By harnessing advanced analytics and machine learning, A.G. Coombs Group and Exergenics delivered major energy savings in the chiller systems at Sydney Airport, at minimum cost. Molly Tooher-Rudd finds out how
Category: Technical
Clearing the smoke: firesafe materials in shafts
Gypsum-based systems may be wrongly specified for smoke shafts in high-rise buildings, as they are not tested for critical pressure and leakage conditions. Alex Smith summarises guidance issued by the smoke control industry
Weathering the heat: CIBSE Weather Data
CIBSE’s latest Weather Data Set enables designers to much more accurately model potential overheating in their buildings, helping them to provide comfortable spaces with minimum mechanical cooling. Zoe De Grussa reports
Air levels: passing the embodied carbon test
A review of a hybrid and active ventilation system in a secondary school aims to highlight the embodied carbon impacts of choosing one ventilation strategy over another. Mat Naccarato, of Savills Earth, describes the method and key learnings
Heat in transition: decarbonisation of heating
Experts laid out the case for accelerating the move from gas boilers to heat pumps at the CIBSE Decarbonisation of Heating and Cooling conference last month. Molly Tooher-Rudd reports
Chiller moves: predicting energy use
Traditional metrics are not always enough to accurately predict chiller energy use, say Cundall’s Peter Owens and Jakub Borowiec, who outline a practical modelling alternative that accounts for part-load scenarios and outdoor conditions
Accelerating environmental analysis with Cyclops
Software developed by Foster + Partners won the Best Digital Innovation – Organisational Strategy award at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards
Double act: developing digital twins at the University of Liverpool
Too often discarded after planning approval, design models can power advanced digital twins that cut energy use, carbon emissions and costs. Alex Smith looks at a pioneering IES project that has created a powerful engine for operational efficiency
The hidden cost of poor pipework insulation
Pipework thermal insulation is often overlooked, but can have a devastating impact on system performance if not specified, installed or maintained correctly. Kaizen Energy Consultancy’s Lawrence Leask and TICA’s Chris Ridge say following insulation best practice is a low-hanging fruit when it comes to HVAC efficiency
A new chapter on solar heat at the British Library
The British Library’s ambitious decarbonisation strategy starts with energy reduction at its Grade I-listed archive in King’s Cross. Alex Smith looks at a solar heating and power project that generated more than 200MWh of renewable energy in 12 months