PhD Study : Implementation of nZEB (nearly Zero Energy Buildings) standards for low energy buildings of the future

Summary

Within Europe, all member states are required to define and implement the Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standard for all new buildings from 2020 on. The EU requires member states to ensure that each country’s NZEB standard is not undermined by performance gaps between theoretical and actual use, and by poor indoor environmental quality. This provides challenges for all stakeholders, from those writing the building regulations, through to the architects, engineers, developers and tradespeople and ultimately to the owners of the dwellings built to these new standards.

In November 2019, Part L of the building regulations in Ireland for dwellings was updated to implement the NZEB standard, but is this fit for purpose, does it address the EU’s concerns about energy performance gaps and indoor air quality, and is the industry prepared to deliver the new regulations along with complimentary regulations such as the Smart Readiness Indicator? Thus there is a need to undertake evidence-based research to develop an inclusive strategy for all industry stakeholders on how to improve the implementation of low energy building standards for domestic dwellings, using Ireland as an exemplar.

The key aspects of the research include:

-conduct a literature review on the emerging evidence from monitoring and/or desktop studies on NZEBs and other low energy new build homes in Ireland, taking into account available data on actual energy performance and indoor environmental quality (IEQ).

-collate and analyse data from SEAI’s National BER Research Tool, to identify the approaches that are being adopted to meet the NZEB standard, including trends over time, and discuss potential implications, in particular where they may impact on real world energy performance or IEQ.

-seek evidence on compliance levels with the NZEB requirements in new homes, drawing inter alia from potentially indicative data from within the National BER Research Tool and from interviews and surveys with industry stakeholders.

-survey stakeholders involved in the delivery of NZEBs including, inter alia, clients, design professionals, tradespeople and product suppliers, with a view to understanding the extent to which the NZEB requirements are impacting their work; their understanding of the NZEB standard; their views on any issues arising from the implementation of Ireland’s NZEB standard for dwellings, including any risks which may undermine the successful performance of the buildings, and any issues which may mitigate against the industry meeting the standard.

This industry-focused research builds on international best practice, investigating the manner in which stakeholders design, deploy and operate dwellings built to the new low-energy standards. The work builds on the InterReg funded SoLow industry/academia project and incorporates a significant stakeholder investigation in order to assess the attitudes and approaches of the construction industry towards achieving NZEBs.

A comprehensive three-tier methodology will be used in the investigation which involves the use of primary data in addition to surveys, workshops and interviews with the participants from Ireland. The main barriers, gaps and challenges identified through the study in the industry practices will further guide the course of this research.

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

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Masters at 65%

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