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The global energy system transforming from fossil fuels to renewable green energy through the adaption of innovative and dynamic green technologies. Energy‐saving buildings (ESBs) are attracting extensive attention as intelligent architectures capable of significantly reducing the energy consumption for heating, air‐conditioning, and lighting. They provide comfortable working and living environment by regulating and harnessing solar energy. Smart photovoltaic windows (SPWs) offer a promising platform for designing ESBs due to their unique feature. They can modulate solar energy based on dynamic color switching behavior under external stimuli and generate electrical power by harvesting solar energy. In this review, the‐state‐of‐art of strategies and technologies are summarized putting SPWs toward high‐efficiency ESBs. The SPWs are systematically categorized according to the working principle and functional component. For each type of SPWs, material and architecture engineering are focused on to optimize operation mode, optical modulation capability, photovoltaic performance and durability for giving ESBs flexible manipulation, extraordinary energy‐saving effect, and high electricity power. In addition, the challenges and opportunities in this cutting‐edge research area are discussed, with the aim of promoting the development of advanced multifunctional SPWs and their application in high efficiency ESBs. Smart photovoltaic windows (SPWs) are intelligent devices possessing optical modulation and photoelectric conversion characteristics, consequently offer a promising platform for exploiting energy‐saving buildings (ESBs). This article reviews the‐state‐of‐art of strategies and technologies for exploring advanced functional SPWs with flexible manipulation, extraordinary energy‐saving effect, and high electricity power which enables them for next‐generation ESBs.

The research addressed the effective and sustainable ways to enhance the thermal insulation properties of concrete without compromising its structural integrity. Traditional methods of enhancing thermal insulation in buildings, such as using thick layers of insulation materials, can be costly and may not always be practical in certain settings. Additionally, the disposal of waste materials such as date palm fiber, shopping plastic bags, and thermocol beads presents an environmental challenge. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the potential use of these waste materials as additives in concrete to improve its thermal insulation properties while also providing a sustainable solution for waste disposal. Date palm fiber is a natural material that is widely available in the Gulf region. Plastic bags are a huge waste from the shops every day, and from the packing materials, this thermocol is a huge waste product. We have to recycle it very efficiently to protect the environment. Three types of special materials, such as thermocol beads (30%), date palm fiber (3%) & shopping plastic bag fiber (3%), were tested in this research. Thermocol beads, when used, reduce their strength and increase the thermal resistance of concrete, while date palm fiber and shopping bag waste fiber, when used, increase the strength of concrete and also increase the thermal resistance of concrete, so it is an excellent reinforcing material and thermal barrier for shopping plastic bags fiber and date palm fiber. Based on this research result, when thermocol beads are used, they prevent heat by 42 percent, while when added with date palm fiber and plastic fiber, they also block heat by an average of 30% percent; thus, all three ingredients are considered excellent thermal insulation material. The reduction in thermal conductivity was attributed to the formation of air voids and the low thermal conductivity of the waste materials. The density of the concrete decreased with the addition of the waste materials. The study suggests that the incorporation of date palm fiber, shopping bag waste fiber, and thermocol beads can be an effective way to enhance the thermal insulation properties of concrete while also providing an environmentally sustainable solution for waste disposal. It will boost green energy technology in the construction industry.

In order to solve the problem of the traditional gray prediction model (GM) during determination of the accuracy of buildings’ energy savings and its poor fitting of data, the idea of a fractional model based on the traditional first-order one-variable GM(1,1) model is applied. We use the GM–backpropagation (GM-BP) neural network to solve the optimal fractional order and establish a fractional GM(1,1) model based on the GM-BP neural network. Example calculation shows that the fractional GM(1,1) model can improve the prediction accuracy of buildings’ energy savings, and selecting the optimal order can further improve the prediction accuracy and decrease the error level when using the GM-BP neural network. This work shows that the fractional GM(1,1) model based on the GM-BP neural network has an important guiding role in the energy savings of buildings.

In response to escalating environmental challenges, this research underscores the pivotal role of sustainable construction practices, particularly focusing on bioclimatic design as a foundational element within the realm of sustainable architecture and environmental upgrading of buildings, within the broader context of sustainable urban planning. The study delves into the perspectives of residents in Cyprus concerning bioclimatic building design. Employing a quantitative methodology, the investigation aims to comprehensively assess homeowner views on the benefits, motivations, concerns, and preferred techniques associated with bioclimatic design. By comprehending these perspectives and contextual factors, this study identifies obstacles hindering broader implementation and illuminates why adoption remains limited, despite the potential for substantial energy and emissions reductions. The research also examines the background of respondents, such as heating/cooling systems, energy expenses, and upgrade preferences, to provide essential context for the findings. A structured questionnaire was administered to a stratified sample of 150 pedestrians in the Pafos area, ensuring a representative cross-section of the local population. This method allowed for a robust examination of demographic influences on opinions and an in-depth analysis of the impact of residential characteristics. The findings reveal a substantial influence of cost considerations in shaping decisions related to residential property development and the renovation of existing structures, contributing to the limitation of widespread adoption across the island. This influence persists even as a majority of respondents express a readiness to undertake building energy upgrades, among which, the most popular actions include the installation of specialized glass, the replacement of traditional air conditioning units with inverters, and the adoption of energy-efficient lighting. The research culminates in the proposal that introducing financial incentives has the potential to enhance homeowner participation in bioclimatic and energy upgrades. This recommendation is particularly salient in the climatic context of Cyprus, where the implementation of solar control measures emerges as a promising avenue for bolstering energy efficiency. In considering the socio-economic dimensions implicit in these findings, it becomes evident that the interplay between financial considerations and sustainable construction practices is a critical aspect. The identified barriers underscore the necessity for nuanced strategies and policy frameworks that address the socio-economic dimensions of bioclimatic design adoption. In this context, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the intricate relationship between financial factors and sustainable architectural practices, offering implications for future research endeavors and potential avenues for policy interventions.

The world of welfare has changed radically. As the poor trade welfare checks for low-wage jobs, their low earnings qualify them for a hefty check come tax time—a combination of the earned income tax credit and other refunds. For many working parents this one check is like hitting the lottery, offering several months' wages as well as the hope of investing in a better future. Drawing on interviews with 115 families, the authors look at how parents plan to use this annual cash windfall to build up savings, go back to school, and send their kids to college. However, these dreams of upward mobility are often dashed by the difficulty of trying to get by on meager wages. In accessible and engaging prose, It's Not Like I'm Poor examines the costs and benefits of the new work-based safety net, suggesting ways to augment its strengths so that more of the working poor can realize the promise of a middle-class life.

HighlightsHighly porous aerogel with longitudinally aligned channels and whisker-like ligaments is constructed by solvent-assisted unidirectional freezing.The thermal insulation and solar reflection capabilities of the composite aerogel reach a state-of-the-art level.The composite aerogel capable of infrared stealth and temperature preservation presents great potential for application in energy-saving buildings.With the mandate of worldwide carbon neutralization, pursuing comfortable living environment while consuming less energy is an enticing and unavoidable choice. Novel composite aerogels with super thermal insulation and high sunlight reflection are developed for energy-efficient buildings. A solvent-assisted freeze-casting strategy is used to produce boron nitride nanosheet/polyvinyl alcohol (BNNS/PVA) composite aerogels with a tailored alignment channel structure. The effects of acetone and BNNS fillers on microstructures and multifunctional properties of aerogels are investigated. The acetone in the PVA suspension enlarges the cell walls to suppress the shrinkage, giving rise to a lower density and a higher porosity, accompanied with much diminished heat conduction throughout the whole product. The addition of BNNS fillers creates whiskers in place of disconnected transverse ligaments between adjacent cell walls, further ameliorating the thermal insulation transverse to the cell wall direction. The resultant BNNS/PVA aerogel delivers an ultralow thermal conductivity of 23.5 mW m−1 K−1 in the transverse direction. The superinsulating aerogel presents both an infrared stealthy capability and a high solar reflectance of 93.8% over the whole sunlight wavelength, far outperforming commercial expanded polystyrene foams with reflective coatings. The anisotropic BNNS/PVA composite aerogel presents great potential for application in energy-saving buildings.

Insulation layer is usually used in building facade for energy-saving design, and it also endangers the human safety in buildings due to its combustibility. U-shaped facade is a commonly used structure form in high-rise buildings for energy-saving design since it could improve both the light and ventilation conditions indoors. Through a series of experiments, this paper investigated the flame spread over insulation in u-shaped building facade fires under effect of structural dimensions (back wall length W, side wall length L, height H) and boundary conditions based on the flame spread rate, temperature and heat flow. It was found that the flame spread rate Vf, the temperature rise ΔT and the heat flow q over u-shaped facade were all positively correlated with the side wall length L and structural height H, while they were negatively correlated with the back wall length W. On the other hand, the lateral air entrainment restriction and flame interaction were both significantly increased the temperature and heat flow, strengthened the thermal feedback, accelerated the flame spread. However, the bottom air entrainment restriction slowed down the flame spread. Further, a modified structure factor was introduced to comprehensively analyze the influence of L, W and H on flame spread behavior over u-shaped structures, and the theoretical equations of Vf*, ΔT*max and q′*max were established. This study provides theoretical basis and technical guidance for the fire prevention design of building facade covered with insulation.

This work aims to enhance the energy cost-saving potential of conventional mud-brick by including natural waste materials as insulators. The solid waste materials considered for mud bricks are rice husk, sawdust, coir pith, and fly ash. This work investigates the structural and thermoeconomic performance of four types of insulated mud bricks and three roofs of ferrocement, clay, and ceramic materials. The thermal properties of walls and roofs were measured as per ASTM D 5334 standards. The utilization of solid waste in mud bricks enhanced the structural properties and air-conditioning cost-saving potential of the mud bricks. The results also showed the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions with the usage of insulated bricks for buildings. The rice husk mud-brick wall showed better results of higher time lag, lower decrement factor, higher air-conditioning cost-savings, acceptable payback periods, and higher annual carbon mitigation values of 11.11 h, 0.24, 1.74 $/m 2 , 1.17 years, and 33.35 kg/kWh, respectively, among all the studied multilayer walls. Among the roofs, clay tile roof showed a lower decrement factor (0.989), higher time lag (0.73 h), higher air-conditioning cost-savings (2.58 $/m 2 ), lower payback periods (0.61 years), and higher annual carbon mitigation (21.73 kg/kWh). The results are in designing eco-friendly and energy-efficient envelopes for buildings.

Green buildings, also known as sustainable development buildings, can be summarized as reducing the load of buildings on the environment that is, saving energy and resources to provide a safe, healthy, and comfortable living space that is compatible with the natural environment. It aims to achieve harmonious coexistence and sustainable development between people, buildings, and the environment. With the increasingly prominent issues of global climate change and environmental sustainability, green building design and green energy-saving buildings have become important ways to address these challenges. Green building design (GBD) focuses on creating a healthier, environmentally friendly, and efficient building environment, while green energy-saving buildings (GESB) are committed to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. They provide feasible solutions for the construction industry and society by integrating innovative design strategies, advanced technology, and sustainability principles. GSA is a heuristic optimization algorithm mainly used to solve complex optimization problems, including function extremum, graph coloring, minimum spanning tree, and other problems. It can solve specific problems in the field of green buildings by applying optimization algorithms, such as optimizing the energy utilization efficiency of buildings, reducing building energy consumption, etc., thereby promoting the realization of green energy conservation. This paper will use the standard gravity search algorithm (hereinafter referred to as GSA) to study the development and application of GBD and GESB. The results show that, other things being equal, the average score of traditional buildings is 2.3, while that of green buildings is 3.98. This can show that the satisfaction of green buildings is much higher than that of traditional buildings, which shows that the energy-saving effect of green buildings is very good.