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This article is closely related to the oldest article titled Contribution to Active Thermal Protection Research—Part 1 Analysis of Energy Functions by Parametric Study. It is a continuation of research that focuses on verifying the energy potential and functions of so-called active thermal protection (ATP). As mentioned in the first part, the amount of thermal energy consumed for heating buildings is one of the main parameters that determine their future design, especially the technical equipment. The issue of reducing the consumption of this energy is implemented in various ways, such as passive thermal protection, i.e., by increasing the thermal insulation parameters of the individual materials of the building envelope or by optimizing the operation of the technical equipment of the buildings. On the other hand, there are also methods of active thermal protection that aim to reduce heat leakage through nontransparent parts of the building envelope. This methodology is based on the validation of the results of a parametric study of the dynamic thermal resistance (DTR) and the heat fluxes to the interior and exterior from the ATP for the investigated envelope of the experimental house EB2020 made of aerated concrete blocks, presented in the article “Contribution to the research on active thermal protection—Part 1, Analysis of energy functions by the parametric study”, by long-term experimental measurements. The novelty of the research lies in the involvement of variant-peak heat/cooling sources in combination with RES and in creating a new, original way of operating energy systems with the possibility of changing and combining the operating modes of the ATP. We have verified the operation of the experimental house in the energy functions of thermal barrier, heating/cooling with RES, and without RES and ATP. The energy saving when using RES and ATP is approximately 37%. Based on the synthesis and induction of analogous forms of the results of previous research into recommendations for the development of building envelopes with energy-active elements, we present further possible outcomes in the field of ATP, as well as already realized and upcoming prototypes of thermal insulation panels.

Research Area: Building components with integrated energy-active elements (BCEAE) are generally referred to as combined building-energy systems (CBES). Aim: Research on the application of energy (solar) roofs (ESR), ground heat storage (GHS), active thermal protection (ATP), and their cooperation in different modes of operation of energy systems with an emphasis on the use of renewable energy sources (RES) and waste heat. Methodology: The analysis and synthesis of the state of the art in the field, the inductive and analogical form of the creation of an innovative method of operation of combined building-energy systems, the development of an innovative solution of the envelope panel with integrated energy-active elements, the synthesis of the knowledge obtained from the scientific analysis and the transformation of the data into the design and implementation of the prototype of the prefabricated house IDA I and the experimental house EB2020. Results: The theoretical analysis of building structures with active thermal protection results in the determination of their energy potential and functionality, e.g., thermal barrier, heating/cooling, heat storage, etc. New technical solutions for envelopes with controlled heat transfer were proposed based on the implementation of experimental buildings. Conclusions: The novelty of our research lies in the design of different variants of the way of operation of energy systems using RES and in upgrading building envelope panels with integrated energy-active elements.

Foul water stacks are a separate chapter in the design of sanitary installations, especially in high-rise buildings. The problematic part is the complicated hydraulic conditions in the stacks, which lead to high values of negative pressure and overpressure. Exceeding the maximum negative pressure values leads to the extraction of water from the traps, which causes the spread of annoying smells in the interior. Another problematic part is the high hydraulic jumps caused by a sudden change in the velocity of water in the stack, especially above the change in the direction of stacks. Such sudden changes in velocity cause excessive vibrations and noise that spread from stacks to the building structures and surrounding areas. The contribution deals with the issue of hydraulic conditions in the flow of foul water in stacks, assessment of the maximum values of negative pressure and overpressure, technical solutions that ensure optimal water flow in the drainage systems of buildings. Based on measurements that were performed in companies abroad, the authors prepared graphs of pressure fluctuations in stacks for selected boundary conditions.

This study describes our experience in researching and designing an innovative way of operating combined building–energy systems using renewable energy sources. We used the concepts of the ISOMAX integrated building–energy system’s patented technical solution, which we have long been exploring and have developed various novel and original solutions, as inspiration for our research. A consistent peak heat/cooling supply is a key component of the patented ISOMAX system, which has also been proven in its use in many buildings. Energy systems are no longer dependent on unreliable, unpredictable, and hard-to-forecast geothermal and solar energy because of the peak energy source. We had to improve the original design to guarantee the efficient, comfortable, and dependable operation of all the energy systems in the building. We increased the capacity of the ventilation system by including a peak heat/cooling source, a short-term heat/cooling storage tank, and the option of using an air handling unit with heat recovery or a water/air heat exchanger. The addition of terminal elements for heating, cooling, and ventilation systems was also made, along with including a solar system, a wind turbine, and the potential for waste heat recovery. Our study led to the creation of a unique operating model that, with the building management system, optimizes all of the energy systems and heating/cooling sources. The utility model SK 5749 Y1 analyzes the various alternatives in great detail.