Part 2 focuses on engineering solutions and the operational stability of shallow geothermal energy (SGE) systems: energy piles, minimisation of borehole thermal resistance R_b through thermally enhanced grouts and PE 100-RC pipes, the Thermal Response Test as the basis for reliable sizing, the thermal balance of the borehole field (TURP methodology), fifth-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC), and the economics of GSHP systems.

Part 1 of this series evaluates the potential of shallow geothermal energy (SGE) in Slovakia within the EU 2030 decarbonisation targets. It assesses the geological potential of the Slovak territory, the GeoPLASMA-CE project and the subsurface urban heat island (SUHI) effect, and reviews the technical standards and legislation governing building-services systems, including low-temperature emission systems and domestic hot water preparation.

The study examines the effect of the kindling method, combustion air supply, and chimney draft conditions on the concentrations of pollutants in flue gases produced during wood combustion in households. Experimental results show that, in particular, air supply beneath the fuel and top-down firing lead to lower CO and OGC emissions, while improper firing conditions can increase emissions. The study demonstrates that the right combination of operating conditions and user behavior is key to reducing the impact of local heating on air quality.

The second part of the article focuses on the practical application of oxidation catalysts in household stoves and other small combustion sources. It describes the reasons for their growing importance in light of increasingly stringent emission requirements and safety standards for flue gas pathways. Attention is also given to operation and maintenance, particularly the risk of clogging by particulate matter and the need for regular cleaning. The text summarizes available market solutions, including both appliances with integrated catalysts and retrofit units for flue pipes, and supplements them with an overview of the most common myths. The conclusion provides a brief overview of current research, ranging from Pt–Pd systems to metal oxides and perovskites.

Oxidation catalysts are gaining traction in household stoves and other small biomass combustion sources as a means of reducing emissions generated during actual operation. The greatest problems arise during startup, stoking, and burn-out, when concentrations of carbon monoxide and organic gaseous pollutants increase. The first part of the article explains why these emissions are significant in local heating systems, which pollutants the catalyst helps to reduce, and why laboratory results often differ from actual household operation. At the same time, it clearly explains the principle of catalytic afterburning in the flue gas path and demonstrates why this is a promising secondary measure that complements, rather than replaces, high-quality combustion.

Residential biomass combustion appliances are among the most significant sources of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions during the heating season. The tightening of European and national regulations, together with the exhaustion of the potential for design optimisation of combustion devices, makes secondary flue gas cleaning technologies a necessity, with electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) representing a promising solution in this context. This paper is composed of two parts. The first part systematises data on the properties of aerosol particles from small-scale biomass combustion sources, describes the principle of electrostatic precipitation, and presents the design types of residential ESPs.

The physical properties of heat transfer fluids affect the design of all the components of heating systems, which in practice are in most cases dimensioned for water flow, which is later replaced by another liquid for which designers do not have the necessary data.

This article presents a simulation analysis conducted at the Institute of Environmental Engineering at CTU, as part of the international exercise IEA EBC Annex 82. The aim of the joint exercise, which involved more than ten international research teams from different sectors, was to test and compare different approaches towards achieving energy flexibility in buildings on the basis of a unified exercise assignment. The Czech team based its study on a comprehensive simulation of the energy behaviour of buildings, including a detailed numerical model of the heating, hot water preparation, cooling and ventilation systems. The model was used to study the building potential for providing energy flexibility and future responsibilities of building operators in the context of smart energy grids.

It is possible to design solar energy systems (SES) with solar collectors in several ways: manually - by calculation; using software - there are several calculation programs for SES design, e.g. T*Sol from the renowned German company Valentin software for the calculation of thermal heat collectors, or PV*Sol for the design and simulation of photovoltaic power plants of any size; or according to the manufacturer's instructions - if we know the manufacturer/supplier of the equipment when designing the SES, we can use the recommended calculation procedures from the design documents of the given company, provided that they are available.

The paper presents soft densification as a phenomenon suitable for the sustainable development of ageing suburban housing of larger cities in the Czech Republic. The background, potential, and risks are described using literature and foreign practical experience and suggest the possible application of this strategy in Czech conditions. A description of the spatial types of soft densification regarding the reserves of existing land and houses, and a description of the main actors of the phenomenon serve as a basis for further research. The article also includes an introduction of the online database of Dense Satellites, which was created to collect good practice projects and popularize the topic among the wider public.

The article presents a project submitted by TAČR in the Environment for Life section 2. The goal of the project is to find the application of recycled glass fractions from photovoltaic panels in the field of construction. The project focuses on three basic silicate building materials, which are able to incorporate glass recyclate shards into their structure during the hydration, firing and melting process. The paper specifies the first results of testing possibilities for use of glass recyclate from photovoltaic panels for concrete masonry units. It compares particular recipes and its physical and mechanical properties with the main focus on the compressive strength. It then compares the values of these recipes with the values of commonly used composite materials for masonry units without recyclates.

PV systems are gaining ground as a standard for family homes. Apartment buildings are lagging behind, but design optimization and community energy bring new possibilities.

Evaluation of the conditions and prerequisites for deploying a cogeneration unit that will serve as a source of electrical and thermal energy for an agricultural cooperative that plans to operate a biomethane station.

This post discusses the possibilities of using green walls and their impact on the living environment, micro-climatic conditions and the overall perception of comfort in the interior. Green walls, or vertical gardens, are a desired architectural element of spaces, whether external or internal, for their aesthetic value and significant ability to favorably influence the environment in which we live. Vertical gardens improve acoustics, humidify, freshen and cool the air, capture dust and clean the air. The green wall also functions as a very effective heat and sound insulation system. Any larger green area fundamentally increases the quality of the microclimate, and therefore also people's lives.