Deakin University launches measurement of energy efficiency.

The first mobile facility in the world to measure the energy efficiency of buildings and houses on-site will be launched by Deakin University

The mobile architecture and built environment laboratory (MABEL) has been developed by a research team led by Deakin University with funding from the Victorian Government's Science, Technology and Innovation Initiative.

MABEL will develop the knowledge needed by industry and community to make informed decisions about energy-efficient technology and practices relating to buildings and homes, according to Dr. Mark Luther, project leader and senior lecturer with Deakin's School of Architecture and Building.

"Industry, government and the community are becoming more and more conscious of limiting our 'footprint' on the environment," Dr. Luther said. "However, knowledge is proving to be the critical limiting factor in our transition to a more resource-conscious society.

"Established industry lacks knowledge about its current performance, emerging industries lack knowledge about how products actually make a difference and regulators and change agents lack knowledge about whether their proposed regulations and strategies are having a desired impact. MABEL will fill these knowledge gaps."

The mobile laboratory was the only facility of its kind to take on-site, integrated measurements of power, sound, comfort and light within buildings and houses, Dr. Luther said.

Until now there was no way of testing the performance of individual aspects at the one time to provide an accurate picture of a building's energy consumption.

"The ability to make on-site measurements across the energy spectrum is unique and important," Dr. Luther said.

"Individual measurements might demonstrate improved occupant comfort, lighting performance, reduced power consumption, improved ventilation or better building acoustics, but it is the integrated perspective that shows how these technologies interact when they are brought together. Improvements in the efficiency of these aspects can only be managed if their effects can be quantified.

"MABEL provides much-needed testing and validation equipment to ensure solutions developed for the interior environments will actually deliver promised improvements to performance as well as achieve environmental and economic savings," he said.

Item provided courtesy of Deakin University