Renewable
energy systems have much in common.
Generally, they rely on a knowledge and
understanding of the resource, the converter
technology and the balance of system. This
applies equally to the optimisation of
converters and their energy yields, whether
they are derived from tidal currents, waves,
wind or solar radiation.
For example, in the study of energy yields
from tidal currents and waves, one needs to
understand the resource that can be utilised
by the energy converters as well as the
device layout within a site. Furthermore,
one needs to study the design of the
mechanical/electrical interface (balance of
system) that will deliver electrical power
to the grid. Similarly, in solar
photovoltaics (PV), energy yields are
dependent on the analysis of the solar
radiation (sunlight), the type of
semiconductor or photon converter that
generates electrons, the design of arrays
and the balance of system to supply power to
the grid. In addition, converter-converter
interactions are important in renewable
energy studies to understand and predict
energy yields.
In the urban environment, building related
energy generation and energy conservation
are vital for carbon emission reduction.
Urban energy generation / conversion
technologies are generally microgeneration
systems such as solar photovoltaics (PV),
micro wind turbines, micro combined heat and
power (µCHP) and ground source heat
pumps. These systems can have a
multifunctional design approach as for
example in the case of semitransparent PV
elements that act as weather barrier whilst
providing shading and daylighting in
addition to their function of generating
electricity.
Understanding the relationship between
occupant behaviour and energy demand is
important within the urban environment to
develop appropriate strategies for both new
buildings and for the refurbishment of
existing buildings. Furthermore, the
interaction of occupant behaviour with
renewable energy systems needs to be studied
to achieve low carbon buildings and cities.
The Sustainable
Energy Research Group seeks to
address the sustainable energy challenge
across a range of scales and approaches.
This encompasses diverse topics such as
resource assessment of MW scale wet
renewables, performance trials of micro-wind
turbines, thin film photovoltaic development
and assessment of the impact of climate
change on future office space performance.
Each project looks at one or more aspects of
the resource, converter and end user chain
and how they interact. Details on individual
projects can be accessed via the links on
the right hand side of this screen. A
detailed overview of the group's research by
themes is given by the topics in the main
menu on the left hand side of this screen.