Buildings and EPBD

The topic of the third and final congress day was buildings, energy and EPBD. The introduction included two lecturers on experience from the ancient times - a Neolithic settlement Vinča near Belgrade (N. Miloradović, N. Tasić), which was followed by the presentation of Dr. Marija Todorović “From the Serbian Traditional House Model to the Zero-Energy Buildings” and “Energy Revitalization of Housing Concrete Blocks in Belgrade”. Mr. Francis Allard, REHVA President and professor of University La Rochelle, France, who wrote his paper with professor Seppanen from Finland, presented his paper on the current European actions for improving energy efficiency of buildings. For this presentation all the participants were given the material relating to the European Directive on Improving Energy Performance of Buildings, so called EPBD programme, which was available to all interested persons at the information desk of the congress organizer.

Dr. Renato Lazzarin presented his second paper (Giovanni Longo - coauthor) on experimental research of indirect free cooling by humidification of exhaust air. Our guest from Turkey, Mrs. Zerrin Zilmas, professor from the Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul, talked about the use of renewable energy sources in buildings and architectural integration of such systems in buildings. Ms. Ivana Martinović presented her paper (Dr. Marija Todorović and Nataša Ilinčić - coauthors) discussed the limits of specific heating and cooling loads of low rise constructions on the Montenegrin coast. Mr. Joachim Paul, professor from Denmark, presented his second paper in which he explained how energy demand could be reduced by 50%. In his second presentation, Dr. Essam Khalil gave a review of national and international standards of air-conditioning systems. P. Stojanović, M. Bjekić and S. Djukić from the Technical Faculty of Čačak presented their paper on the implementation of EU directives regarding household appliances in Serbia and surrounding countries.

Programs in Various Domains of Energy Efficiency (ASHRAE Danube Chapter)

The last three lectures were given within the meeting of ASHRAE Danube Chapter.
Dr. Ioan Dobosi and Professor Retezan, from Romania, presented the programme of their country related to the thermal rehabilitation of the existing buildings, and Professor Sofonea from Sibiu, Romania, whilst talked very interesting about paleolithic techniques.

Professor Branislav Todorović talked then about energy efficiency of hospitals and their energy needs in future. Professor Todorović, as the last speaker, stated that the congress programme was completed. In view of the fact that Professor Francis Allard, REHVA President, arrived in Belgrade on the second day of the congress and missed the congress opening, he was asked to close this large convention, which he did, mentioning that this was his second participation in this conference, that this congress was among highly rated congresses in Europe and that as REHVA President he would like to continue the activity of former presidents, professor Todorović being one of them.

STUDENT PROGRAMME

The section for undergraduate and graduate students from the Serbian engineering faculties was organized for the first time on the second day of the congress and exhibition. Mr. Bratislav Blagojević, Professor from Niš University, opened a convention with 154 participants from the faculties of mechanical engineering of Niš, Belgrade, Kragujevac and Novi Sad and the Faculty of Architecture of Belgrade. He gave floor to the President of the Serbian HVAC&R Society and this congress, Professor Branislav Todorović, whom he introduced as a meritorious professor of heating and air-conditioning, the author of textbooks from which all the students learn, and who is “a living legend of thermal engineering”. Professor Todorović addressed the students, presented the aim and activity programme of the HVAC&R Society and stressed that the intention of this programme was to recruit young people who would work in HVAC&R profession and with whom the Society would stay in touch, providing information on the recent achievements of HVAC&R profession and current details on the web site. Then, he gave floor to Professor Marija Todorović, who is active in international associations, in the Committee for student activities and organization of international student competitions. She informed students about REHVA and ASHRAE, the methods of international association and connections and the programme in which she was involved. Then students presented their papers, written individually or in teams, under supervision of their professors. The topics included “Hydrothermal Resources and Heat Pumps as the District Heating Alternative of Serbia”, “Application of Solar Thermal Collectors on the Students Dormitory in Belgrade”, “Floor Heating”, “Energy Supply and Energy Consumption in “My Place” hotel.

All the students received certificates for their attendance and participation in the 39th HVAC&R congress 2008. After the student section of the programme had been finished, students and their professors visited the exhibition and had a lunch in a restaurant, where they had an opportunity to meet and talk to their colleagues. This was the first example of the student programme at an international congress.