Cooper, Paul

Overview

Paul Cooper is a Senior Professor at the University of Wollongong (UOW) Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC). Paul served as the founding Director of the SBRC from 2010 until February 2020.

Paul has been involved in research on a wide variety of topics in sustainable buildings, energy systems, energy efficiency and fluid mechanics over the past thirty five years. He holds a bachelor in Electrical Engineering, a masters in Science and Technology Studies and a PhD in Heat Transfer, all from Imperial College London. He joined UOW as a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UOW in 1988.

In 2019 Paul was awarded the James Harrison Medal of the Australian Institute for Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) – the highest honour bestowed by AIRAH on an individual (only 5 such awards were made in the previous 10 years). This award was made in recognition of a lifetime contribution to the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) industries.

Paul was the Head of the School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Wollongong prior to taking up his present appointment as the Founding Director of the UOW Sustainable Buildings Research Centre.

Paul was also the Faculty Advisor and the lead academic on the Team UOW Solar Decathlon China 2013 campaign. This project culminated in Team UOW winning the competition with the highest number of points scored by any team in the history of all the Solar Decathlon competitions around the world.

He also was one of the senior staff on the successful Team UOW Desert Rose Solar Decathlon House campaign. This two-year project culminated in the team winning second place in the Solar Decathlon Middle East Competition, held in the desert an hour's drive from Dubai in November 2018.

Top Publications

Year	Title
2012	Existing building retrofits: Methodology and state-of-the-art Published in Energy and Buildings
2010	The ventilated filling box containing a vertically distributed source of buoyancy Published in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
2017	Indoor Air Temperature and Agitation of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Published in American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
2017	Thermal Environment and Thermal Sensations of Occupants of Nursing Homes: A Field Study Published in Procedia Engineering
2014	Implications of global warming for commercial building retrofitting in Australian cities Published in Building and Environment
2016	Tyrannies of thrift: Governmentality and older, low-income people's energy efficiency narratives in the Illawarra, Australia Published in Energy Policy
2015	Development and optimization of an innovative HVAC system with integrated PVT and PCM thermal storage for a net-zero energy retrofitted house Published in Energy and Buildings
2018	Look before you LIEEP: Practicalities of using ecological systems social marketing to improve thermal comfort Published in Journal of Social Marketing
2017	Relationship Between Indoor Air Temperatures And Energy Bills For Low Income Homes In Australia Published in Energy Procedia
2018	Thermal perceptions, preferences and adaptive behaviours of occupants of nursing homes Published in Building and Environment
2016	Thermal performance investigation and optimization of buildings with integrated phase change materials and solar photovoltaic thermal collectors Published in Energy and Buildings
2014	Nonlinear 2D analysis of the efficiency of fixed Oscillating Water Column wave energy converters Published in Renewable Energy
2014	Implementing departmental peer observation of teaching in universities

Research Overview

1) Energy in Buildings
- Net zero energy buildings.
- Natural ventilation.
- Air infiltration and energy consumption mitigation in older buildings.
- Occupants and human factors involved in energy use in buildings.
- Building Management Systems.
- Energy Epidemiology acquisition and analysis of energy data.

2) Retrofitting of Buildings for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
- Optimal retrofit strategies for lower grade commercial buildings.
- Retrofitting of residential buildings and aged care facilities.
- Bushfire resilience of buildings.
- Climate and storm resilience of buildings.

3) Thermal comfort, indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency in aged care and dementia facilities.

4) Renewable Energy Technologies.
- Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) systems for buildings.
- Smart grids/smart homes ¿ optimization of renewable energy and storage systems. for residential and other buildings.
- Phase Change Material thermal storage systems.

5) Ventilation, energy and pollution control in buildings.
- Fundamentals of ventilation processes researched through analytical, numerical and experimental techniques.
- Experimental work includes scale modelling using saline solution techniques, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV), etc.
- Field studies of ventilation in buildings.

Available for Collaborative Projects

Member Of

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Year	Title
2020	Above-roof air temperature effects on HVAC and cool roof performance: Experiments and development of a predictive model Published In Energy and Buildings
2020	Experimental investigation and performance evaluation of a mixed-flow air to air membrane enthalpy exchanger with different configurations Published In Applied Thermal Engineering
2020	On the impact of internal gains and comfort band on the effectiveness of building thermal zoning Published In Energy and Buildings
2020	Towards an environmentally sustainable rental housing sector Published In Housing Studies
2019	Benchmarking thermal performance of buildings and identifying preferred thermal conditions with highly deployable IoT devices Published In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
2019	Development and evaluation of a comfort-oriented control strategy for thermal management of mixed-mode ventilated buildings Published In Energy and Buildings
2019	Development of an enthalpy-based index to assess climatic potential for ventilative cooling of buildings: An Australian example Published In Applied Energy
2019	Experimental characterization of wildfire sprinkler sprays using high-speed videography Published In Atomization and Sprays
2019	Moisture diffusion measurement and evaluation for porous membranes used in enthalpy exchangers Published In Energy Procedia
2019	Thermal comfort in a mixed-mode building: Are occupants more adaptive? Published In Energy and Buildings
2019	Ventilation mode effect on thermal comfort in a mixed mode building Published In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
2019	Ventilative cooling potential of buildings in Australia Published In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
2018	Empirically testing the concept of value-in-behavior and its relevance for social marketing Published In Journal of Business Research
2018	Formulation of a model predictive control algorithm to enhance the performance of a latent heat solar thermal system Published In Energy Conversion and Management
2018	Getting the temperature just right helps people with dementia stay cool Published In The Conversation
2018	Look before you LIEEP: Practicalities of using ecological systems social marketing to improve thermal comfort Published In Journal of Social Marketing
2018	Qualitative Analysis of the Use of Building Performance Simulation for Retrofitting Lower Quality Office Buildings in Australia Published In Energy and Buildings
2018	Source and boundary condition effects on unconfined and confined vertically distributed turbulent plumes Published In Journal of Fluid Mechanics
2018	Storying energy consumption: Collective video storytelling in energy efficiency social marketing Published In Journal of Environmental Management
2018	Thermal perceptions, preferences and adaptive behaviours of occupants of nursing homes Published In Building and Environment
2017	A social marketer, a geographer, and an engineer walk into a bar: Reflections on energy + Illawarra and undertaking interdisciplinary projects Published In Journal of Social Marketing
2017	Assessing the performance of solar thermal driven membrane distillation for seawater desalination by computer simulation Published In Journal of Membrane Science
2017	Development of a dynamic model for a hybrid photovoltaic thermal collector – Solar air heater with fins Published In Renewable Energy
2017	Editorial to the Proceedings of the Improving Residential Energy Efficiency International Conference, IREE 2017 Published In Energy Procedia
2017	Factors governing mass transfer during membrane electrodialysis regeneration of LiCl solution for liquid desiccant dehumidification systems Published In Sustainable Cities and Society
2017	Hybrid model predictive control of a residential HVAC system with on-site thermal energy generation and storage Published In Applied Energy
2017	Impact of a Pilot Draught Sealing Program on Public Housing Air Permeability Published In Energy Procedia
2017	Indoor Air Temperature and Agitation of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Published In American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
2017	Numerical analysis of indoor thermal comfort in a cross-ventilated space with top-hung windows Published In Energy Procedia
2017	Relationship Between Indoor Air Temperatures And Energy Bills For Low Income Homes In Australia Published In Energy Procedia
2017	Retrofitting for wildfire resilience: what is the cost? Published In International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
2017	Thermal Environment and Thermal Sensations of Occupants of Nursing Homes: A Field Study Published In Procedia Engineering
2017	Thermal comfort evaluation of a mixed-mode ventilated office building with advanced natural ventilation and underfloor air distribution systems Published In Energy Procedia
2016	Evaluating energy consumption of air gap membrane distillation for seawater desalination at pilot scale level Published In Separation and Purification Technology
2016	Membrane scaling and prevention techniques during seawater desalination by air gap membrane distillation Published In Desalination
2016	Social marketing and value in behaviour?: Perceived value of using energy efficiently among low income older citizens Published In Journal of Social Marketing
2016	Theoretical consideration of superconducting coils for compact superconducting magnetic energy storage systems Published In IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity
2016	Thermal performance investigation and optimization of buildings with integrated phase change materials and solar photovoltaic thermal collectors Published In Energy and Buildings
2016	Tyrannies of thrift: Governmentality and older, low-income people's energy efficiency narratives in the Illawarra, Australia Published In Energy Policy
2016	Using electrodialysis for regeneration of aqueous lithium chloride solution in liquid desiccant air conditioning systems Published In Energy and Buildings
2015	Development and optimization of an innovative HVAC system with integrated PVT and PCM thermal storage for a net-zero energy retrofitted house Published In Energy and Buildings
2015	Hybrid model predictive control of a residential HVAC system with PVT energy generation and PCM thermal storage Published In Energy Procedia
2015	Optimising thermal efficiency of direct contact membrane distillation by brine recycling for small-scale seawater desalination Published In Desalination
2015	Osmotic dilution for sustainable greenwall irrigation by liquid fertilizer: Performance and implications Published In Journal of Membrane Science
2014	A dynamic model for air-based photovoltaic thermal systems working under real operating conditions Published In Applied Energy
2014	Development and evaluation of a ceiling ventilation system enhanced by solar photovoltaic thermal collectors and phase change materials Published In Energy Conversion and Management
2014	Feasibility study of the manufacturing process of soil-cement blocks for the construction of masonry aiming to eliminate the settling mortar application Published In Key Engineering Materials
2014	Green building scheme review adds yet more policy uncertainty Published In The Conversation
2014	Hydrodynamic and energetic properties of a finite array of fixed oscillating water column wave energy converters Published In Ocean Engineering
2014	Implications of global warming for commercial building retrofitting in Australian cities Published In Building and Environment
2014	Innovative interlocked soil-cement block for the construction of masonry to eliminate the settling mortar Published In Construction and Building Materials
2014	Nonlinear 2D analysis of the efficiency of fixed Oscillating Water Column wave energy converters Published In Renewable Energy
2014	Optimal design of vertical ground heat exchangers by using entropy generation minimization method and genetic algorithms Published In Energy Conversion and Management
2014	Smart home electricity management in the context of local power resources and smart grid Published In Journal of Clean Energy Technologies
2014	Understanding the risks and uncertainties introduced by common assumptions in energy simulations for Australian commercial buildings Published In Energy and Buildings
2013	Analysis of interference factors of air turbine cascades Published In Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics
2013	Peer observation of teaching in university departments: A framework for implementation Published In International Journal for Academic Development
2012	A finite-element study of the efficiency of arrays of oscillating water column wave energy converters Published In Ocean Engineering
2012	Existing building retrofits: Methodology and state-of-the-art Published In Energy and Buildings
2011	Roof mounting site analysis for micro-wind turbines Published In Renewable Energy
2010	Design and optimization of a novel on-torch fume extraction device using CFD and fluid simulation Published In Welding in the World
2010	Mechanical Model of a Floating Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Conversion Device Published In 2009 Annual Bulletin of the Australian Institute of High Energetic Materials
2010	The ventilated filling box containing a vertically distributed source of buoyancy Published In Journal of Fluid Mechanics
2007	Computational fluid dynamics analysis of on-torch welding fume extraction Published In Australasian Welding Journal - Welding Research Supplement
2007	Experimental Investigation of Air Entrainment in Free-Falling Particle Plumes Published In Particulate Science and Technology: an international journal
2007	Impinging axisymmetric turbulent fountains Published In Physics of Fluids
2007	Modelling and Simulation of Gas Flows in Arc Welding - Implications for Shielding Efficiency and Fume Extraction Published In Revista Soldagem and Inspecao

Chapter

Year	Title
2014	Implementing departmental peer observation of teaching in universities Published In Peer Review of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Publisher Netherlands
2010	Development and analysis of vertical-axis wind turbines Published In Wind Power Generation and Wind Turbine Design

Conference Paper

Year	Title
2019	Near-Roof Air Temperatures: Modelling the Implications for HVAC Performance and Cool Roofs Published In 16th IBPSA International Conference and Exhibition
2019	Numerical investigation of a mixed-flow air-to-air membrane enthalpy exchanger Published In Proceedings of the 11th Australasian Heat and Mass Transfer Conference
2018	Characterisation of the air temperature field above large-footprint buildings – full-scale experiments and large eddy CFD simulations Published In Proceedings of the 11th Australasian Heat and Mass Transfer Conference
2018	Thermal Comfort for Occupants of Nursing Homes: A Field Study Published In Rethinking Comfort: The Tenth Windsor Conference
2016	A bottom-up data collection methodology for characterising the residential building stock in Australia Published In CESB 2016 - Central Europe Towards Sustainable Building 2016: Innovations for Sustainable Future
2016	Building Characterisation and Retrofit Decision Support-Tools for Upgrading Homes of Low-Income Older Australians Published In CLIMA 2016 - proceedings of the 12th REHVA World Congress
2016	Characterisation of water sprays using high-speed videography Published In Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference
2016	Development and performance evaluation of a liquid desiccant air conditioning system with hybrid electrodialysis and thermal regeneration Published In CLIMA 2016: Proceedings of the 12th REHVA World Congress
2016	Evaluation methodology and implementation for natural ventilation control strategies Published In CLIMA 2016 - proceedings of the 12th REHVA World Congress
2016	Field study of air conditioning and thermal comfort in residential buildings Published In Network for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings Windsor Conference
2016	Team UOW solar decathlon house: refurbishment demonstration Published In 11th Conference on Advanced Building Skins
2016	The iceberg of sustainability Published In 30th ANZAM Conference
2016	Thermal performance evaluation and optimal design of buildings with integrated air-based photovoltaic thermal collectors and phase change materials using the Hooke-Jeeves pattern search method Published In CLIMA 2016: Proceedings of the 12th REHVA World Congress
2015	Evaluating the environmental performance of indoor plants in buildings Published In Proceedings of BS2015: 14th International Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association
2015	Experimental investigation of an innovative HVAC system with integrated PVT and PCM thermal storage for a net-zero energy retrofitted house Published In ASHRAE Winter Conference 2015
2015	Perceived value of using energy efficiently among low-income older residents Published In World Social Marketing Conference
2015	Qualitative analysis of the use of building performance simulation in the Australian retrofitting industry Published In Proceedings of BS2015: 14th International Conference of International Building Performance Association
2015	Using value theory for segmentation in social marketing Published In World Social Marketing Conference
2014	Demonstrating sustainability retrofits through the design, construction and operation of the Team UOW Illawarra Flame Solar Decathlon house Published In Proceedings of the Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference 2014
2014	Implementation of a solar PVT assisted HVAC system with PCM energy storage on a net-zero energy retrofitted house Published In Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference
2014	Smart home system: integration of energy facilities and environmental factors Published In 7th International Conference: Energy Efficiency in Domestic Appliances and Lighting (EEDAL' 2013)
2014	The impact of default assumptions from simulation protocols on predicted energy consumption in office buildings in Australia Published In 2014 ASHRAE/IBPSA-USA Building Simulation Conference Papers
2014	Tuning houses through building management systems Published In 30th International PLEA Conference
2013	A theoretical investigation of a solar photovoltaic thermal system integrated with phase change materials Published In 12th International Conference on Sustainable Energy technologies (SET-2013)
2013	Evaluation of a ground source heat pump system in a net-zero energy office building Published In 12th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies (SET 2013)
2013	Modelling and investigation of a solar assisted liquid desiccant dehumidification air conditioning system Published In 12th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies (SET 2013)
2012	Improving thermal comfort in naturally ventilated university buildings Published In 12th Annual Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability Conference 2012
2012	On the efficiency of Oscillating Water Column (OWC) devices in converting ocean wave energy to electricity under weakly nonlinear waves Published In 31st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering (ASME 2012, OMAE 2012)
2011	A finite element model for efficiency of a moored floating OWC device in regular waves Published In Proceedings of the ASME 2011 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2011	Modelling net zero energy options for a sustainable buildings research centre Published In 12th Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association, Building Simulation 2011 Conference
2011	System identification of a floating oscillating water column wave energy converter Published In Proceedings of the ASME 2011 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2010	Optimisation of a floating oscillating water column wave energy converter Published In International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference
2009	CFD analysis of air turbines as power take-off systems in oscillating water column wave energy conversion plant Published In European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, Uppsala, Sweden
2009	Peer observation of teaching: Engineering new skills and collegiality Published In Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference
2009	Power capture of a floating oscillating water column wave energy conversion device Published In Interdisciplinary Conference on Chemical, Mechanical and Materials Engineering
2008	CFD Analysis of Blade Cascades for OWC Turbines Published In 2nd International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE 2008)
2008	CFD Analysis of the Performance of Blade Cascades for Air Turbines in Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Conversion Systems Published In Proc. 3rd International Solar Energy Society Conference Asia Pacific Region (ISES-AP-08)
2008	Design and optimisation of a novel on-torch fume extraction device using CFD and fluid simulation Published In International Conference of the International Institute of Welding
2008	Engineering curriculum review: processes, frameworks and tools Published In Conference of the European Society for Engineering Education
2007	Initiating curriculum review: The Chilean experience Published In Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference
2007	Numerical analysis of a variable pitch reversible flow air turbine for oscillating water column wave energy systems Published In European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference

Other Publications

Year	Title
2019	Above-Roof Temperature Impacts on Heating Penalties of Large Cool Roofs in Australian Climates – Final Report
2019	Understanding Decision Making Processes to Meet or Exceed BASIX requirements in Apartment Construction
2018	Driving Increased Utilisation of Cool Roofs on Large-Footprint Buildings - Final Report

Editor Of

Book
- Improving Residential Energy Efficiency International Conference (IREE 2017). Netherlands. 2017

Investigator On

Year	Title
2020	ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Innovation Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
2020	The Affordable Heating and Cooling Innovation Hub (i-Hub) Awarded by: Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Funding Scheme: Grant
2019	Affordable Heating and Cooling Innovation Hub (iHub) Awarded by: Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Funding Scheme: Advancing Renewables Program
2016 - 2017	Adaptive occupancy and microclimate prediction algorithms for optimum operation of buildings and minimum productivity loss Awarded by: Arup (Ove Arup) Funding Scheme: Global Research Challenge 2016
2011 - 2014	Sustainable Buildings Research Centre Awarded by: NSW Industry & Investment Funding Scheme: NSW Science Leveraging Fund
2013	The Australian Steel Manufacturing Research Hub Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
2012	'EE3A': Pathways and initiatives for low income older people to manage energy Awarded by: Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Funding Scheme: Low Income Energy Efficiency Program
2011	Expanding the Value Proposition for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Thin Film Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal (BIPVT) Retrofitting of Buildings Awarded by: Australian Solar Institute Funding Scheme: Australia-Germany Collaborative Solar Research & Development Projects
2010	Energy Pipelines CRC Awarded by: NSW Industry & Investment Funding Scheme: NSW Science Leveraging Fund
2007	New Generation Small Wind Turbines for Remote Power Systems and Grid Connection Awarded by: Department of the Environment and Water Resources Funding Scheme: Grant
2007	Wave to Wire: Optimising Hydrodynamic Performance and Capture Efficiency of Next Generation Ocean Wave Energy Systems Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Linkage Projects
	Impact of tightness on commercial building environmental performance Awarded by: Council of the City of Sydney Funding Scheme: Environmental Grants Program
	SustainableSustainable Port Kembla: 1 Precinct and Community Housing Upgrade Awarded by: NSW Government Department of Industry Funding Scheme: Port Kembla Community Investment Fund

Impact Story

Helping Social Housing providers implement
Summary
The <a href="http://builtbetter.org/node/8142" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guide to Implementing Low Carbon Retrofits for Social Housing </a>was developed to provide a simple to use reference for social housing asset managers and others involved in social housing upgrades to achieve improved energy performance and thermal comfort in their dwellings. The guide was developed in the aftermath of a long term engagement with housing providers and tenants, to understand existing maintenance and upgrading practices and the constraints that exist in this sector. Energy audits, energy and temperature monitoring were undertaken in a number of social housing properties around NSW, and the challenges facing vulnerable tenants were highlighted. The guide was designed to distil the complex process of energy auditing, energy monitoring and retrofit allocation undertaken the researchers into a a concise summary of effective energy efficiency options for social housing properties, that could support simple actions to improve management and tenant well being. The guide includes:<ul><li>Advice on priority upgrades;</li><li>Important things to consider when deciding whether to implement an upgrade;</li><li>Practical implementation advice to ensure the upgrade is implemented well;</li><li>Complementary retrofit considerations to make the most of opportunities as they arise;</li></ul> 

Detail View

Detail View Summary View
Detail of Impact
The need to improve the poor performance of the existing residential building stock in Australia is pressing. The currently existing housing stock will still make up almost 60% of the housing stock in Australia in 2050. The social and community housing sector represents a significant opportunity for the development of a major, aggregated approach to low carbon retrofits in large portfolios of residential building stock. For example, in 2010, there were 150,000 houses under public housing management in New South Wales. Identifying and implementing energy efficiency upgrades to improve tenant comfort and well-being is a complex task, and is not the core business for housing providers. The Guide to Implementing Low Carbon Retrofits for Social Housing distilled the findings of a multi-year monitoring and retrofit study into a series of practical actions that can be used by housing providers to ensure tenant benefits are realised as a result of an upgrade. The guide was distributed through the Community Housing Industry Association, BuiltBetter.org, and the Analysis and Policy Observatory. It has been downloaded over 350 times through BuiltBetter.org alone.
Field of Research
Countries / Regions
Beneficiaries

Beneficiary Quantification Description
External Partners
Evidence of Impact

Evidence Description
UOW Centres / Programs
UOW Researchers / Collaborators
Built to Perform - University of Wollongong contributes to improving the future energy performance of buildings
Summary
In July 2018 ASBEC and ClimateWorks Australia released their report: <a href="http://www.asbec.asn.au/research-items/built-perform/" title="Built to Perform: An Industry Led Pathway to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Built to Perform: An Industry Led Pathway to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code</a>. The report presents the findings of the Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory project, an industry-led effort to support long-term improvements to the energy requirements of the National Construction Code. Built to Perform was produced with the support of the <a href="http://lowcarbonlivingcrc.com.au/research/program-3-engaged-communities/sp0016-building-code-energy-performance-trajectory-project-2" title="Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living</a>, the RACV and dozens of building industry and government partners. The project was delivered in partnership with CSIRO, Energy Action, Strategy Policy Research and the <a href="https://sbrc.uow.edu.au/index.html" title="Sustainable Buildings Research Centre" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Buildings Research Centre</a> at the University of Wollongong, with oversight by ASBEC’s Building Code Task Group. The report recommends that the States, Territories and the Commonwealth: <ol><li>Commit to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code, as part of a transition to net zero carbon new buildings by 2030. This would mean setting energy efficiency targets, and introducing net energy targets.</li><li>Deliver a step change in the energy requirements in the 2022 Code, with a strong focus on residential, and a further incremental increase in non-residential requirements.</li><li>Expand the scope of the Code and progress complementary measures, to prepare for future sustainability challenges and opportunities, including health, peak demand, maintainability, electric vehicles and embodied carbon.</li></ol> The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre was a key contributor to the project by completing an extensive number of building energy simulations for the project for numerous design changes to three defined archetype buildings (an apartment, an attached townhouse, and a detached standalone house) across four Australian climate zones. Please find a link to the Built to Perform report <a href="http://www.asbec.asn.au/research-items/built-perform/" title="Built to Perform: An Industry Led Pathway to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. The full Final Technical Report containing the evidence supporting the Built to Perform, is currently being compiled by the Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory project partners, and includes the University of Wollongong building energy simulation results, and will be released in August 2018.

Detail View

Detail View Summary View
Detail of Impact
Energy standards in Australia’s National Construction Code must be urgently upgraded if new buildings are to be fit and ready for a zero carbon future. Built to Perform shows that setting stronger energy standards for new buildings in the Code could, between now and 2050, reduce energy bills by up to $27 billion, cut energy network costs by up to $7 billion, and deliver at least 78 million tonnes of cumulative emissions savings.
Field of Research
Countries / Regions
Beneficiaries

Beneficiary Quantification Description
External Partners
Evidence of Impact

Evidence Description
UOW Centres / Programs
UOW Researchers / Collaborators

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Degree	Research Title	Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy	Development of Evaluation Methods for the Effectiveness of Retrotits in Residential Buildings	McDowell, Clayton
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	Development and optimisation of an enthalpy recovery ventilation system	Al-Bdoor, Ahmed Khafeef Obaid
Doctor of Philosophy	Thermal and Ventilation Performance of Existing and New-Build Mid-Rise Apartment Buildings	Beltrame, Steven
Master of Philosophy -SOC	Moisture in vulnerable households: an interdisciplinary approach	Pham, Vivian
Doctor of Philosophy	Thermal behavior of the Desert Rose House 2018 in a defined climatic zone depending on varied wall and roof constructions	Thim, Jacqueline
Doctor of Philosophy	Household Energy Efficiency and Comfort: Development of Building Simulation and Rating Tools that Incorporate Realistic Occupant Practices	Wickrama Achchige, Dilini Nishadika Gunathilake

Education And Training

Ph.D., Imperial College, London, Electrohydrodynamic Enhancement of Heat Transfer 1986
M.S. in Psychological Aspects of Science and Technology in Industry, Imperial College, London 1976
B Science (Hon) in Electrical Engineering, Imperial College, London 1975

Credentials

Fellow of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating, 2018

Awards And Honors

2019 James Harrison Medal, conferred by Australian Institute for Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), 2019
UOW Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award for Interdisciplinary Research – Highly Commended, conferred by University of Wollongong, 2016
Vice Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research Partnerships , conferred by University of Wollongong, 2015
President’s Award, Sydney Engineering Excellence Awards, conferred by Engineers Australia, 2014
Denis Joseph Award for the Best Solar-Assisted Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System, conferred by Australian Institute for Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating, 2013

Teaching Overview

2010- Professor and Foundation Director, Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC)
2008-2010 Head, School of Mechanical, Materials & Mechatronic Engineering, UOW
1998-2010 Associate Professor, University of Wollongong
1994 - 97 Senior Lecturer, University of Wollongong.
1988 - 93 Lecturer (Mechanical Engineering), University of Wollongong.
1984 - 87 Research Associate, Built Environment Research Group (BERG), School of Architecture, University of Westminster, UK.
1980 - 84 Research Assistant, Dept of Electrical Engineering, Imperial College, UK (development of heat transfer enhancement systems).
1976 - 77 Research Assistant, Association Scientific, Technical & Managerial Staffs, UK (development of Science Policy, Nuclear Energy policy etc).

Visiting Fellow at Dept Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, UK (2004-2005).

EPSRC Visiting Fellow at Dept Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) University of Cambridge (1997-2000).

Keywords

energy in buildings, energy efficiency, natural ventilation, computational fluid mechanics, renewable energy, indoor environmental quality

Top Publications

Year	Title
2012	Existing building retrofits: Methodology and state-of-the-art Published in Energy and Buildings
2010	The ventilated filling box containing a vertically distributed source of buoyancy Published in Journal of Fluid Mechanics
2017	Indoor Air Temperature and Agitation of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Published in American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
2017	Thermal Environment and Thermal Sensations of Occupants of Nursing Homes: A Field Study Published in Procedia Engineering
2014	Implications of global warming for commercial building retrofitting in Australian cities Published in Building and Environment
2016	Tyrannies of thrift: Governmentality and older, low-income people's energy efficiency narratives in the Illawarra, Australia Published in Energy Policy
2015	Development and optimization of an innovative HVAC system with integrated PVT and PCM thermal storage for a net-zero energy retrofitted house Published in Energy and Buildings
2018	Look before you LIEEP: Practicalities of using ecological systems social marketing to improve thermal comfort Published in Journal of Social Marketing
2017	Relationship Between Indoor Air Temperatures And Energy Bills For Low Income Homes In Australia Published in Energy Procedia
2018	Thermal perceptions, preferences and adaptive behaviours of occupants of nursing homes Published in Building and Environment
2016	Thermal performance investigation and optimization of buildings with integrated phase change materials and solar photovoltaic thermal collectors Published in Energy and Buildings
2014	Nonlinear 2D analysis of the efficiency of fixed Oscillating Water Column wave energy converters Published in Renewable Energy
2014	Implementing departmental peer observation of teaching in universities

Research Overview

1) Energy in Buildings
- Net zero energy buildings.
- Natural ventilation.
- Air infiltration and energy consumption mitigation in older buildings.
- Occupants and human factors involved in energy use in buildings.
- Building Management Systems.
- Energy Epidemiology acquisition and analysis of energy data.

2) Retrofitting of Buildings for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
- Optimal retrofit strategies for lower grade commercial buildings.
- Retrofitting of residential buildings and aged care facilities.
- Bushfire resilience of buildings.
- Climate and storm resilience of buildings.

3) Thermal comfort, indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency in aged care and dementia facilities.

4) Renewable Energy Technologies.
- Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) systems for buildings.
- Smart grids/smart homes ¿ optimization of renewable energy and storage systems. for residential and other buildings.
- Phase Change Material thermal storage systems.

5) Ventilation, energy and pollution control in buildings.
- Fundamentals of ventilation processes researched through analytical, numerical and experimental techniques.
- Experimental work includes scale modelling using saline solution techniques, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV), etc.
- Field studies of ventilation in buildings.

Member Of

Selected Publications

Journal Article

Year	Title
2020	Above-roof air temperature effects on HVAC and cool roof performance: Experiments and development of a predictive model Published In Energy and Buildings
2020	Experimental investigation and performance evaluation of a mixed-flow air to air membrane enthalpy exchanger with different configurations Published In Applied Thermal Engineering
2020	On the impact of internal gains and comfort band on the effectiveness of building thermal zoning Published In Energy and Buildings
2020	Towards an environmentally sustainable rental housing sector Published In Housing Studies
2019	Benchmarking thermal performance of buildings and identifying preferred thermal conditions with highly deployable IoT devices Published In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
2019	Development and evaluation of a comfort-oriented control strategy for thermal management of mixed-mode ventilated buildings Published In Energy and Buildings
2019	Development of an enthalpy-based index to assess climatic potential for ventilative cooling of buildings: An Australian example Published In Applied Energy
2019	Experimental characterization of wildfire sprinkler sprays using high-speed videography Published In Atomization and Sprays
2019	Moisture diffusion measurement and evaluation for porous membranes used in enthalpy exchangers Published In Energy Procedia
2019	Thermal comfort in a mixed-mode building: Are occupants more adaptive? Published In Energy and Buildings
2019	Ventilation mode effect on thermal comfort in a mixed mode building Published In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
2019	Ventilative cooling potential of buildings in Australia Published In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
2018	Empirically testing the concept of value-in-behavior and its relevance for social marketing Published In Journal of Business Research
2018	Formulation of a model predictive control algorithm to enhance the performance of a latent heat solar thermal system Published In Energy Conversion and Management
2018	Getting the temperature just right helps people with dementia stay cool Published In The Conversation
2018	Look before you LIEEP: Practicalities of using ecological systems social marketing to improve thermal comfort Published In Journal of Social Marketing
2018	Qualitative Analysis of the Use of Building Performance Simulation for Retrofitting Lower Quality Office Buildings in Australia Published In Energy and Buildings
2018	Source and boundary condition effects on unconfined and confined vertically distributed turbulent plumes Published In Journal of Fluid Mechanics
2018	Storying energy consumption: Collective video storytelling in energy efficiency social marketing Published In Journal of Environmental Management
2018	Thermal perceptions, preferences and adaptive behaviours of occupants of nursing homes Published In Building and Environment
2017	A social marketer, a geographer, and an engineer walk into a bar: Reflections on energy + Illawarra and undertaking interdisciplinary projects Published In Journal of Social Marketing
2017	Assessing the performance of solar thermal driven membrane distillation for seawater desalination by computer simulation Published In Journal of Membrane Science
2017	Development of a dynamic model for a hybrid photovoltaic thermal collector – Solar air heater with fins Published In Renewable Energy
2017	Editorial to the Proceedings of the Improving Residential Energy Efficiency International Conference, IREE 2017 Published In Energy Procedia
2017	Factors governing mass transfer during membrane electrodialysis regeneration of LiCl solution for liquid desiccant dehumidification systems Published In Sustainable Cities and Society
2017	Hybrid model predictive control of a residential HVAC system with on-site thermal energy generation and storage Published In Applied Energy
2017	Impact of a Pilot Draught Sealing Program on Public Housing Air Permeability Published In Energy Procedia
2017	Indoor Air Temperature and Agitation of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Published In American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
2017	Numerical analysis of indoor thermal comfort in a cross-ventilated space with top-hung windows Published In Energy Procedia
2017	Relationship Between Indoor Air Temperatures And Energy Bills For Low Income Homes In Australia Published In Energy Procedia
2017	Retrofitting for wildfire resilience: what is the cost? Published In International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
2017	Thermal Environment and Thermal Sensations of Occupants of Nursing Homes: A Field Study Published In Procedia Engineering
2017	Thermal comfort evaluation of a mixed-mode ventilated office building with advanced natural ventilation and underfloor air distribution systems Published In Energy Procedia
2016	Evaluating energy consumption of air gap membrane distillation for seawater desalination at pilot scale level Published In Separation and Purification Technology
2016	Membrane scaling and prevention techniques during seawater desalination by air gap membrane distillation Published In Desalination
2016	Social marketing and value in behaviour?: Perceived value of using energy efficiently among low income older citizens Published In Journal of Social Marketing
2016	Theoretical consideration of superconducting coils for compact superconducting magnetic energy storage systems Published In IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity
2016	Thermal performance investigation and optimization of buildings with integrated phase change materials and solar photovoltaic thermal collectors Published In Energy and Buildings
2016	Tyrannies of thrift: Governmentality and older, low-income people's energy efficiency narratives in the Illawarra, Australia Published In Energy Policy
2016	Using electrodialysis for regeneration of aqueous lithium chloride solution in liquid desiccant air conditioning systems Published In Energy and Buildings
2015	Development and optimization of an innovative HVAC system with integrated PVT and PCM thermal storage for a net-zero energy retrofitted house Published In Energy and Buildings
2015	Hybrid model predictive control of a residential HVAC system with PVT energy generation and PCM thermal storage Published In Energy Procedia
2015	Optimising thermal efficiency of direct contact membrane distillation by brine recycling for small-scale seawater desalination Published In Desalination
2015	Osmotic dilution for sustainable greenwall irrigation by liquid fertilizer: Performance and implications Published In Journal of Membrane Science
2014	A dynamic model for air-based photovoltaic thermal systems working under real operating conditions Published In Applied Energy
2014	Development and evaluation of a ceiling ventilation system enhanced by solar photovoltaic thermal collectors and phase change materials Published In Energy Conversion and Management
2014	Feasibility study of the manufacturing process of soil-cement blocks for the construction of masonry aiming to eliminate the settling mortar application Published In Key Engineering Materials
2014	Green building scheme review adds yet more policy uncertainty Published In The Conversation
2014	Hydrodynamic and energetic properties of a finite array of fixed oscillating water column wave energy converters Published In Ocean Engineering
2014	Implications of global warming for commercial building retrofitting in Australian cities Published In Building and Environment
2014	Innovative interlocked soil-cement block for the construction of masonry to eliminate the settling mortar Published In Construction and Building Materials
2014	Nonlinear 2D analysis of the efficiency of fixed Oscillating Water Column wave energy converters Published In Renewable Energy
2014	Optimal design of vertical ground heat exchangers by using entropy generation minimization method and genetic algorithms Published In Energy Conversion and Management
2014	Smart home electricity management in the context of local power resources and smart grid Published In Journal of Clean Energy Technologies
2014	Understanding the risks and uncertainties introduced by common assumptions in energy simulations for Australian commercial buildings Published In Energy and Buildings
2013	Analysis of interference factors of air turbine cascades Published In Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics
2013	Peer observation of teaching in university departments: A framework for implementation Published In International Journal for Academic Development
2012	A finite-element study of the efficiency of arrays of oscillating water column wave energy converters Published In Ocean Engineering
2012	Existing building retrofits: Methodology and state-of-the-art Published In Energy and Buildings
2011	Roof mounting site analysis for micro-wind turbines Published In Renewable Energy
2010	Design and optimization of a novel on-torch fume extraction device using CFD and fluid simulation Published In Welding in the World
2010	Mechanical Model of a Floating Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Conversion Device Published In 2009 Annual Bulletin of the Australian Institute of High Energetic Materials
2010	The ventilated filling box containing a vertically distributed source of buoyancy Published In Journal of Fluid Mechanics
2007	Computational fluid dynamics analysis of on-torch welding fume extraction Published In Australasian Welding Journal - Welding Research Supplement
2007	Experimental Investigation of Air Entrainment in Free-Falling Particle Plumes Published In Particulate Science and Technology: an international journal
2007	Impinging axisymmetric turbulent fountains Published In Physics of Fluids
2007	Modelling and Simulation of Gas Flows in Arc Welding - Implications for Shielding Efficiency and Fume Extraction Published In Revista Soldagem and Inspecao

Chapter

Year	Title
2014	Implementing departmental peer observation of teaching in universities Published In Peer Review of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Publisher Netherlands
2010	Development and analysis of vertical-axis wind turbines Published In Wind Power Generation and Wind Turbine Design

Conference Paper

Year	Title
2019	Near-Roof Air Temperatures: Modelling the Implications for HVAC Performance and Cool Roofs Published In 16th IBPSA International Conference and Exhibition
2019	Numerical investigation of a mixed-flow air-to-air membrane enthalpy exchanger Published In Proceedings of the 11th Australasian Heat and Mass Transfer Conference
2018	Characterisation of the air temperature field above large-footprint buildings – full-scale experiments and large eddy CFD simulations Published In Proceedings of the 11th Australasian Heat and Mass Transfer Conference
2018	Thermal Comfort for Occupants of Nursing Homes: A Field Study Published In Rethinking Comfort: The Tenth Windsor Conference
2016	A bottom-up data collection methodology for characterising the residential building stock in Australia Published In CESB 2016 - Central Europe Towards Sustainable Building 2016: Innovations for Sustainable Future
2016	Building Characterisation and Retrofit Decision Support-Tools for Upgrading Homes of Low-Income Older Australians Published In CLIMA 2016 - proceedings of the 12th REHVA World Congress
2016	Characterisation of water sprays using high-speed videography Published In Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference
2016	Development and performance evaluation of a liquid desiccant air conditioning system with hybrid electrodialysis and thermal regeneration Published In CLIMA 2016: Proceedings of the 12th REHVA World Congress
2016	Evaluation methodology and implementation for natural ventilation control strategies Published In CLIMA 2016 - proceedings of the 12th REHVA World Congress
2016	Field study of air conditioning and thermal comfort in residential buildings Published In Network for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings Windsor Conference
2016	Team UOW solar decathlon house: refurbishment demonstration Published In 11th Conference on Advanced Building Skins
2016	The iceberg of sustainability Published In 30th ANZAM Conference
2016	Thermal performance evaluation and optimal design of buildings with integrated air-based photovoltaic thermal collectors and phase change materials using the Hooke-Jeeves pattern search method Published In CLIMA 2016: Proceedings of the 12th REHVA World Congress
2015	Evaluating the environmental performance of indoor plants in buildings Published In Proceedings of BS2015: 14th International Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association
2015	Experimental investigation of an innovative HVAC system with integrated PVT and PCM thermal storage for a net-zero energy retrofitted house Published In ASHRAE Winter Conference 2015
2015	Perceived value of using energy efficiently among low-income older residents Published In World Social Marketing Conference
2015	Qualitative analysis of the use of building performance simulation in the Australian retrofitting industry Published In Proceedings of BS2015: 14th International Conference of International Building Performance Association
2015	Using value theory for segmentation in social marketing Published In World Social Marketing Conference
2014	Demonstrating sustainability retrofits through the design, construction and operation of the Team UOW Illawarra Flame Solar Decathlon house Published In Proceedings of the Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference 2014
2014	Implementation of a solar PVT assisted HVAC system with PCM energy storage on a net-zero energy retrofitted house Published In Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference
2014	Smart home system: integration of energy facilities and environmental factors Published In 7th International Conference: Energy Efficiency in Domestic Appliances and Lighting (EEDAL' 2013)
2014	The impact of default assumptions from simulation protocols on predicted energy consumption in office buildings in Australia Published In 2014 ASHRAE/IBPSA-USA Building Simulation Conference Papers
2014	Tuning houses through building management systems Published In 30th International PLEA Conference
2013	A theoretical investigation of a solar photovoltaic thermal system integrated with phase change materials Published In 12th International Conference on Sustainable Energy technologies (SET-2013)
2013	Evaluation of a ground source heat pump system in a net-zero energy office building Published In 12th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies (SET 2013)
2013	Modelling and investigation of a solar assisted liquid desiccant dehumidification air conditioning system Published In 12th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies (SET 2013)
2012	Improving thermal comfort in naturally ventilated university buildings Published In 12th Annual Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability Conference 2012
2012	On the efficiency of Oscillating Water Column (OWC) devices in converting ocean wave energy to electricity under weakly nonlinear waves Published In 31st International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering (ASME 2012, OMAE 2012)
2011	A finite element model for efficiency of a moored floating OWC device in regular waves Published In Proceedings of the ASME 2011 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2011	Modelling net zero energy options for a sustainable buildings research centre Published In 12th Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association, Building Simulation 2011 Conference
2011	System identification of a floating oscillating water column wave energy converter Published In Proceedings of the ASME 2011 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2010	Optimisation of a floating oscillating water column wave energy converter Published In International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference
2009	CFD analysis of air turbines as power take-off systems in oscillating water column wave energy conversion plant Published In European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, Uppsala, Sweden
2009	Peer observation of teaching: Engineering new skills and collegiality Published In Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference
2009	Power capture of a floating oscillating water column wave energy conversion device Published In Interdisciplinary Conference on Chemical, Mechanical and Materials Engineering
2008	CFD Analysis of Blade Cascades for OWC Turbines Published In 2nd International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE 2008)
2008	CFD Analysis of the Performance of Blade Cascades for Air Turbines in Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Conversion Systems Published In Proc. 3rd International Solar Energy Society Conference Asia Pacific Region (ISES-AP-08)
2008	Design and optimisation of a novel on-torch fume extraction device using CFD and fluid simulation Published In International Conference of the International Institute of Welding
2008	Engineering curriculum review: processes, frameworks and tools Published In Conference of the European Society for Engineering Education
2007	Initiating curriculum review: The Chilean experience Published In Australasian Association for Engineering Education Conference
2007	Numerical analysis of a variable pitch reversible flow air turbine for oscillating water column wave energy systems Published In European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference

Other Publications

Year	Title
2019	Above-Roof Temperature Impacts on Heating Penalties of Large Cool Roofs in Australian Climates – Final Report
2019	Understanding Decision Making Processes to Meet or Exceed BASIX requirements in Apartment Construction
2018	Driving Increased Utilisation of Cool Roofs on Large-Footprint Buildings - Final Report

Editor Of

Book
- Improving Residential Energy Efficiency International Conference (IREE 2017). Netherlands. 2017

Investigator On

Year	Title
2020	ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Innovation Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
2020	The Affordable Heating and Cooling Innovation Hub (i-Hub) Awarded by: Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Funding Scheme: Grant
2019	Affordable Heating and Cooling Innovation Hub (iHub) Awarded by: Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Funding Scheme: Advancing Renewables Program
2016 - 2017	Adaptive occupancy and microclimate prediction algorithms for optimum operation of buildings and minimum productivity loss Awarded by: Arup (Ove Arup) Funding Scheme: Global Research Challenge 2016
2011 - 2014	Sustainable Buildings Research Centre Awarded by: NSW Industry & Investment Funding Scheme: NSW Science Leveraging Fund
2013	The Australian Steel Manufacturing Research Hub Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
2012	'EE3A': Pathways and initiatives for low income older people to manage energy Awarded by: Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Funding Scheme: Low Income Energy Efficiency Program
2011	Expanding the Value Proposition for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Thin Film Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal (BIPVT) Retrofitting of Buildings Awarded by: Australian Solar Institute Funding Scheme: Australia-Germany Collaborative Solar Research & Development Projects
2010	Energy Pipelines CRC Awarded by: NSW Industry & Investment Funding Scheme: NSW Science Leveraging Fund
2007	New Generation Small Wind Turbines for Remote Power Systems and Grid Connection Awarded by: Department of the Environment and Water Resources Funding Scheme: Grant
2007	Wave to Wire: Optimising Hydrodynamic Performance and Capture Efficiency of Next Generation Ocean Wave Energy Systems Awarded by: Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Scheme: Linkage Projects
	Impact of tightness on commercial building environmental performance Awarded by: Council of the City of Sydney Funding Scheme: Environmental Grants Program
	SustainableSustainable Port Kembla: 1 Precinct and Community Housing Upgrade Awarded by: NSW Government Department of Industry Funding Scheme: Port Kembla Community Investment Fund

Impact Story

Helping Social Housing providers implement
Summary
The <a href="http://builtbetter.org/node/8142" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guide to Implementing Low Carbon Retrofits for Social Housing </a>was developed to provide a simple to use reference for social housing asset managers and others involved in social housing upgrades to achieve improved energy performance and thermal comfort in their dwellings. The guide was developed in the aftermath of a long term engagement with housing providers and tenants, to understand existing maintenance and upgrading practices and the constraints that exist in this sector. Energy audits, energy and temperature monitoring were undertaken in a number of social housing properties around NSW, and the challenges facing vulnerable tenants were highlighted. The guide was designed to distil the complex process of energy auditing, energy monitoring and retrofit allocation undertaken the researchers into a a concise summary of effective energy efficiency options for social housing properties, that could support simple actions to improve management and tenant well being. The guide includes:<ul><li>Advice on priority upgrades;</li><li>Important things to consider when deciding whether to implement an upgrade;</li><li>Practical implementation advice to ensure the upgrade is implemented well;</li><li>Complementary retrofit considerations to make the most of opportunities as they arise;</li></ul> 

Detail View

Detail View Summary View
Detail of Impact
The need to improve the poor performance of the existing residential building stock in Australia is pressing. The currently existing housing stock will still make up almost 60% of the housing stock in Australia in 2050. The social and community housing sector represents a significant opportunity for the development of a major, aggregated approach to low carbon retrofits in large portfolios of residential building stock. For example, in 2010, there were 150,000 houses under public housing management in New South Wales. Identifying and implementing energy efficiency upgrades to improve tenant comfort and well-being is a complex task, and is not the core business for housing providers. The Guide to Implementing Low Carbon Retrofits for Social Housing distilled the findings of a multi-year monitoring and retrofit study into a series of practical actions that can be used by housing providers to ensure tenant benefits are realised as a result of an upgrade. The guide was distributed through the Community Housing Industry Association, BuiltBetter.org, and the Analysis and Policy Observatory. It has been downloaded over 350 times through BuiltBetter.org alone.
Field of Research
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Evidence Description
UOW Centres / Programs
UOW Researchers / Collaborators
Built to Perform - University of Wollongong contributes to improving the future energy performance of buildings
Summary
In July 2018 ASBEC and ClimateWorks Australia released their report: <a href="http://www.asbec.asn.au/research-items/built-perform/" title="Built to Perform: An Industry Led Pathway to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Built to Perform: An Industry Led Pathway to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code</a>. The report presents the findings of the Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory project, an industry-led effort to support long-term improvements to the energy requirements of the National Construction Code. Built to Perform was produced with the support of the <a href="http://lowcarbonlivingcrc.com.au/research/program-3-engaged-communities/sp0016-building-code-energy-performance-trajectory-project-2" title="Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living</a>, the RACV and dozens of building industry and government partners. The project was delivered in partnership with CSIRO, Energy Action, Strategy Policy Research and the <a href="https://sbrc.uow.edu.au/index.html" title="Sustainable Buildings Research Centre" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Buildings Research Centre</a> at the University of Wollongong, with oversight by ASBEC’s Building Code Task Group. The report recommends that the States, Territories and the Commonwealth: <ol><li>Commit to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code, as part of a transition to net zero carbon new buildings by 2030. This would mean setting energy efficiency targets, and introducing net energy targets.</li><li>Deliver a step change in the energy requirements in the 2022 Code, with a strong focus on residential, and a further incremental increase in non-residential requirements.</li><li>Expand the scope of the Code and progress complementary measures, to prepare for future sustainability challenges and opportunities, including health, peak demand, maintainability, electric vehicles and embodied carbon.</li></ol> The Sustainable Buildings Research Centre was a key contributor to the project by completing an extensive number of building energy simulations for the project for numerous design changes to three defined archetype buildings (an apartment, an attached townhouse, and a detached standalone house) across four Australian climate zones. Please find a link to the Built to Perform report <a href="http://www.asbec.asn.au/research-items/built-perform/" title="Built to Perform: An Industry Led Pathway to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. The full Final Technical Report containing the evidence supporting the Built to Perform, is currently being compiled by the Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory project partners, and includes the University of Wollongong building energy simulation results, and will be released in August 2018.

Detail View

Detail View Summary View
Detail of Impact
Energy standards in Australia’s National Construction Code must be urgently upgraded if new buildings are to be fit and ready for a zero carbon future. Built to Perform shows that setting stronger energy standards for new buildings in the Code could, between now and 2050, reduce energy bills by up to $27 billion, cut energy network costs by up to $7 billion, and deliver at least 78 million tonnes of cumulative emissions savings.
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UOW Researchers / Collaborators

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Degree	Research Title	Advisee
Doctor of Philosophy	Development of Evaluation Methods for the Effectiveness of Retrotits in Residential Buildings	McDowell, Clayton
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)	Development and optimisation of an enthalpy recovery ventilation system	Al-Bdoor, Ahmed Khafeef Obaid
Doctor of Philosophy	Thermal and Ventilation Performance of Existing and New-Build Mid-Rise Apartment Buildings	Beltrame, Steven
Master of Philosophy -SOC	Moisture in vulnerable households: an interdisciplinary approach	Pham, Vivian
Doctor of Philosophy	Thermal behavior of the Desert Rose House 2018 in a defined climatic zone depending on varied wall and roof constructions	Thim, Jacqueline
Doctor of Philosophy	Household Energy Efficiency and Comfort: Development of Building Simulation and Rating Tools that Incorporate Realistic Occupant Practices	Wickrama Achchige, Dilini Nishadika Gunathilake

Education And Training

Ph.D., Imperial College, London, Electrohydrodynamic Enhancement of Heat Transfer 1986
M.S. in Psychological Aspects of Science and Technology in Industry, Imperial College, London 1976
B Science (Hon) in Electrical Engineering, Imperial College, London 1975

Credentials

Fellow of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating, 2018

Awards And Honors

2019 James Harrison Medal, conferred by Australian Institute for Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), 2019
UOW Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award for Interdisciplinary Research – Highly Commended, conferred by University of Wollongong, 2016
Vice Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research Partnerships , conferred by University of Wollongong, 2015
President’s Award, Sydney Engineering Excellence Awards, conferred by Engineers Australia, 2014
Denis Joseph Award for the Best Solar-Assisted Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System, conferred by Australian Institute for Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating, 2013

Teaching Overview

2010- Professor and Foundation Director, Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC)
2008-2010 Head, School of Mechanical, Materials & Mechatronic Engineering, UOW
1998-2010 Associate Professor, University of Wollongong
1994 - 97 Senior Lecturer, University of Wollongong.
1988 - 93 Lecturer (Mechanical Engineering), University of Wollongong.
1984 - 87 Research Associate, Built Environment Research Group (BERG), School of Architecture, University of Westminster, UK.
1980 - 84 Research Assistant, Dept of Electrical Engineering, Imperial College, UK (development of heat transfer enhancement systems).
1976 - 77 Research Assistant, Association Scientific, Technical & Managerial Staffs, UK (development of Science Policy, Nuclear Energy policy etc).

Visiting Fellow at Dept Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, UK (2004-2005).

EPSRC Visiting Fellow at Dept Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) University of Cambridge (1997-2000).

Keywords

energy in buildings, energy efficiency, natural ventilation, computational fluid mechanics, renewable energy, indoor environmental quality

Located In Facility

Building 237, Innovation Campus

Orcid Id

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3730-2953 (confirmed)

Scopus Id

55603540500

Overview

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Available for Collaborative Projects

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Helping Social Housing providers implement

Built to Perform - University of Wollongong contributes to improving the future energy performance of buildings

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Education And Training

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Awards And Honors

Teaching Overview

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Overview

Top Publications

Research Overview

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Member Of

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Selected Publications

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Editor Of

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Investigator On

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Impact Story

Helping Social Housing providers implement

Built to Perform - University of Wollongong contributes to improving the future energy performance of buildings

Supervision

Advisees

Graduate Advising Relationship

Background

Education And Training

Credentials

Awards And Honors

Teaching Overview

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