University of Ulster

N.E.E.S. Project

Cross Border Cooperation in Europe 2013 Conference

Trim, Co. Meath, 13th June 2013

The University of Ulster

• Over 25,400 students, 1,180+ of whom study via distance learning

• International students from more than 80 countries studying in Northern Ireland and overseas

• 140,000 alumni in 121 countries worldwide• Over 3,000 staff spread over 4 campuses

• Northern Periphery Programme 2007 - 2013– European Regional Development Fund,

INTERREG IVB• Part of the European Commission’s Territorial

Cooperation Objective– Aims to help peripheral and remote

communities develop their economic, social and environmental potential through transnational cooperation

Overview of NPP

Northern Periphery Programme

NEES Project PartnersRep. of Ireland• University College Cork• South Kerry Development

Partnership• Clar ICH• Northside Community

Enterprise

Northern Ireland• University of Ulster

Scotland• Glasgow Caledonian

University

Sweden• Umea School of Architecture

Greenland• ARKTEK

The NEES Project

• Promotes products and services that improve the energy efficiency rating of domestic buildings

• These products primarily make use of renewable or recycled materials

• The services are based on natural processes, which originate and are normally accessible in the Northern Periphery region

• Conducting viability assessments for mainstream commercialisation

Identifying Best Practice

• Resource Efficiency

• Environment and Health

• Sustainability

• Enterprise

• Scalability

Advanced Timbercraft Ltd

• Newtownabbey, County Antrim• Use timber as their base material which is

insulated using cellulose and/or hemp and/or sheepwool with external liners made from wood wool or wood fibre

• Materials are recycled and biodegradable• Contribute to energy efficient buildings

ECOCEL

• Based in Cork• Cellulose fibre insulation which can be used in

attics (new and retro-fit), timber frame walls and sloping ceilings

• Recycled content is 82 – 85%• Effective as a thermal insulator

Mud and Wood

• Skreen, County Sligo• Earthbuilding, timber-frame and straw-bale

construction• Cob, timber and straw bales are 100% recyclable

and 100% biodegradable

Locate Architects

• Dunblane, Scotland• Use locally sourced, reclaimed timber• Preservatives / insecticides are not used to treat

wood• Superior thermal performance than metal or

concrete

Anú Green

• Based in Cork• Complete green roof system• Can improve heating and cooling

by 30-90%• Fully biodegradable or fully

recyclable

Wetland Systems

• Ennis, County Clare• Natural sewage treatment option• Contribute to energy saving by

providing zero energy sewage treatment

Example of NEES Output• Submitted evidence on behalf of NEES project

partners to the UK’s All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment’s (APPGBE) Inquiry into sustainable construction in January 2013

Evidence Submission• Invited to present evidence at UK Parliament Buildings,

London on 15th April 2013

NEES FindingsBarriers• Knowledge transfer

• Organisational and business skills• Traditional craft and trade skills dispersal

• Technical issues• Planning and building regulations, standards• Lack of accreditation; SME support

• Logistics• Local materials supply market• Long supply chains• High cost of transport

NEES Recommendations• Knowledge transfer

• Regional knowledge exchange hubs• certifiable educational programmes

• Policy Changes• Emphasise sustainability in conjunction with

energy efficiency• Tax or Rate Relief

• Locally Sourced Materials• Develop supply of locally

sourced materials

Stuart ThompsonResearch Assistant

T: +44 (0)28 701 23922E: s.thompson1@ulster.ac.uk

Room L240,Department of Business and Enterprise,Coleraine Campus,Cromore Road,Co. Londonderry,BT52 1SA

www.business.ulster.ac.uk