The Sustainable Building Envelope Centre (SBEC) is a £6 million research centre cofounded by Tata Steel, the Low Carbon Research Institute and Welsh Government to accelerate the development of low carbon solutions for the built environment.

Converting solar radiation to usable heat energy

The SBEC building was fitted with Colorcoat Renew SC® to provide a highly efficient source of renewable energy at a low cost.

With up to 75% efficiency converting solar radiation to usable heat energy, the system installed at SBEC has the potential to produce up to 39MWh per year.

Optimising renewable energy performance

The building’s southerly wall has been covered with a total of 1795m2 of Colorcoat Prisma® in Matt Anthracite, which includes 95m2 of collector providing heat to the workshop. There is also a 62m2 Colorcoat Prisma® collector in Linden Green on the façade of the building to heat the office accommodation.

Colorcoat Renew SC® has been integrated with other technologies within the building, such as heat pumps, underfloor heating and phase change material.

Working with industrial partners has enabled system integration and control strategy design to optimise renewable energy performance through the Building Management System.

Steel cladding that is both durable and sustainable

Factfile

• Collector: 95m2 Colorcoat Prisma® in
• Anthracite Matt, 62m2 in Linden Green.
• Client: Tata Steel
• Architect: Welsh School of Architecture
• M&E contractor: Kimpton Building Systems
• Cladding contractor: Lester Fabrications
• System manufacturer: Tata Steel
• Predicted financial payback: 10 years
• Predicted energy saving: 39MWh/year

Reducing the energy outlay of the building

By using Colorcoat Renew SC® SBEC benefits from a cladding system that is durable and sustainable, as well as incorporating a technology which will significantly reduce the energy outlay of the building.

Author: Lisa Wright   Date Written: 16 May 2012