ESA Funds Innovative Study by SatVu and University of Glasgow to Develop Heat Loss Index for Energy Efficiency

ESA Funds Innovative Study by SatVu and University of Glasgow to Develop Heat Loss Index for Energy Efficiency

(IN BRIEF) The European Space Agency (ESA) is funding a feasibility study led by SatVu and the University of Glasgow to develop the Heat Loss Index (HLI), a new metric aimed at improving the analysis of building energy efficiency. This study, backed by a €244,853 budget, will help identify buildings with high thermal energy wastage, guiding urban planners to focus retrofitting efforts effectively. SatVu’s innovative approach utilizes high-resolution thermal imagery from the MWIR spectrum, providing more detailed and cost-efficient data than traditional methods. The Heat Loss Index aims to help cities reduce energy waste, cut emissions, and support the transition to net-zero carbon goals, particularly in underperforming building sectors.

(PRESS RELEASE) GLASGOW, 29-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced its support for a pioneering feasibility study aimed at improving the analysis of building energy efficiency. The study, led by SatVu—a leading global climate technology company—alongside the University of Glasgow, will focus on the development of a new metric called the Heat Loss Index (HLI). This €244,853 initiative seeks to identify buildings with significant thermal energy wastage, enabling policymakers and urban planners to prioritize retrofitting efforts where they will be most effective.

Traditional thermal surveys, often carried out via drones or manual inspections, are expensive and difficult to scale. Existing satellite thermal datasets, such as Landsat or ECOSTRESS, fall short in terms of resolution, typically providing coverage at a scale of 70-100 meters, which is insufficient for assessing individual buildings.

SatVu’s innovative approach, however, leverages high-resolution Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) imagery with a ground sampling distance of 3.5 meters, allowing for a far more detailed and cost-effective analysis of urban energy loss. This method is expected to revolutionize the way building energy efficiency is monitored and improved.

“The Heat Loss Index could become a vital tool for urban energy efficiency,” said Natalia Kuniewicz, Business Development Climate & Sustainability Lead at SatVu. “Should this initiative prove successful, it could reshape how cities address energy waste, influencing retrofitting strategies, reducing emissions, and boosting climate resilience.”

Qunshan Zhao, Professor of Urban Analytics at the University of Glasgow’s Urban Big Data Centre, added, “The combination of high-resolution thermal imagery from SatVu and diverse geospatial datasets offers a breakthrough in detecting heat loss at a large scale. We plan to validate the HLI with in-home temperature sensors and smart meter readings to ensure its accuracy, with the aim of using this tool to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon cities, especially in regions where the building sector is lagging.”

As global energy efficiency targets grow more stringent, space-based thermal intelligence offers a potential game-changer for urban planners. This technology could help create greener, more sustainable cities, providing a crucial tool in the push for net-zero emissions worldwide.

Media Contact:

media@glasgow.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Glasgow