Operations & Assets
UTILITY WEEK | 6TH - 12TH JULY 2018 |
19
Ian Campbell, executive chair of
Innovate UK, said: "It's difficult to
overstate the potential of develop-
ing a building that powers itself. The
concept could genuinely revolutionise
not only the construction sector but
completely change how we create
and use energy, so the opening of the
Active Office in Swansea is an exciting
step forward.
"The Specific collaboration's
research, partly funded by the
European Regional Development
Fund through the Welsh Government,
focuses on producing buildings as
power stations."
If you have an asset or project you
would like to see featured in this slot,
please send pictures and details of the
project to: alicecooke@fav-house.com.
FACTFILE:
ENERGY-POSITIVE
BUILDINGS AND THE
ACTIVE OFFICE
40%
The proportion of UK energy consumption that
takes place in buildings.
£800,000
Government support for the Active Office project,
awarded last year through the Innovate UK scheme.
Energy-positive buildings
According to a 2017 analysis, energy-
positive buildings have the potential to
benefit the UK significantly.
l Lower energy costs for the consumer.
l Less need for peak central power generating capacity
and associated reduction in stress on National Grid,
leading to improved energy security.
l Reduced carbon emissions.
The Active Office
The array of technologies pressed into
service at the Active Office include high
performance glass in the windows,
a living wall and efficient showers.
Others include:
l A curved roof with built-in solar cells, which demon-
strates the flexible nature of laminated photovoltaic
panels.
l A photovoltaic thermal system on the south-facing
wall capable of generating heat and electricity from
the sun.
l Lithium-ion batteries to store the electricity generated.
l A 2,000-litre water tank that stores solar heat.
l The Active Office and the Acive Classroom can be
linked together and share energy with each other
and with electric vehicles, demonstrating how the
concept could be applied in an energy-resilient solar-
powered community.
