Over half of all energy use is due to buildings and the majority of carbon emissions can be attributed to their use. Our academics research low carbon and renewable energy for heating, air conditioning, power and lighting in buildings. This involves exploring new methods of ground-source heating, renewable electricity generation, advanced thermal storage systems, the prediction of future weather data for building simulation and micro-combined heat and power systems.
Research methods involve computer simulation of real-world problems as well as practical laboratory testing and field work. This is supported by specialist laboratories with equipment that includes a range of novel ground source heat exchangers, ground-source and air-source heat pumps, a mobile laboratory for ground property measurement, micro-combined heat and power modules and a solar/biomass hybrid organic Rankine-cycle pilot plant.
