This study aims to investigate the impact of decarbonisation of heating systems on urban microclimate and consequently the energy and environmental performance of building for the challenging transitional period up to 2050.
Department: Administration (School of the Built Environment)
Supervised by: Mehdi Shahrestani and Dr Maria Vahdati
Decarbonisation of heating in buildings can be achieved through switching fuels and transferring the demand from Natural Gas to low carbon electricity. It is generally agreed that heat pump and thermal storage technologies can make a large contribution to this decarbonisation process, and this has been endorsed in recent energy policy by the UK government by providing incentives for switching from gas boilers to heat pump technology. However, this approach on switching fuels will put additional pressure on the electricity network which has not been decarbonised and can potentially be a counterproductive approach in reaching net-zero carbon emissions in 2050. In addition, although this fundamental change will be able to significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with using fossil fuels for heating locally, it will increase the anthropogenic heat exchange between building and microclimate that can potentially increase the demand for heating and consequently the energy consumption associated with heating systems. This study aims to investigate the impact of decarbonisation of heating systems on urban microclimate and consequently the energy and environmental performance of building for the challenging transitional period up to 2050. To achieve this aim, the changes in the patterns and profiles of anthropogenic heat exchange between building and microclimate caused by switching fuels and replacement of heating systems from the gas boiler to heat pump technology will be evaluated for a prototypical case study. In parallel, this study is to evaluate the influence of these changes in the microclimate on the heading demand and consequently the energy and environmental performance of the heat pump as a technology for decarbonisation of heating.
A critical review of the literature to investigate the extent to which the impact of switching fuels and replacement of gas boiler with heat pump technology on urban microclimate and energy and environmental performance of buildings are studied (first 2 weeks). In the next step, it is planned to study the impact of this decarbonisation technology for heating on microclimate and building heating demand in a case study model (second 2 weeks). Finally, in the last 2 weeks of this project, the outcomes of this study will be reflected in a project report and a poster.
The applicants expected to have a background in either environmental science, mathematics, physics, meteorology, engineering. Having experience in using any programming language or scripting language, for example, Python, R, or MATLAB is essential. In addition, being familiar with simulation programmes; for example, EnergyPlus, TRNSYS, IES is desirable.
The successful candidate will develop skills required for research including a critical review of the literature, sourcing and evaluating data, and presenting and writing up the results as well as fundamental skills needed to develop a building simulation. Supervisors will work closely with the successful candidate at all stages to help them develop new skills and expertise in each area. If the study results in publishable findings, the student will be provided with the opportunity to contribute to the writing up of the paper as an author. Also, the successful candidate will develop general transferable skills including, project management, team-working, data analysis as well as presentation skills.
School of the Built Environment, University of Reading. Hours of work: 9:00-17:00, flexible and it can be a combination of both work on-campus and in distance.
9:00-17:00,
Wednesday 01 June 2022 - Wednesday 13 July 2022
The post will be advertised centrally on the UROP website between 21st February and 4th April 2022. Applicants should send their CV and a covering letter outlining their motivation for the placement and the relevant skills and experience they will bring to the project to Dr Mehdi Shahrestani (m.shahrestani@reading.ac.uk). Short-listed applicants will be interviewed.