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Issue 16 October 2024

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A Message from Professor William Swan, Director of Energy House Labs

Welcome to the October 2024 edition of the Energy House Labs Newsletter. In a change from our usual articles, we have made space for our industrial partners to discuss the work they have been doing with us. Over the last 18 months, we have been delivering the Innovate UK Innovation Accelerator, working with both large and small companies to drive innovation in the retrofit and new-build housing sectors. While much of this work is with major companies, it is important to remember the small companies and innovators in our supply chain. Working with small companies is where we started in 2010, and they continue to play an essential role in driving change in the sector, bringing new ideas and innovations to our homes. Our role is to help them understand how their products will work in a whole-house setting and provide essential data to help them develop their products and communicate the benefits to the market, backed by robust, independent evidence. Collaborating with these companies will remain central to our mission as a research and innovation group.

We would also like to welcome our new starters, reflecting the growth the team has experienced over the last five years. We have expanded from a team of six in 2015 to more than 25 members today, incorporating three new labs. We extend a warm welcome to all the new team members and look forward to seeing what they will accomplish.

Finally, I’d like to close by noting that significant findings will be released in the next month or two. We have a major study on heating systems under the Future Homes Project, led by Professor Richard Fitton. Additionally, the DEEP project, funded by DESNZ, is expected to release reports on the retrofit study conducted in Energy House 1, led by David Farmer. Please keep an eye on our LinkedIn @Energy House Labs for updates.

Partner Spotlight: Blind Screen’s Innovation Journey with Energy House Labs

Blind Screen

At Blind Screen™, we are extremely grateful to Salford University Energy House Labs for their outstanding work in testing our Blind Screen™ products. Their rigorous analysis confirmed a 49% reduction in heat loss through the window.

This testing has provided concrete evidence of our products’ superior energy efficiency. Energy House Labs has not only validated our blinds’ performance but has also given us valuable insights that have strengthened our market position. The test results have enabled us to enhance the fabric within Blind Screen products, achieving a new level of heat reduction at 58%. 

This advancement supports our sustainability goals, further enhancing our offerings with university-backed research. Their thorough and precise analysis allows us to confidently communicate Blind Screen’s™ value, showcasing benefits supported by trusted data and securing our market-leading position in thermal efficiency. We deeply appreciate the dedication of Energy House Labs. 

Their state-of-the-art facilities and expert team have significantly contributed to our mission to deliver sustainable, energy-saving solutions. Thank you, Energy House Labs, for being an invaluable partner in our journey.

Partner Spotlight: Anchor Magnets’ Collaborative Innovation with Energy House Labs

Anchor Magnets

Our collaboration with Salford Energy House has proven invaluable in supporting the development and validation of our warmroom® Magnetic Radiator Heat Saver. The controlled testing environment they provide will allow us to gather essential data regarding our product’s real-world performance. Their rigorous analysis, which includes comprehensive heat flux measurements and detailed gas usage data, will give us profound insights into the nuances of our product’s effectiveness.

Throughout the project, we have been highly impressed with the professionalism, state-of-the-art facilities, and technical expertise offered by Salford Energy House. Their ability to simulate real-world conditions and provide accurate, reliable data will be incredibly helpful in allowing us to make informed decisions about product development and performance validation. This level of support has been instrumental in reinforcing our confidence in the product.

This partnership not only deepens our understanding of products performance but also allows us to refine our product offerings to better meet market needs. We eagerly await the final report and look forward to continuing our collaboration with Salford Energy House on future projects. Their expertise, advanced resources, and unwavering support have significantly contributed to our product development journey, positioning us for success in the competitive energy-saving market.

The Science Museum Group’s Wonderlab+ Visits Energy House

We were pleased to host the Wonderlab+ team from the Science Museum Group at our Energy House 1 and Energy House 2.0 test facilities. This collaboration provided an excellent opportunity to engage with hosts Jeriah and Scarlett on important topics related to climate change.

In their latest episode, “How Can Our Homes Help Tackle Climate Change?”, we explored the impact of energy-efficient innovations that can be implemented in our homes. Earlier this year, our own Grant Henshaw shared valuable insights on climate science, and it was rewarding to see that knowledge highlighted on screen.

You can view the episode and discover practical solutions everyone can adopt: Watch Episode 3.

This episode is part of a six-part series created by young people for young people, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of addressing climate change. For more films and additional resources, including quizzes and animations, visit Wonderlabs+ Climate Change Content.

Ioannis Paraskevas Attends Annex 96 Preparatory Event in Copenhagen

Ioannis Paraskevas, University Fellow and Lead of the Smart Meters Smart Homes Lab at Energy House Labs, recently participated in a pivotal preparatory event hosted by the International Energy Agency under its Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme. The event, held on the 7th and 8th of October at the Technical University of Denmark in Copenhagen, focused on preparations for Annex 96, a collaborative initiative exploring the theme of “Grid Integrated Control of Buildings” with an emphasis on energy flexibility.

Annex 96 will be co-operated by leading figures in the energy research community: Dr. Stephen White, head of the Energy Efficiency Research group at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation,  Australia’s national research lab; and Dr. Rongling Li, an associate professor at DTU, recognized for her work on smart energy systems and smart cities projects.

The event was marked by engaging discussions on the direction of Annex 96, with key research questions and collaboration frameworks being central topics. Ioannis Paraskevas and the Smart Meters Smart Homes Lab team will play an important role in this initiative, particularly in the Case Studies and Dissemination tasks, as well as contributing to the Industry Roadmap. The industry advisors supporting this work include Mr. Joshua Cooper, CEO of Hildebrand Technology, and Mr. Robin Seaby, E2E Architect for Technology Innovation at the Smart Data Communications Company.

Looking ahead, the formal working and reporting phases for Annex 96 will run from January 2025 to January 2029. During this period, the Smart Meters Smart Homes Lab will leverage its expertise gained from UK energy flexibility projects to contribute to international efforts in this growing field.

This collaborative endeavor marks a significant step forward in the development of energy-efficient and flexible building systems worldwide.

‘Friends of Energy House 2.0’ Impact Fund – Open for Applications

External image of the University of Salford's Energy House 2.0 facility in the early evening light
©McCoy_Wynne

This year there is another chance to help the University on the journey to Net Zero through a major charitable initiative.

Since 2021 the Friends of Energy House 2.0 Impact Fund has been dedicated to fighting the climate crisis and driving the transition to a net zero world. And the fund is once again accepting applications from organisations who share the goal of fighting the climate crisis.

The philanthropic fund, now in its third year, is designed to support innovative educational outreach programmes and community initiatives that engage local communities in tackling climate change. This year, the fund is backed by a growing community of industry partners, including Barratt Developments PLC, Bellway, D+H UK, and Elmhurst Energy.

Organisations that are interested in joining this pioneering community were invited to contribute £10,000 to the fund, with proceeds going towards enhancing the social impact of Energy House 2.0’s work and supporting community-driven solutions to climate challenges. The deadline for applications is Friday 15th November 2024.

The fund is part of the broader mission of Friends of Energy House 2.0, a network of like-minded organisations committed to combating climate change and supporting the cutting-edge research conducted at Energy House 2.0. This £16 million, world-leading test and research facility at the University of Salford, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is focused on delivering solutions to help achieve net zero in Greater Manchester and beyond.

2024 Impact Fund Projects

This year, the Friends of Energy House 2.0 Impact Fund has already supported four inspiring projects:

Marple Education and Spotlight School of Speech and Drama’s ‘Our Future Homes in Words and Pictures’ – Engaging school children in exploring sustainability and climate change creatively, through poetry and animation.

Refugees & Mentors CIC’s ‘Pilot Sustainability and Climate Change Programme’ – Developing a pilot educational programme for refugee professionals, focusing on sustainable energy and climate change studies.

Better We’s ‘Achieving Net Zero by Empowering Ethnic Minority Women’ – Delivering training sessions on climate change, sustainability, and leadership to empower ethnic minority women in Greater Manchester to take active roles in sustainable practices.

University of Salford’s XR Workshops ‘Our Decisions and their Consequences on Climate Change’ – Running workshops with K12 students to introduce them to XR technology and help them explore climate change issues and solutions through immersive experiences.

Apply Now

The 2024 Friends of Energy House 2.0 Impact Fund is now open for applications. Initiatives focusing on climate education, sustainability, and community engagement are invited to apply by Friday, 15th November 2024. For more information, and to submit an application, visit  https://www.salford.ac.uk/giving/friends-of-energy-house-20-impact-fund or contact our Philanthropy Manager h.c.whitehurst@salford.ac.uk .

Together, we can drive real change and build a sustainable future.

New Starters

Lubo Jankovic

Lubo joined the team in September 2024 as Professor of Energy & Buildings. Between 2018 and 2024, he was Professor of Advanced Building Design at the University of Hertfordshire, where he led a Zero Carbon Lab and was Director of a university-wide transdisciplinary Centre for Future Societies Research. Previously, he was Professor of Zero Carbon Design at Birmingham City University, where he founded a Master’s programme on Zero Carbon Architecture and Retrofit Design. He has worked on zero carbon design, deep energy retrofit, dynamic simulation, instrumental monitoring, measurement of building physics properties, emergent modelling of computational fluid dynamics, and predictive control of buildings. His book on Designing Zero Carbon Buildings has been published in third edition in 2024. He holds an MSc from the University of Belgrade and a PhD from the University of Birmingham, both in Mechanical Engineering, and is a Chartered Engineer, a Member of CIBSE, a Member of ASHRAE, a Fellow of the Institution of Analysts and Programmers and a Fellow of the International Building Performance Simulation Association. In 2024 he was selected as an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer on a two-year term. Lubo is also an on-going student of applied fluid dynamics, pursued through his role as a certified water ski instructor and a passionate water skier.

Konstantinos Christopoulos

Konstantinos Christopoulos has just joined the Smart Meter Lab, part of the Energy House Labs, as a Research Assistant. Prior to joining the team, he graduated from the University of Salford with both a BEng in Electronics Engineering and an MSc in Robotics & Automation. During his undergraduate studies, he had the opportunity to work as an Electronic Engineer in a company focused on smart buildings and automation, promoting energy efficiency alongside innovation and sustainability. Konstantinos looks forward to further developing his academic and technical skills while learning more about technologies used in real-life applications.