Property Week’s Post

An interesting way to increase energy efficiency through heat integration. It’s exciting to see more and more examples of circular strategies being trialled worldwide! System wide innovative thinking is important to ensure long-term sustainability whilst aiming to address complex challenges we face on a daily basis.

We're thrilled to share that Tor Bridge High School has achieved an impressive 37% drop in energy inefficiencies! Armed with 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗩𝗨𝗘.𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼, the school has successfully spotted high energy consumption areas and substantially reduced energy consumption and costs. We're always delighted to partner with educational institutions and see them strive in improving their operations. Read more about our collaboration 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dG5yJmx2 Get started with a free demo 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eFKk9978 #EnergyAudit | #EnergyData | #EnergyManagementSystem | #EnergyEfficiency | #EnergyManagement | #SmartMeter | #TechForGood | #EnergyManagementSoftware | #EnergySavings | #EnergyMonitoring

I am happy to share that our journal paper titled "Design of a model predictive control methodology for integration of retrofitted air‐based PV/T system in school buildings" has been published in the "Journal of Building Performance Simulation". This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC) methodology for integrating air-based photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems in school buildings. The methodology is developed based on a case study for an archetype fully electric school building in Québec, Canada. A data‐driven grey‐box model for the classrooms is calibrated with measured data, and a PV/T model is developed. These models are integrated to apply MPC to the school building using the established dynamic tariffs for morning and evening peaks. Three scenarios are investigated and compared: (1) A reference case without a PV or PV/T system, (2) Integration of a PV system and MPC, and (3) Integration of a PV/T system and MPC under a demand response scenario. Results show that using the MPC with PV/T integration can reduce peak demand by up to 100% during high-demand periods for the grid. This methodology is scalable and can be transferable to other institutional buildings. I would like to thank my supervisors, Dr. Andreas Athienitis from Concordia University and Dr. José Agustín Candanedo from Université de Sherbrooke, for their guidance and support. Technical support from Hydro Québec Laboratoire des Technologies de l’energie Shawinigan research center under NSERC/Hydro-Quebec Industrial Research Chair is gratefully acknowledged. Also, technical support provided by Regulvar Inc. and Centre de services scolaire des Mille-Îles (CSSMI) is acknowledged with thanks. I also would like to acknowledge the financial support received from Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et Technologies (FRQNT). Paper link: https://lnkd.in/eMNABC5y #Gina_Cody_School_of_Engineering_and_Computer_Science #Concordia_University #Hydro_Québec #FRQNT #CanmetENERGY #Regulvar #CSSMI

THE CONVERSATION (UK) UK homeowners are reluctant to switch to low-carbon heating – our research points to how to change their minds September 27, 2024 Our study shows that a shift to sustainable heating technologies will require more than providing financial and legal incentives. It needs a demystification of the technologies, and a strong public awareness campaign to not only highlight the environmental benefits of sustainable heating but also prove this choice is affordable and realistic for ordinary households. In addition to financial support, such as the £7,500 government subsidy for the uptake of heat pumps, it’s crucial to optimise running costs by keeping electricity prices lower than gas prices. Existing policies prioritise changes in owner-occupied properties. Landlords, both social and private, need incentives to choose sustainable heating technologies. As well as more focus on heating solutions for rented properties, our research suggests that barriers such as perceived complexity and costs must be dealt with to speed up the UK’s transition to green energy.

WATTS-Rental is proud to have WPS as our JV partner who are leading the charge within the UK market in reducing energy costs through transformer transition. We are excited to showcase how our transformer and supplementary equipment offer can make a huge difference to the higher education sector. In this market sector, a popular transformer choice is amorphous low-loss transformers. They not only allow for saving on energy costs but also help to meet the ambitious carbon reduction targets many UK universities commit to. During the past decade, we have supplied low-loss distribution transformers to more than 50 higher education institutions, including the University of East Anglia, and the University of Warwick, who now enjoy lower energy bills resulting from lower energy losses as well as a reduction in their electrical networks’ CO₂ emissions. UK universities spend millions of pounds on electricity each year. By using Wilson Power Solutions Ltd 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀, they can save hundreds of thousands of pounds during a transformer's lifetime compared to standard Tier 2 compliant transformers. This simple choice can make an enormous positive difference not only to a university’s finances but its Net Zero targets as well. We look forward to engaging with many new and exsting customers to align your transformer transition in reduction your costs and increasing your efficiency, just reach out anytime. P.odriscoll@watts-rental.com

Our Chief Operating Officer Harneet Panesar and Director of Operations Decision Support Kevin Mancherjee were pleased to attend a federal investment announcement for the University of Toronto’s Grid Modernization Centre. We are proud to lend our expertise as a partner of the Grid Modernization Centre, which is led by Climate Positive Energy at the University of Toronto. The first of its kind in Canada, this test centre will provide critical data to decision-makers involved in the energy transition including the OEB, generators, utilities, municipalities, equipment manufacturers and smart metering entities. Collaboration is key to accelerating the integration of innovative energy solutions and evolving to a more decarbonized, decentralized, and digitalized grid. In her remarks, Leah Cowen, Vice-President of Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives for the university, highlighted the OEB’s collaboration with Climate Positive Energy on a research project to evaluate electricity cost structure, the outcomes of which will improve competitiveness. Factors such as electrification, economic growth and the energy transition necessitate increased grid capacity. At the OEB, we are committed to working with sector partners and educational institutions alike to ensure Ontarians have a power system that offers resiliency, efficiency and sustainability. To learn more about the OEB’s collaboration with Climate Positive Energy at the University of Toronto, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gq7MZBf5 #gridmodernization #electricity #sustainability #innovation

The U.S. DOE Announces $190 Million For School Energy Upgrades To Enhance Learning Environments The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a major investment as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda. The 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant, a three-phase initiative totaling $190 million, aims to modernize K-12 public schools with energy-efficient upgrades. This initiative will help schools reduce energy use and costs, improve indoor air quality, and create healthier learning environments for students and teachers. DOE has selected 21 winners for the initial phase, each receiving a $300,000 cash prize. These winners will identify schools with significant needs and build teams to plan for upgrades. Sixteen of these […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/duguRQuY #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #renewableenergy #u.s.departmentofenergy #usa

Energy is not just energy. It’s a way of life, a political economy, a constitutional architecture. To design energy futures, therefore, is to redesign society. How can we integrate this insight into energy planning and decision-making? In just two weeks, CIET will be hosting the first webinar in our upcoming series, with Dr Clark Miller dialling in all the way from Arizona State University in the US! In this talk, Clark will reflect on a series of participant observations, experimental interventions, and imaginative exercises in the redesign of Arizona #EnergySystems that shed light on the critical importance of design choices in the global #decarbonisation of energy systems. Opening up design choices in energy futures to critical review and assessment, understanding their full social, environmental, and technological implications, and democratising decision-making about them is key to leveraging the opportunities of decarbonisation to not only clean our energy systems but also advance human progress. What kind of future are we making as we remake energy? 📍 Online via MS Teams 📅 Tuesday 5 March ⏰ 9:00 am - 10:00 am (AWST) 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g-4y3wQW Peta Ashworth OAM #EnergyFutures #EnergyDesign #Webinar

WAVE are delighted and very, very proud to share that our Technical Consultant, Christopher Parker has been shortlisted for the prestigious Kenneth Lightfoot Medal. This esteemed award is presented annually at the IOR Dinner to the individual or team who has presented the best paper to the IOR during the previous papers session of the year. The winner will be announced at the 124th IOR Annual Dinner which takes place on the 27th of February 2025. In his paper, The Challenges of Heat Pumps for Domestic Heating_Revised.pdf (ior.org.uk) Chris summarised the results of his in-depth investigation and modeling of the cost, energy supply, and carbon emission consequences of electrifying domestic heating using electric heat pumps to meet the UK’s 2050 net zero target. Key highlights from his research included: A critical component of the government’s strategy for transitioning to heat pumps would be the thermal insulation upgrade of legacy housing to meet current standards. The modeling predicted a total cost of £306 billion to switch domestic heating to electric heat pumps by 2050. Meaning this transition would require approximately a 2.4x increase in electricity generation capacity and significant deployment of carbon capture storage at power stations to avoid an increase in UK carbon emissions. The major challenge his research showed for the industry is the sheer number of domestic heat pump installations needed to meet the 2050 target. Forecasting a rapid ramp-up in annual installation numbers, reaching around 1 million by 2030 and approximately 2 million per year by the mid-2030s. We wish Chris the best of luck as the IOR members cast their votes! #WAVErefrigeration #AdvancedTheoreticaCalculator #Decarbonisation #Independentconsultant #Engineering #HVAC #design #solutions #feasibility #mechanical #netzero #Environmental #Sustainability #heatpump #NetZero2050 #heating #heatingandcooling #refrigeration #RACHP #HVACR #coolingandheating #mechanicalengineering #IOR #KennethLighfootMedal #awards #IOR124thAnnualDinner

The optimal combination of energy producers for district heating systems greatly depends on specific boundary conditions. In our recent study, we evaluated the impact of varying energy prices on these systems. We are excited to share our findings at BauSIM 2024 in Vienna! #energytransition #sustainableenergy #districtheating