UK mega-lab generates weather to test homes of future

The thermometer sinks below zero as a blizzard of fine snow descends on two houses freshly built inside a massive laboratory in northern England. Despite the icy conditions, the two energy-efficient homes remain cosy and warm due to their use of cutting-edge heating and insulation technology. Welcome to Energy House 2.0 -- a science experiment designed to help the world's housebuilders slash carbon emissions, save energy and tackle climate change. The project, based in a laboratory resembling a giant warehouse on Salford University campus near the centre of Manchester, opened last month. Rain, wind, sunshine and snow can be recreated in temperatures ranging from 40 degrees Celsius to -20C, operated from a control centre. - Replicating weather - "What we've tried to achieve here is to be able to replicate the weather conditions that would be experienced around 95 percent of the populated Earth," Professor Will Swan, head of energy house laboratories at the university, told AFP. The facility, comprising two chambers that can experience different weather at the same time, will test types of housing from all over the world "to understand how we deliver their net-zero and energy-efficient homes", he added. The two houses, which are quintessentially British and constructed by firms with UK operations, will remain in place for a few years. Other builders will then be able to rent space in the lab to put their own properties under the spotlight. The project's first house was built by UK property firm Barratt Developments and French materials giant Saint-Gobain. It is clad with decorative bricks over a frame of wood panels and insulation, with solar panels on the roof. Scientists are examining the efficiency of several different types of heating systems, including air-source heat pumps. In the living room, a hot-water circuit is located along the bottom of the walls, while further heat is provided via infra-red technology in the moulding and from a wall panel. Mirrors also act as infra-red radiators while numerous sensors monitor which rooms are in use. Residents will be able to manage the technology via one single control system similar to Amazon's voice-activated Alexa interface. Builders estimate the cutting-edge tech will mean that the energy bill will be just one quarter of what the average UK home currently pays, a boon to customers reeling from sky-high energy prices. It will also make an important contribution to Britain's efforts to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050 to combat climate change. A parliamentary report found that, in 2019, 17 percent of heating emissions from buildings came from homes -- making their contribution similar to all the petrol and diesel cars driving on Britain's roads. Environmental campaigners have long called on the UK government to increase energy efficiency and insulation support for existing. - 'Alexa of home energy' - "One of the key technologies that we're trying on this house is almost like a building management system for residential buildings," said Tom Cox, UK technical director at Saint-Gobain. "It's almost like the Alexa of the home energy system -- and that can be automated as much as the occupant wants." And now with their mega-laboratory, scientists and companies no longer have to wait for extreme swings in the weather. "We can test a year's worth of weather conditions in a week," added Cox. The "ultimate goal is to create that environment which is comfortable and cost effective and commercially viable to deliver", added Cox. "At the same time (we are) addressing the sustainability issues that we have in construction."

UK mega-lab generates weather to test homes of future

DISCOVER MORE

Nordic countries plan joint air defence to counter Russian threat

First major fire of year destroys 3,000 hectares in Spain

Disappointment for King Charles as first overseas visit as monarch is postponed

Deutsche Bank tumbles as jittery investors seek safer shores

Russia presses along Ukraine front after reports of Bakhmut slowdown

France's Macron says he will not yield to violence after demonstrations against pensions reform

Euro zone banks resilient, ECB can provide liquidity if needed -Lagarde

Portugal 2022 budget deficit narrows sharply to 0.4% of GDP

UAE exchange firm Al Ansari upsizes IPO on strong investor demand

Dubai's Emirates expands training fleet with $4.3mln aircraft order

2 African development banks invest $16bln in oil, gas projects

GCC central banks track US Fed move; hike key rates by 25bps

UAE's Presight AI to debut on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange next week

Shell rules out more ambitious goal for end-user emissions

UK must align sustainable rules with EU where possible or risk losing capital, say advisers

DP World announces greenest-ever year at Southampton

KOC to sign deal with British firm over consulting services

Sharjah tourism forum backs sustainability, innovation

LATEST VIDEO

VIDEO: LSE-listing will facilitate more funding opportunities for us, Dar Global CEO

ZAWYA COVERAGE

Will gold face more downside or upside after Fed's rate hike?

Kenya signs $250mln deal with UK to boost food production

PODCAST: IFC is ready to back governments privatisation plans with capital

UAE's Presight AI to debut on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange next week

New Zealand raises concerns with China on South China Sea, Taiwan

Taiwan president reviews troops ahead of sensitive U.S. visit

Nordic countries plan joint air defence to counter Russian threat

First major fire of year destroys 3,000 hectares in Spain

U.S. rejects JetBlue, Spirit exemption request, citing lawsuit

THE BRI REPORT

China is reshaping the Belt and Road Initiative ahead of a post-pandemic era

DISCOVER MORE

LATEST VIDEO

ZAWYA NEWSLETTERS

ZAWYA COVERAGE