Energy used in buildings is mainly attributed to provide the desired thermal comfort, which could result in an increase in carbon emission and, in turn, lead to further environmental degradation. A Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Double-Skin Façade (BIPV-DSF) is a promising way to maintain indoor thermal comfort, obtained with low environmental impact and energy consumption. The appropriate design of BIPV-DSFs can maximise indoor thermal comfort and energy efficiency for buildings. This paper presents optimal BIPV-DSF design solutions, which are dedicated to offering comfortable and energy-efficient buildings, through optimisation of the most important design parameters of a BIPV-DSF under three different climate conditions in Australia. The results illustrate how thermal transmittance (U-value) and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of windows of the BIPV-DSF, as the most important design parameters, were optimised for application in the context of different climates, operation modes, and orientations. The paper contributes to the matters concerning the integrated effect of BIPV-DSFs on thermal comfort and energy performance in buildings.

This study aims to prepare the energy sector for uncertainty using a foresight tool known as weak signals. Weak signals (subtle signs of emerging issues with significant impact potential) are often overlooked during strategic planning due to their inherent predictive uncertainty. However, the value does not lie in precise forecasting but in broadening the consideration of future possibilities. By proactively monitoring and addressing these otherwise neglected developments, stakeholders can gain early awareness of threats and opportunities and enhance their resilience, adaptability, and innovation.

The maximal dependence on In-Situ lunar resources is essential for the establishing and sustaining a future lunar base. One key need of such an enterprise is a reliable source of energy to power the many needed equipment and devices. This paper presents an effort to study the effectiveness of lunar regolith as an ISRU medium to store thermal energy for use during the lunar night. The goal of the work was to compare the thermal properties of an Australian Lunar Simulant (ALS-1) with other materials and lunar regolith. For this, ALS-1 was sintered in an electric furnace to determine the Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) of the fused material. The resulting sample properties were evaluated with reference to thermal energy storage. The initial experimental results suggest that fusing the abundant fines of the basaltic lunar regolith creates a material that has an efficient capacity to store thermal energy. Factors that enhance its effectiveness are: a) vacuum (considered another ISRU), b) simplicity of installation and operation, and c) expandability of capacity.