Six research projects announced to help gain a fuller understanding of how energy is managed in the country’s hospitals and health centres
The potential of ‘big data’ to support carbon reduction efforts, better data on the energy performance of buildings, and the impact of sensor technology will all be the subject of new research projects announced this week.
Against a world backdrop of increased concerns about energy security, price fluctuations and, of course, the need to address climate change, the six new projects aim to gain a fuller understanding of how energy is managed in the country’s non-domestic buildings.
Funded with £3m from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and carried out on behalf of the Research Councils UK Energy Programme (RCUKEP), the research will address how to use technology, data and information, mathematics, law and sociology to create better energy strategies and behaviours in public buildings, including hospitals and health centres.
Improving energy efficiency is an important piece of the energy puzzle. Worldwide energy demand is rising, as are global temperatures and sea levels. We need to find smart solutions to how we use energy while improving the environment in which people have to work, rest or play
Non-domestic buildings currently account for approximately 18% of UK carbon emissions and 13% of final energy consumption, with the NHS being the biggest contributor overall.
By 2050, the total UK’s non-domestic floor area is expected to increase by 35%, while 60% of existing buildings will still be in use. This means that substantial retro fitting is likely and planning what techniques to use to save energy, as well as how to implement change with the cooperation of building occupants, is going to be essential.
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s chief executive, said: “Improving energy efficiency is an important piece of the energy puzzle. Worldwide energy demand is rising, as are global temperatures and sea levels. We need to find smart solutions to how we use energy while improving the environment in which people have to work, rest or play.
“These projects will go a long way to help improve our understanding of what goes on in non-domestic buildings and add to the armoury at the disposal of those managing these facilities.”
The new projects will be run at Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford, University of Southampton and the University of Strathclyde.
The projects are:
