DEET (DigitalEnergy Estimation Tool). ECR project by Dr Zaid Alwan, Faculty of Engineeringand EnvironmentNorthumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne
Dr Zaid Alwan, Northumbria University
'Digital Energy Estimation Tool (DEET)'
The impact of buildings as a contributor to climate change has been well documented, with approximately 40-50% of global energy use and 20% of resources. A house for example is responsible for energy and CO2 generation in two ways, embodied and operational emissions. Operational emissions refers to fuel from fossil sources (gas, coal) is burnt to run the heating system and lighting, what is not measured is the energy that every construction material (wood , glass, steel) component has been through manufacturing processes which also emit CO2. This process is also energy intensive and responsible for emissions and is referred to as embodied energy. In order to understand the total energy use of a house or building, both operational and embodied energy need to be taken into account.
The project will enable will the generation of real-time energy data (both operational and energy from building components through 3-D computing paradigm at an early building design stage, coupled with operational energy input, bringing a new approach to total life analysis of energy and carbon. Such data will allow more accurate prediction of impacts and material substitution by linking both operational and embodied energy in one tool.