Tibisay Lugo


CSTMS Research Unit: Berkeley Program in Science and Technology Studies
Affiliation period: May 2011 - July 2016
tlugo@berkeley.edu
DissertationThe Future of Sustainable Structures for Rural and Coastal Areas: Social Impact and Policy Implications
Degrees Master of Philosophy :: The University of Manchester, UK (2008)
M.Sc. in Logistic Management :: Venezuela (2003)
Bachelor in Education of Biological Sciences :: Venezuela (1986)

Research Areas

S&T Policy and Management, Technology Foresight, Alternative and Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Structures Design and Social Participation

Lugo's research is aimed at the study of energy self-sufficient and sustainable structures, built on a concrete-slab-on-grade cooled with sea water. To this end, based in the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach of sustainability, the viability, social impact and environmental responsibility concerned to the design, development and implementation of this project in rural and coastal areas of different Latin American countries, India and the US, will be assessed.

At this stage of the research, on the basis of the outcomes derived from the TBL measures, it is planned the identification and forecasting of trends and drivers that are likely to have significant yet uncertain impact over the next decade or so. This is with the aim of analyzing them to generate contrasting views of the future of the structure proposed in the countries under study.

The research also explores the theoretical framework related to the design of sustainable engineering technologies using alternative and renewable energies. In this case, they will be studied to generate a more efficient technology hybrid system environmentally friendly to cool structures, and to reduce energy and water consumption and green house emissions. Important part of the theory to be reviewed, will be the importance of green buildings in the health of their occupants as well as in the level of productivity of employees. In the same extent, the application of green construction principles to new developments and to retrofit existing structures, will be considered as a part of a strategy that allows achieving sustainable solutions to pressing societal problems.

Finally, as one of the main ecological component of the sustainable structure proposed is the slab-on-grade floor cooled with seawater, it is expected to carry out this experimental stage of the study in the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA), once a source of funding is located.

last updated: December 14th, 2017