Objective
Objectives
The main objective of this seven nation European project is to reduce primary energy consumption in buildings. This will be achieved by overcoming barriers to the uptake of natural ventilation and by encouraging the use of natural ventilation and "smart" controls as the main design option in new-build and major refurbishments of office-type buildings. It is intended for countries with low winter and moderate summer temperatures and where summer overheating from solar and internal gain can be significantly reduced by good natural ventilation. It also addresses the need to find good natural ventilation solutions to buildings in those urban areas where external air pollution and noise levels are regarded as being high.
Technical approach
The objectives are being addressed through three work packages. The first is identifying perceived barriers through an in-depth study with structured interviews based on questionnaires among leading designers, architects, building owners and occupants in seven EU countries. A European wide questionnaire has already been produced and preliminary interviews are being carried out.
The second is monitoring environmental and performance parameters of selected low energy office buildings in the EU countries to provide case studies. It is intended that shortcomings and advantages as well as the boundary conditions required for achieving successful natural ventilation will be identified.
The third is developing "smart" naturally ventilated technology systems and component solutions to overcome the barriers identified. Laboratory tests, field measurements and simulations will be carried out to address: - air supply in areas with external pollution and noise;
- constant air-flow inlets for winter ventilation in moderate climates; - NV systems with heat recovery for cold climates;
- components and intelligent controls for optimal night cooling; - integration of "smart" systems into buildings.
Expected Achievements and Exploitation
Results will be disseminated to a wide spectrum of the construction industry through OPETs and other organisations, and to standards organisations such as CEN. Conferences and workshops will also be targetted for dissemination of results. A NATVENT International Conference will be held at the end of the project to promote the results of the findings and encourage uptake of the natural ventilation solutions. Specific major achievements will be a Guide book and a promotional non-technical video for energy efficient natural ventilation and a computer simulation model for evaluating natural ventilation in office buildings. Other achievements will include technical and case study reports, guide books, and papers at national and international fora.
Funding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
WD2 7JR Watford
United Kingdom
Participants (8)
1000 Bruxelles
211 20 Malmö
2600 Aa Delft
0314 Oslo
2970 Hørsholm
8401 Winterthur
2628 CD Delft
M33 3SS Sale