the results it can be concluded that the lighting sources typically present in indoor workplaces under usual conditions of use, do not pose a health risks for workers. However, in the case of accidental exposure during work activities or exposure linked to maintenance activities (short exposure distance), values in excess of the limit values have been observed, with decidedly short maximum exposure times.

Description: Water, Vol. 10, Pages 751: Hazard Assessment under Multivariate Distributional Change-Points: Guidelines and a Flood Case Study Water doi: 10.3390/w10060751 Authors: Gianfausto Salvadori Fabrizio Durante Carlo De Michele Mauro Bernardi One of the ultimate goals of hydrological studies is to assess whether or not the dynamics of the variables of interest are changing. For this purpose, specific statistics are usually adopted: e.g., overall indices, averages, variances, correlations, root-mean-square differences, monthly/annual averages, seasonal patterns, maximum and minimum values, quantiles, trends, etc. In this work, a distributional multivariate approach to the problem is outlined, also accounting for the fact that the variables of interest are often dependent. Here, the Copula Theory, the Failure Probabilities, and suitable non-parametric statistical Change-Point tests are used in order to provide an assessment of the hazard. A hydrological case study is utilized to illustrate the issue and the methodology (viz., assessment of a dam spillway), considering the bivariate dynamics of annual maximum flood peak and volume observed at the Ceppo Morelli dam (located in the Piedmont region, Northern Italy) over a 50-year period. In particular, several problems—often present in hydrological analyses—are debated: namely, (i) the uncertainties due to the presence of heavy tailed random variables, and (ii) the hydrological meaning/interpretation of the results of statistical tests. Furthermore, the suitability of the procedures proposed to fulfill the goals of the study (viz., detecting and interpreting non-stationarity) is discussed. Overall, the main recommendation is that statistical (multivariate) investigations may represent a necessary step, though they may not be sufficient to assess hydrological (environmental) hazards.

Description: The energy audit for a building is a procedure designed mainly to obtain adequate knowledge of the energy consumption profile, identify, and quantify opportunities for energy savings by a cost-benefit analysis and report, clearly and comprehensively, about the obtained results. If the audit is referred to a building with a significant historical and artistic value, a compatibility evaluation of the energy saving interventions with the architectural features should also be developed. In this paper, analysing the case study of a historical building used as public offices in Pisa (Italy), the authors describe how it is possible to conduct an energy audit activity (especially dedicated to the lighting system) and they show how, for this type of buildings, it is possible to obtain significant energy savings with a refurbishment of the lighting system. A total number of seven interventions on indoor and outdoor lighting sub-systems were analysed in the paper. They are characterised by absolute compatibility with the historical and artistic value of the building and they show short payback times, variable between 4 and 34 months, allowing a reduction of the electrical energy consumption for the artificial indoor and outdoor lighting variable from 1.1 MWh/year to 39.0 MWh/year. The followed methodology and the evaluation results described in the paper, although based on a case study, can be extended to numerous historical buildings used as public offices, a recurring situation in the centres of Italian historical cities.