SWEEG Scientists’ Annual Report 1997/98 SWEEG SCIENTISTS’ ANNUAL REPORT 1997-8 1 SWEEG Scientists’ Annual Report 1997/98 Facing Page Blank 2 SWEEG Scientists’ Annual Report 1997/98 MANAGEMENT SUMMARY This Annual Report presents a résumé of work undertaken at the Centre for Energy and the Environment during the past twelve months. The publications list at the end of the report serves to indicate our earlier work. The projects described in the report are summarised below. Sound Transmission Between Dwellings Neighbourhood noise is an environmental pollutant which can have a serious impact on residents’ contentment. Following a literature survey, a report was produced providing guidance on designing buildings that minimise sound transmission between dwellings. The importance of high-mass or multi-layered constructions was noted, along with the need to reflect sound back towards the source. REVERB—Reverberation Time Software Development Continuing development of the Centre’s reverberation time software has added the ability to automatically calculate reverberation times for a range of different numbers of occupants. This is of particular relevance when studying multipurpose school halls. Acoustic Study of Torbay Council Meeting Rooms Reverberation time tests were conducted in two rooms which were known to have poor acoustic qualities. Both had longer than optimal reverberation times. Guidance was given as to how the acoustics of the spaces could be improved. Improving the Design of High Performance Buildings The addition of an optimisation routine to the Centre’s thermal building model has produced a tool which is able to identify a range of highly energy efficient buildings, which meet certain prescribed criteria. The power of this tool is likely to be of considerable value in the future. The Dynamics of Ventilation The Centre’s thermal model has also benefited from a development allowing the ventilation rate to be changed in response to elevated internal temperatures. This has greatly improved our ability to model building behaviour as regards summertime overheating. Modelling of Underfloor Heating Systems Underfloor heating is commonly employed in new school buildings. A finite element model has been constructed to allow the behaviour of such systems to be studied. The efficacy of different control strategies for such systems is now being examined using the model. Modelling of a Fire Service Training Facility Jersey Fire Service have a new training facility, in the form of a “heat room”. On commissioning, it was found that the required temperatures could not be obtained. Site measurements and subsequent computer modelling confirmed the inadequacy of the heating plant. The use of a different form of heating may be studied in the near future. Evaluation of an Auxiliary Boiler Control Device A “fuel saving” boiler controller was field- tested, in order to evaluate its claimed weather compensation feature. No evidence was found to support the claim. 3 SWEEG Scientists’ Annual Report 1997/98 Energy and Food The Centre’s work in this area has attracted a great deal of attention world- wide. The study showed that the energy used to produce and retail food far exceeds its calorific value, and that there is great potential to change one’s diet so as to lessen its environmental impact. Lighting Sticker Campaign Following work showing that the energy penalty implicit in the frequent switching of fluorescent lights is insignificant, a sticker campaign was launched to explode the myth that lights in classrooms should be left on all day. Rainwater Collection Systems The effectiveness of the rainwater collection system installed at a new school in Cornwall was studied. The work highlighted the importance of roof slope and orientation in dictating the amount of rain collected. Hippo Water Saving Devices The effectiveness of the cistern volume reduction vessels supplied by South West Water was tested in two primary schools. Significant reductions in water consumption were noted, implying a possible total annual saving of 100 000 m3 of water in schools across the SWEEG region. Design of Natural Ventilation Systems The Centre’s Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling capabilities have been used extensively in the design of such a system. The building in question is a church which is to be converted into a theatre. Natural ventilation systems rely on the buoyancy of warm air to induce upward movement of air through a space. The siting of air inlets and outlets to give optimum airflow was investigated. Development of a Sustainable Building Strategy “Sustainable development” has become a popular phrase, and the Centre has been working to develop a procedure to be applied to the design and refurbishment of buildings. A tangible product of this process has been the development of a building concepts database. This tool proposes coherent sustainable building concepts, along with a justification of why they are sustainable solutions. It is hoped that the optimisation work mentioned above will be able to provide much of the information required to complete the database. Cornwall County Council Waste Scenario Modelling Various scenarios were modelled in order to identify the likely life of existing disposal facilities. Differing levels of uptake of materials recycling schemes and the availability of incineration facilities were considered, as well as optimistic and pessimistic assumptions about the volume of waste arisings. Waste Local Plan A technical document has been produced, which provides information on the composition and tonnage of waste produced in Devon, predictions for the future, and details of existing disposal facilities. This document will be of use when considering the development of new facilities. SWEEG Seminar 1998—Electricity in my Back Yard The biennial seminar will examine the economic and environmental issues regarding small-scale “embedded generators”. Eight expert speakers will provide a diverse coverage of this most interesting and relevant topic. Revenues from Sales of Electricity from Embedded Generators The successful use of renewable energy sources depends on their economic competitiveness, as well as their technical 4 SWEEG Scientists’ Annual Report 1997/98 feasibility. An economic comparison of the different arrangements available for the sale of electricity from embedded generators is being evaluated. Energy in Devon The Centre has met increasing difficulty when trying to obtain local energy consumption statistics. A spreadsheet model has been formulated to allow rational disaggregation of national statistics, and calculation of associated greenhouse gas emissions. Estimates of Devon’s consumption during this decade showed a slow growth trend in energy consumption, but a slight fall in greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing Electricity Consumption in Offices and Schools Computers and their peripherals are often left running throughout the day, or even continually. The energy consumed by such devices were measured, and found to average 73 W per computer and screen. Potential savings of £20 000 were estimated to be achievable, if good housekeeping measures were implemented in Cornwall County Council’s offices and schools. Agenda 21 Activities CEE involvement in Devon’s Local Agenda 21 activities has concentrated on transport, contributions being made to the consultation process for Devon’s Transport Policy and Programme document. 5 SWEEG Scientists’ Annual Report 1997/98 Facing Page Blank 6 SWEEG Scientists’ Annual Report 1997/98 SWEEG SCIENTISTS’ ANNUAL REPORT 1997-8 ABOUT SWEEG The South West Energy and Environment Group (SWEEG) exists to promote the efficient use of all forms of energy, and to examine environmental issues surrounding the consumption of energy and water and the creation of noise and waste. Although SWEEG's effort is concentrated in the South West, much of the group's work is of broader interest. SWEEG publications make the group's work available to the outside world. SWEEG is a consortium of the County Councils of Devon and Cornwall, the States of Jersey, Torbay Council and Exeter University (who are full funding members). Exeter City Council and Devon and Cornwall Police Authority are associate members. SWEEG employs a team of scientists located in the Centre for Energy and the Environment at Exeter University. The team undertakes a wide range of research on energy and environmental topics, including the following:- Energy in Buildings Transport Advice on energy efficient design Modelling of emissions from road networks Monitoring of internal temperatures and energy use Modelling of emissions from regional scenarios Energy targets for domestic and non-domestic buildings Road traffic noise surveys and predictions Ventilation measurements using a tracer gas technique Combined Heat and Power feasibility assessment Noise and Vibration On-site monitoring and assessment of plant performance Noise monitoring in relation to wind energy generation sites Assessment of energy conservation options and Noise and vibration source investigations and diagnosis equipment Environmental noise studies and subjective perception of Non-invasive sub-metering of electricity supplies nuisance Building acoustics measurement and analysis Recycling Advice on recycling and waste management policy Computer Modelling Aggregate recycling in road construction and repair Mathematical modelling of environmental systems Recycling options for paper Development of software tools Recycling options for glass Other