Civil Engineering Project: Zero Energy Building in Ireland (DT004)

This civil engineering project investigates the implementation of zero energy buildings in Ireland to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources and protect the environment. The project addresses the problem of high energy consumption and CO2 emissions in Ireland's building sector, proposing the use of renewable energy sources to achieve a zero-energy building concept. The research methodology includes a literature review, investigative studies, and experimental investigation. The project aims to contribute to environmental protection by reducing the use of fossil fuels and the associated CO2 emissions. The project plan outlines the tasks, timelines, and required resources, including journals, research articles, books, and reports from the TU Dublin library. The expected outcomes include a reduction in the use of non-renewable energy sources, leading to reduced pollutant emissions. The project follows the guidelines provided in the DT004/DT032 Final Year Project Handbook, including sections on project rationale, aims, methodology, project plan, resources, and expected outcomes, along with detailed references.

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Section 1: (Problem Definition & principle research question & Main Objectives)
Problem Statement
According to various studies, there is consumption of up to 40% of the total energy in Ireland by
the building or national production. The use of the fossil fuels in Ireland has brought the country
into a position which is not accepted ecologically. Also there is production of over 36% of CO2
gas. The country has made a priority to have the emission of CO2 gas by almost 20% by 2020..
Renewable Sources of energy are known to be self-sustaining. Other than being found in nature,
they can be used for an infinite duration (Goodbody et al 2013).
Just like other countries, Ireland has figured out its own portfolio in terms of the energy which is
consistent with the endowed resources of energy. This goes alongside employment of the
technologies which are viable economically as well as being equitable socially besides having
very minimum destructive impacts. Most of the buildings in Ireland consume a lot of energy to
support various activities. Some these activities include heating of water, turning on of lights,
cooling of air and finally to power some of the personal devices which needs energy for their
operations (Mc Garrigle, Deane, and Leahy 2013).
Principle Research question
 How can the environmental protection be achieved through reduction of the non-
renewable energy source use?
Main Objectives
In order to manage the crisis of energy, the country considers several solutions including the
concept of Zero Energy Building. A zero energy building refers to those structures which are
known for the consumption of renewable energy sources which have been installed around or on
the building itself. This implies that the quantity of the energy which is used to support some of
the crucial activities in the structure can be generated from the building itself. When the
conditions of weather are never favorable, energy will be withdrawn by the building from the
electrical grid. After the conditions have undergone improvement, the renewable system of the
onsite will cover the demands of energy of the building. During this process, any excess energy
will be send to the country’s electrical grid. The objective of the study is to implement the use of
the concept of Zero Energy Building in Ireland while employing renewable sources of energy to
protect the environment.
Section 2 (Methodology)
The research work will be based on review of the secondary sources of data on the possible
sources of energy in regard to the use of the renewable energy sources in Ireland. This will
include reports among others.

The framework of the research work will be per the outline shared below
Section 3 (Project Plan)
Proposed Project plan after approval
Time in Months
Introductio
n
Literature Review
Methodology
Conclusion and Recommendations
Results and Discussions
Energy Rate
Consumption
Aims & Objectives
Technology of Zero
Building Resources:
 Journals
 Research articles
 Books
 Reports
Project Rationale
Experimental
Investigation
ENERGY Concepts
Research Gap
Grid EvaluationPerformanc
e Measure
of of

Tasks Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
Literature Review
Investigative Studies
Experimental Investigation
Conclusions
Research Paper generation
Presentation
Section 4 (Resources required)
In order to complete this particular research work, the following resources will be required
 Journals
 Research articles
 Books
 Reports
All the above resources will be obtained from TU Dublin library.
Section 5 (Project outcomes and benefit)
Successful reduction in the use of the non-renewable sources of energy will spare the country the
impacts of the destructive pollutants like CO2 gas. This will contribute to the protection of the
environment (Reilly, O’Hagan, and Dalton 2015).

References

Goodbody, C., Walsh, E., McDonnell, K.P. and Owende, P., 2013. Regional integration of
renewable energy systems in Ireland–The role of hybrid energy systems for small
communities. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 44(1), pp.713-720.
Mc Garrigle, E.V., Deane, J.P. and Leahy, P.G., 2013. How much wind energy will be curtailed
on the 2020 Irish power system?. Renewable Energy, 55, pp.544-553.
Reilly, K., O’Hagan, A.M. and Dalton, G., 2015. Attitudes and perceptions of fishermen on the
island of Ireland towards the development of marine renewable energy projects. Marine
Policy, 58, pp.88-97.