General overview
Project Delta was host to a trial of the world’s first solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) and Power over Ethernet (PoE) powered computing suite, featuring zero annual running costs, a safe low voltage distribution zone and ultra-low emissions.
The energy system design for this project took an innovative approach to reducing the energy, carbon and cost impacts of the dedicated computing suite, through a combination of energy efficient appliance procurement, low cost system deployment, on-site low carbon electricity generation and active energy management.
At the beginning of the project, it was noted that the classroom did not have the electrical wiring and sockets needed to support so many computers. Further, retro-fitting this infrastructure would have been both expensive for the project and environmentally unfriendly. A modern, low cost solution was found through State of the Art research conducted by Dr Matt Stewart which uses (PoE) technology. PoE combines data connectivity and appliance electrical power supply in a single standard Ethernet cable to devices, removing the need for, and cost of, separate AC mains wiring and sockets.
This solution reduces the deployment costs of installation by IT specialists and also the maintenance overhead by removing the cost of annual appliance PAT testing and AC safety certification. Importantly for a school, PoE also provides a safe, low voltage working environment for the pupils.
The combination of compatible laptops and PoE infrastructure against conventional AC powered desktop computers has drastically reduced operational electricity costs for the suite by as much as 80% against a similarly sized suite of conventional AC supplied desktop computers. The energy system design reduces demand even further by dedicating to the computing suite a small roof mounted photovoltaic array sized against its reduced energy needs.
In addition to providing an operational and robust computing infrastructure, Project Delta hardware has also provided an on-going research and development test-bed to investigate integrated energy management and the potential for a fully energy-autonomous operation of this novel energy system configuration.
Project Delta
Executive Summary of Funded Tasks Author: Dr Matt Stewart Date: 28-MAR-16 Project Delta is funded by HPS trust with the aim of researching requirements for full energy autonomy of computing networks, to develop a tool to design autonomous smart DC systems and to raise awareness of the Project with a view to dissemination and exploitation of the knowledge gained from the work. The work schedule is broadly divided into 4 task areas. Two primary tasks undertaken Apr-2015 to Apr-2016 were to research energy characteristics of the system including PV generation, low power ICT demand, and IT network demands, thermal characteristics of classrooms and school buildings, environmental and climate parameters, and to develop a representative steady state model of these systems in operation. This wide range of background fields is necessary to fully evaluate the impact of smart DC. A corollary research task aimed to identify the most likely market adoption scenario. Both of these tasks are 80% complete. The final stages of these tasks mid-2016 will produce an academic journal grade paper and summary document detailing the methods and findings of the work and to validate the system level model against real data from the classroom in Swaminarayan School. As well as IT suppliers (Toshiba, Samsung and Microsemi Corp), present funding has allowed knowledge and awareness of DELTA as a self-contained energy management solution to spread to senior levels in Arup (large multi-national design & construction company), BRE and IET (UK and world standards bodies), and Peel (UK’s largest utility company). Demonstration the model of the smart DC classroom given at BRE Garston 13th OCT 15 to: Garry Banks, Director, Arup Northwest Louise Manfredi, Director, Peel Utilities and Holdings Ltd Adam Giblin, Business Development Manager for Peel Peter Birch, Engineering Services Manager for ULEC Dr Mike Perry, Senior Consultant for BRE Reception to the PV powered smart IT suite concept and model has been very positive. Discussions with freelance property developer, Peter Burke, manufacturers Glen Dimplex, EHC and BAXI, and Eastbourne Local Authority have generated significant interest in DELTA and smart DC as a potential low power ICT solution suited to residential applications, broadening the technology beyond educational applications. The funded task of raising awareness of DELTA and smart DC in general will continue for the rest of the funding timeline through to Apr-17 to fully take advantage of upcoming opportunities and to incorporate on-going results and findings. The remaining two major tasks (development of a system design tool & update of the software platform) are both due to commence mid-2016. A beta design tool has been in development since Apr-15 as part of an on-going validation and calibration sub-task in parallel with the research and modelling tasks. This particular aspect is critical from an academic perspective to lend credibility to results and findings of the research. At the half-way point in this funded activity to research and develop designs for autonomous smart DC networks for schools, colleges and other educational buildings, it is noted that Delta was 2 years ahead of its time and remains state of the art in some respects. It is fully expected that the full results of this programme of work will contribute significantly to the field and also provide insight into potential exploitation opportunities for the technology.
The Gantt chart below details past and future activities.
