As considerable energy is consumed by UK buildings, not surprisingly, the Government targets for reducing carbon emissions require an 80% energy reduction in this area by 2050. Thermochemical (i.e. water sorption-based) heat storage (THS) can play a pivotal role in synchronizing energy demand and supply in buildings. Transformation of the existing British building stock towards net zero energy buildings requires effective integration and full use of the potential yield of renewable energy. Thermal storage is a key priority to make such a step, particularly for the energy renovation of the existing stock, where compact building level solutions are required. Thermal energy storage can be accomplished using sensible heat storage (SHS), latent heat storage (LHS) or THS. Over these methods THS has approximately 6-10 times higher storage density than SHS, and two times higher than LHS materials when compared on a like for like storage volume basis. In THS, thermochemical energy can be stored independent of the time without any heat loss, permitting solar energy storage during the summer to meet heating demand in winter. Achieving this by other heat storage methods is both complex and expensive. The proposed project will deliver an advanced solar powered THS system, which has stable long term performance in multi-cyclic seasonal use of at least 20 years. The system will contain environmental friendly and safe materials and will be compact, enabling installation in the limited space available in the existing housing stock and as well in the new buildings. Although seasonal storage of solar energy is intended within the proposed project (e.g. V=3-4 m3), it is also possible to design it as short term storage (3-4 days) only with resizing the THS reactor (e.g. V=0.1-0.2 m3). The proposed thermal storage system will lead to significant energy savings (greater than 50%) and CO2 emissions reduction, with a maximum payback of 5 years compared to the current state-of-the-art. The project integrates multiple units of THS with solar air collectors to optimise the performance of these technologies providing seasonal heat storage in both the new and existing UK buildings that has: (a) low cost; (b) higher performance; (c) higher availability; (d) higher durability; (e) improved on-site health and safety; (f) efficient sorption and desorption processes (g) high solar contribution and (f) implementation of the computer design tools. The target is the development of an innovative, highly efficient thermochemical energy storage system with the following technical advantages: * The theory and methodology of the THS reactor incorporating multiple sorption beds with hollow fibre membranes in a unique design that increases efficiency and reliability, thereby improving the current technologies and increasing system energy performance. Fundamental heat/mass transfer formulation and model for membrane fibre/reactor system. * Theory and methodology for the novel evaporative humidifier integrated with heat pipe model for utilizing ground energy to ease evaporation of water and enhancing energy input to the system. * Theory and methodology for the highly efficient solar air collectors to drive the system and achieve efficient sorption and desorption processes. * The characterisation and adaptation of new and safety improved nano-composite sorbents, reducing barriers associated with new energy storage concepts. * The theory and methodology for the advanced ICT optimized control, data/performance monitoring and energy management system The project provides an opportunity for UK industries to pioneer the development of a new advanced energy storage technology. It will deliver a sustainable, environmental and cost-effective solution to significantly reduce energy consumption and CO2/GHG emissions. The project will contribute to UK excellence in terms of addressing fuel poverty and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

Building sector accounts for more than 60% of total energy consumption in the world, while the share of domestic buildings is about 20-40%. The energy consumed is mostly utilised for heating, cooling and ventilation purposes, contributing massively to fossil fuels consumption and thus CO2 emissions. Combined heat and power (CHP) systems generate electricity and harness the heat by-product for heating of buildings. Currently CHP systems deliver a combined efficiency of up to 80%, residential and small business bills can be reduced by 20-40%, and carbon production can be reduced by 30%. They also offer fuel flexibility, and being an independent system, reduce demand on centralised power supply and distribution systems. The current roadmap for UK CHP implementation will, by 2030, yield primary energy savings of 85-86TWh/a with a savings of 10-14Mt/a. The mCHP market is currently served by Stirling, ICE, and ORC systems, all of which have significant issues that limit wide mCHP installations. The proposed ECHP system will lead to significant energy savings (greater than 40%), CO2 emissions reduction and will be approximately 30% more efficient than current mCHP systems due to unique geometry and control system applied to the highly efficient Ericsson cycle. The ECHP will use Helium, eliminating the need for HFCs. Being an external heat engine allows the use of a variety of fuels from gas, petrol, diesel, biogas, biomass, etc. The small size and silent, vibration free operation allows renovating existing building stock where the system could be installed in constrained boiler spaces. If successful, the entirely new class of mCHP will be ideally suited for new and existing UK buildings and have: (a) high efficiency; (b) low maintenance; (c) silent and low vibration; (d) HFC free; (e) compact design; (f) implementation of a simple, consumer friendly GUI interface allowing optimal system control; and (g) use external heat source, allowing a wide variety of fuels. The proposed ECHP system is expected to have the following technical advantages: a system incorporating optimised compressor and expander geometry to approach isothermal operation, computer control of individual rotor motor-generators to optimise cycle efficiency and quicker start to operation times, system integration of combustion chamber, expander, recuperator, and compressor for maximum efficiency, and an optimized control algorithm with GUI control to create a mCHP suitable for demonstration of the theory and research development. Research will begin with description of the theoretical concept in relation to the ideal Ericsson cycle. System components will be modelled, to include various geometries. Using developed computer analysis programs and CFD, rotor design, porting, and recuperator component designs will be optimised as individual components then as an integrated system. Computer simulation models will be used to predict the thermal and electrical performance of the ECHP system. This process will perform an optimisation study of the system by taking into account the influence of different parameters of the ECHP system and power output efficiency. Changes to the parameters and components will be evaluated as required. Only when the feasibility of the system is proven, components will be fabricated and electronic control hardware/software will be developed. The components and then the complete systems will be evaluated. A lab scale 3kW ECHP will be fabricated and evaluated. The outputs of this research will validate the theoretical modelling, significantly increase the body of knowledge of external heat engines and determine the technical feasibility of the proposed concept which aims to surpass current systems efficiencies and approach Carnot efficiency.

The traditional approach to construction is notorious for poor productivity and inadequate contribution to economic development (ONS, 2017). With the aim of boosting productivity, the construction sector must transform its methods of construction and adopt effective digital technologies (TIP, 2017). The adoption of BIM has transformed the way buildings are designed and enhanced the implementation of building manufacturing technologies such as Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA). However, the adoption of BIM by onsite frontline workers for assembly of manufactured building components is non-existent. This results in loss of the productivity gain from using BIM for design and manufacturing phases of the process (BCI, 2016). Onsite frontline workers spend more time interfacing with BIM tools than they spend on completing the actual assembly tasks. Current BIM interfaces are not practicable for onsite operations because they are too slow, hazardous and distracting for onsite frontline workers (Construction News, 2017). On this basis, the research will introduce advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Conversational Artificial-Intelligence for enabling onsite frontline workers to verbally communicate with BIM systems. Assembly operations are complex and are often complicated by the uniqueness of each project, the inconsistency of assembly methods, and the diversity and alterations of project team. During onsite assembly operations, onsite frontline workers are required to quickly understand the procedure of installing building components to minimise assembly errors and reduce the overall project duration. The time spent by frontline workers can be reduced by 50% with the introduction of hands-free assembly support BIM system that utilises verbal communication. In addition to boosting productivity, it will further enhance error-free assembly operation through step-by-by assembly guide for pre-manufactured/pre-assembled building components. The development of technologies to aid easy adoption of BIM for onsite assembly has great potential to revolutionise the current approach to construction. However, apart from the slow pace and hazardous nature of current BIM interfaces, other limitations include visual obstruction, distraction and the associated health and safety challenge for frontline workers. This project aims to utilise Augmented Reality (AR) for providing visual support to access BIM systems and installation guides without obstructing or distracting the view of onsite workers. This will provide accurate and just-in-time information for online frontline workers to gradually follow the installation guide of manufactured building components. For example, an onsite assembly worker can merely ask, "hey Conversational-BIM, guide me through toilet installation" and the system will facilitate the assembly procedures through AR-assisted verbal instructions, the AR device will overlay the exact illustration of the assembly steps on the actual components onsite. It is important to note that onsite coordination between resources is vital for boosting productivity and guaranteeing faster and safer assembly (ICE, 2018). This project will therefore exploit advanced AI, computer visions, and AR technologies to develop an end-to-end BIM solution to support onsite assembly operations. In addition to boosting the productivity of frontline assembly workers, this project seeks to eliminate the tedious process of coordinating onsite activities which often involve multiple workers and machinery. Accordingly, the AR-assisted Conversational-BIM system will ensure a coordinated approach for remote experts to guide frontline workers and monitor project progress and productivity.