PhD Study : Net and Autonomous Zero Emission Building (NZEB) Concepts and Strategies for Temperate Climates: UK/Northern Ireland

Summary

Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to 50% by 2030 and industrialized nations must achieve net zero emissions by 2050. That is an enormous challenge, but the stakes are high and the building and related industry sector must and will contribute to the effort. This PhD project will contribute new knowledge for the transition towards a net zero carbon built environment.

This project aims to develop net and autonomous zero emission building (NZEB) concepts & strategies for temperate climates in selected UK/NI locations, as part of a proposed knowledge sharing cooperation with The Research Centre for Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (ZEN) hosted by The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway. The NZEB building concepts should be designed with minimal CO2eq emissions (both operational emissions and embodied emissions for materials), be energy efficient, use local environmental-friendly materials and solutions, utilise passive climatisation strategies, use local renewable energy sources, have a healthy indoor environment, be cost optimal and be adapted to the local context, needs and preferences. This will allow for an increased living standard and at the same time result in a transition to the decarbonisation of the built environment.

The PhD research will pursue the following objectives:

* Identification of existing concepts for NZEB in temperate climates (comprehensive literature review of methods, tools, technologies, strategies for energy efficiency, passive design, and renewables integration).

* Adaptation of the Norwegian NZEB model and method for temperate climates in selected urban and rural UK/NI locations. Development of representative designs and benchmarks for NZEBs in temperate climates;

*Combined passive and active solutions for optimal environmental quality. Daylighting *Cost optimal and low emission building envelope components

*Modelling, design and optimisation of the renewable energy technologies including solar (e.g. building integrated solar energies such as BIPV/T, semi-transparent PV windows, batteries). The student is expected to explore other site-specific building/PEB integrated renewable technologies.

*Data sources, data analytics and visualisation modelling and development in collaboration with ongoing research being conducted by Professor Houlihan Wiberg.

*Practical demonstration of “innovation hubs” showcasing exemplary models of smart, highly efficient, intelligent and citizen-oriented cities and, or real case study for NZEBs in a temperate climate in selected UK/NI locations. i)Zero Carbon Belfast Campus, Ulster University ii)Zero Carbon Data Centre & Innovation Park, Port Foyle, Derry iii)CityxChange – a Positive Energy Block (PEB) Zero Carbon Georgian Block, Derry/Belfast

The proposed research will have an impact on legislation that is currently being developed in the pursuit of an official UK/NI NZEB definition. The EU NZEB definition covers all new buildings from 2020 while the UK Zero Carbon Standard only refers to domestic buildings. In the absence of a UK NZEB definition, the proposed UK’s Zero Carbon Standard could be considered as a starting point for the UK’s definition for domestic NZEB, in combination with knowledge sharing from the Norwegian ZEB and ZEN definition, as well as, international definitions and examples of international case studies being developed within the research of IEA Annex 72 described below

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living