Universities Contributing to Knowledge Bank of Energy in Strata

With countless new energy technologies emerging, it is important to independently research the true benefits and specifically the relevance of these technologies to strata. What better way to do that, than to tap into vast resources contained within our universities.​

For the last couple of years, Wattblock has been working closely with the University of NSW, Griffith University, the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology, to fill these knowledge gaps as they emerge.
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Thanks to Griffith University, Strata managers can now register buildings in the City of Sydney and in Queensland for a fully funded electric vehicle recharge assessment.  Read more about the program here.

Griffith University Project Supervisor Dr Prasad Kaparaju

Questions like: How can solar power be split within apartments? What are the best type of batteries for strata? What is the best strata hot water system? What is the best use of strata roof space, solar hot water or solar PV? How will the increase of electric vehicles impact strata? Through working with these institutions, we have been able to better understand these issues and opportunities, and many more.

A number of state and local Government programs are promoting closer ties between companies and universities. In 2016 Wattblock was award a ‘Knowledge Transfer Partnership’ grant by the Queensland Government. The grant partnered Wattblock with Griffith University, who supervised a recent graduate of the University of Queensland, to develop a suite of energy efficiency calculators for Wattblock.

Many universities require their students complete an internship as a course requirement. The internships aim to offer students real-life work experience, while completing an academically supervised research paper.

The relationships are a “win-win”. The students receive real-life work experience, and are given the opportunity to work on new and real problems as new technologies and opportunities emerge. The universities are grateful for the opportunities for their students, and provide support and advice as required.  Wattblock get the benefit of custom research into areas of interest and relevance. 

As semester 2, 2017 wraps up, thanks to Griffith’s University Industry Affiliates Program and Enoch Kwei and Kulima Panapa, we have another two relevant research papers. Enoch’s paper examined what is the better use of limited strata roof space, Solar PV or Solar thermal hot water. Kulima’s paper looks at the issues installation of electric vehicle recharging can create for strata buildings.

A number of our strata energy focused research papers can be found here.

​For further reading about university engagement try Strata Attracts Top University Talent.  For further reading about the current electric vehicle recharge project, read more here.

Scott Witheridge
Contributor, Strata Energy News 
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