@ green | July-August , 2022

Designed to have a 51 per cent lower energy consumption than a corresponding building according to the Malaysian standard MS1525

BY GREGERS REIMANN

In a world transitioning to fluctuating 100 per cent renewable energy production , buildings must increasingly be designed with flexible demand , the so-called “ buildings as batteries ” concept .

As such , the building launch was aptly held in conjunction with a sustainable energy forum on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 , officiated by Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid .

This article will give an overview of the design concepts .

Living Lab concept

This university building will primarily be used for teaching labs . Five - the “ living labs ” - were designed to be of identical size , side-by-side and facing due South . Each lab is fitted with various sensors and energy meters , allowing for apple-to-apple comparisons of the performance during everyday use of each of the labs , hence , the terminology “ living labs ”.

For example , three different cooling systems ( floor slab cooling , ceiling fans and fan coil units ) are fitted in the labs , and it becomes possible to measure how they compare in terms of energy consumption , thermal comfort and occupant satisfaction .

Likewise , the labs can be fitted with different façade systems ( double glazing , light shelves , automated blinds , manual blinds ), and comparative studies of the façade performance can be done .

The living lab concept creates an excellent university-industry collaboration and applied research environment . Buildingsolution manufacturers will be keen to test their products under real-life use and will be eager to collaborate with university researchers to improve the performance of their products .

The living lab can offer 3rd party building system testing by the university and test results that the industry can use for marketing . Moreover , the living lab will be the basis for many research projects for staff and students .

Energy Efficient Design

The building is designed to have a 51 per cent lower energy consumption than a corresponding building according to the Malaysian standard MS1525 . The passive design features include optimal orientation with the long facades facing North and South .

Light shelves provide adequate and glare-free daylighting for most of the day . Designing the corridors to be naturally ventilated instead of air-conditioned . The active systems design includes an energyefficient magnetic bearing chiller , variable speed drive controls for pumps and fans , energy-efficient daylight responsive electric lighting and high-temperature floor slab cooling .

Renewable Energy Systems The entire roof is fitted with a semi-

transparent 168 kWp integrated solar photovoltaic system that produces twice as much energy ( 220 MWh / year ) as the building consumes ( 106 MWh / year ), hence , decisively making this an ENERGY PLUS building .

The building will also have vertical solar photovoltaic panels installed on select wall sections , most notably a printed solar panel wall – the first such installation in Malaysia – with the UniKL logo and name of the building . Interestingly , most visitors might not realise that this big wall area doubles as a solar panel .

And that is the point . The look of solar panels can now be custom-made , making them much more attractive for architects .

Energy Storage Systems

This building has both electric and thermal energy storage systems . The biggest energy storage is found in the electrical battery system consisting of a pack of lithium-iron batteries with an electrical storage capacity of 384 kWh . The solar panels typically charge the battery during the day and discharge at night .

The building also has an extensive thermal storage system : four 15,000-litre insulated chilled water storage tanks with