Zero emissions meeting place

The ZEB Summit will take place on 21/22 February and comprise an interactive workshop on the Shanganagh Castle Passive House Development, a networking dinner in the Royal Marine Hotel, and a main conference and exhibition in the RDS.

Hosted by MosArt, this event is a melting pot of ideas, innovations and insights that are driving the global transition to zero emissions in building and design.

Half-day workshop, 21 February

An exclusive workshop at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council offices will delve into the world of sustainable building practices. Led by Tomás O’Leary, this highly interactive workshop will provide the knowledge and tools to navigate low operational and embodied carbon design.

Summit Banquet, 21 February

As the sun sets on the first day of the ZEB Summit, delegates will convene at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, for the Summit Banquet.

It will be an evening of indulgence and connection – an ideal setting for networking, enjoying culinary delights, and fostering camaraderie.

Full day conference, 22 February

• Full-day conference and exhibition in the RDS;

• Engage in vibrant discussions with 30+ speakers, each a thought-leader in their field;

• Network with delegates and connect with 40+ exhibitors, unveiling the latest advancements in solutions and technologies;

• Immerse in interactive exhibits and cutting-edge case studies, distributed across three expansive rooms;

• Explore diverse subjects, including finance, architecture and innovative solutions;

• Connect with industry frontrunners, decision-makers and visionary leaders;

• Delve into contemporary challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of sustainable construction.

For details see https://zebsummit. com/ or contact E: info@mosart.iee

Below: The Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire will host a networking dinner during the ZEB Summit.

Improving health and wellness

Maximising daylight to improve health

Researchers at the International Energy Research Centre (IERC) in Cork are developing novel daylight-enhancing techniques to improve health and wellness, while also potentially eliminating the use of electrical lighting during the day.

The health and wellness benefits of exposure to natural daylight have long been recognised. Accessing the right levels of natural light at the appropriate time of day can improve alertness, mood, productivity, sleep patterns and many other aspects of physiology. Properly maintaining daylight-driven circadian rhythms requires a complex combination of light intensity, duration and timing of exposure to daylight. While providing extra windows in buildings might seem like the simple solution, cloudy conditions, such as those which we experience in Ireland, add some additional complexities.

The IERC research team at Tyndall National Institute, based at University College Cork, is developing novel daylight-enhancing techniques that can be used even when skies are very cloudy and overcast which will improve the health and wellness of occupants. This research also addresses the need for greater energy efficiency in buildings as making use of natural light can save up to 75% of the energy used in artificial lighting. The team is developing the world’s first luminescent devices that can directly capture, concentrate and spread daylight deeper into buildings, as well as modifying the light’s spectrum to meet the requirements of the non-visual receptors in the eye that control circadian rhythms. Their unique approach extends the length of time occupants have access to the luminance level required to maintain healthily synchronised biorhythms.

Professor Brian Norton, Tyndall National Institute, who is leading the project, explains: “Using quantum dots that absorb and then remit solar energy, we will be able to concentrate daylight intensity, even under overcast skies, and modify it so it can spread deeper into a building. These particular luminescent systems will extend the period for which daylight can be used, resulting in improved biorhythmic health for the occupants, as well as displacing the energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with artificial lighting. This can be up to 20% of a commercial building’s energy use.

“I am delighted to be conducting research which will help us better harness light from the sky at the Tyndall National Institute, as it was named after the renowned Irish scientist, John Tyndall, who was the first to discover why the sky is blue.”