Agenda for initial meeting of parties interested in setting up an IBPSA- England

Date: 7th October 2005

Venue:
Building Energy Analysis Unit
School of Architecture
University of Sheffield

11:00 Welcome

11:10 Why should we consider IBPSA membership

11:30 Open Discussion on how do we proceed?

1. Do we go for :
(a) IBPSA UK?
(b) IBPSA England?
(c) IBPSA Sub regional - say England North, Midlands, South, Wales?

2. How do we proceed?

3. Where do we get funding from?

1:00 Lunch

4. Actions for the future

5. Date and place of next meeting

6. Any other business


Attendees
D Mumovic, I Mc Donald, M Cook, S Sharples, F Nikiforiadis, D. Alexander, L Yu, I Ward

Apologies
J Wright, L Mc Elroy, P De Wilde

Discussions
A meeting of some of the interested parties in forming an IBPSA affiliated group was held at the University of Sheffield, School of Architecture on Friday 7th October.

The agenda for this meeting is attached at the end.

The discussions first focused on determining if forming an IBPSA group was a viable proposition given the history of BEPAC. It was agreed that it would be a good idea to bring those involved in simulation together to exchange ideas.

Iain Mc Donald then gave a presentation on the workings of the Scottish Energy Systems Group and how it interacted with both Joe Clarke’s ESRU and the industry.

There was also some debate as to whether or not the formation of a UK IBPSA was a good idea or not. The general consensus was that by staying as individual country based groups there may be the opportunity to run “local” events without the need for participants to travel the length of England, Wales to attend. It would also afford the opportunity to look for regionally based funding – such as Regional Government Offices, Northern Way etc.

The formation of an EPSRC Network was also considered but was generally felt that it was a little premature to put one forward until the extent of interest had been demonstrated.

Decisions
It was generally felt that the best way forward at this moment in time was to:
• Establish the interest in setting up such a group
• Look to initially setting up a group working along similar lines to the UK Comfort Group
• Investigate the terms and conditions of membership of IBPSA
• Look to running an event next Autumn for researchers (possibly PG’s), to be followed by a joint event in 2008 involving Scotland, Wales and England.
• Interested parties to draw up a list of other people who may be interested in joining ( a current list is attached)
• A follow up meeting to be arranged before Xmas – date and location to be finalised by e-mail

Actions
Obtain and read the IBPSA By-laws MC/ DA
Contact J Wright ICW
Contact J Spitler MC
Draw a up an initial document for IBPSA ICW

Follow up on actions
MC has contacted J Spitler and passed on information and received information back regarding by-laws and passed them on to Don.
ICW contacted Jonathan and gave him a summary of the discussions at the meeting. He was in agreement with what we are proposing but did not necessarily wish to be Chair of an IBPSA England.