Abstract

GreenBridge Research Group: Seminar 4

Speakers: Prof. Randall Thomas, Visiting Professor in Building Physics

Zero Carbon Design (12:00-12:45)

The built environment is an inherently interdisciplinary field embracing elements of engineering, architecture, economics, policy, social and behavioural sciences, as energy efficiency is a challenging and highly complex issue of today’s society. The increase in energy demand, the low levels of public engagement in sustainable solutions, fuel poverty, and the delivery of energy in developing countries demonstrate the urgency of a transition towards a lower carbon economy. In this context, the UK Government has mandated the delivery of only zero carbon homes from 2016 and zero carbon commercial buildings from 2019 onwards. In parallel, the future of the building sector is largely determined by the existing building stock. Zero carbon (local sources) design has a vital role to play both in new infrastructure and in the retrofitting of existing buildings. This lecture aims to give the definition, principles, advantages and issues of zero carbon design, the technologies used, along with examples that demonstrate such philosophy as a tool to address the aforementioned hurdles.

Q/A session (around 30’)

Retrofit for the Future: Cambridge Centre for Energy Studies: Renato Rodrigues, Research Assistant (13:15-13:35)

The Climate Change Act 2008 makes the UK the first country in the world to have a legally binding long-term framework to cut carbon emissions. This Act aims an 80% reduction on CO2 emissions by 2050. The CO2 emissions by existing buildings play a significant role and have wide potential for reduction. The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is holding a competition entitled Retrofit for the Future, which funds 192 whole house retrofit feasibility studies with £20k, and also 100 consortiums will be awarded £150k for building the solutions proposed. This competition is intended for social housing and aims at an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions. The Cambridge Centre for Energy Studies (CCES) is involved in a retrofit project in Peterborough, along with the city council, architects, UKCEED and several energy service companies. CCES is mainly responsible for computer modelling the different solutions, using SAP and IES .

Q/A session (around 20’)