June 18, 2018, by Emma Lowry
Experts provide glimpse inside University’s most energy efficient building
Businesses and the general public were recently invited to visit the University of Nottingham to learn more about the Passivhaus concept.
Over 60 attendees, including architects, construction companies, home builders and the general public, filled the boardroom of the recently completed Research Acceleration and Demonstration (RAD) building. The building was specifically chosen as a venue as it has been built to Passivhaus standards, unusual for a building of its type, in that it will contain labs for research into energy technologies as well as office space.
The oversubscribed event was held during EU Sustainable Energy Week and attendees enjoyed a series of presentations from the Passivhaus Trust, Lewis & Hickey, the University of Nottingham, Woodhead Education and Positive Homes. Topics covered everything from an explanation of the passivhaus concept through to construction, the reality of applying techniques to the housing market and how the University of Nottingham is championing energy efficiency and offering support to businesses. A lively question and answer session was followed by tours of the building.
What is Passivhaus?
Passivhaus buildings provide a high level of occupant comfort while using very little energy for heating and cooling. They are built with meticulous attention to detail and rigorous design and construction according to principles developed by the Passivhaus Institute in
Germany, and can be certified through an exacting quality assurance process.
The RAD Building has been designed to meet both Passivhaus standards and is also expected to achieve BREEAM excellent. BREEAM is another standard that assesses the sustainability of buildings. As part of the University of Nottingham’s work with the Innovate UK funded Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) initiative, the RAD building will help provide more space and facilities for pioneering energy research projects.
Energy for Business
This event was delivered by the Energy Innovation and Collaboration team at the University of Nottingham. The team offer funded support to SMEs in the D2N2 region who are innovating in energy related projects or who wish to make energy improvements. ‘Energy for Business’ is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and, as well as a capital grant scheme, can provide help with product innovation and business support.
If you are working on or planning an energy related project please get in touch to tell us about your plans, we may be able to support you. Email: energy@nottingham.ac.uk
Telephone: 0115 74 84969
European Regional Development Fund
The ETC6 project is receiving up to £1.6m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.
Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
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