CLEAR-UP · Clean buildings along with resource efficiency enhancement using appropriate materials and technology

Clear-up presents a holistic approach to the reducing operational energy use in buildings. By development and novel use of nano-materials it aims to increase energy performance in heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting systems, and to improve indoor air quality using catalytic purification. Clear-up’s solutions are designed for retro-fitting existing buildings and of course for new constructions. It will achieve this by addressing four key components which control the indoor environment: • Windows. Clear-up will advance the practical use of shutters and electrochromic window foils which reduce the building cooling load and along with light-guide technology, reduce the need for artificial lighting. • Walls. Clear-up will use photocatalytic materials for air purification and nano-porous vacuum insulation in combination with phase change materials to passively control temperature. • Air Conditioning. Clear-up will advance technologies for demand controlled ventilation and improved air quality. • Sensors and control provide an underpinning technology for Clear-up’s approach. New sensors will be developed, and their use optimised for the operation of smart windows; demand controlled ventilation; and catalytic purification. Clear-up will develop, install, measure and evaluate technological solutions in the laboratory, in a large-scale testing facility and in real world applications. Its approach will be demonstrated at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, 2009. The safety of new materials will be considered; it will propose inputs to standards and environmental product declarations for its technologies. Clear-up will also investigate environmental and economic lifecycles for components and systems. The practical issues of exploitation will be addressed in cooperation with industry bodies ECTP, ECCREDI and ENBRI providing access to large firms and SMEs.