EBP has developed an innovative product, the Energyflo™ cell, for use in Dynamic Breathing Building (DBB) systems that can be implemented across all building projects worldwide.

This patented technology, which has attracted substantial funding for its development and received numerous awards, is set to reinvigorate and revolutionise building construction worldwide.

The DBB system

Dynamic insulation (DI) describes a novel, energy efficient method of delivering fresh filtered ventilation air to the interior of a building through an air-permeable, dynamically insulated envelope or façade. This integration of fabric element into the Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning system of a building offers the benefits of low energy use, low carbon emissions and clean, superior indoor environments.

The Dynamic Breathing Building (DBB) concept is illustrated in Figure 1, with a dynamically insulated wall functioning as the ventilation source, heat exchanger and filter of Particulate Matter (PM). Ventilation air enters the building pre-cooled in summer and pre-heated in winter using the cooling and heating energy that would otherwise be lost to atmosphere.  At the same time, air enters the building filtered to High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration standard. DBBs address the universal, headline requirement of all buildings and building types for efficient heating, cooling, ventilation and good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

The benefits of DBBs extend beyond their boundaries since (i) the air they exhaust is cleaner than that taken in and (ii) less pollution is generated at source as a result of improved energy efficiency. Over time, a DBB will clean-up the outdoor environment and accelerate the development of the autonomous, energy self-sufficient homes and buildings of the future.

The Energyflo™ cell

The Environmental Building Partnership Ltd (EBP) has developed the Energyflo™ cell, the world’s first commercial DI product designed to facilitate provision generous volumes of clean, pre-tempered (heated or cooled), filtered ventilation air to the building while dramatically reducing fabric heat loss.– see Figure 2.

The cell replaces conventional thermal insulation in buildings. In the UK it is being piloted in a new residential housing development by CALA Homes in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. The project, which is supported by the Carbon Trust, features a dynamic breathing roof forming part of the air handling and Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) system.

BBA Certification assessment of the Energyflo™ cell is underway and it is anticipated that this will be completed in the first quarter of 2008. The proposed certificate will detail compliance with all relevant national Building Regulations in England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, in particular Ventilation and Conservation of fuel and power.  It will cover walls, roofs and floors in domestic and non domestic buildings.

Figure 3 shows dynamic U-value (the fabric heat loss coefficient) as a function of air flow velocity for standard wall construction in which the Energyflo™ cell is used The dramatic reduction in U-value is the result of heat normally lost to the environment being used to pre-heat (or in summer pre-cool) the incoming air. The filtration of harmful PM by the Energyflo™ cell is likely to rival in importance the role of energy efficiency in delivering the sustainable built environments of the future.

DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

The Hazledean house is at the heart of a project by CALA Homes (East) Ltd, the University of Aberdeen, EBP and the Carbon Trust to build and test an experimental house in Balerno, City of Edinburgh. The project started in July 2006 to evaluate the performance of EBP’s groundbreaking DI technology through performance monitoring before and during occupancy. The house features a dynamic breathing roof fitted with Energyflo™ cells.  Build was completed in May 2007, the house was tested and commissioned, and then opened to the public as a show house. Its performance, based on simulation and validated through monitoring tests, is summarised the following table:

Construction site photographs charting works progress to date are presented in Figure 4.

Please contact EBP for further details of their dynamic breathing building products, services and investment opportunities.