Buildings
Buildings are responsible for in the United States, and 35% of the nations carbon emissions. Air conditioning is the main drain on energy. Environmentally conscious building design, constructing green buildings can help address water scarcity, enhance local surroundings and help address heat island effects in large urban areas.
RASEI Researchers are exploring a number of different aspects building design to help reduce the energy demand of buildings. If we can drive down the use of energy in buildings we can address serious issues of demand. Researchers at RASEI are looking at next generation windows, ones that are highly insulated, can dynamically change and adjust the amount of sunlight heating the building. Teams are looking at district level climate control, where waste heat from commercial buildings can be used to warm local residents. Investigations into local level control are using smart thermostats to better control climate control in the home, connecting to the wider grid to better use energy. RASEI Teams are also exploring what buildings are constructed from, bio-activated concrete blocks are offering a substitute for energy and carbon intensive cements, with the possibility of sequestering carbon.