Core 1
The Methodology

 

The methodology our team constructed, focused not of the various relationships involved in building design but on all the major issues encompassing the integration of renewable and passive technologies into building design. The methodology operates so that the design of renewable and passive technology for a building is fully integrated from the outset.

 

The methodology is a multistage process. Within the methodology there is an indication of the decisions that must be taken by the designers at an early stage as well as the necessary calculations required for integrated design.

 

Ultimately the methodology is designed with the purpose of being used by those involved in building design to give a logical direction to the design process.

 

Stage One - The first stage in the design process involves consideration of the building concept, i.e. the primary function of the building.  Architects and other engineers involved in the complete design of the building should converse at this early stage in order to produce rough architectural drawings which would serve the integration of passive, renewable and active technology which may be suitable for the site in question. The building is designed for a set number of occupants.

 

Stage Two - Review any special consideration associated with the site. Carry out survey. Check planning permission conditions.

 

Stage Three - Determine the various different areas or rooms within a building. The use of each area should be stated.

 

Stage Four - Power consuming equipment contained within each room should be detailed.The building performance criteria must be stated.  The choice of performance criteria can be seen in the high level selection tool.  The one performance criteria which should be a priority to all users is human comfort which encompasses issues such as indoor air quality, adequate ventilation, artificial and daylighting and thermal comfort.  If these issues are ignored or not thoroughly addressed at the design stage the effects could be detrimental to human comfort and the productivity of occupants, leading to sick building syndrome Refer to www./epa.gov/iaq/pubs/sbs.html.

      

Stage Five - Define occupancy regimes for; daily, weekly, monthly and yearly data as this is necessary for electrical, thermal and hot water load calculations.

 

Stage Six - Perform static heat load calculations based on the rough architectural drawings and building regulation values such as fabric heat loss. Refer to static heat load calculations.

 

Stage Seven - Determine the hot water demands, based on static load calculations. Refer to static water demand calculation.

 

Stage Eight - Determine the electrical loads within the building. Refer to Electrical Loads.

 

Stage Nine - Use high level selection tools to eliminate the integration of those technologies which are likely to be ineffective economically or environmentally.

 

Stage Ten- Use detailed analysis for technologies which are not eliminated by the high level selection tool. Further analysis could be carried out using modelling software such as ESP-R and Merit (these programs have been developed at the University of Strathclyde).

 

Static Heat Load Calculations

Fabric loss = Q = U A ∆T where U is W/m2K, A is m2 and ∆T is °C

 

∆T is Tin – Tout or the difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature

 

In order to calculate a yearly heat load it is necessary to calculate the heat loss for several periods throughout the year. Calculations of the order of around two per month is recommended. 

 

Air infiltration = P = 0.333NV∆T where N is the air change rate, V is the volume of air change and ∆T is the temperature difference between inside and outside.

 

These static heat load calculations are simplistic and have a number of drawbacks, however they are necessary to allow further analysis of the viability of various technologies to be included within a building.

 

Calculation of Hot water demands by static calculations

 

Q = (daily water use per person * heat capacity of water * temperature difference) / 3600 = KWhr

 

Electrical Loads

Reference to Best Practice Programme Guides it is possible to estimate the lighting loads when the load is related to floor area.  The electrical loads from other electrical equipment such as fridges, cookers, coke machines, were based upon figures from ASRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers) Guides. Total electric demand for the various periods throughout the year is known.

 

Where Does Our Methodology fit into the Design Process

 

The first nine stages of our methodology would fit into the Schematic Design phase and would be used to narrow the renewable, passive and active technology options for further analysis. Stage 10 of the methodology and would be carried out at the detailed engineering drawings phase of the Building Design Process.

 

RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY SELECTION TOOL

PASSIVE AND ACTIVE TECHNOLOGY SELECTION TOOL

PROBLEMS DEVELOPING THE HIGH LEVEL TOOL