Smart green technologies for affordable sustainable mass produced housing in African municipalities (GreenSHIFT-House)

The proposed project will involve the development and demonstration of energy efficient innovative technologies and holistic solutions for high quality, nearly Zero-Energy Housings (nZEHs) across all five climatic zones in Cameroon. Since Cameroon is often called, “Africa in miniature” due to its diverse landscapes that represent the continent's major climatic zones. To achieve the above solutions and targets, the proposed project has set up the overall and specific scientific and technical objectives. The overall objective is to develop smart energy efficient technologies and holistic solutions for mass produced housing in African municipalities. The specific objectives are as follows: 1. Develop computer models for optimisation of components for each technology and solution and optimise each and combination of different technologies and solutions for Multi-Comfort Design (Thermal comfort, Acoustic comfort, Visual comfort, Indoor air quality, and Economic comfort) and retrofitting different types of residential building in the five climatic zones in Africa. 2. Develop a computer model for dynamic simulation of energy demand and supply of residential buildings. 3. Develop a computer model for simulation of the indoor environment in residential buildings. 4. Develop a control strategy for optimum operation of technologies and solutions. 5. Model the socio-economic aspects of municipal housing in Africa. 6. Develop technologies for smart energy efficient envelope such as banana fibre insulation, Glen Block with micro-porous and phase change materials, multi-functional facades, integrated heat recovery panels, smart windows and surface coatings. 7. Develop solutions for energy efficient lighting such as LED and light pipes. 8. Develop solutions for energy efficient HVAC including natural ventilation, passive heating/cooling with heat recovery and thermal storage. 9. Develop strategies for optimum integration of smart hybrid biomass/solar stove for cooking, refrigeration and electricity -(Smart-SCORE). 10. Test the performance of the technologies and solutions under laboratory-controlled conditions. 11. Measure building energy use before deploying in the pilothouse in Cameroon. 12. Design and construct a pilothouse that fit innovative technologies and solutions. 13. Monitor the performance of each technology/solution and building in terms of energy use and occupant comfort for 12 months. 14. Run public engagement to demonstrate the technologies, solutions The Lead (Dr Mempouo) previously worked as consultant with UN Habitat and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MINDHU) of Cameroon to improve in closed collaboration with the keys stakeholders including architects, engineers, housing developers and other building practitioners the Norms for Energy and Resources Efficient Building/construction in Cameroon. From 2020, the future norms will be mandatory for new housing development, so the construction sector needs inspiration, and to the best of the applicant knowledge, the SHIFT HOUSE project will be the first house to build at the requirements of the new Norms. It will be the catalyst for modernisation of a construction sector, which is currently experiencing a period of unprecedented growth. UN Habitat (see brief email of support as evidence), MINDHU, and others most relevant stakeholders will be involved in the concept design, delivery, and post construction activities including research, development and Innovation. With this award, We intend to develop and test the viability of the first of its kind affordable housing standards in Cameroon and to demonstrate existing energy efficient new and innovative EPSRC-funded technologies and solutions for affordable housing. A typical three bedrooms pilothouse (SHIFT HOUSE,