Strategies for a 2050-ready project in an urban environment: Thus, avoiding social inequalities

The research is related to a mixed-use, low-rise, energy-plus construction project proposed within the back lands of a large town in the Republic of Ireland. The overall premise of the project and the research is to investigate the potential for such developments to optimise energy use, support local microgrids and promote in society, a culture of understanding, attuned to the resource limits within which we need to operate. The project therefore reflects a central theme of the PLEA 2022 conference which is to question how our cities and towns might thrive, were we to recreate the way we inhabit and use them. The project is specific to the temperate climate of Northern Europe which reflects moderate heating demand in winter with potential overheating in summer subject to design considerations of ventilation and orientation of glazed facades. It has been found that PV optimisation combined with the maximum self-use on site of such renewable electricity, combined with batteries and heat pumps, form the basis of an optimum strategy for such inner town sites.