Search the EPA Research Database
Project Search Result
Project Code [RDD-00537]
This information is correct as of today and is updated from time to time by the EPA to reflect changes in the management of the project. Please check back regularly for updates.
Project title
ALIVE - Assessing Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Efficiency In a range of Naturally-Ventilated Buildings: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Primary Funding Agency
Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
n/a
Lead Organisation
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)
Project Abstract
The ALIVE project will assess the capability of natural ventilation to reduce energy consumption and avoid overheating while simultaneously maintaining indoor environmental quality (IEQ) within Irish buildings. Remotely-operated sensors will continuously collect IEQ data in naturally-ventilated buildings, collecting an estimated 100 million data points, which will be stored in an open-repository and accessible to all relevant stakeholders. Gathering complementary thermal comfort, building characteristics, utility bills, occupancy/activity schedules is also a critical component of the integrated approach as the intent is to deploy novel applications of data analytics and machine-learning tools to identify temporal data trends that account for the above features. A complementary indoor air quality assessment will be carried out for key pollutants of concern. The combined database will be analysed in terms of WHO and CISBE guidelines to identify occupants' air pollution exposure and thermal comfort. The proposed approach will deploy and validate Building Energy Performance Simulation models that integrate IEQ and energy components for domestic and non-domestic locations to evaluate the approach in real-world conditions. These integrated models will be used to determine the impact of natural ventilation on IEQ and overheating for each archetype and evaluate potential impacts to BER and NEAP ratings. The project will also assess the impact of specific recommendations on the national building stock. Integrated simulations will also examine additional meteorological conditions, current/future climate conditions, occupancy scenarios and emission profiles. Overall, this project will conduct a comprehensive and scientifically robust assessment of the effectiveness of natural ventilation in Irish dwellings.
Grant Approved
�329,150.00
Research Theme
Air Science
Initial Projected Completion Date
01/03/2024