High resolution Infra-Red buildings physics camera (1.2 MP InfraTec VarioCam)
Our infra-red building physics cameras are used to assess the thermal performance of buildings and the impact of user behaviour on energy use. See, James P.A.B., Jentsch M.F. and Bahaj A.S. (2009), Solar Energy, Quantifying the added value of BiPV as a shading solution in atria, Vol. 83, Issue 2, (dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2008.07.016), using an IR camera to diagnose a fault in a PV array.
Holographic Optical Element Test Facade
Test facade for performance analysis of light directing Holographic Optical Elements (HOE) elements.
Accelerated Lifetime Testing Rig for Electric Connectors
Life time testing rig for electrical reliability of connectors, including PV connectors. This custom built test rig can test up to 16 connectors simultaneously providing between 10 and 200 m m of fretting movement. Further information can be found in the following paper, Bahaj, A.B., James, P. and McBride, J. (2002) Photovoltaic connector behaviour under accelerated fretting testing regimes. In, Proceedings of the Forty-Seventh IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts, 2001. Forty-Seventh IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts USA, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 203-208. (doi:10.1109/HOLM.2001.953212).
Simulation Facilities
Various simulation tools for photovoltaic and solar thermal analysis as well as for system design. These tools are used to analyse PV performance. Simulation tools for investigating thermal performance and lighting aspects in the built environment. In house micro-wind assessment tool. Examples of publications using these tools include, (i) Bahaj, AbuBakr S., James, Patrick A.B. and Jentsch, Mark F. (2008) Potential of emerging glazing technologies for highly glazed buildings in hot arid climates. Energy and Buildings, 40, (5), 720-731. (doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2007.05.006), (ii) Bahaj, A.S., Myers, L.E. and James, P.A.B. (2007) Urban energy generation: Influence of micro-wind turbine output on electricity consumption in buildings. Energy and Buildings, 39, (2), 154-165. (doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2006.06.001), (iii) Papafragkou, A., James, P.A.B., Jentsch, M.F. and Bahaj, A.S. (2009) and (iv) Combined heat and power: street-level domestic microgrids. Proceedings of the ICE: Energy, 162, (3), 131-141. (doi:10.1680/ener.2009.162.3.131).
James, P.A.B., Jentsch, M.F. and Bahaj, A.S. (2009) Quantifying the added value of BiPV as a shading solution in atria. Solar Energy, 83, (2), 220-231. (doi:10.1016/j.solener.2008.07.016).
Measurement of Indoor Environments
Various environmental data analysis and data logging systems to assess indoor environments of buildings. Equipment for assessing indoor lighting performance. Examples of the use of these systems is given in (i) Teli, Despoina, James, P.A.B. and Jentsch, Mark F. (2013) Thermal comfort in naturally ventilated primary school classrooms. [in special issue: Adaptive Comfort in an Unpredictable World] Building Research & Information, 41, (3), 301-316. (doi:10.1080/09613218.2013.773493) and (ii) Teli, Despoina, Jentsch, M.F. and James, P.A.B. (2012) Naturally ventilated classrooms: an assessment of existing comfort models for predicting the thermal sensation and preference of primary school children. Energy and Buildings (doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.06.022).
Climate Change Weather File Generation Tools
CCWeatherGen is a tool compiled in house for generating UK climate change weather files for building performance simulation programs. This is used by industry and academics, the tool and manuals can be downloaded from www.energy.soton.ac.uk/ccweathergen/. A key paper detailing the CCWeatherGen methodology and a case study building is available in the following paper, Jentsch, Mark F., Bahaj, AbuBakr S. and James, Patrick A.B. (2008) Climate change future proofing of buildings-Generation and assessment of building simulation weather files. Energy and Buildings, 40, (12), 2148-2168. (doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2008.06.005).
CCWorldWeatherGen is a tool compiled in house for generating world-wide climate change weather files for building performance simulation programs. This is used by industry and academics worldwide, the tool and manuals can be downloaded from www.energy.soton.ac.uk/ccworldweathergen/. A key paper detailing the CCWorldWeatherGen methodology is available in the following paper, Jentsch, Mark F., James, Patrick A.B., bourikas, Leodinas and Bahaj, AbuBakr S. (2013) Transforming existing weather data for worldwide locations to enable energy and building performance simulation under future climates. Renewable Energy, 55, 514-524. (doi:10.1016/j.renene.2012.12.049).
Daylight factor analysis
High resolution fisheye skyview factor camera with automated data processing - daylight factor analysis in the urban environment.