James Rennie, university of Nottingham, architecture K100, 2011, unit 1A,

This blog site aims to document my experience at Eco-build 2011. I was there from Monday to Wednesday morning . I then explored and researched some of the ideas presented further. It is important, I feel to have an awareness of new technologies, assess their impact and their uses. I wanted to ask how I could apply some of the technologies seen to studio design projects. I also wanted to assess there aesthetics, sustainability factor, their use in design and to critically comment on how it impacted my structural knowledge and my outlook on eco design and structure.

The audios where recorded on my Olympus DM450 recorder and uploaded them to dropbox and , I ask questions and recorded the replies, I have annotated the audio, and expanded on the information explained in the audio. The recorder was an extremely useful note taking tool. enabling me to record my interaction at Eco build. The clips are between 2 minutes and 30 minutes but I have highlighted important aspects of the clip, if you have the time I encouraged you to listen to the whole of the clip as you get a feel for the process and the way I experienced the show.

I wanted to produce a blog as it allows me to share useful links, information and audios. It is an excellent research tool good allowing me to go back update and add to information as required.

Blog contents

1.lighting v.s nature

2.Straw bale construction

3.How PVs work

4.Green roof construction

5.Rammed earth, the process

6. Glulam beams


Saturday, 14 May 2011

I do not know very much about photovoltaics so my visit to Ecobuild was my chance to learn about them as they are currently one of the most accessible ways of generating renewable energy

PV (arrays turning radiation into electrical energy)

Most common are silicon cells, they work when exposed to the sun (direct current DC flows). PVs respond to both direct sunlight and diffused radiation. Cells are combined to form modules these cells which are of a very low voltage are joined in series to form modules of a higher and more useful voltage, a line of modules are called strings and groups are called arrays. Power from the array goes to the power-conditioning unit. A PCU is a general term for a device that converts the electrical energy into a suitable form for the building. An inverter changes the DC current into AC which then goes to a distribution board in the building to supplement the electrical demand or be connected into the electrical grid.

The output of the array depends on

- Seasonal conditions

- Location in terms of sunlight

- Tilt

- Shadowing

- Temperature

The use of PVs should be part of the overall energy strategy for the building and should be considered particularly important if certain key factors are in place:

- Location – the radiation at the site is important (access).

- Usage – the building should have the electrical requirement.

More expensive than buying from national grid – factories and offices have a high daytime use so can utilise the benefits more effectively, houses however are used day and night and are forced to depend on the national grid

When exposed to sunlight the modules heat up, this is normally removed by ventilation, but the heat can be used to help supplement the buildings total heat requirement.

Array positioning

- Roof based systems

- Façade systems

- Purpose built

- Sizing depends on the site available

- Required energy consumption

- Contribution to overall electrical load

- Availability of area

- Budget

The modules will normally be connected in such a way as to produce a more usable higher voltage from the array with the exact voltage being dependent on the system

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