Background
Energy security, climate change and economic growth are matters of international importance which are affecting billions of people globally. One of the most significant global development challenge is how we mitigate against the proliferation of energy intensive air-conditioning (AC) for cooling and ventilation in buildings in response to a globally warming world and the greater expectations for thermal comfort in buildings.This is particularly pertinent in developing countries such as India as disposable income increases, making AC easily accessible. Many of India’s most populous metropolises such as Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta have hot and humid climates, and growth rates in the use of AC is seen at approximately 30% per year. The electricity demand for space cooling comprises up to 60% of the summer peak load in large cities like New Delhi, and most air-conditioners are inefficient and use refrigerants with high GWP (Global Warming Potential). This makes energy efficiency and thermal comfort a priority area for the Indian government which reflects in recent revisions of its National Building and Energy Conservation Building Codes which emphasize the need to design buildings for Natural Ventilation (NV) and Mixed Mode (MM) operation.
The work undertaken will benefit academics involved in low energy building design, simulation, experimental testing and building physics/controls. The work will also open up new marketing opportunities for manufacturers of control equipment by helping company growth in the residential sector in hot climates, enhancing business revenues and increasing innovation capacity. Energy policy makers will be empowered as a result of the scientific rigor underpinning solutions for low energy cooling and ventilation. This will have a direct impact on society as a result of revised regulations.
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