Background Information on the Sustainable Energy Research Group

Activities the Sustainable Energy Research Group

The activities of the Sustainable Energy Research Group range from theoretical investigations to experimental research and field tests. This work encompasses demonstration programmes on renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency in the built environment. The Group’s research includes the following:

Studies and system analyses of renewable energy systems
Development of novel design methods for renewable energy systems and for energy conservation
Development of models and tools for the simulation of marine current energy converters
Development of end-user tools for climate change analysis in the built environment
Laboratory testing and measurements related to fundamental studies of renewable energy systems including marine energy converters and new developments in thin film photovoltaics
Commissioning and use of remote measurement and data logging systems for environmental control
Planning, supervision and execution of pilot projects

The group's work concentrates on renewable energy systems, energy and comfort in the built environment and environmental biotechnology. It encompasses fundamental research requirements, scientific projects and industrial cooperation.

Research Facilities

Building Integrated PV Arrays

A fully instrumented and configurable building integrated moncrystalline PV array of 7.2 kWp covering the south facade of Building 2 at the University of Southampton.
Facility for studies on multiple grid connected central and string inverters for analysis of mismatch losses in PV arrays including a range of inverters from 700 W to 5 kW.
Semi-transparent PV laminates in an array of 12.5 kWp on the atrium of the Professional Services Building at the University of Southampton.

Photovoltaic Test Facilities

A 460 Wp, grid connected, fully instrumented and configurable roof tile mono-crystalline array.
A range of measuring systems available for testing reliability and performance of stand alone photovoltaic systems.

Holographic Optical Element Test Facade

Test facade for performance analysis of light directing Holographic Optical Elements (HOE) elements.

Accelerated Lifetime Testing Rig for Electric Connectors

Life time testing rig for electrical reliability of connectors, including PV connectors.

Wave, Tidal and Hydropower Facilities

8m and 12.5m wave flumes with glass sides and floor, wavemakers with active absorption.
21m and 14m tilting open channels, both with provision for studying sediment transport.
Water wheel test tank.

Marine Current Energy Converters

Developed testing procedures and modelling systems for Marine Current Energy Converters.
Prototypes of Marine Current Energy Converters.

Simulation Facilities

Various simulation tools for photovoltaic and solar thermal analysis as well as for system design. These tools are used to analyse PV performance.
Simulation tools for investigating thermal performance and lighting aspects in the built environment.
Performance and power simulation facilities for Marine Current Energy Converters.
Computer based modelling system of tidal currents.
In house micro-wind assessment tool.

Monitoring Facilities

High resolution thermal imaging equipment.
Equipment for assessing indoor lighting performance.
High speed velocity and turbulence measurement equipment for use in circulation water tanks.
Various environmental data analysis and data logging systems for the assement of the indoor environment in buildings.

Climate Change Weather File Generation Tools

Tool compiled in house for generating UK climate change weather files for building performance simulation programs.
Tool compiled in house for generating world-wide climate change weather files for building performance simulation programs.

more about the group's research

SERG Timeline

1992
Pump priming of the Solar Energy Centre.

1993
Establishment of the Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) with key research areas in pollution control and photovoltaics.
First grant on bioleaching of industrial minerals.

1995
4 research papers presented at the 13th European PV Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Nice, France including papers on off-grid PV.

1996
Beginning of the development of solar roof tile designs for integration into buildings.

1997
First research on solar photovoltaic energy for refrigeration in food transportation.
Building 2 on the University's Highfield Campus to incorporate the first building integrated photovoltaic cladding on the South coast of the UK.
SERG launches its ongoing Solar Campus project.

1998
SERG publishes fundamental research outcomes of experiments with Magnetotactic Bacteria.

1999
Research of the reliability of electrical PV connectors.
Investigations of PV in marine propulsion.
Annual meeting of the British Photovoltaic Association (PV-UK) hosted at the University of Southampton.

2000
SERG gives the main presentation at the annual ALDES meeting (Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers & Scientists).

2001
SERG expands into new research areas of marine energy and energy in the built environment.
Participation in an EU funded research project on Holographic Optical Elements (HOE) for building applications.

2002
First research grant in the area of marine energy: Hydrodynamics of Marine Current Turbines for Electrical Power Generation.
Appointment to the IEA Task 9 Committee on Photovoltaics in Developing Countries.

2003
Research on design, installation and monitoring of PV systems in social housing.

2004
SERG expands its research to micro-generation in the built environment.
10 papers presented at the World Renewable Energy Congress VIII in Denver, USA.
Poster on 'Microbially Produced Iron Sulfide Bioabsorbent' awarded best poster of the International Conference on Fine Particle Magnetism hosted by the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN).

2005
Completion of the Professional Services Building with a 12.5 kWp semitransparent PV atrium roof installation.
Poster of the IDCOP research consortium awarded best poster of Sustainable Urban Environments: Vision into Action Conference.
G8 scientists undertake visit to the Sustainable Energy Research Group.

2006
Involvement in the 'Unlocking the Power House' report on micro-generation potential in the UK.
SERG expands its marine energy research from tidal energy to tidal and wave energy.
Collaborative project with Ocean Power Delivery Ltd (OPD) on wave energy resource and potential sites for wave energy farms.
David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, UK visits the group.

2007
SERG expands into solar cell development with sputtered semiconducting silicon for large area flexible solar cells.
Presentation on marine energy at the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts (RSA) Sigma President's Lecture.
The group now consists of 4 academic members of staff, 5 full time researchers, 3 PhD students and 2 EngD students.

2008
SERG publishes a tool for generating UK climate change weather files for building performance simulation.
Presentation of the group's work at the Copenmind 2008 exhibition.
SERG further expands its work into research on sustainable cities.
Collaboration with overseas universities in China and Malaysia.

2009
SERG publishes a tool for generating world-wide climate change weather files for building performance simulation.
EST domestic small-scale wind field trial report published based on work undertaken by SERG.
Members of SERG act as energy experts for the DECC heat and energy saving strategy consultation.

Consultancy

The group operates a consultancy service over the range of research areas listed on this site. Please contact us with your enquiries.

Telephone +44 (0)23 8059 2051
Email serg@soton.ac.uk