It
is not achievable to design a ‘Zero Emission building’ without compromising
human comfort. With estimations that
humans spend over 90% of their lives occupying buildings, designers must consider
this as key building performance criteria of any building. It is therefore concluded that ‘low energy’
building design is more attainable whilst maintaining the balance of human
comfort.
Currently
no ‘low energy’ methodology is used in industrial practice and no clear
indication of the reasons why designers choose certain technologies is
available. It was found that the
development of high-level technology selection tools, which actually make
decisions for those designers involved in the building process, was not
possible.
A high-level technology selection tool was developed providing the user with an information system, and hence, a knowledge base of the capabilities of passive, active and renewable technologies within a set of recognised building performance criteria. The technology selection tools were found to be successful in the swift elimination of technologies for detailed analysis. Having selected technologies from the high-level selection tool the group were able to choose the best option, based upon CO2 mitigation and human comfort building performance criteria, by detailed analysis.
Post
construction of the methodology, the team were able to apply it in a period of
2 – 3 weeks. Thus it is concluded that
the methodology could be applicable to tight timescales in building design
industry.
The
methodology was developed based upon information on ‘Zero Emissions During the Use Phase of the Building’. However, the ultimate ‘sustainable
buildings’ aim would be to design a building towards ‘Zero CO2
Emissions During the Building Life Cycle.’
Investigation of life cycle analysis showed that the information
currently available for CO2 mitigation potential is inadequate. The use of life cycle analysis could be
added to the methodology if indicators pertaining to the criteria in building
design becomes freely available, is validated and accepted by the building
industry.
From
the methodology it is recommended that the University of Strathclyde building
at the Rottenrow site employ the following technologies.
·
PV - 600 BP585
modules with an area of 388m2. The PV modules are not integrated within the
façade, rather they are installed the surface of the roof.
·
Solar Collectors –
MSC32 with storage of 0.15 and 0.1m2 for primary and main storage tank per
collector.
·
14 DWT facing south
and 14 DWT facing west.
·
Aerated Concrete flooring.
·
Aerated Concrete walls.
·
Warmcel insulation.
·
Triple Glazing (argon
filled with low-e coating).
·
Stack ventilation
system and night cooling control.
·
8 W/m2 of
lighting
The
choice of technologies above fulfils the building performance criteria which
was specified by the group at the outset of the project which was human comfort
and reduced CO2 mitigation.
A feasibility study of
GHP for supply of the heating and cooling requirement of the university
building at the Rottenrow site should be carried out. This was not possible as
the investigation of GHP was found to be an investigation in its self.