University of Cambridge

A new way of ventilating schools, offices and homes that also cuts down dramatically on energy use has been developed by scientists at the University of Cambridge BP Institute. The 'E-stack' offers a green solution for effective ventilation throughout the year.

The E-stack system includes a high-technology automated chimney that accesses the top of the room, in combination with vents at low level. In summer, the system ensures that the room remains well-ventilated by bringing in fresh air from below and allowing hot air to escape upwards. In winter, it also provides natural heat exchange, thereby allowing the interior to remain well ventilated while retaining as much heat as possible.

A pilot version has already been installed at Harston and Newton Primary School in Cambridgeshire, which is being tested and benchmarked. Further development projects are in the pipeline for a school hall and a new large office building.

E-Stack is an invention that arose during research into ways of naturally ventilating buildings, and was inspired by novel laboratory experiments, together with data collected from buildings. This research, led by Prof Andy Woods at the University of Cambridge BP Institute formed part of a Cambridge-MIT project funded by BP.

Buildings consume about 40 per cent of all the energy used in this country, via heating, lighting, air-conditioning and ancillary equipment (like computers). Through use of modern building materials with high specification insulation, a naturally ventilated building can provide a comfortable interior environment while using 30-50% less energy than a conventional air-conditioned building. The pioneering new 'E-stack' system has the potential to reduce the energy consumption used for heating and ventilation in such naturally ventilated buildings by a further 50%.

"The system is ideal for use in school classrooms and offices, and is currently being developed for use in houses as well," Professor Woods said.

The E-stack system has also proved such a success that a new spin-out company, E-stack Ltd, has recently been established at the St Johns Innovation Centre in Cambridge, supported by funding from BP, and with exclusive rights to develop and commercialise the E-stack technology.

E-Stack Ltd is innovating new methods for natural ventilation in buildings that improve both the energy efficiency and the interior environment. "This spinout got going in record time thanks to BP's funding commitment," commented Miranda Weston-Smith from Cambridge Enterprise, who negotiated the legal agreements between CMI and BP.

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For further information, please contact the University of Cambridge Office of Communications on 01223 332300