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Author

Zhen-Yu Zhao

Other affiliations: University of Adelaide
Bio: Zhen-Yu Zhao is an academic researcher from North China Electric Power University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Renewable energy & Wind power. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 52 publications receiving 2165 citations. Previous affiliations of Zhen-Yu Zhao include University of Adelaide.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A critical review of the existing body of knowledge of researches related to green building is presented in this article, where the common research themes and methodology were identified, such as the definition and scope of green building, quantification of benefits of green buildings compared to conventional buildings, and various approaches to achieve green buildings.
Abstract: Green building is one of measures been put forward to mitigate significant impacts of the building stock on the environment, society and economy. However, there is lack of a systematic review of this large number of studies that is critical for the future endeavor. The last decades have witnessed rapid growing number of studies on green building. This paper reports a critical review of the existing body of knowledge of researches related to green building. The common research themes and methodology were identified. These common themes are the definition and scope of green building; quantification of benefits of green buildings compared to conventional buildings; and various approaches to achieve green buildings. It is found that the existing studies played predominately focus on the environmental aspect of green building. Other dimensions of sustainability of green building, especially the social sustainability is largely overlooked. Future research opportunities were identified such as effects of climatic conditions on the effectiveness of green building assessment tools, validation of real performance of green buildings, unique demands of specific population, and future proofing.

808 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a framework for CSR indicators relevant to construction enterprises worldwide as a tool for assessing CSR performance is developed. But, the authors do not consider the impact of CSR on the construction industry.

254 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors have collected data for solar radiation and wind speed for a period of one year in four major cities of Pakistan and found that solar energy is the best renewable energy option for Pakistan in terms of price, life span, operation and maintenance cost.
Abstract: Energy generation is heavily dependent on fossil fuels in Pakistan. Due to the huge population and current progress in industrialization, these sources are not fulfilling the existing energy needs of the country. Meanwhile, they have adverse environmental impacts and are economically unsuitable to electrify remote areas. Consequently, there is a need to look for alternate energy sources. The aim of this paper is to find out the best renewable energy option for Pakistan. For this purpose, we have collected data for solar radiation and wind speed for a period of one year in four major cities of Pakistan. Results indicate that solar energy is the best renewable energy option for Pakistan in terms of price, life span, operation and maintenance cost. Key barriers have been identified over the whole solar energy spectrum through semi-structured interviews with industry professionals. And finally, important policy recommendations have been proposed for institutions and government to overcome these barriers and utilize maximum solar energy in the country.

153 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a critical analysis of the policy framework for the renewable energy in China and its impacts on the power generation structure is provided, including the most recent government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jia-bao during the Third Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) in March 2010 are analyzed.

153 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Using SWOT analysis method, this article reviewed and assessed the factors of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of biomass power generation industry of China and provided valuable information to master the future development and potential risks of the industry.

108 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the status and current trends of energy consumption, CO2 emissions and energy policies in the residential sector, both globally and in those ten countries, were reviewed, and it was found that global residential energy consumption grew by 14% from 2000 to 2011, where population, urbanization and economic growth have been the main driving factors.
Abstract: Climate change and global warming as the main human societies’ threats are fundamentally associated with energy consumption and GHG emissions. The residential sector, representing 27% and 17% of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, respectively, has a considerable role to mitigate global climate change. Ten countries, including China, the US, India, Russia, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Canada, Iran, and the UK, account for two-thirds of global CO2 emissions. Thus, these countries’ residential energy consumption and GHG emissions have direct, significant effects on the world environment. The aim of this paper is to review the status and current trends of energy consumption, CO2 emissions and energy policies in the residential sector, both globally and in those ten countries. It was found that global residential energy consumption grew by 14% from 2000 to 2011. Most of this increase has occurred in developing countries, where population, urbanization and economic growth have been the main driving factors. Among the ten studied countries, all of the developed ones have shown a promising trend of reduction in CO2 emissions, apart from the US and Japan, which showed a 4% rise. Globally, the residential energy market is dominated by traditional biomass (40% of the total) followed by electricity (21%) and natural gas (20%), but the total proportion of fossil fuels has decreased over the past decade. Energy policy plays a significant role in controlling energy consumption. Different energy policies, such as building energy codes, incentives, energy labels have been employed by countries. Those policies can be successful if they are enhanced by making them mandatory, targeting net-zero energy building, and increasing public awareness about new technologies. However, developing countries, such as China, India and Iran, still encounter with considerable growth in GHG emissions and energy consumption, which are mostly related to the absence of strong, efficient policy.

1,212 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A critical review of the existing body of knowledge of researches related to green building is presented in this article, where the common research themes and methodology were identified, such as the definition and scope of green building, quantification of benefits of green buildings compared to conventional buildings, and various approaches to achieve green buildings.
Abstract: Green building is one of measures been put forward to mitigate significant impacts of the building stock on the environment, society and economy. However, there is lack of a systematic review of this large number of studies that is critical for the future endeavor. The last decades have witnessed rapid growing number of studies on green building. This paper reports a critical review of the existing body of knowledge of researches related to green building. The common research themes and methodology were identified. These common themes are the definition and scope of green building; quantification of benefits of green buildings compared to conventional buildings; and various approaches to achieve green buildings. It is found that the existing studies played predominately focus on the environmental aspect of green building. Other dimensions of sustainability of green building, especially the social sustainability is largely overlooked. Future research opportunities were identified such as effects of climatic conditions on the effectiveness of green building assessment tools, validation of real performance of green buildings, unique demands of specific population, and future proofing.

808 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: A review of the turn of events and points of view of biogas in and its utilization for power, heat and in transport in the European Union (EU) and its Member States is presented in this article.
Abstract: This paper presents a review of the turn of events and points of view of biogas in and its utilization for power, heat and in transport in the European Union (EU) and its Member States. Biogas creation has expanded in the EU, empowered by the sustainable power strategies, notwithstanding monetary, ecological and atmosphere benefits, to arrive at 18 billion m3 methane (654 PJ) in 2015, speaking to half of the worldwide biogas creation. The EU is the world chief in biogas power creation, with more than 10 GW introduced and various 17,400 biogas plants, in contrast with the worldwide biogas limit of 15 GW in 2015. In the EU, biogas conveyed 127 TJ of warmth and 61 TWh of power in 2015; about half of absolute biogas utilization in Europe was bound to warm age. Europe is the world's driving maker of biomethane for the utilization as a vehicle fuel or for infusion into the petroleum gas network, with 459 plants in 2015 creating 1.2 billion m3 and 340 plants taking care of into the gas network, with a limit of 1.5 million m3. Around 697 biomethane filling stations guaranteed the utilization 160 million m3 of biomethane as a transport fuel in 2015.

703 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Abundance of natural resources mitigates CO2 emission in Russia, but contributes to pollution in South Africa, and natural resources help to form Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in Brazil, China, Russia, and South Africa.

491 citations