Attachment 1 - List of Topics for Sustainable Development Summer Scholarships
NO
1
RESEARCH TOPIC
CYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN
FOCUS
AREA
Transport
As part of the UWA Transport Plan, a Cycle and Pedestrian Plan
would need to be developed to encourage active commuting. This
Plan will explore improving facilities to encourage walking and
cycling 1) to and from Crawley campus and surrounding areas of
housing and amenities and 2) within the campus itself. Research
into the current facilities and recommendations for improvements
based on world best practice are required.
2
TRI-GENERATION
POSSIBLE
FACULTIES
POSSIBLE
ACADEMIC
SUPERVISOR
S
FALVA
FMDHS
Energy
FECM
Built Form
FAVLA
Tri-generation is the simultaneous production of electricity, heating
and cooling using generators and absorption chillers. In the peak of
summer, demand for cooling and the corresponding demand for
electricity, is at its highest. Given UWA’s chilled water network is at
capacity, an upgrade is required to meet this demand for cooling.
Research into tri-generation as a possible means of alternative
energy production for Crawley is required.
3
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING SKINS
There exists technologies currently available or in development in
sustainable building skins or envelopes, which could harness or
reduce energy used in buildings. Examples include solar roof tiles,
building integrated photovoltaics and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.
Research into several of the more practical technologies could
assist in the understanding and possible application of these
technologies in existing and future UWA buildings.
4
NATURAL VENTILATION
A large portion of energy used in buildings is due to the air
conditioning of the buildings throughout the year. Natural
ventilation may provide comfortable working conditions during
some parts of the year at minimal energy cost and it may also
improve indoor environment quality due to the introduction of
outside air. UWA would like a pilot study of applying natural
ventilation to supplement the air-conditioning system of the Civil /
Mech Engineering building, which is currently a combination of split
units and chilled water system. Considerations include the times of
the year when it could be implemented, any constraints and any
building and mechanical works required.
5
ZERO WASTE
UWA currently recycles over 50% of its waste (e.g., plastics, glass,
aluminium and paper). In order to achieve 100% recycling (Zero
Waste), the university would need to determine a method to
recycle its general waste (e.g., food, green waste, plastic bags and
polystyrene). Research into the technologies and options currently
available in industry that deal with the recycling of general waste
would help guide the University in its waste policies and
management.
Last updated 31 August 2011
FECM
Energy /
Built Form
FECM
Recycling
ALVA
FALVA
FAHSS
FECM
Business
School
Page 1
NO
6
RESEARCH TOPIC
TAXONOMIC GARDENS
There is an opportunity to integrate natural ecological processes
with water filtration for irrigation or for other uses, such that it
becomes a closed or partially closed ecosystem. An example of
this would be to utilise the ecological processes inherent in the
Taxonomic Gardens to filter water for irrigation of plants in the
adjacent glasshouses. The research proposal uses the
Glasshouses and Taxonomic Garden irrigation as a case study
methodology to design a water capture and recycle system .
7
ENERGY EFFECIENT MUSEUMS
Museums and art galleries are inherently energy inefficient
buildings due to the need to maintain strict environmental
conditions, such as constant temperature and humidity levels.
Research into methods of delivering the required environmental
controls more energy efficiently is required.
8
IMROVING GREENSTAR RATINGS FOR HERITAGE
BUILDINGS
FOCUS
AREA
POSSIBLE
FACULTIES
Landscape /
Water
FNAS
Built Form /
Energy
ALVA
Built Form
FALVA
Energy /
Built Form
FECM
POSSIBLE
ACADEMIC
SUPERVISOR
S
FECM
UWA has several heritage listed buildings on campus. These
buildings require more considered planning and design when
refurbishing. A pilot study to determine the current ‘sustainability
rating’ of the Geography / Geology Building, as measured by the
GBCA’s Greenstar Office As-built ratings tool will be used to
determine design guidelines required to improve heritage building
Greenstar ratings.
9
WINDOW INSULATION FILM
There exist several commercial options for insulation film that
reduces heat transmittance through glazing. In order to assist the
University determine if this technology is suitable for use as a
window treatment which can reduce the energy used for air
conditioning, research into the various commercial options is
required. This may include laboratory testing and/or market
research to determine the best option for UWA.
10
ON SITE BIO-GAS FACILITY
UWA produces a large amount of organic waste material, e.g.,
green waste, kitchen waste, etc. Research is required into the
viability of utilising the waste material in an on-site bio-gas facility,
and the opportunities of harvesting the energy output. . There may
be an opportunity to integrate a bio-gas facility with a tri-generation
facility (Refer No. 2 above).
11
UWA FLEET VEHICLES
At UWA, fleet vehicles are managed on a Faculty by Faculty or
School by School basis. Centralisation of the purchase and
management of fleet vehicles may lead to economies of scale
and/or environmental benefits. With the introduction of the Federal
Government ‘s Clean Energy Future Plan and the NGER Scope 3
reporting the University will need to address carbon emissions
from fleet vehicles. In order to assist with decision making
regarding fleet vehicles, a cost / benefit analysis study of the
centralisation of fleet vehicles at UWA and a recommendation on
the types of vehicles (e.g., gas, electric, hybrid) based on
environmental and financial evaluations are required.
Last updated 31 August 2011
FALVA
Business
School
Energy /
Recycling
FECM
Energy /
Procurement
Business
School
FMDHS
Page 2
NO
12
RESEARCH TOPIC
WASTE WATER AT SHENTON PARK
The McGillivray Oval at the Shenton Park campus utilises treated
waste water from the adjacent Watercorp waste water treatment
plant for its irrigation, at little cost. This arrangement has been in
place for approximately 10 years and is deemed to have saved
approximately 83,000kL of water per year. Research into the
effects of using this waste water, e.g., on lawn health, soil
chemistry, etc. should be carried out in order to assist with
recommendations for future care and maintenance of the Oval.
13
THERMAL HEATING OR COOLING
FOCUS
AREA
Landscape /
Water
FNAS
Energy
ALVA
There are many alternative forms of heating and cooling that may
be applicable to supplement the existing air-conditioning systems
in buildings on campus. Examples of this include sub-soil heating,
roof space systems, etc. A study of the available systems and how
they may be practically applied may help to reduce the energy
used in buildings. The research will use a case study methodology
to develop options for the UWA Crawley site.
14
WIND TURBINES
MCGILLIVRAY TUARTS
POSSIBLE
ACADEMIC
SUPERVISOR
S
FECM
Energy
UWA Operations would like to research the feasibility of generating
renewable energy via wind turbines. Various options would need to
be explored, for example, small scale turbines on-site or large
scale turbines off-site. The preferred recommendation should
include an estimate of ballpark capital and operating costs.
15
POSSIBLE
FACULTIES
FECM
FLPS
Landscape
FNAS
Water
FECM
It has been observed that the Tuart trees on the McGillivray Sports
Complex are susceptible to attack by a new species of lerps. The
health of the trees requires examination. Proposal of a method to
prevent further attack would be beneficial.
16
VACUUM WASTE
A vacuum waste system in toilets is an innovation that has the
potential to save water as well as reduce the ceiling space required
for the installation of services. In order to assess its suitability for
installation in new buildings, research into the vacuum waste
systems is required.
17
HUMAN POWER
FALVA
Energy
Human kinetic energy used to pedal a bicycle may also be used to
generate electricity. UWA would like to explore the feasibility of
implementing human powered technologies to generate electricity
at the Sports and Recreation Centre.
18
FECM
CLIMATE CHANGE MODELLING
Landscape
Located in close proximity to the Swan River, The UWA Crawley
campus could be at risk in the event of sea level rise or a high
rainfall event. Research modelling the consequences and risk of
inundation, and mitigation strategies is required.
Water
Last updated 31 August 2011
FALVA
FNAS
Page 3