Zero energy building research at The University of Manchester
This major project aims to achieve zero energy based on heat pumps while keeping comfort and indoor air quality.
(Media-Newswire.com) - This major project aims to achieve zero energy based on heat pumps while keeping comfort and indoor air quality.
The EU has imposed ambitious reduction targets for the year 2020: a 20% reduction in energy use compared to projected levels, a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 1990 levels, and the use of 20% renewable energy.
Partners in this exceptional cross-border project, coordinated by Environment Application Research at Daikin Europe, are major research institutions across Europe. The net zero project is scheduled for completion in July 2010 at Herten, Germany.
Presently the energy consumption of buildings accounts for 41% of total consumption, and of this, 80% of energy consumption is attributable to heating, cooling and hot water. It is clear that increasing building energy efficiency will play a major role in meeting these goals.
Heat pumps will reduce CO2 emissions against using fossil-based heating concepts. In this, collaboration is being sought with major research and educational institutions in Europe.
A combination of existing technologies will be used including heat pumps, energy recovery ventilation and energy production using solar cells. The two technologies go well together since the low net energy consumption of heat pumps makes it economically feasible to generate the needed electricity using solar cells.
The University of Manchester’s role will be to examine the potential of the net zero solution for application in new buildings and renovations, as well as its effectiveness in obtaining the EU 2020 targets.
It will also explore the applicability of the concept to similar climate zones in France and the UK.
Further explanation on the technical details of the project and the proposed collaboration is available in the attached technical digest. For information on the various Daikin technologies used in the project, see www.daikin.eu.
Notes for editors For media enquiries, contact:
Ansgar Thiemann Daikin Europe N.V. Environment Application Research +32 2 529 6162 Thiemann.a@bxl.daikineurope.com
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