Analysis of retrofit air source heat pump performance : results from detailed simulations and comparison to field trial data

In the UK, gas boilers are the predominant energy source for heating in housing, due primarily to the ready availability of natural gas. The take-up of heat pumps has lagged far behind Europe and North America. However, with the development of standards for low and zero-carbon housing, gas price rises and the depletion of the UK's natural gas reserves, interest in heat pump technology is growing. Heat pumps, particularly air source heat pumps (ASHP), have the potential to be a direct, low-carbon replacement for gas boiler systems in housing. In this paper, monitored data and simulations were used to assess the performance of ASHP when retro-fitted into a dwelling. This required the development and calibration of a model of an ASHP device and its integration into a whole-building, dynamic simulation environment. The predictions of the whole-building model were compared to field trial data, indicating that it provided a suitable test bed for energy performance assessment. Annual simulations indicated that the ASHP produced 12% less carbon that an equivalent condensing gas boiler system, but was around 10% more expensive to run. However, the proposed UK renewable heat incentive transforms this situation, with income from ASHP heat generation exceeding the fuel costs

Business success through process based application of simulation

Progressive design practices are increasingly cognisant of the potential of building energy simulation to assist the delivery of energy efficient, sustainable buildings. However, the success of any building performance assessment hinges on the capabilities of the tool; the collective competences of the team formed to apply it; and, crucially, the existence of an in-house framework within which simulation can be applied with confidence (McElroy and Clarke 1999). There is also a need for the professions to set up mechanisms that facilitate dialogue with vendors in order to influence tool capabilities. And on the related issues of building an in-house competency and a framework for application, the two core issues facing the professions are: i) a need for the development of in-house procedures for management of simulation; and ii) quality assurance of the related models and appraisal results

Performance analysis of air source heat pumps using detailed simulations and comparison to field trial data

The take-up of heat pump technologies in the UK domestic sector has lagged far behind other countries in Europe and North America due primarily to the ready availability of cheap natural gas; this has led to the predominance of gas central heating systems in UK housing. However, with recent gas price volatility along with the depletion of the UK's natural gas reserves interest in heat pump technology, particularly Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) is growing as they have the potential to be a direct, low-carbon replacement for existing gas boiler systems. However, to-date there have been few detailed, simulation-based performance studies of ASHP systems. In this paper a robust, dynamic simulation model of an ASHP device is described. The ASHP model has been integrated into a whole-building model and used to analyse the performance of a retro-fit domestic ASHP heating system. The simulation results were then compared to field trial data

Literacy Interventions Promoting Adolescent Reading Engagement and Motivation: A Systematic Literature Review

It is important to consider instructional and affective needs of adolescent readers as both correlate with proficiency. Given the dearth of research into how affective factors within interventions promote reading development, the authors undertook a systematic literature review of adolescent literacy interventions, which measured outcomes relating to motivation and/or engagement. Six studies met criteria, the majority of which were of high quality. Five aimed to improve both performance and motivation and four were within universal provision. Findings suggest that including motivational components within technical reading intervention promotes reading motivation, although it is not clear whether this is mediated by improved reading proficiency. Interventions were generally cognisant of Ho and Guthrie’s (2013) affirming motivations for reading, although the dimension of peer value–devalue was overlooked. Future research could consider the socio-cultural context for adolescent reading; and explore further the impact of adolescent reading interventions that target engagement and motivational factors

Complex energy simlulation using simplified user interaction mechanisms

Simulation of energy systems and associated thermodynamic domains is very powerful in delivering precise information at high resolution. Modelling software requires detailed information about the energy system. The specialised user usually has questions about specific aspects of the energy system and may not be interested in the complete set of outputs available from simulation results. Similarly the specialised user may only be concerned about a subset of the inputs provided to the software. This suggests an opportunity to develop an input / output scheme tailored for the specialised user. The power of simulation can be accessed through the use of simplified interfaces. Although these restrict flexibility in terms of model input / output data the specialised user is only interested in a subset of the capability of the underlying simulation tool. Robust results rely on a consistent underlying simulation context, this restricted interface ensures that only the parameters of interest to the users are modifiable and that other simulation parameters remain fixed ensuring a consistent and repeatable output. One such example of limited user interaction for both output and input is the ADEPT interface to whole building and plant dynamic modelling and simulation suite ESP­r (ESRU 2002). The interface was developed in the context of the UK domesticheating market. This paper describes the development of the ADEPT tool and associated spreadsheet templates in order to provide a readily usable platform for the study of domestic heating systems and controls for plant and control components manufacturers, regulatory authorities and research organisations

Heat transfer and air flow in buildings

Summary available: p.xi

The Transformative Power of Work: The Early Life of Senator Margaret Chase Smith

Contrary to the conventional narrative of Margaret Chase Smith’s life, her public career did not begin with her 1930 marriage to politician Clyde H. Smith. By the time of that marriage, she was already an experienced political leader and an accomplished professional. Her transformation from an uneducated, working-class girl to an ambitious, upwardly mobile, middle-class woman was the result of her employment at the local newspaper, the Somerset County Independent-Reporter, and her subsequent involvement in the Business and Professional Women’s Club. The author received her Ph.D. in history from Texas A&M University and is an associate professor of history and political science at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas

The Relationship between Underemployment and Job Attitudes of New Zealand Graduates

Given the current economic climate marked with organizational restructurings, downsizing and streamlined global enterprises, more individuals are choosing to study at a tertiary level in order to secure and enhance their employment opportunities. The result is an increase in more highly educated workers trying to find jobs which utilize their skills and qualifications. When this is not achieved, an individual may perceive a discrepancy between their current job situation and their desired job situation, and feelings of 'underemployment' may result. A self-report questionnaire was completed by 568 alumni from the University of Waikato and Victoria University to determine the relationship between underemployment and individual and organizationally-relevant outcomes. The results revealed that graduates who perceived themselves to be underemployed reported lower levels of job satisfaction, stronger careerist attitudes (belief that one does not get ahead mainly on the basis on merit), lower life satisfaction, lower affective commitment, increased intention to quit, and increased job searching behaviour. Relative deprivation, defined as the perceived discrepancy between an individual‘s current employment situation and the job situation they both desire and feel entitled to, was assessed to determine its mediating effects on underemployment and the predicted job outcomes. The analysis showed that relative deprivation mediated twenty three of the thirty five mediation relationships that were tested, indicating that relative deprivation plays a significant role in explaining how negative job attitudes arise from feelings of underemployment. The findings from this research have important implications for the way in which individuals and organizations can manage levels of underemployment and the resulting job attitudes. This may include assessing the nature of work and an individual‘s responsibilities by allowing for more job scope or 'job crafting' – shaping the task boundaries of the job, within the context of defined jobs, to better suit individuals expectations for satisfactory employment