National Energy Foundation (NEF)

Partner Bio:

The NEF is an independent charity, established to encourage the more sustainable use and generation of energy, in buildings since it was founded in 1990. It does this by a range of means, including through the provision of technical expertise and bringing together innovative partners to research and develop new technologies, tools and knowledge.

NEF’s experience of particular relevance to the ASSEMBLE project includes an unparalleled understanding of the sector trends, policies and regulations; understanding of energy use in buildings from a technical and building user and behaviour perspective; dynamic modelling and simulation expertise; software and GUI development and BMS system architecture and node design expertise.

Project Interest:

Having had extensive involvement in the Innovate UK Building Performance Evaluation programme, conducting numerous building performance evaluation projects, the NEF technical team has a great deal of insight into the successes and failures associated with different approaches to building energy monitoring and management. This ASSEMBLE project not only provides an opportunity to further research and document the issues and potential solutions, but also provides a fantastic opportunity to work with other experts in developing a practical, scalable product solution.

Key Personnel Involved:

Cliff Willson, IEng BEng(Hons) MSc MIET, Senior Energy Specialist:  NEF’s current project manager for the ASSEMBLE project.  Cliff is an electrical engineer by training with expertise in both the theoretical and practical application of renewable energy and low and zero-carbon technologies as well as energy efficiency measures including Building Management Systems (BMS).  Formerly a corporate account manager for a number of FTSE-100 and 250 companies, since taking over the role of project manager in early 2015, Cliff has ensured that it continues to deliver in terms of meeting all of its deliverables and objectives.

Dr Thomas Whiffen, MEng PhD, Senior Energy Specialist:  A specialist in the sustainable built environment, Thom has a broad interest in energy use.  He provides a great depth of knowledge from his process engineering background and years spent researching sustainable energy technologies for the non-domestic built environment.  Previously as part of  the University of Nottingham’s Architecture and Built Environment, Thom has experience of technical product development through both industry and academic collaborations.  Thom also provides specialist system analysis expertise to the team using tools including MATLAB.  

Luke Smith, MSc ACIAT, Principle Energy Specialist:  Luke was formerly NEF’s project manager for the ASSEMBLE project at its inception in 2014 and was primarily responsible to get the project up and running.  Luke is an expert in reviewing building performance and identifying and specifying technical solutions.  Since handing the management of the project to Cliff in early 2015, Luke continues to provide input to the team based on his knowledge of the buildings sector and the way that they perform under different conditions.

Federico Seguro, BSc MSc, Energy Specialist:  Federico has a background and expertise in building physics, sustainable building design and economic and social dimensions of energy:  The blend brings a deep technical knowledge to the team.  Federico also provides specialist building and energy modelling expertise to the team using tools including IES-VE.   

Frank Ainscow CEng MA PhD FRSA MIET, Associate:  Frank is one of NEF’s associate partners and is an experienced designer of electronic products and a specialist in user interface development.  Frank’s key skills include analogue and digital electronic design, programming thermal and mechanical design.