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Prof. Robert Lowe
UCL Energy Institute, University College London, WC1H 0NN London, UK

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Energy supply and demand systems
0 Decarbonisation of heating and cooling
0 Energy system architecture
0 Cross vector integration
0 Physical and materials constraints

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Energy supply and demand systems
Energy system architecture

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Journal article
Published: 12 June 2021 in Applied Energy
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Whole energy system modelling is a valuable tool to support the development of policy to decarbonise energy systems, and has been used extensively in the UK for this purpose. However, quantitative insights produced by such models necessarily omit potentially important features of physical and engineering reality. The authors argue that important socio-technical insights can be gained by studying critical events such as the loss of 2.1 GW generation from the electricity system of Great Britain on 9th August 2019, in conjunction with literature on the behaviour of complex systems. Among these insights is the idea that models of the operation and evolution of energy systems can never be complete. Both system behaviour (operation) and the emergence and evolution of structure in such systems are formally uncomputable. This provides a starting point for a discussion of the need for additional tools, drawn from the System Architecture literature, to support the design and realisation of future, fully-decarbonised systems with high penetrations of renewable energy. Desirable properties of System Architectures, including current and future Energy System Architectures, are discussed. These include resilience and flexibility, for which there is an extensive literature. They also include the properties of comprehensibility, which helps to make complex systems easier to operate, and of evolvability, for which a working definition is offered.

ACS Style

Robert J. Lowe; Lai Fong Chiu; Steve Pye; Tiziano Gallo Cassarino; Daniel Scamman; Baltazar Solano-Rodriguez. Lost generation: Reflections on resilience and flexibility from an energy system architecture perspective. Applied Energy 2021, 298, 117179 .

AMA Style

Robert J. Lowe, Lai Fong Chiu, Steve Pye, Tiziano Gallo Cassarino, Daniel Scamman, Baltazar Solano-Rodriguez. Lost generation: Reflections on resilience and flexibility from an energy system architecture perspective. Applied Energy. 2021; 298 ():117179.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Robert J. Lowe; Lai Fong Chiu; Steve Pye; Tiziano Gallo Cassarino; Daniel Scamman; Baltazar Solano-Rodriguez. 2021. "Lost generation: Reflections on resilience and flexibility from an energy system architecture perspective." Applied Energy 298, no. : 117179.

Journal article
Published: 11 April 2020 in Energies
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Energy models have been widely applied to the analysis of energy system decarbonisation to assess the options and costs of a transition to a low carbon supply. However, questions persist as to whether they are able to effectively represent and assess heat decarbonisation pathways for the buildings sector. A range of limitations have been identified, including a poor spatio-temporal resolution, limited representation of behaviour, and restricted representation of the full technical option set. This paper undertakes a review of existing energy models for heat decarbonisation in the UK, applying the novel perspective of energy system architecture (ESA). A set of ESA-related features are identified (including evolvability, flexibility, robustness, and feasibility), and models are reviewed against these features. The review finds that a range of models exist that have strengths across different features of ESA, suggesting that multiple modelling approaches are needed in order to adequately address the heat decarbonisation challenge. However, opportunities to improve existing models and develop new approaches also exist, and a research agenda is therefore proposed.

ACS Style

Daniel Scamman; Baltazar Solano-Rodríguez; Steve Pye; Lai Fong Chiu; Andrew Z. P. Smith; Tiziano Gallo Cassarino; Mark Barrett; Robert Lowe. Heat Decarbonisation Modelling Approaches in the UK: An Energy System Architecture Perspective. Energies 2020, 13, 1869 .

AMA Style

Daniel Scamman, Baltazar Solano-Rodríguez, Steve Pye, Lai Fong Chiu, Andrew Z. P. Smith, Tiziano Gallo Cassarino, Mark Barrett, Robert Lowe. Heat Decarbonisation Modelling Approaches in the UK: An Energy System Architecture Perspective. Energies. 2020; 13 (8):1869.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniel Scamman; Baltazar Solano-Rodríguez; Steve Pye; Lai Fong Chiu; Andrew Z. P. Smith; Tiziano Gallo Cassarino; Mark Barrett; Robert Lowe. 2020. "Heat Decarbonisation Modelling Approaches in the UK: An Energy System Architecture Perspective." Energies 13, no. 8: 1869.

Journal article
Published: 19 December 2019 in Energy Research & Social Science
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There is widespread agreement that the energy efficiency of existing UK housing will need to be improved significantly, to meet future emissions targets and to support the transformation of the energy system. But there is also a recognition of the problematic nature of innovation in the construction industry. The Retrofit for the Future Programme (RftF) was set up in 2009 to address these challenges. This paper investigates the genesis of innovation in construction through the experiences of seven retrofit project teams selected from the RftF programme. While contemporary social practice theories (SPTs) offer a framework for describing socio-technical phenomena, they are insufficient to provide an account of innovation. The conceptual framing of this exploration is therefore based on embedding the notion of situated creativity posited by the pragmatists into SPTs. Reflective focus group and in-depth individual interview methods were used for data collection. The analysis focused on the problems encountered by the project teams. The key insight is that innovation appears to be situational, emerging in the face of contextual complexity, from a combination of the project teams’ commitment to the goals of the RftF Programme and their willingness to move beyond routine, to confront problems, and re-think and re-negotiate solutions. Implications of this insight for Social Practice Theory and methodology for investigation of retrofit innovation are discussed.

ACS Style

Robert Lowe; Lai Fong Chiu. Innovation in deep housing retrofit in the United Kingdom: The role of situated creativity in transforming practice. Energy Research & Social Science 2019, 63, 101391 .

AMA Style

Robert Lowe, Lai Fong Chiu. Innovation in deep housing retrofit in the United Kingdom: The role of situated creativity in transforming practice. Energy Research & Social Science. 2019; 63 ():101391.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Robert Lowe; Lai Fong Chiu. 2019. "Innovation in deep housing retrofit in the United Kingdom: The role of situated creativity in transforming practice." Energy Research & Social Science 63, no. : 101391.

Journal article
Published: 08 May 2019 in International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation
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Purpose Compulsory airtightness testing was introduced for new dwellings in England and Wales in 2006 and in Scotland in 2010 to ensure that they are constructed according to design air permeability targets. These targets are set to limit heat loss through air infiltration. Previous work examining the large Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association (ATTMA) data set of UK airtightness test data suggested that, in a proportion of dwellings, the targets were being met by post-completion sealing as opposed to airtight construction, but did not quantify the prevalence of this practice. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the distribution of as-built airtightness and the proportion of dwellings undergoing post-completion sealing are estimated from the ATTMA data set covering 2015–2016. This is carried out by Bayesian statistical modelling, using the data set of recorded test results and a modelled representation of the testing process. Findings This analysis finds the mode of the as-built distribution of air permeability as 4.38 ± 0.01 m3/m2h. It predicts that 39 per cent of dwellings aiming for one of the five most common design targets have sealing interventions at the point of pressure testing to meet their target. The as-built distribution of the ATTMA data is compared to airtightness test data obtained from just before compulsory testing was introduced, showing an improvement in the modal air permeability of 3.6 m3/m2h since testing became mandatory. Originality/value This paper has investigated the available data beyond simply what is reported, to estimate what the real levels of airtightness in the UK new build stock may be.

ACS Style

Jenny Crawley; Phillip Biddulph; Jez Wingfield; Minnie Ashdown; Robert Lowe; Clifford Elwell. Inferring the as-built air permeability of new UK dwellings. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation 2019, 38, 3 -19.

AMA Style

Jenny Crawley, Phillip Biddulph, Jez Wingfield, Minnie Ashdown, Robert Lowe, Clifford Elwell. Inferring the as-built air permeability of new UK dwellings. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation. 2019; 38 (1):3-19.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jenny Crawley; Phillip Biddulph; Jez Wingfield; Minnie Ashdown; Robert Lowe; Clifford Elwell. 2019. "Inferring the as-built air permeability of new UK dwellings." International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation 38, no. 1: 3-19.

Review article
Published: 20 July 2018 in Building Services Engineering Research and Technology
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This paper brings together a rapid evidence assessment of impacts of elevated CO2 concentrations on human cognition with IPCC projections of atmospheric CO2 concentration by the end of the present century, and an analysis of potential consequences of increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations for ventilation systems in buildings and other enclosed spaces. Whilst only limited research has been done on the effect of CO2 on cognition (as opposed to air quality in general), half of the studies reviewed indicate that human cognitive performance declines with increasing CO2 concentrations. Hence, given the likelihood of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration by the end of the 21st century, direct impacts of anthropogenic CO2 emissions on human cognitive performance may be unavoidable. Attempts to minimise these direct impacts are likely to result in significant indirect impacts on the engineering of ventilation systems and associated energy use in all enclosed spaces including buildings and transport systems. Practical application: This paper concerns what may well be one of the most important long-term drivers of the design, management, operation and regulation of ventilation systems over the remainder of the 21st century. It will be relevant to professionals, particularly at senior levels in the building industry.

ACS Style

Robert J Lowe; Gesche Huebner; Tadj Oreszczyn. Possible future impacts of elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 on human cognitive performance and on the design and operation of ventilation systems in buildings. Building Services Engineering Research and Technology 2018, 39, 698 -711.

AMA Style

Robert J Lowe, Gesche Huebner, Tadj Oreszczyn. Possible future impacts of elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 on human cognitive performance and on the design and operation of ventilation systems in buildings. Building Services Engineering Research and Technology. 2018; 39 (6):698-711.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Robert J Lowe; Gesche Huebner; Tadj Oreszczyn. 2018. "Possible future impacts of elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 on human cognitive performance and on the design and operation of ventilation systems in buildings." Building Services Engineering Research and Technology 39, no. 6: 698-711.

Journal article
Published: 23 October 2017 in Buildings
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Evidence of a fabric performance gap has underlined the need for measurements of in situ building performance. Steady state co-heating tests have been used since the 1980s to measure whole building heat transfer coefficients, but are often cited as impractical due to their 2–4 week test duration and limited testing season. Despite this, the required conditions for testing and test duration have never been fully assessed. Analysis of field tests show that in 12 of 16 cases, a heat loss estimate to within 10% of the result achieved across a full test period can be achieved within just 72 h. These results are supported by simulated tests upon a wider range of dwellings and across wider environmental conditions. However, systematic errors may still exist, even in cases of convergence and cases with significant uncertainties may never converge. Simulated examples of traditional dwellings and those built in line with current building regulation limits may be tested for more than half the year. However, even when simulated with reduced uncertainties, dwellings with low heat loss and high solar gains, such Passivhaus dwellings and apartments, could be successfully tested for just 22% and 12% of a year respectively, demonstrating the limitations of the co-heating method in assessing such dwellings.

ACS Style

Samuel Stamp; Hector Altamirano-Medina; Robert Lowe. Assessing the Relationship between Measurement Length and Accuracy within Steady State Co-Heating Tests. Buildings 2017, 7, 98 .

AMA Style

Samuel Stamp, Hector Altamirano-Medina, Robert Lowe. Assessing the Relationship between Measurement Length and Accuracy within Steady State Co-Heating Tests. Buildings. 2017; 7 (4):98.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Samuel Stamp; Hector Altamirano-Medina; Robert Lowe. 2017. "Assessing the Relationship between Measurement Length and Accuracy within Steady State Co-Heating Tests." Buildings 7, no. 4: 98.

Research
Published: 12 September 2017 in Building Research & Information
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Raymond J. Cole’s body of work, spanning sustainable design, system complexity and human agency, has encouraged researchers to reconceptualize the notions of comfort and building performance. However, methods for predicting energy use and assessing environmental performance have remained predominantly within a reductionist approach common to physics and engineering. The recognition that building performance is characterized by interactive adaptivity and co-evolution of the physical with the social has not been matched by the generation of new methods. Although social practice theories that articulate the socio-technical nature of the built environment have been increasingly appropriated to understand occupants’ role in performance, the challenge of studying buildings as complex socio-technical systems remains. This methodological paper discusses the application of the case study method (CSM) to the study of 10 retrofit projects selected from the Retrofit for the Future (RfF) Programme in UK between 2011 and 2012. Guided by Greene’s framework for methodological discourse, the epistemic regime is articulated under four headings: philosophical assumptions, investigative logics, guidelines for practice and contribution to system perspective. The discussion of these domains highlights the fecundity of CSM in providing a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between social and technical systems in performance.

ACS Style

Robert Lowe; Lai Fong Chiu; Tadj Oreszczyn; Tadeusz Oreszczyn. Socio-technical case study method in building performance evaluation. Building Research & Information 2017, 46, 469 -484.

AMA Style

Robert Lowe, Lai Fong Chiu, Tadj Oreszczyn, Tadeusz Oreszczyn. Socio-technical case study method in building performance evaluation. Building Research & Information. 2017; 46 (5):469-484.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Robert Lowe; Lai Fong Chiu; Tadj Oreszczyn; Tadeusz Oreszczyn. 2017. "Socio-technical case study method in building performance evaluation." Building Research & Information 46, no. 5: 469-484.

Journal article
Published: 08 August 2016 in Buildings
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European National Calculation Methods (NCM), such as the UK Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), are used to make standardised and simplified assessments of building energy performance. These NCMs contain simplifications to aid ease of use and comparability of resulting Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). By comparing SAP with a modern, dynamic modelling system, this study quantifies internal temperatures and thereby heating energy consumption. Results show that for the considered test house SAP results correspond closely to a dynamic model using an idealistic heating system, with perfect control and instant responsiveness. However, the introduction of a dynamic, physically realistic gas fired boiler and water based heating system to the model results in a consistent increase in internal temperature (0.5 °C) and energy demand (by ca. 1000 kWh/a). Variation of further parameters within the dynamic model, controls and heat source size, are presented and compared to SAP results and assumptions. The inclusion of more realistic dynamics in building energy modelling for NCMs may provide a better basis for effective decision making with respect to a wide range of heating systems.

ACS Style

George Bennett; Clifford Elwell; Robert Lowe; Tadj Oreszczyn. The Importance of Heating System Transient Response in Domestic Energy Labelling. Buildings 2016, 6, 29 .

AMA Style

George Bennett, Clifford Elwell, Robert Lowe, Tadj Oreszczyn. The Importance of Heating System Transient Response in Domestic Energy Labelling. Buildings. 2016; 6 (3):29.

Chicago/Turabian Style

George Bennett; Clifford Elwell; Robert Lowe; Tadj Oreszczyn. 2016. "The Importance of Heating System Transient Response in Domestic Energy Labelling." Buildings 6, no. 3: 29.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2016 in Energy and Buildings
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The English government estimates that approximately 22 TWh of energy can be saved from English dwellings by 2020 from a range of fabric and heating energy efficiency retrofits. Yet the rate of retrofit uptake has been less than is needed to meet government targets and the retrofits impact on energy demand has been less than predicted. Two questions that must be addressed are: who have (and have not) taken up retrofits and what household factors affect this; and, what impact have these retrofits had on energy use and how does this differ amongst households. The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding of the uptake of energy efficiency retrofits and the resulting change in energy demand. A cohort of 168,998 dwellings gas-heated English dwellings was used to examine retrofit uptake from 2002 to 2007 and the change in gas use from 2005 to 2007. The findings show that retrofits do have an attributable impact on reducing energy demand and that combining retrofits displays a dose-response like effect, after controlling for household and dwelling factors. Energy savings play a central role in meeting UK climate change mitigation targets and therefore understanding the take up of energy efficiency retrofits and their impact on energy demand and variations in these retrofits across the population is vital to understand their potential.

ACS Style

Ian G. Hamilton; Alex J. Summerfield; David Shipworth; J. Philip Steadman; Tadj Oreszczyn; Robert J. Lowe. Energy efficiency uptake and energy savings in English houses: A cohort study. Energy and Buildings 2016, 118, 259 -276.

AMA Style

Ian G. Hamilton, Alex J. Summerfield, David Shipworth, J. Philip Steadman, Tadj Oreszczyn, Robert J. Lowe. Energy efficiency uptake and energy savings in English houses: A cohort study. Energy and Buildings. 2016; 118 ():259-276.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ian G. Hamilton; Alex J. Summerfield; David Shipworth; J. Philip Steadman; Tadj Oreszczyn; Robert J. Lowe. 2016. "Energy efficiency uptake and energy savings in English houses: A cohort study." Energy and Buildings 118, no. : 259-276.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2015 in Energy Policy
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ACS Style

Clifford A. Elwell; Phillip Biddulph; Robert Lowe; Tadj Oreszczyn. Determining the impact of regulatory policy on UK gas use using Bayesian analysis on publicly available data. Energy Policy 2015, 86, 770 -783.

AMA Style

Clifford A. Elwell, Phillip Biddulph, Robert Lowe, Tadj Oreszczyn. Determining the impact of regulatory policy on UK gas use using Bayesian analysis on publicly available data. Energy Policy. 2015; 86 ():770-783.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Clifford A. Elwell; Phillip Biddulph; Robert Lowe; Tadj Oreszczyn. 2015. "Determining the impact of regulatory policy on UK gas use using Bayesian analysis on publicly available data." Energy Policy 86, no. : 770-783.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2015 in Building and Environment
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ACS Style

Benjamin Jones; Payel Das; Zaid Chalabi; Michael Davies; Ian Hamilton; Robert Lowe; Anna Mavrogianni; Darren Robinson; Jonathon Taylor. Assessing uncertainty in housing stock infiltration rates and associated heat loss: English and UK case studies. Building and Environment 2015, 92, 644 -656.

AMA Style

Benjamin Jones, Payel Das, Zaid Chalabi, Michael Davies, Ian Hamilton, Robert Lowe, Anna Mavrogianni, Darren Robinson, Jonathon Taylor. Assessing uncertainty in housing stock infiltration rates and associated heat loss: English and UK case studies. Building and Environment. 2015; 92 ():644-656.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Benjamin Jones; Payel Das; Zaid Chalabi; Michael Davies; Ian Hamilton; Robert Lowe; Anna Mavrogianni; Darren Robinson; Jonathon Taylor. 2015. "Assessing uncertainty in housing stock infiltration rates and associated heat loss: English and UK case studies." Building and Environment 92, no. : 644-656.

The lancet commissions
Published: 22 June 2015 in The Lancet
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REVIEWJOURNAL ARTICLEThe 2015 Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change has been formed to map out the impacts of climate change, and the necessary policy responses, in order to ensure the highest attainable standards of health for populations worldwide. This Commission is multidisciplinary and international in nature, with strong collaboration between academic centres in Europe and China.\ud The central finding from the Commission's work is that tackling climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century.The central funding for the Commission was provided by ClimateWorks Foundation, the European Climate Foundation, Microsoft Research Asia, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), the National Environment Research Council through an Impact Acceleration award to the University of Exeter (NE/L012782/1), Martin Rushton-Turner, the Stordalen Foundation, and University College London’s Grand Challenge for Global Health

ACS Style

Nick Watts; William Neil Adger; Paolo Agnolucci; Jason Blackstock; Peter Byass; Wenjia Cai; Sarah Chaytor; Timothy Colbourn; Mat Collins; Adam Cooper; Peter Cox; Joanna Depledge; Paul Drummond; Paul Ekins; Victor Galaz; Delia Grace; Hilary Graham; Michael Grubb; Andy Haines; Ian Hamilton; Alasdair Hunter; Xujia Jiang; Moxuan Li; Ilan Kelman; Lu Liang; Melissa Lott; Robert Lowe; Yong Luo; Georgina Mace; Mark Maslin; Maria Nilsson; Tadj Oreszczyn; Steve Pye; Tara Quinn; My Svensdotter; Sergey Venevsky; Koko Warner; Bing Xu; Jun Yang; Yongyuan Yin; Chaoqing Yu; Qiang Zhang; Peng Gong; Hugh Montgomery; Anthony Costello. Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health. The Lancet 2015, 386, 1861 -1914.

AMA Style

Nick Watts, William Neil Adger, Paolo Agnolucci, Jason Blackstock, Peter Byass, Wenjia Cai, Sarah Chaytor, Timothy Colbourn, Mat Collins, Adam Cooper, Peter Cox, Joanna Depledge, Paul Drummond, Paul Ekins, Victor Galaz, Delia Grace, Hilary Graham, Michael Grubb, Andy Haines, Ian Hamilton, Alasdair Hunter, Xujia Jiang, Moxuan Li, Ilan Kelman, Lu Liang, Melissa Lott, Robert Lowe, Yong Luo, Georgina Mace, Mark Maslin, Maria Nilsson, Tadj Oreszczyn, Steve Pye, Tara Quinn, My Svensdotter, Sergey Venevsky, Koko Warner, Bing Xu, Jun Yang, Yongyuan Yin, Chaoqing Yu, Qiang Zhang, Peng Gong, Hugh Montgomery, Anthony Costello. Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health. The Lancet. 2015; 386 (10006):1861-1914.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nick Watts; William Neil Adger; Paolo Agnolucci; Jason Blackstock; Peter Byass; Wenjia Cai; Sarah Chaytor; Timothy Colbourn; Mat Collins; Adam Cooper; Peter Cox; Joanna Depledge; Paul Drummond; Paul Ekins; Victor Galaz; Delia Grace; Hilary Graham; Michael Grubb; Andy Haines; Ian Hamilton; Alasdair Hunter; Xujia Jiang; Moxuan Li; Ilan Kelman; Lu Liang; Melissa Lott; Robert Lowe; Yong Luo; Georgina Mace; Mark Maslin; Maria Nilsson; Tadj Oreszczyn; Steve Pye; Tara Quinn; My Svensdotter; Sergey Venevsky; Koko Warner; Bing Xu; Jun Yang; Yongyuan Yin; Chaoqing Yu; Qiang Zhang; Peng Gong; Hugh Montgomery; Anthony Costello. 2015. "Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health." The Lancet 386, no. 10006: 1861-1914.

Research
Published: 14 October 2014 in Building Research & Information
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The assumed U-values of solid walls represent a significant source of uncertainty when estimating the energy performance of dwellings. The typical U-value for UK solid walls used for stock-level energy demand estimates and energy certification is 2.1 Wm−2 K−1. A re-analysis (based on 40 brick solid walls and 18 stone walls) using a lumped thermal mass and inverse parameter estimation technique gives a mean value of 1.3 ± 0.4 Wm−2 K−1 for both solid wall types. Among the many implications for policy, this suggests that standard UK solid-wall U-values may be inappropriate for energy certification or for evaluating the investment economics of solid-wall insulation. For stock-level energy modelling, changing the assumed U-value for solid walls reduces the estimated mean annual space heating demand by 16%, and causes a proportion of the stock to change Energy Performance Certification (EPC) band. The analysis shows that the diversity of energy use in domestic buildings may be as much influenced by heterogeneity in the physical characteristics of individual building components as it is by variation in occupant behaviour. Policy assessment and guidance material needs to acknowledge and account for this variation in physical building characteristics through regular grounding in empirical field data.

ACS Style

Francis G. N. Li; A.Z.P. Smith; Phillip Biddulph; Ian G. Hamilton; Robert Lowe; Anna Mavrogianni; Eleni Oikonomou; Rokia Raslan; Samuel Stamp; Andrew Stone; A.J. Summerfield; David Veitch; Virginia Gori; Tadj Oreszczyn. Solid-wallU-values: heat flux measurements compared with standard assumptions. Building Research & Information 2014, 43, 238 -252.

AMA Style

Francis G. N. Li, A.Z.P. Smith, Phillip Biddulph, Ian G. Hamilton, Robert Lowe, Anna Mavrogianni, Eleni Oikonomou, Rokia Raslan, Samuel Stamp, Andrew Stone, A.J. Summerfield, David Veitch, Virginia Gori, Tadj Oreszczyn. Solid-wallU-values: heat flux measurements compared with standard assumptions. Building Research & Information. 2014; 43 (2):238-252.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francis G. N. Li; A.Z.P. Smith; Phillip Biddulph; Ian G. Hamilton; Robert Lowe; Anna Mavrogianni; Eleni Oikonomou; Rokia Raslan; Samuel Stamp; Andrew Stone; A.J. Summerfield; David Veitch; Virginia Gori; Tadj Oreszczyn. 2014. "Solid-wallU-values: heat flux measurements compared with standard assumptions." Building Research & Information 43, no. 2: 238-252.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2014 in Energy and Buildings
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Evaluating how much heat is lost through external walls is a key requirement for building energy simulators and is necessary for quality assurance and successful decision making in policy making and building design, construction and refurbishment. Heat loss can be estimated using the temperature differences between the inside and outside air and an estimate of the thermal transmittance (U-value) of the wall. Unfortunately the actual U-value may be different from those values obtained using assumptions about the materials, their properties and the structure of the wall after a cursory visual inspection.In-situ monitoring using thermometers and heat flux plates enables more accurate characterisation of the thermal properties of walls in their context. However, standard practices require that the measurements are carried out in winter over a two-week period to significantly reduce the dynamic effects of the wall's thermal mass from the data.A novel combination of a lumped thermal mass model, together with Bayesian statistical analysis is presented to derive estimates of the U-value and effective thermal mass. The method needs only a few days of measurements, provides an estimate of the effective thermal mass and could potentially be used in summer

ACS Style

Phillip Biddulph; Virginia Gori; Clifford A. Elwell; Cameron Scott; Caroline Rye; Robert Lowe; Tadj Oreszczyn. Inferring the thermal resistance and effective thermal mass of a wall using frequent temperature and heat flux measurements. Energy and Buildings 2014, 78, 10 -16.

AMA Style

Phillip Biddulph, Virginia Gori, Clifford A. Elwell, Cameron Scott, Caroline Rye, Robert Lowe, Tadj Oreszczyn. Inferring the thermal resistance and effective thermal mass of a wall using frequent temperature and heat flux measurements. Energy and Buildings. 2014; 78 ():10-16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Phillip Biddulph; Virginia Gori; Clifford A. Elwell; Cameron Scott; Caroline Rye; Robert Lowe; Tadj Oreszczyn. 2014. "Inferring the thermal resistance and effective thermal mass of a wall using frequent temperature and heat flux measurements." Energy and Buildings 78, no. : 10-16.

Information
Published: 17 July 2014 in Building Research & Information
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Individual heat metering and charging (IMC) are seen as promising methods to reduce domestic heating and hot water use through the provision of financial incentives. The heat consumption measured by meters is influenced by both the dwelling characteristics and the behaviour of the occupant, but heating charges would ideally relate to occupant behaviour only. This dilemma can be especially relevant under two circumstances: if the thermal performance of the dwelling is poor and/or if heating costs represent a substantial part of the occupants' income, i.e. in social housing. The case of a district-heated council block in London is presented where the installation of individual heat meters was planned in 2010 but had to be suspended due to concerns about implications for occupant heating costs in light of the thermal performance of the building. It illustrates a technically and socially complex environment where fairness in allocating heating costs is an important concern. The case also shows how lack of funding or other issues on the infrastructure side can hinder behaviour-orientated measures such as IMC. A holistic energy conservation strategy addressing both physical building properties and occupant behaviour is therefore essential and should be supported by policy.

ACS Style

Paula Morgenstern; Robert Lowe; Lai Fong Chiu. Heat metering: socio-technical challenges in district-heated social housing. Building Research & Information 2014, 43, 197 -209.

AMA Style

Paula Morgenstern, Robert Lowe, Lai Fong Chiu. Heat metering: socio-technical challenges in district-heated social housing. Building Research & Information. 2014; 43 (2):197-209.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paula Morgenstern; Robert Lowe; Lai Fong Chiu. 2014. "Heat metering: socio-technical challenges in district-heated social housing." Building Research & Information 43, no. 2: 197-209.

Journal article
Published: 08 May 2014 in Building Research & Information
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ACS Style

Lai Fong Chiu; Robert Lowe; Rokia Raslan; Hector Altamirano-Medina; Jez Wingfield. A socio-technical approach to post-occupancy evaluation: interactive adaptability in domestic retrofit. Building Research & Information 2014, 42, 574 -590.

AMA Style

Lai Fong Chiu, Robert Lowe, Rokia Raslan, Hector Altamirano-Medina, Jez Wingfield. A socio-technical approach to post-occupancy evaluation: interactive adaptability in domestic retrofit. Building Research & Information. 2014; 42 (5):574-590.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lai Fong Chiu; Robert Lowe; Rokia Raslan; Hector Altamirano-Medina; Jez Wingfield. 2014. "A socio-technical approach to post-occupancy evaluation: interactive adaptability in domestic retrofit." Building Research & Information 42, no. 5: 574-590.

Research
Published: 30 January 2014 in Building Research & Information
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Little detailed evidence has previously been available regarding the uptake rate or prevalence of energy efficiency interventions among specific household groups. This study uses the Home Energy Efficiency Database (HEED) to investigate both the combination of measures that have been installed, and in which dwellings, according to key neighbourhood socio-demographic variables, including income and tenure. Analysis of 2000–07 data indicates that approximately 40% (9.3 million) dwellings in England had approximately 23.7 million efficiency measures installed, with an average of 2.5 measures per dwelling. Building fabric-related measures were the most frequent (e.g. cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and glazing) with an average of 2.1 million installed each year. Dwellings with the highest number of fabric interventions (the top 20%) were more likely to be found in areas with low income, with more owner-occupied dwellings, experiencing lower winter temperatures, having a lower proportion of flats, and having a slightly higher proportion of older adults and children. Energy efficiency installations have tended to occur among specific types of households or parts of the building stock. These findings have implications for the design of future government programmes for targeting energy efficiency measures to specific household groups or dwelling types.

ACS Style

Ian G. Hamilton; David Shipworth; Alex J. Summerfield; Philip Steadman; Tadj Oreszczyn; Robert Lowe. Uptake of energy efficiency interventions in English dwellings. Building Research & Information 2014, 42, 255 -275.

AMA Style

Ian G. Hamilton, David Shipworth, Alex J. Summerfield, Philip Steadman, Tadj Oreszczyn, Robert Lowe. Uptake of energy efficiency interventions in English dwellings. Building Research & Information. 2014; 42 (3):255-275.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ian G. Hamilton; David Shipworth; Alex J. Summerfield; Philip Steadman; Tadj Oreszczyn; Robert Lowe. 2014. "Uptake of energy efficiency interventions in English dwellings." Building Research & Information 42, no. 3: 255-275.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2013 in Energy Policy
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The UK Government has unveiled an ambitious retrofit programme that seeks significant improvement to the energy efficiency of the housing stock. High quality data on the energy efficiency of buildings and their related energy demand is critical to supporting and targeting investment in energy efficiency. Using existing home improvement programmes over the past 15 years, the UK Government has brought together data on energy efficiency retrofits in approximately 13 million homes into the Homes Energy Efficiency Database (HEED), along with annual metered gas and electricity use for the period of 2004–2007.This paper describes the HEED sample and assesses its representativeness in terms of dwelling characteristics, the energy demand of different energy performance levels using linked gas and electricity meter data, along with an analysis of the impact retrofit measures has on energy demand. Energy savings are shown to be associated with the installation of loft and cavity insulation, and glazing and boiler replacement. The analysis illustrates this source of ‘in-action’ data can be used to provide empirical estimates of impacts of energy efficiency retrofit on energy demand and provides a source of empirical data from which to support the development of national housing energy efficiency retrofit policies

ACS Style

Ian Hamilton; Philip J. Steadman; Harry Bruhns; Alex J. Summerfield; Robert Lowe. Energy efficiency in the British housing stock: Energy demand and the Homes Energy Efficiency Database. Energy Policy 2013, 60, 462 -480.

AMA Style

Ian Hamilton, Philip J. Steadman, Harry Bruhns, Alex J. Summerfield, Robert Lowe. Energy efficiency in the British housing stock: Energy demand and the Homes Energy Efficiency Database. Energy Policy. 2013; 60 ():462-480.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ian Hamilton; Philip J. Steadman; Harry Bruhns; Alex J. Summerfield; Robert Lowe. 2013. "Energy efficiency in the British housing stock: Energy demand and the Homes Energy Efficiency Database." Energy Policy 60, no. : 462-480.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2013 in International Journal of Ventilation
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ACS Style

Benjamin Jones; Payel Das; Zaid Chalabi; Michael Davies; Ian Hamilton; Robert Lowe; James Milner; Ian Alexander Ridley; Clive Shrubsole; Paul Wilkinson. The Effect of Party Wall Permeability on Estimations of Infiltration from Air Leakage. International Journal of Ventilation 2013, 12, 17 -30.

AMA Style

Benjamin Jones, Payel Das, Zaid Chalabi, Michael Davies, Ian Hamilton, Robert Lowe, James Milner, Ian Alexander Ridley, Clive Shrubsole, Paul Wilkinson. The Effect of Party Wall Permeability on Estimations of Infiltration from Air Leakage. International Journal of Ventilation. 2013; 12 (1):17-30.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Benjamin Jones; Payel Das; Zaid Chalabi; Michael Davies; Ian Hamilton; Robert Lowe; James Milner; Ian Alexander Ridley; Clive Shrubsole; Paul Wilkinson. 2013. "The Effect of Party Wall Permeability on Estimations of Infiltration from Air Leakage." International Journal of Ventilation 12, no. 1: 17-30.

Information
Published: 22 May 2013 in Building Research & Information
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The call for action to transform the built environment and address the threats of climate change has been clearly made. However, to support the development, implementation and on-going evaluation of energy demand policy, a strong evidence base is needed to identify associations and establish underlying causes behind outcomes and variations in end-use energy demand within the population. A new approach to end-use energy demand research is presented which is founded on the interdisciplinary health sciences research framework of epidemiology, along with the establishment of a research centre. A case is made that through an ‘energy epidemiology’ approach a strong, population-level, empirically based research foundation can be advanced. Energy epidemiology is a whole-system approach that focuses on empirical research and provides a methodological framework for building physicists, engineers, sociologists and economists to engage in interdisciplinary work. The adaptation of the epidemiological approach to end-use energy demand studies will provide the means to observe and describe the trends and patterns of energy demand, to undertake and contextualize interventional studies, and to establish strong associations between factors that lead to an energy demand-related outcome or event. Such an approach would strengthen the evidence base to inform policy decisions and evaluate past intervention programmes or regulatory actions. Il a été clairement lancé un appel pour mettre en place des mesures propres à transformer le cadre bâti et à faire face aux menaces du changement climatique. Néanmoins, pour soutenir l'élaboration, la mise en œuvre et l'évaluation en continu de la politique relative à la demande énergétique, il est nécessaire de disposer d'une solide base de données factuelle pour identifier les associations et établir les causes sous-jacentes des résultats et des variations de la demande énergétique des utilisateurs finals au sein de la population. Il est présenté une nouvelle approche pour l'étude de la demande énergétique des utilisateurs finals, qui est fondée sur le cadre interdisciplinaire de l'épidémiologie utilisé pour les recherches dans les sciences de la santé, ainsi que sur l'établissement d'un centre de recherche. Il est fait valoir que, par une approche basée sur une « épidémiologie de l'énergie », il est possible de faire progresser la fondation d'une recherche empirique solide au niveau de la population. L'épidémiologie de l'énergie est une approche systémique globale qui est axée sur la recherche empirique et fournit un cadre méthodologique aux physiciens, ingénieurs, sociologues et économistes du bâtiment afin qu'ils participent à des travaux interdisciplinaires. L'adaptation de l'approche épidémiologique aux études relatives à la demande énergétique des utilisateurs finals donnera les moyens d'observer et de décrire les tendances et les schémas de la demande énergétique, d'entreprendre et de contextualiser des études interventionnelles, et d'établir les associations fortes entre les facteurs qui conduisent à un résultat ou à un événement lié à la demande énergétique. Une telle approche renforcerait la base de données factuelle afin d'éclairer les décisions en matière de politique et d'évaluer les programmes d'intervention passés ou les mesures réglementaires prises. Mots clés: bâtiments, cadre bâti, demande énergétique, épidémiologie, base factuelle, interdisciplinaire, politique publique, recherche

ACS Style

Ian G. Hamilton; Alex J. Summerfield; Robert Lowe; Paul Ruyssevelt; Clifford A. Elwell; Tadj Oreszczyn. Energy epidemiology: a new approach to end-use energy demand research. Building Research & Information 2013, 41, 482 -497.

AMA Style

Ian G. Hamilton, Alex J. Summerfield, Robert Lowe, Paul Ruyssevelt, Clifford A. Elwell, Tadj Oreszczyn. Energy epidemiology: a new approach to end-use energy demand research. Building Research & Information. 2013; 41 (4):482-497.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ian G. Hamilton; Alex J. Summerfield; Robert Lowe; Paul Ruyssevelt; Clifford A. Elwell; Tadj Oreszczyn. 2013. "Energy epidemiology: a new approach to end-use energy demand research." Building Research & Information 41, no. 4: 482-497.