Net Zero chief praise for 'cutting edge' R&D at LJMU
Research at LJMU is “really exciting” and “important” in improving the UK’s housing energy efficiency, according to the chair of the Parliamentary Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, Bill Esterson MP.
The Labour Sefton Central MP said the retrofit labs hosted by the university were “cutting edge” and that he would be reporting this evidence back to government, on a visit to LJMU on Thursday.
“My committee is looking at how we can have more energy-efficient homes to cut carbon and lower bills for as many people as possible.
“We’re about to publish our Warm Homes plan for which there’ll be public money available; so it is vital we know how to advise the public and industry on retrofit.”
Testbed for efficient technology
LJMU is leading a unique project to understand which type of homes require which type of upgrades and its head of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Professor Mike Riley, speaking to the MP, said it is vital we get that right.
“This is such a big challenge. 80% of the homes that will exist in 2050 already exist now, so whilst we’re driving towards net zero, we cannot possibly ignore the challenge of the inherent housing stock around us.
“The future and the government must now be guided by the science, not least because of the costs of that challenge.”
Teaming up with construction products giant Wienerberger, LJMU has created a testbed for new efficient technologies in three houses reflecting Britain’s housing-stock from the 1920s, 1970s and 2010s.
Living Home labs in demand
The houses, known as the ‘living labs’, have been fitted with a multitude of sensors which test the energy performance of the whole house as different ‘retrofit’ components are installed, such as heating, solar panels, insulation, tiles and a whole gamut of building materials.
Wienerberger and LJMU will be able to test any retrofit ‘component’ and have solid data as to how much it helps reduce energy consumption and improve home comfort, potentially creating new standards for the industry.
The Government must now be guided by the science, not least because of the cost of the challenge.
Professor Mike Riley, Director of Civil Engineering and Built Environment
The ‘labs’ are already attracting attention from an industry under pressure to retrofit homes and meet net zero targets.
Malcolm Davies, the Welsh Government’s leader on retrofit and home energy, said, after a recent visit to the facility: “This is really exciting and helps show us a way forward. I would like to see it expanded.
“Whatever we build going forward, it has to be long-lasting.”
Which retrofit for which home?
Researchers at LJMU have spent several months kitting out the ‘homes’ and will start tracking the data coming in at the start of June.
Dr Hu Du, Senior Lecturer in Building Services and Architectural Engineering who is leading LJMU’s research team said "This is a unique chance to install sensors in previously inaccessible locations like inside walls, under PV panels, under roof tiles, and underground. LJMU researchers are eagerly anticipating the data gathered from these newly positioned sensors to inform future retrofit designs and optimise building operations."
The team is also working with Livv Housing on optimum construction for new-build homes on Merseyside and with Cobalt Housing on how resident behaviour influences cost and carbon efficiency.
