Professor Aonghus Mc Nabola

Title

Towards a More Sustainable System of Water Supply in Ireland and Wales: Exploring Opportunities for Hydropower in Break Pressure Tanks (Hydro-BPT)

Summary

This project will advance the sustainability of the process of water supply in Ireland and Wales by exploiting the potential for energy recovery that exists at Break Pressure Tanks (BPTs). Water supply is a core service on which civilised society depends and it involves considerable energy consumption and CO2 emissions (water treatment, pumping and monitoring). Treated water is commonly supplied from a central storage reservoir by gravity throughout a catchment and this water must be supplied within satisfactory pressure bands. When the pressure in water flow becomes too high a BPT is commonly installed in the network, whereby the pressure, kinetic & potential energy within the flow is dissipated to the atmosphere. This common feature of water supply networks presents an opportunity to recover this energy wastage by using micro-hydropower technology to transform it into electricity without interfering in the water supply service. The key objectives of this project comprise: 1. Determining the technical/economic feasibility of applying Hydro-BPTs to water infrastructure: using experimental models the energy recoverable from BPTs will be assessed/demonstrated 2. Determining the environmental impact of this new technology: assessments will be made in terms of the CO2 emissions saving, environmental impacts, life cycle analysis 3. A feasibility study for the application of Hydro-BPTs in existing Irish/Welsh BPTs: information on the existing BPTs will be gathered in a GIS database which will be used to demonstrate the untapped energy potential in water supply networks in Ireland/Wales 4. An exploration of the forms of collaboration among the key stakeholders and development of a business model: this section of the project will develop guidelines for the widespread implementation of this technology by industry

Funding Agency

Interreg IV (€975,000)

Date From

2011

Date To

2015

Title

Distribution our Water Resources: Utilising Integrated, Smart & low-Carbon Energy (Dwr Uisce)

Summary

The Dwr Uisce Project comprises the development of technology and policy to improve the energy efficiency of water distribution systems. The project includes technology developments in the areas of hydropower, heat recovery and network control and optimisation. Work also includes benchmarking, environmental impact assessment and climate change adaption. The project will also include a stakeholder network to facilitate knowledge transfer

Funding Agency

ERDF Interreg IV 2014-2020 (€3.4 M)

Date From

Sept 2016

Date To

Aug 2021

Title

Development of a Personal Exposure Reduction Strategy for Pedestrians using Active and Passive Low Boundary Walls

Summary

Previous investigations at TCD revealed the effect of passive low boundary walls (LBWs) in urban street canyons in reducing the exposure of pedestrians on the footpath. Numerical investigations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have shown that a LBW may act as a baffle in an urban street canyon, disrupting normal flow patterns and increasing the levels of dispersion/dilution on tailpipe emissions before they reach pedestrians on the footpath. This project will take these new generic findings and develop them further into an implementation strategy for pedestrian exposure reduction. This strategy will the undergo experimental trials at a selected location in Dublin to prove the concept. In addition, active LBWs will also be investigated by incorporating a photcatalyst surface coating to reduce NOx concentrations.

Funding Agency

HEA

Date From

2008

Date To

2012

Title

Energy Efficient Air Pollution Control in Building HVAC Systems

Summary

Development of an energy efficient particulate air pollution control device for use in building HVAC systems. The device will reduce the energy consumption of air pollution control in buildings by 10-20%.

Funding Agency

Enterprise Ireland & Mark Eire BV (113000)

Date From

Oct 14

Date To

Sep 15

Title

. An Investigation of the human health impacts of commuter modal choice in Dublin city.

Summary

This project aims to build on research into the effect of commuter modal choice on the health of urban commuters in Dublin. The project will advance the science in this area primarily by including the direct monitoring of health indicators, such as Heart Rate Variability, in addition to air pollution exposure among the population. How your choice of transport mode influences your health due to air pollution is the question addressed by this research.

Funding Agency

Higher Education Authority

Date From

Sept 2010

Date To

Aug 2013

Title

Quantitative approaches to Greenhouse Gas Emissions Neutrality

Summary

Anthropogenic GHGs are primarily responsible for current climate change. The literature has highlighted that both human and other species in Ireland will be severely affected by the adverse impact of climate change. The EPA in Ireland is working with other national bodies, the EU and UNFCCC to reduce GHGs in order to keep the rise of average global temperatures below 2oC. In light of recent policy changes arising from the Paris Agreement, there is a need to make a synergy between national and international policies, to update our understanding of the changes to the accounting system for GHG emissions for EU countries, and to continuously improve emissions inventory preparation and projections in line with the state of the art. This project will: provide improved GHG emissions estimation, and information regarding loopholes in policies; assist emissions projection and reporting of emission by exploring the relation between science, guidelines and practices; and assist the EPA with quantitative measures to assess progress towards a low carbon future. This research project will also produce new knowledge on the development and applicability of a set of GHG indicators for assessing the carbon neutral or carbon balanced future in Ireland.

Funding Agency

EPA (€210,000)

Date From

July 2017

Date To

June 2019

Title

Ablative Flash Pyrolysis of Biomass and Waste

Summary

Development of a New ablative flash pyrolysis reactor for the conversion of biomass/waste to biofuel.

Funding Agency

TCD (€8,200)

Date From

2008

Date To

2009

Title

An Assessment of the Feasibility and Energy Potential of Rock Oscillating Water Column (OWC) Wave Energy Systems in Ireland.

Summary

The Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy device is considered to be one of the most common concepts in use for wave energy capture. However it has yet to be demonstrated that energy can be extracted from ocean waves at an economically viable rate using OWC technology. This is predominantly due to the initial capital cost of the structure. Previous research has established that the approach of using a chamber built in natural rock for an OWC held considerable promise for the shoreline capture of ocean wave energy. This form of construction could potentially prove more economically viable than conventional methods of OWC manufacture. This project aims to investigate the feasibilty of this concept at suitable sites on the west coast of Ireland and to investigate the energy potential of Rock OWCs.

Funding Agency

Trinity College Dublin

Date From

Oct 2008

Date To

Sept 2011

Title

Particulate Matter from Diesel Vehicles: Emission and Exposure in Ireland.

Summary

The project comprises an investigation of the impact of diesel vehicle emissions on the exposure of the population to PM2.5 and their subsequent health impacts. The project includes the collection of PM2.5 samples in location-specific microenvironments and among selected population subgroups to complement existing records of PM2.5 exposure. Source apportionment is also being conducted to identify the contribution of diesel emissions to the total mass of particles in different microenvironments. To extrapolate the results of the measurement campaign and existing data records to a large proportion of the population exposure models are being developed, building on a number of previous deterministic and statistical approaches recently developed for Dublin. The most suitable approach will be identified following performance comparison to conduct a PM2.5 population exposure assessment for Dublin based on time-activity profiles and census records A diesel vehicle emissions model will also be developed to assess the current and future impact of diesel vehicles on emissions at a local urban scale. These emissions and exposure models will enable the project to inform policy and develop solution to the environmental impact of diesel vehicles in Ireland.

Funding Agency

EPA (€249,000)

Date From

2016

Date To

2018

Title

An Assessment of the Impacts of Government Policy & Infrastructure Changes on Outdoor Air Quality: Emissions, Exposure & Health Impact

Summary

The overall objective of this research fellowship will be the assessment of the impacts of changes in government policy and infrastructure on outdoor air quality. The specific objectives will include: . A detailed review of the literature on the impacts of air pollution control measures in the outdoor environment under the headings of government policy and infrastructure change. . Methodology development: review of the methodologies used in literature to assess the impacts of measures on air quality including: emissions modelling, economic modelling, transport micro-simulation, exposure modelling & health impact assessment. . Assessment of the air quality, population exposure and related health impacts of changes in Government Policy on outdoor air quality, focusing on i) the existing & potential impacts of carbon tax on transport and domestic emissions sources and ii) the impacts of incentivisation of cycling, and (iii) the impacts of the ban on the burning, sale, marketing and distribution of bituminous coal in Ireland. . Assessment of the air quality, population exposure and related health impacts of changes in Transport Infrastructure on outdoor air quality, focusing on the impacts of i) changes in vehicle speed, and ii) the Dublin Port Tunnel & HGV Management Strategy. . A cross-comparison of the relative impacts of changes in government policy and transport infrastructure on outdoor air quality, including a cost-benefit analysis and health impact assessment. . Dissemination of results of the research to the broader scientific and environmental policy and management communities to promote the effective control of outdoor air quality.

Funding Agency

EPA (150,000)

Date From

2014

Date To

2016

Title

The AER project

Summary

Proof of concept of an innovative air pollution remediation device

Funding Agency

Enterprise Ireland (€76,000)

Date From

Sept 2009

Date To

Oct 2010

Title

Improving the Smart Control of Air Pollution in Europe (iSCAPE)

Summary

The iSCAPE project is led by Dr Francesco Pilla (overall coordinator), Prof Brian Broderick, Dr Aonghus McNabola and Dr John Gallagher. The project aims to integrate and advance the control of air quality and carbon emissions in European cities (Dublin (IE), Innovation-City Ruhr (Bottrop - DE), Lazzaretto Bologna (IT), Vantaa (FI), Hasselt (BE), Bologna (IT), Guilford (UK)) in the context of climate change through the development of sustainable and passive air pollution remediation strategies, policy interventions and behavioural change initiatives. It will tackle the problem of reducing air pollution at target receptors with an innovative SME-led approach, focusing on the use of "Passive Control Systems" in urban spaces.

Funding Agency

Horizon 2020

Date From

2016

Date To

2019

Title

Assessment, Analysis and Development of Programmes for Improvement of Irish GHG Emissions Inventories and Projections

Summary

To limit the climate change caused by anthropogenic activities, the European Union (EU) is committed to limiting emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Numerous international agreements, targets and methodologies have been developed to aid in the achievement of this goal. As part of these agreements Member States in the EU are required to prepare national GHG emissions inventories and future emissions projections to both monitor existing emissions activity and predict the likely future compliance of countries with agreed reduction targets. The methodologies/guidelines for preparing GHGs emissions inventories and projections require large disaggregated datasets. The EPA in Ireland has been working on the improvement of this process, which requires the development of new programmes for the estimation of emission factors, activity data, and maintenance of Quality Assurance programmes. In addition, recalculation of the previous estimations with improved data and techniques is required. Expertise is needed to facilitate this work, as well as institutional arrangements to ensure improved organisational structures within the EPA for this purpose. This project will develop improved GHGs emissions inventories and projections for Ireland in line with the needs of the EPA. The impacts of existing and potential climate change mitigation policy in Ireland will also be examined.

Funding Agency

EPA (198,847 euro)

Date From

Sept 2014

Date To

Aug 2017

Title

Reflective Practice & The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Summary

Multidisciplinary desk study of teaching and learning practice.

Funding Agency

NAIRTL

Title

Reducing the Energy Dependency of Atlantic area Water Networks (REDAWN)

Summary

The water industry is the 4th most energy intensive sector in the Atlantic area, responsible for significant contributions to climate change and reductions in the competitiveness due to the associated costs. REDAWN aims to improve the energy efficiency of water networks through the installation of innovative micro-hydropower technology. This technology will recover wasted energy in existing pipe networks across irrigation, public water supply, process industry, and waste-water network settings. The overall aim of the REDAWN project is to foster the adoption of hydropower energy recovery technology in built water networks in the Atlantic Area (AA). This is the 4th most energy intensive sector in the AA responsible for considerable amounts of CO2 emission, but with the potential to generate local renewable energy in water network infrastructure. REDAWN will develop an adequate institutional, social and technological environment to foster greater resource efficiency in water networks, including: . Completion of an energy recovery resource assessment in water networks in the AA . Completion of an economic/environmental impact assessment of this technology on the region . Development of design guidelines and support tools for hydropower energy recovery in drinking water, waste water, irrigation and process industry sectors. . Development of policy and institutional support tools to increase the implementation of energy recovery projects . Quantification of the societal impacts of hydropower energy recovery in water networks . Widespread dissemination and promotion of energy efficiency in AA water networks.

Funding Agency

ERDF Interreg Atlantic Area Programme 2014-2020

Date From

Sept 2017

Date To

Aug 2020

Title

Trip-by-Trip Emissions Modelling

Summary

European research project that will examine methods of reducing transport emissions using real-time transport information. The project involves a collaboration between Trinity, CURE - Center for Usability Research and Engineering, Fluidtime Design Software Service, Telematix Software, a.s., ETH Zurich Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Institute for Transport Planning and Systems, National Technical University of Athens, Verkehrsverbund Ost-Region VORG mbH/ ITS, Vienna Region and TomTom International BV. TCD will carry out i) the development of an emissions and exposure model using real-time traffic data (Co-PI A.McNAbola), and ii) Determination of the behavioural responses to real-time traffic and emissions information (PI B. Caulfield).

Funding Agency

EU

Date From

Oct 2011

Date To

Sept 2014

Title

Drain Water heat Recover: A Low Energy Shower System (LESS)

Summary

Development and Assessment of a Drain Water Heat Recovery System efficient in a horizontal orientation.

Funding Agency

Enterprise Ireland

Date From

April 2012

Title

Activity/Location GIS Personal Exposure Air Pollution Model

Summary

Project to develop a GIS model of personal exposure to air pollution in Dublin and its environs, dependent on an individual's activities and locations. Funded by the EPA STRIVE Programme the project will comprise the monitoring of the personal exposure, activity and location of a number of different subjects living and working in Dublin and its satellite towns. This data will be used to develop a GIS model of personal exposure allowing individuals or sub-groups of the population to assess their health risks due to air pollution. The model will inform individuals of activities or locations in their daily lives with high personal exposure to air pollution, allowing them to take steps to reduce or avoid these health risks. Collaborators (Prof. B. Broderick & Mr. L. Gill, TCD; Dr. M Byrne NUIG)

Funding Agency

EPA (€350,000)

Date From

2008

Title

Technologies for Monitoring, Detecting & Treating Overflows from Urban Wastewater Networks

Summary

As CSO discharges cotain raw sewage and a range of dissolved and particulate contaminants including heavy metals, PAHs, oils and grease, alomng with large volumes of storm water, they can create significant public health and water quality concerns. In this project technologies for monitoring, detecting and treating CSO discharges will be reviewed and assessed in the Irish context. A decision support tool will also be developed. Website: http://csomonitoringire.wix.com/cso-monitoring-ire

Funding Agency

EPA (75,000)

Date From

June 2015

Date To

May 2016