| The course I studied was the M.Sc., Architecture; Advanced Environment and Energy Studies. For more about this course go to www.cat.org.ukThe
course is modular; students complete 8 course modules each
requiring an essay or report and a presentation. The links below go to
my collected essays, some with additional comments and afterthoughts.
All of the papers are in the portable document format (pdf) a Free and
Open Source reader can be obtained from various locations on the web and come as standard in all main Linux distributions. With the exception of the computer simulation and PV design modules ( for which I had to borrow a Windows PC to run the proprietory software) all of the work for this course was undertaken using Free/Libre Open Source Software. Find out more at Free Software Foundation. |
| Module number and content |
Title and precis |
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| Thesis |
" Are smaller turbines the way forward for wind energy in Herefordshire ?" This study set out to determine the social and economic viability of a proposal that smaller turbines are 'better' than multi Megawatt machines for wind energy in the county of Herefordshire. The study is in two parts, an opinion poll and a technical desk study. The poll was to discover any variations in attitude to three sizes of turbines. Data gathered to allow sample verification also allowed an investigation of how attitude varied with demographic factors. |
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| This
research, and local campaigning effort, has now led to further
investigation of community renewable energy projects with a veiw to
designing a road map to project realisation. Work in progress winter
2010/2011 |
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| B1 Introductory module. Main Energy and Environmental issues. |
Is nuclear power a waste of talent ? I took this opportunity to have a closer look at something which had been at the back of my mind for years - namely the question of how much the decline in STEM subject education in the UK would impact on our capacity to not only build new nuclear, but also to clean up the existing mess. I also compared the potential of deploying similar talents into the PV industry. |
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| Coursework for this module included a write-up of a practical on planning for renewable energy. |
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| B8 Environmental Politics. Exploring political, (especially community) solutions to energy and environmental issues. Activism and economics. |
Is consensus the best decision rule for group action? I have been involved in many so called consensus process groups, and seen how often it fails. This essay looks at Quaker, Feminist, and Academic/ management discourses on CDM. I offer an outline for a syllabus for consensus behaviour training. |
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| This
essay has helped clarify my thoughts on ways of increasing capacity for
consensus process. Whilst there are many good training schemes
available for groups, so far little effort has focussed on making the
individuals better participants. I am developing a group to examine and trial ways and means of achieving this. See www.synaptic.org.uk |
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| Coursework from this module included a written report of the application of the consultation tool "Participatory Appraisal" The requirement to write up practicals was subsequently dropped. |
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| B7 PV system design |
Report
of a project design study, including comparison of different solutions
such as tracker mountings. Some important insight into the limitations
of this technology in the UK. |
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| REBE 6; Biomass This module from the parralel Renewable Energy in the Built Environment course. |
Abergynolwyn, a study in transferable futility. A critical appraisal of the report of the Abergynolwyn biomass district heating scheme, including lessons on its applicability to other communities and barriers to community solutions in the UK. |
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| The
lessons from this study regarding the likely transferability of the
project methodology form the basis of my continuing work to develop a
road map for community renewables projects. Work in progress winter 2010/2011. |
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| B3 Health in the built environment, eco-psychology. Eco-refurbishment/ retro fit. Noise in buildings. Principles of wind energy. |
If something looks too good to be true, it probably is... An examination of the performance claims made for multi-foil insulation, and various counter claims. |
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| C2 Land use and planning, environment and sustainability assessment and management. |
Critique of paper " A sensitivity model approach to analyse urban development in Taiwan based on sustainability indicators" |
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| A3 Building physics. Water, waste. Passive solar heating. |
Beat your head against the wall ! A detailed hygrothermal examination of a problem wall in a traditional Snowdonia slate house. Includes an appraisal of the limitations of understanding the behaviour of traditional building systems.This paper includes suggestions to policy changes which would enable affordable year round occupancy in Welsh National Parks. |
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| B4 Computer simulations and modelling |
A report on the use of a thermal modelling and simulation suite
to test possible retro fit energy saving measures on the same house
examined in A3. Limited by the lack of true hygro-thermal modelling in
the software used. Draws on methods used in flagship schemes such as
Edinburgh WHS. |
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| These
last two papers form the basis of an ongoing work, including case
studies of other projects and client feed back, through which I intend
to challenge the internal inconsistency of WAG and NPPA policies. |