Design and Sustainability Assessment of Novel Building Integrated Solar Technologies

About the Project

The transition to a sustainable energy future requires changing how urban environments operate. Buildings and industrial sites are major energy consumers and sources of emissions. Current approaches often add renewable energy components to passive buildings, leading to inefficiency and grid strain. A better strategy transforms buildings into active energy hubs that generate, store, and manage energy. This contributes to a more resilient, decarbonized grid. The primary challenge is creating a unified framework to manage these complex systems. This framework must integrate advanced hardware, intelligent software, and a comprehensive understanding of their lifelong sustainability impacts. It needs to account for the entire system, not just its isolated parts.

This research project addresses the need for truly integrated, sustainable energy systems in the built environment. The core problem is the lack of a holistic approach. Solutions often focus on a single technology, like software controls or a hardware component, while ignoring their interconnected performance and total lifecycle impact. This fragmentation prevents the realization of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs), which are urban areas that produce more energy than they consume. Overcoming this requires new methods that merge advanced technology development with rigorous sustainability assessment. It demands a move beyond simple energy-saving metrics to a full accounting of environmental, social, and economic consequences from manufacturing to end-of-life.

The aim of this project is to develop and validate an integrated framework for designing and operating climate-neutral buildings and districts. This framework will be built on three core pillars. The first is hardware innovation, focused on designing and fabricating a novel Building Integrated Photovoltaic-Thermal (BIPVT) system. BIPVT panels generate both electricity and useful heat, making them a key technology. The second pillar is intelligent control, creating a management system to optimize energy flows. The third is a comprehensive sustainability assessment, moving beyond traditional analysis to evaluate the entire system's lifecycle. The goal is a replicable model for developing PEDs that are not only energy-efficient but also demonstrably sustainable.

The project will pursue several specific objectives based on these pillars. First, a new BIPVT solar panel will be designed, fabricated, and rigorously tested to validate its enhanced electrical and thermal performance. Second, an intelligent control system using machine learning will be developed to manage energy dispatch and storage. The third objective is to conduct an advanced Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). This involves developing refined methodologies for defining functional units and system boundaries that accurately reflect the interconnectedness of the BIPVT, battery storage, and building systems. It will utilize dynamic LCA models to account for an evolving energy grid and other changes over the system’s lifespan. Crucially, this LCSA will integrate social and economic indicators alongside environmental impacts, providing a holistic view of sustainability. The entire framework will be validated through a detailed case study.

The expected outcome of this research is a comprehensive and validated framework to guide the development of climate-neutral communities. This includes a proven new design for BIPVT panels, a set of operational control strategies, and a novel LCSA methodology tailored for integrated renewable systems. The findings will contribute directly to decarbonizing the built environment by providing a practical and scalable solution. By merging hardware innovation, intelligent control, and a holistic sustainability assessment, this research will help create more resilient and energy-independent cities, aligning with global targets for climate neutrality.

Eligibility:

The ideal candidate for this PhD position should have, or expect to achieve, a first-class honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant engineering-related discipline. A strong foundation in thermodynamics, energy systems, and data analysis is essential. Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for system modelling and control. Experience with CAD (SolidWorks), ray-tracing analysis, and multiphysics simulations (COMSOL, ANSYS). Proficiency in LCA (SimaPro, GaBi or openLCA). Applicants must also be able to demonstrate their research experience through contributions to international journal or conference publications.

Funding Notes

there is no funding for this project