This study aims to investigate the impact of using simplified efficiency indicators for heating and cooling systems on the prediction of the performance of these systems.
Department: Construction Management & Engineering
Supervised by: Mehdi Shahrestani
Decarbonisation of heating and cooling in buildings can be achieved through switching fuels and transferring the demand from Natural Gas to low carbon electricity. One of the big challenges in this transformation is the uncertainties associated with the actual performance of the new technologies. Manufacturers are developing technologies to address the need for decarbonisation of heating and cooling and provide specifications of their products to be used at the design stage. However, in most cases due to the complexity of transferring the comprehensive specifications into design tools, some assumptions are made at the design stage to speed up the process of design, which in turn contributes to either oversizing or undersizing the components of heating and cooling systems that play key roles in widening the performance gap between the design and actual operation of the systems. This study aims to investigate the impact of using simplified efficiency indicators for heating and cooling systems on the prediction of the performance of these systems. To achieve this aim, a series of performance maps for heating and cooling systems would be developed using the publicly available detailed specifications provided by manufacturers. These performance maps then will be used to evaluate the sensitivity of the estimated performance for heating and cooling systems to the level of accuracy in performance indicators used at the design stage under different demand profiles.
A critical review of the literature to investigate the extent to which the impact of simplified performance indicators for heating and cooling systems on the estimated energy consumption of these systems (first 2 weeks). In the next step, the performance map of the main components of heating and cooling systems would be developed based on publicly available data. These maps then will be formatted into the performance data file that can be read by computational simulation tools. The performance data files will be used to estimate the performance of main heating and cooling systems and evaluate the sensitivity of estimated performance to the accuracy of the performance indicators (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 are expected to have a background in environmental science, mathematics, physics, meteorology, and 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.
hool 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.
Saturday 01 June 2024 - Saturday 13 July 2024
The deadline to apply for this project is 5pm on Friday 5th April 2024. To make an application, please go to the following link and complete the application form: https://forms.office.com/e/pMgea0dAHv. To find this project in the application form, please filter ‘school of project applying to’ and select School of the Built Environment