bipv – optimising the future 2/isaac_jamieson.pdf · bipv – optimising the future dr isaac...

BIPV – Optimising the Future

Dr Isaac Jamieson PhD DIC RIBA ARB DipAAS BSc(Hons) MInstP

Architect/Consultant/ Environmental Scientist

isaac.jamieson AT live.co.uk

This presentation is intended to help advance knowledge and stimulate further research. Whilst all reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the validity of the information given, no warranty is given towards its accuracy. It is not intended as a final statement on this topic or potential biological effects. No liability is accepted by the author for damages arising from its use and/or interpretation by others.

BIPV 2: Building integration of photovoltaics - where are we now, and what does the future hold for BIPV? ICC, Birmingham, UK 27 October 2011

© Dr Isaac Jamieson 2011

BIPV – Optimising the Future


Introduction - Where are we now? •  Reduce energy use in buildings 60% by 2050 (Climate change targets).

80-90% of those buildings are already built. •  Need for more ambitious sustainably designed retrofits & refurbishments of

existing stock to help meet energy targets. (Renewable Energy Directive 2001/77/EC).

•  A zero carbon trajectory required. •  Need for local planning policies & design policies that further recognise &

promote on-site energy generating opportunities through incentives & stimuli.

To optimise returns, the use of BIPV should be considered from pre-design stage onwards – even if not used initially – as this can influence design outcomes.

Architects As a result of their creativity, interaction with other team players & the option appraisals they undertake for every project, architects can prove vital in this process for the successful integration of BIPV in both new builds & redesigns.

The RIBA is keen to develop, promote & advance innovation & new ideas related to BIPV. It is also committed to the responsible use of renewable energy in architecture through best practice, design excellence & the creation of better guidelines for sustainable environments.


Opportunities to improve BIPV


Seeking the bigger picture In order for BIPV to reach its full potential, both seen effects & those that must be foreseen need to considered. This approach can greatly shorten the learning curve (traditionally full feedback can often take decades).

There is a need to ‘design out’ problems before they arise.

Benefits of rethinking innovation In the past (& with some modern technologies) wishful thinking, over simplification & incomplete understanding have often prevented optimum solutions being achieved.

Increased rates of innovation & efficiency required – highly problem & solution based.

Creating optimum positive outcomes In addition to factors such as aesthetics, capabilities, perceived system costs & product lifetimes; additional novel factors such as bio-sustainability, electromagnetic compatibility & robustness are now being taken into consideration…

… we have to all think more proactively about where opportunities are.” Lord Green, UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment

Need to work together to get the science & architecture right to maximise BIPV success. The RIBA is keen to address such issues as best practice.


BIPV – EMI & RFI “… inverters connect to AC circuits in the home, turning every inch of the house wiring into an antenna that radiates the interference.” Exeltech Inverters(Jamieson et al 2007, 2008).


Need for action Anecdotal evidence of RFI from a UK solar inverter causing disconnections to electric meter controlled by FM radio signals (Abel 2011). Also similar evidence of cheap inverters (with no RCI/EMC testing) causing interference with car alarms, radios & TVs (daytona600).

In the USA, ‘noise’ from a BIPV solar inverter shown to mask radio transmissions particularly in 550-990 kHz range. The ‘noise’ said to continue at 50kHz intervals up to approx 28 MHz (rodf 2011).

Vital to ensure that BIPV & solar farms do not contribute to this problem.

Already major concerns that RFI from Power Line Communications (PLC) may create huge unforeseen demands in the energy usage of shortwave broadcasters worldwide & interfere with radio astronomy, aircraft & military communications (EMCIA 2011, RSGB 2011, Marshall 2010, Ray 2010, NATO 2007, Ohishi et al. 2003).

BIPV – best practice design (examples)


Inverter specification Unless precautions are taken, inverters can cause raised EM fields in buildings & interference to electrical devices.

Pure/true sine wave inverters cause less ‘dirty power’ than stepped/modified square wave inverters.

Shielding inverter housing Shielding can help prevent interference from inverter getting out – it does not however prevent ‘noise’ being carried on wiring. Construct a complete “Faraday cage” screen around inverter which does not touch it (to keep interference inside) & then RFI ground screen. Filtered AC and DC cabling can pass through screen.

Shielding cabling Ideally AC & DC cabling should be shielded, or in metal (steel not aluminium) conduit & taken to earth grounds (keeping their runs as short as possible). The conduit should be grounded to prevent it acting as an antenna.

Reducing EMI/RFI noise exposure: Ideally locate inverters & their wiring away from where people spend prolonged periods.

Other mitigation methods also exist.

The effects of different light regimes on chloroplasts (cellular components within cells containing chlorophyll) is quite marked.

Optimising the light regimes can optimise growth response & improve chloroplast streaming within plants (Ott 1985).

Markedly distorting the spectra can, in some instances, severely retard growth

The biological effects of the filtered light regimes created by transparent BIPV have yet to be assessed.

Optimising Transparent BIPV

Some wavelengths that aid biological functioning are often absent, or heavily reduced in intensity with standard glazing types - this issue could be addressed by new generations of translucent BIPV.

Best practice - Seek to optimise biological response whilst inspiring innovation, aesthetics & design creativity.

© Dr Isaac Jamieson 2010 © Dr Isaac Jamieson 2011

(Ott 1985).

Inappropriate traditional light regimes linked with:

Fatigue, reduced work efficiency, high blood pressure, cancers, depression, diabetes, heart attacks, MS, obesity, osteoporosis, arthritis & strokes (Hollick 2003, Ott 1982, Rosenthal 1985, Wirz-Justice et al. 1986).

Optimised light regimes can increase working capacity, lower heart rate & increased oxygen-uptake (Greiter et al. 1979).

BIPV & Bio-Electromagnetic Compatibility Health concerns raised about ‘dirty power’ created by poorly specified BIPV. Anecdotal evidence of heart problems, headaches, nausea & sleep difficulties reported with some EHS individuals. This has yet to be properly investigated.


“Acute biological effects have been established for exposure to ELF electric and magne;c fields in the frequency range up to 100 kHz that may have adverse consequences on health,” WHO (2007).

Studies indicate a significantly elevated risk of childhood leukaemia for time-weighted average of exposures >3 mG [>0.3 µT]. Some studies suggest elevated risk at ≤2 mG [≤0.2 µT] (Green 1999, Savitz et al. 1988).

Magnetic field measurements from solar inverter (40 Hz - 100 kHz range) 15 milligauss at 1 foot = 1.5 µT at 30 cm 4 milligauss at 2ft = 0.4 µT at 60 cm 3 milligauss at 10 ft = 0.3 µT at 3 m (Magee 2011).

IARC classify magne1c fields and radiowaves as Class 2b carcinogens (IARC/WHO 2011). The Council of Europe further suggests exposures should be ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’ (ALARA) – this can be achieved through good design & measures discussed.


Jamieson et al. (2007).

BIPV & Security of Supply Electric grid vulnerability to space weather, solar super storms & EMP

Image source: NOAA

The very severe solar storms predicted for 2012-2014 could cause prolonged power blackouts (Beddington 2011, Birnbach 2011, Moskowitz 2011, NASA 2010, US NRC 2008, Marusek 2007).

“This is not a matter of if, it’s simply a matter of when and how big. We have every reason to expect we’re going to be seeing more [potentially harmful] space weather in the coming years, and it behooves us to be smart and to be prepared.” Jane Lubchenco, Head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Transformer damaged by 1989 solar storm (Marusek 2007).

BIPV, with battery banks, can be configured to allow their use during disasters & reduce repercussions from blackouts & brownouts. They can help provide long term ‘future-proofed’ energy security even in times of disruption such as could be caused by solar storms & manmade EMP attacks on the grids.

● The RIBA is active in developing, promoting & advancing best practice, innovation & new ideas related to BIPV.

● Multi-disciplinary knowledge creation & transfer required – possibly with wider range of stakeholders than present.

● Importance of improved choice, good design layout & specification.

● There is a need for interdisciplinary research & intelligent design to further improve BIPV ‘bio-friendliness’ - seek to optimise biological response whilst inspiring innovation & creativity.

● Correctly specified BIPV can help provide long term ‘future-proofed’ energy security even in times of disruption. Well designed buildings & BIPV can add a lot to peoples lives & safeguard the future.

● We need to proactively work together to kick start the creation of more resilient ‘future-proofed’ built environments that actively encourage the use & development of appropriate BIPV.

Summary


Dr Isaac Jamieson PhD DIC RIBA ARB DipAAS BSc(Hons) MInstP Architect/Consultant/ Environmental Scientist isaac.jamieson AT live.co.uk

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