Abstract
Energy efficiency is the solution for a building to provide a comfortable environment with limited energy consumption. This entry will outline some of the most significant tools an energy manager can resort to when attempting to improve energy efficiency in a building. Tools such as energy audits, energy benchmarking, building automation, building energy simulation, and energy management systems, among others, are presented in a brief and practical way, with particular emphasis on their application to higher education buildings. The main conclusions point out the specificity of these types of buildings, recognize the importance of engaging building users in energy management activities, and suggest such topics could be included in the curricula of courses. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Abstract
This work proposes a method to calculate the short- circuit currents in unbalanced three-phase power distribution systems with distributed generation (DG) from non- and renewable energy resources. It takes into account the physical and operational features of four different types of DGs: synchronous, induction, photovoltaic and double-fed induction generator (DFIG). The DG formulations depend upon the connection type that can be directly coupling to the power grid or by using electronic converters or coupling transformers. The proposed method uses the bus impedance matrix with Kron reduction for each generator and superposition conception in the short-circuit current calculation. The results are achieved under a real-work unbalanced distribution network with 135 buses providing typical values of the short-circuit current that are compared with values from commercial software in the evaluation of the proposed methodology.

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There is a large consensus on the importance of human behaviour on the energy performance of buildings. Energy policy orientations consistently take into account the importance of the building stock in the overall energy use by societies. Existing buildings are specially challenging, as reliable diagnoses are required to take appropriate action towards comfort and energy efficiency. Managers also play a determinant role in building performance, either on investment decisions in technology or on the building operation. Middle-out agents may determine effective energy use options and positively influence behaviours at both levels, top management and occupants. Interdisciplinary cooperation amongst members of research teams is required for energy-efficient building design, coping simultaneously with technological and behavioural issues and their interrelations, privileging occupant-centred approaches.

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This paper introduces the critical need to report reliability performance metrics by distinguishing between different customer-groups, load demand and network types, within very large service areas managed by distribution network operators. Based on various factors, power distribution systems supplying residential demand are categorised in this study into rural, suburban and urban networks. An enhanced time-sequential Monte Carlo simulation procedure is used to carry out reliability assessment for each subsector, enabling disaggregation of reliability indices typically reported for the whole supplied system. Realistic distribution network modelling is achieved by the addition of smart grid technologies such as photovoltaic energy, demand side response and energy storage, to assess their impacts in different networks. Finally, both system and customer-oriented indices, measuring the frequency and duration of interruptions, as well as energy not supplied, are evaluated for a comprehensive analysis.