Researchers to study Sheffield’s energy, resource use

A new project to understand Sheffield’s energy and resource use with the aim of reducing the city’s environmental impact has been launched. The University of Sheffield’s £1.8 million Urban Flow […]

A new project to understand Sheffield’s energy and resource use with the aim of reducing the city’s environmental impact has been launched.

The University of Sheffield’s £1.8 million Urban Flow Observatory will create a model using fixed and mobile sensors and thermal cameras attached to drones, balloons and cars to scan the city.

That is expected to help create a detailed understanding of material stocks in the city, how much energy is used as well as how energy consumption is distributed across the city.

The researchers will also look into which buildings are losing the most heat and where solar energy could be most effective.

Professor Martin Mayfield, Co-Director of the Urban Flow Observatory from the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering said: “Around 80% of the UK’s energy and resources are used by our cities. By analysing these energy and resource flows, we will be able to advice councils and town planners on issues such as how to raise productivity or save energy and reduce heat loss across the city.

“In the future, we plan to look at other aspects such as air pollution and other social indicators.”

The project is being funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The university of also hosting the ‘Distributed Urban Water Infrastructure’ facility, which will investigate and develop innovative ways to tackle the UK’s deteriorating distributed water infrastructure.

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