Improving the Energy Efficiency of Telephone Exchanges (Switching Centers)

2015 ◽  
pp. 223-249
Author(s):  
Keith Dickerson ◽  
David Faulkner ◽  
Paul Kingston
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Electrical Systems ◽  
Telephone Exchange ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Assessment Standards ◽  
The Uk

This chapter discusses the environmental assessment of telecommunications switching centers (telephone exchanges), based on the experience gained by Climate Associates Limited (CAL) and K8T on contracts in the UK and Ireland over the last few years. CAL has been asked to assess the energy efficiency of telephone exchanges and make recommendation on how their energy efficiency could be improved. Although we are not able to disclose details that may be commercially in confidence, this chapter draws out some general principles on the energy efficiency of telecommunications switching centers, taking into account the electricity demand of the equipment, the energy performance of the buildings housing it, the air conditioning needed to cool it, and the electrical systems used to power it, with a focus on how this could be improved. Reference is made to assessment standards such as ITU-T L.1310 Energy efficiency measurement and metrics for telecommunication network and ITU-T L.1300 Best Practices for Green Data Centers. Dr. Keith Dickerson and Dr. David Faulkner have both been active in the development of standards for environmental assessment in the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) over the past 10 years and hold leadership positions in these bodies. Dr. Paul Kingston has an excellent track record in the modeling and assessment of power consumption to optimize design of the built environment. Acknowledgement is given to BT for permission to publish the results of this study. The results are based primarily on the study of a single telephone exchange and may not be valid for all exchanges of this type in the UK.

scholarly journals Improving the Energy Efficiency of Telephone Exchanges (Switching Centers)

2016 ◽  
pp. 1517-1540
Author(s):  
Keith Dickerson ◽  
David Faulkner ◽  
Paul Kingston
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Electrical Systems ◽  
Telephone Exchange ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Assessment Standards ◽  
The Uk

This chapter discusses the environmental assessment of telecommunications switching centers (telephone exchanges), based on the experience gained by Climate Associates Limited (CAL) and K8T on contracts in the UK and Ireland over the last few years. CAL has been asked to assess the energy efficiency of telephone exchanges and make recommendation on how their energy efficiency could be improved. Although we are not able to disclose details that may be commercially in confidence, this chapter draws out some general principles on the energy efficiency of telecommunications switching centers, taking into account the electricity demand of the equipment, the energy performance of the buildings housing it, the air conditioning needed to cool it, and the electrical systems used to power it, with a focus on how this could be improved. Reference is made to assessment standards such as ITU-T L.1310 Energy efficiency measurement and metrics for telecommunication network and ITU-T L.1300 Best Practices for Green Data Centers. Dr. Keith Dickerson and Dr. David Faulkner have both been active in the development of standards for environmental assessment in the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) over the past 10 years and hold leadership positions in these bodies. Dr. Paul Kingston has an excellent track record in the modeling and assessment of power consumption to optimize design of the built environment. Acknowledgement is given to BT for permission to publish the results of this study. The results are based primarily on the study of a single telephone exchange and may not be valid for all exchanges of this type in the UK.

Net zero carbon: Energy performance targets for offices

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-369
Author(s):  
Robert Cohen ◽  
Karl Desai ◽  
Jennifer Elias ◽  
Richard Twinn
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Minimum Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Consultation Process ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Extensive Consultation ◽  
Operational Energy ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
Zero Carbon ◽  
The Uk

The UKGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework was published in April 2019 following an industry task group and extensive consultation process. The framework acts as guidance for achieving net zero carbon for operational energy and construction emissions, with a whole life carbon approach to be developed in the future. In consultation with industry, further detail and stricter requirements are being developed over time. In October 2019, proposals were set out for industry consultation on minimum energy efficiency targets for new and existing commercial office buildings seeking to achieve net zero carbon status for operational energy today, based on the performance levels that all buildings will be required to achieve by 2050. This was complemented by modelling work undertaken by the LETI network looking into net zero carbon requirements for new buildings. In January 2020 UKGBC published its guidance on the levels of energy performance that offices should target to achieve net zero and a trajectory for getting there by 2035. This paper describes the methodology behind and industry perspectives on UKGBC’s proposals which aim to predict the reduction in building energy intensity required if the UK’s economy is to be fully-powered by zero carbon energy in 2050. Practical application: Many developers and investors seeking to procure new commercial offices or undertake major refurbishments of existing offices are engaging with the ‘net zero carbon’ agenda, now intrinsic to the legislative framework for economic activity in the UK. A UKGBC initiative effectively filled a vacuum by defining a set of requirements including energy efficiency thresholds for commercial offices in the UK to be considered ‘net zero carbon’. This paper provides all stakeholders with a detailed justification for the level of these thresholds and what might be done to achieve them. A worked example details one possible solution for a new office.

scholarly journals Evaluating Social Housing Retrofit Options to Support Clients’ Decision Making—SIMPLER BIM Protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Tzortzopoulos ◽  
Ling Ma ◽  
João Soliman Junior ◽  
Lauri Koskela
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Information ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Support Decision Making

The UK government made significant commitments to upgrading the energy efficiency of seven million British homes by 2020, aiming at reducing carbon emissions and addressing fuel poverty. One alternative to achieve better energy performance in existing houses is retrofit. However, there are difficulties associated with retrofitting social housing. It is currently challenging to compare scenarios (retrofit options) considering costs, potential energy efficiency gains, and at the same time minimising disruption to users. This paper presents a Building Information Modelling (BIM) protocol aimed to support decision making by social housing owners. It adopts BIM to simulate alternative retrofit options, considering: (a) potential reductions in energy consumption, (b) 4D BIM for retrofit planning and reduction of users’ disruption and (c) simulation of costs. A what-if scenario matrix is proposed to support decision making in the selection of social housing retrofit solutions, according to client and users’ needs. A case study of the retrofit of a mid-terrace house is presented to demonstrate the workflow. The main output of the work is the BIM protocol, which can support client decision making in diverse social housing retrofit projects, considering all three elements (energy simulation, planning for reduced disruption and cost estimation) in an integrated fashion. Such an integrated approach enables clients to make better informed decisions considering diverse social housing retrofit options through a simple process using readily available BIM technology.

How the commitment to disclose in-use performance can transform energy outcomes for new buildings

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 711-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Cohen ◽  
Barry Austin ◽  
Paul Bannister ◽  
Bill Bordass ◽  
Roderic Bunn
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Technology Improvement ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Performance Target

The paper describes the transformation that has taken place over the last 15 years in the energy efficiency of new office buildings constructed in Australia and considers if and how the UK could follow suit. The success in Australia has been greatest for the ‘base building’: the energy performance of the HVAC services in tenanted spaces and of all end uses in the common parts. It embraces a ‘ design for performance’ culture, supported by the NABERS ‘Commitment Agreement’, where developers and their teams sign up to an in-use performance target. The process is underpinned by advanced simulation, strategic sub-metering and fine-tuning post occupation to help eliminate wasteful deviations. The paper considers the opportunity for the UK to introduce a Commitment Agreement process for new office buildings, integrated with the Soft Landings Framework. It is argued that from a technical perspective base building energy performance in new UK offices could be as good as it is in Australia. However, there are non-technical drivers missing in the UK. To compete with their Australian peers, the UK property and construction industries need a base building energy measurement and rating system, creating the ability to set a performance target and disclose the outcome. Practical application: Design for performance uses a much more realistic building simulation model at the design stage. Although this requires a lot more inputs (details of the building’s proposed chillers, AHUs, ducts and valves, etc. and their controls), it enables the designers to capitalise from computer-aided-design to improve energy efficiency. This process deploys the technology improvement template by which much of the modern world has progressed so fast, and enables innovation to flourish. The more advanced HVAC model can predict target energy budgets for each sub-system (boilers, chillers, fans, pumps, etc.) against which the actual energy used, as measured with sub-meters, can be compared to inform fine tuning during early operation. Although a model’s predictions can be considered the ideal energy performance of the as-built system, there’s an expectation that the base building’s real performance should turn out to be within around 10% of that anticipated from the modelling.

Minimum energy efficiency – is the energy performance certificate a suitable foundation?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Organ
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Minimum Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Rental Sector ◽  
Current Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Efficiency Standard ◽  
The Uk

PurposeClimate change is one of the most significant challenges of our time. The existing housing stock is a crucial component in achieving international and national climate change targets through energy efficiency improvements. The private rental sector incorporates some of the worst performing housing. To address this, the UK has implemented the minimum energy efficiency standard, based on the energy performance certificate rating. However, the energy performance certificate has a number of criticisms in the UK and across the EU. This viewpoints paper discusses the primary criticisms of the EPC and whether these undermine the minimum energy efficiency standard.Design/methodology/approachThis viewpoint paper draws on the recent work across academic, government and professional literature to develop a critique of the energy performance certificate and its underlying methodology as a basis on which to form the minimum energy efficiency standard.FindingsThe paper concludes that based on the current form of the energy performance certificate in the UK, the minimum energy efficiency standard is likely to unfairly advantage some landlords and penalise others. This has implications for landlords, tenants and the wider housing stock.Originality/valueThis paper presents a discussion of the new minimum energy efficiency standard based on the limitations of the energy performance certificate. It has implications for policymakers, researchers and practitioners in the private rental sector.

scholarly journals Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Typical Mediterranean House

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3311
Author(s):  
Víctor Pérez-Andreu ◽  
Carolina Aparicio-Fernández ◽  
José-Luis Vivancos ◽  
Javier Cárcel-Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Thermal Characterization ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Dwelling House ◽  
Account Standard

The number of buildings renovated following the introduction of European energy-efficiency policy represents a small number of buildings in Spain. So, the main Spanish building stock needs an urgent energy renovation. Using passive strategies is essential, and thermal characterization and predictive tests of the energy-efficiency improvements achieving acceptable levels of comfort for their users are urgently necessary. This study analyzes the energy performance and thermal comfort of the users in a typical Mediterranean dwelling house. A transient simulation has been used to acquire the scope of Spanish standards for its energy rehabilitation, taking into account standard comfort conditions. The work is based on thermal monitoring of the building and a numerical validated model developed in TRNSYS. Energy demands for different models have been calculated considering different passive constructive measures combined with real wind site conditions and the behavior of users related to natural ventilation. This methodology has given us the necessary information to decide the best solution in relation to energy demand and facility of implementation. The thermal comfort for different models is not directly related to energy demand and has allowed checking when and where the measures need to be done.

scholarly journals Minimal Monitoring of Improvements in Energy Performance after Envelope Renovation in Subsidized Single Family Housing in Madrid

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 235
Author(s):  
Fernando Martín-Consuegra ◽  
Fernando de Frutos ◽  
Ignacio Oteiza ◽  
Carmen Alonso ◽  
Borja Frutos
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Nineteen Fifties ◽  
Environment Quality ◽  
Urban Complex

This study quantified the improvement in energy efficiency following passive renovation of the thermal envelope in highly inefficient residential complexes on the outskirts of the city of Madrid. A case study was conducted of a single-family terrace housing, representative of the smallest size subsidized dwellings built in Spain for workers in the nineteen fifties and sixties. Two units of similar characteristics, one in its original state and the other renovated, were analyzed in detail against their urban setting with an experimental method proposed hereunder for simplified, minimal monitoring. The dwellings were compared on the grounds of indoor environment quality parameters recorded over a period covering both winter and summer months. That information was supplemented with an analysis of the energy consumption metered. The result was a low-cost, reasonably accurate measure of the improvements gained in the renovated unit. The monitoring output data were entered in a theoretical energy efficiency model for the entire neighborhood to obtain an estimate of the potential for energy savings if the entire urban complex were renovated.

scholarly journals Attitudes and Approaches of Finnish Retrofit Industry Stakeholders toward Achieving Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7359
Author(s):  
Sadaf Alam ◽  
Miimu Airaksinen ◽  
Risto Lahdelma
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Running Time ◽  
Performance Targets ◽  
Construction Design ◽  
Design Engineers ◽  
Energy Efficient Buildings ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Property Owners

Key stakeholders in industry are highly responsible for achieving energy performance targets. Particularly, this paper assesses the attitudes, approaches, and experiences of Finnish construction professionals regarding energy-efficient buildings, or nZEBs. A three-tier investigation was conducted including surveys and expert interviews with several stakeholders. The structure of this approach was informed by preliminary data and information available on the Finnish construction sector. The questionnaire showed that the stakeholders ranked energy efficiency and embodied energy/carbon as very important. The survey highlighted that the importance of the embodied carbon CO2 in the materials is less important than the energy efficiency from many of the stakeholders’ points of view. “Energy efficiency” is very important for ESCOs, contractors, and facility managers followed by architects, HVAC engineers, and construction design engineers. Nevertheless, the opinions of architects ranked “embodied energy CO2” as the most important regarding nZEB. When it comes to the importance of “running time emissions” toward nZEB, contractors and ESCO companies ranked it as 1 for importance followed by property owners (78%) and tenants (75%). It is very fascinating to see from the survey that “running time carbon emissions” has been ranked 1 (very important) by all stakeholders. This study will enable construction industry stakeholders to make provisions for overcoming the barriers, gaps, and challenges identified in the practices of the nZEB projects. It will also inform the formulation of policies that drive retrofit uptake.

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