A Grant Program for the Advancement of Passive Solar Energy and Water Conservation in the Built Environment

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Funding has been provided to the Renewable Energy Institute at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, California to offer several grants to members of the Society of Building Science Educators for applied research in passive solar energy, natural thermal control and water conservation in buildings. Proposals are sought in two distinct categories: solicited and unsolicited. Solicited proposals will demonstrate the regional applicability of thermal concepts based on current research topics specified by the Fund. Unsolicited proposals will venture into new areas of research related to the general goals of the Fund (see below). All projects funded are expected to contribute to the development of practical and economical solutions that will lead to the reduction of current energy consumption demands by buildings and their occupants. Research funded under this program should be completed within approximately one year from the award date.

The program was supported during 1999-2000 at the level of $100,000 with most projects funded at or below $25,000 each. Applicants are encouraged to seek matching funds. The Fund is not obligated to award grants in any given year. Individuals must be affiliated with an institution to apply for these awards. The program will continue until all funds have been expended. Current and past award projects can be seen at Intercampus Projects.

GOALS OF THE FUND

Research supported by the Evelyn and Harold Hay Fund is strictly related to natural thermal control and water conservation in building design with the global objectives of preventing climate change, conserving natural resources, and protecting habitats with solutions considered affordable even to developing nations. This grant program has been established to supplement and expedite nationwide, wherever possible, the regional evaluation of sponsored ongoing research in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, California.

Research currently underway in CAED is either directly or indirectly related to roofpond and solar still concepts (patents now expired) of Harold Hay, a building materials chemist and an SBSE member. Applicants to the Fund are encouraged to read the relevant patents and publications to familiarize themselves with the performance characteristics of the systems and to avoid duplication of previously completed scientific studies.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS

The fund seeks proposals from researchers in the discipline of architecture (or allied fields) that address the scientific nature of design problems related to natural thermal comfort or water conservation. Interdisciplinary proposals based on team approaches are encouraged, especially where team members can also contribute to solving the construction/industrial design challenges or market acceptance of these technologies through alliances with engineering or business disciplines.

SOLICITED PROPOSALS

The following topics are examples of potential research areas which may be adopted, in part or as a whole, for further development by the applicant in their grant proposals. The four topics are representative of the four climatic regions where further investigation of roof pond or solar still technology is needed. The four regional examples are:

The Log Inn (Heavy Snow Region)
Investigators are asked to consider the thermal design for an A-frame log structure, such as a tourist cabin or ranger habitat, incorporating south sloped roof glazing over a thermopond and sunspace in a heavy snow load region.

The Still Cooler (Arid Region)
Conceived as an air-conditioner and humidifier to replace 'swamp coolers', the still cooler is a down draft evaporative cooler using solar distillation to purify the water supply to the unit. Investigators might evaluate the multipurpose potential of a still cooler with other house functions, such as wine storage or food cooler, as well as the indoor air quality benefits of the design.

The Humid Defier (Gulf States Region)
Building on previous research conducted at Trinity University which demonstrated the potential for roofponds in a humid region, further investigations into the thermal analysis and technical problems for roofponds in a humid climate are sought to provide the impetus for further development of the technology in that climate zone. This proposal could examine the potential for condensate collection or the use of convection to increase comfort in conjunction with a roofpond.

The Big Top Cooler (Pacific Northwest Region)
This idea is also the result of research conducted at Trinity University which presented the cooling potential of flooded roofponds in the coastal regions of northern Oregon and Washington state. This projects seeks an energy marketing study of roof pond technology applied to industrial, institutional, and commercial buildings with flat roofs of extremely large area. The study could focus on a cost and performance comparison of the technology to existing heating and cooling systems currently is use by these building types.

UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS

Applicants may also request funding for a project that meets the general goals and proposal guidelines of the Fund other than the four topics described under Solicited Proposals above.

CRITERIA AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Grants will be made to organizations with individuals or teams having an established record of scientific quality research and reporting. At least one applicant must be a member of the Society of Building Science Educators. (For more information on SBSE, visit the web site address listed at the end of this document.)

Required by the applicants are five copies of the following:

1. A signed cover sheet with the principal investigator’s name, position, affiliation (university or other), department, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address. The applicant should also include the institution’s administrative contact name, address, and phone number. Additionally, an authorized institutional signature is required on the cover sheet.

2. A one page abstract summarizing the proposal and indicating the grant application category as solicited or unsolicited.

3. A written proposal (six pages maximum, single-sided) describing the project, roles of team members (if applicable), time line for completion, budget, and a description of how the results will be disseminated.

4. When applicable, a letter of support from the agency providing matching funds.

5. A brief resume (three pages maximum) for all team members (except student assistants).

The report should be formatted using no less than twelve point font, single spaced with a minimum of one inch margins on all sides. Copies should be double sided.

There is no application fee. The limit on the number of submittals is three. Fax or e-mail submittals are not acceptable.

Grant applications may be submitted at any time. All who submit proposals will be notified of the decisions. Submissions will not be returned.