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CONTENTS
Ecobuild 2015
NEMEX/Sustainability Live 2015. NEC, Birmingham. Tuesday 21 - Thursday 23 April
Buildings & Energy Efficiency Awards 2015 - entries open
My Home Energy Planner
CoRE training courses
New fuel poverty strategy
Boilers on prescription
Smart Metering Early Learning Project
Who’s to blame for the Green Deal failure?
Auctions to provide major green electricity boost
Landlords’ incentive to end
White label regulations
Heat networks
Latest on Green Deal and Eco
RHI Roadshows
Barriers to CHP
Government under pressure on cheapest tariffs
LibDems announce policy
15 years’ high energy costs
Local authority energy efficiency
The poor pay more
Commons committee blasts Ofgem
What you need to know about LEDs
Fuel poverty report
Power to Switch
More cuts in gas prices on the horizon?
Labour wades in after CMA report
The retrofit challenge
Green energy bond
£60m for renewable projects
£51m for offshore wind
Carrot and stick
Improving energy efficiency in local councils
EU financial initiatives
Bridging the performance gap
Plug-in meters help energy management
The energy saving hierarchy
Producing the business case for investment in energy efficiency
District heating case studies
DECs – thumbs up or down?
Goodbye to high energy ovens
LED revolution continues
Goodbye kettle, hello Miito
Invest in London PV
Not just any PV array…
GIB WtE investment
Green Apple
Bank the savings
Savings for hospital
Towards energy independence for IKEA
SME hotels in the UK can make big energy efficiency savings
Tower block retrofit
CHP to expand in granite city
University identifies savings
High-rise retrofit
Paris landmark produces wind energy
Jobs across the UK
DECC stakeholder events to discuss gas CHP non-financial barriers. Manchester, Leeds, London. 9, 16 and 18 March
Reduce energy bills, install renewables & get cash incentive. Nationwide. Various dates
Ofgem ECO2 transition event. London. Tuesday 24 March
Financing Home Energy Efficiency: Lessons from the Green Deal and Needs for the Future. London. Tuesday 24 March
Retrofit Live. Stoke-on-Trent. Wednesday 29 – Thursday 30 April
Ecobuild 2015
Yesterday, our Chief Executive, Kerry Mashford, spoke at EcoBuild and made a presentation entitled “The programme overview and the overarching challenge” with Matt Colmer of Innovate UK on the Building Performance Programme. She also chaired the “Marketing and consumer engagement strategies for refurbishment” session in the Refurb and Retrofit Theatre, and gave a presentation on “Identifying target markets, understanding motivations and tailoring effective marketing messages – lessons from the field”. Today, our Technical Director, Malcolm Hanna, is one of the speakers in the “Successful energy management strategies” session in the Building Performance Theatre. His presentation is entitled “The role of DECs and ESOS and other regulation in identifying energy saving opportunities”.
http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/Content/The-sustainable-design-construction-and-energy-marketplace-for-new-build-refurb-commercial-and-domestic-buildings
NEMEX/Sustainability Live 2015. NEC, Birmingham. Tuesday 21 - Thursday 23 April
On Tuesday 21, our Deputy Chief Executive, Ian Byrne, will give a talk on the new ISO standard for energy baselines and performance indicators, ISO 50006. This will be in a session chaired by Martin Fry, ESTA President. On Thursday 23 April, our Technical Director, Malcolm Hanna, will chair and speak at a session in the Energy Management 1 theatre. He’ll be presenting on effective energy management strategies.
http://www.conference.sustainabilitylive.com/agenda/
Buildings & Energy Efficiency Awards 2015 - entries open
Entries for the 2015 Buildings & Energy Efficiency (B&EE) Awards are now open. Culminating in a glamourous event held at the Palace Hotel Manchester on Tuesday 10 November, the B&EE Awards seek out and reward those who have placed energy efficiency at the heart of their new build and refurbishment projects. Previously known as the Greenbuild awards, the B&EE Awards reward genuine innovation and achievement in energy efficiency. Winning a B&EE Award will demonstrate that a project or product has a proven and successful track record when it comes to delivering an energy efficient building or solution.
http://www.nef.org.uk/about-us/press-releases/buildings-energy-efficiency-awards-2015-entries-open-1-march
My Home Energy Planner
A partnership including the National Energy Foundation has been awarded a grant by Ordnance Survey’s GeoVation Challenge to develop the ‘My Homes Energy Planner’, which is a tool to provide householders with accurate, comprehensive and usable information on the current and potential energy performance of their homes. The partnership also includes Carbon Co-op, URBED and OpenEnergyMonitor.
http://www.nef.org.uk/about-us/insights/funding-announced-to-help-nef-pioneer-new-whole-house-energy-assessment-too
CoRE training courses
Retrofit building physics. London. Friday 13 March
http://www.core-skills.com/events/event-15070596560/#.VPQx3vmsUlQ
Retrofit ventilation. Birmingham. Tuesday 17 March
http://www.core-skills.com/events/event-15154181565/#.VPQyTfmsUlQ
Fundamentals of solid wall insulation. London. Wednesday 18 March
http://www.core-skills.com/events/event-15070614614/#.VPQypPmsUlQ
New fuel poverty strategy
The Government’s new fuel poverty strategy – the first for over a decade – outlines challenges and actions for the next 15 years to ensure that the UK takes the right steps to tackle fuel poverty and get help to those who need it most. The strategy will identify and target England’s energy inefficient homes and future Governments will be required by law to tackle fuel poverty under a legally-binding target, which requires a minimum Band C standard of energy efficiency for as many fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable by 2030.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-strategy-to-end-cold-homes-for-good
Boilers on prescription
Ed Davey announces that the so-called ‘Boilers On Prescription’ scheme is to get £3 million for preparatory work in advance of a possible national roll-out.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/03/ed-davey-announces-3m-for-boilers-on-prescription-scheme
Smart Metering Early Learning Project
The Government has used the foundation stage of the Smart Metering Implementation Programme to carry out an extensive programme of research into how best to deliver consumer benefits through effective engagement. In addition, it has funded some small-scale behaviour trials.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smart-metering-early-learning-project-and-small-scale-behaviour-trials
Who’s to blame for the Green Deal failure?
Former Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Barker, blames the failure of the Green Deal on a 'lack of interest' in energy efficiency on the part of the Big Six.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/25/camerons-climate-envoy-blames-big-six-energy-firms-for-green-deals-failure?utm_content=buffer6c6a9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Auctions to provide major green electricity boost
Competitive auctions undertaken by the Government leads to 27 renewable electricity projects worth £315 million, which, in total, could provide electricity for 1.4 million homes.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-leading-auctions-to-provide-major-green-electricity-boost
Landlords’ incentive to end
The Landlords Energy Saving Allowance - tax relief on the installation of energy efficiency measures - comes to an end on 6 April.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/buy-to-let/11419973/Buy-to-let-landlords-act-now-or-lose-1500-tax-perk.html
White label regulations
Ofgem is to require energy suppliers to include their white label offerings when informing customers of their cheapest tariffs.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/suppliers-must-tell-customers-if-their-cheapest-deal-marketed-under-different-brand?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=pr-gwynt-y-mor-ofto-12-02-15
Heat networks
The Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 implement the requirements in the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) with respect to the supply of distributed heat, cooling, hot water and cold water. DECC and the National Measurement Office (NMO) have produced a guidance document to define what is and what isn’t in scope of the regulations.
https://www.gov.uk/heat-networks
Latest on Green Deal and Eco
DECC releases the latest statistics on the Green Deal (to the end of January) and ECO (to the end of December). See page 5 for a summary.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/404769/monthly
_statistical_release_green_deal_and_eco_in_GB_feb_2015.pdf
RHI Roadshows
DECC continues its RHI roadshow at a number of exhibitions and other events to help people understand the benefits of the domestic RHI scheme. Next at Ecobuild and in Scotland.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/find-out-how-renewable-heating-could-help-you-have-a-warmer-home
Government under pressure on cheapest tariffs
Labour reveals that 75% of households are still not on their suppliers' cheapest tariff and are paying up to £250 more a year as a result – two years after the Prime Minister’s pledge to force energy suppliers to put customers on their cheapest tariff.
http://press.labour.org.uk/post/112646156794/three-in-four-households-overcharged-on-energy
LibDems announce policy
The Liberal Democrats unveil plans to introduce a new Green Homes Bill involving the insulation of up to 10 million homes by 2025, a feed-in tariff for solid wall insulation and a 10-year council tax discount for greening homes.
http://www.libdems.org.uk/insulating-10m-homes-by-2025
15 years’ high energy costs
The national fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action, claims that there will be 100,000 needless deaths and a £22 billion bill for the NHS over next 15 years, due to high energy costs.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/11437647/High-energy-costs-will-kill-100000-in-cold-homes.html
Local authority energy efficiency
Some examples of what councils can do to encourage the take-up of energy efficiency measures among their residents, and improve energy efficiency in their own buildings.
http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2015/feb/26/retrofitting-homes-how-councils-can-insulate-their-economies?CMP=share_btn_tw
The poor pay more
Research from Christians Against Poverty shows that those who use prepayment meters pay, on average, an extra £140 for their gas and £90 for their electricity each year.
https://capuk.org/downloads/policy_and_government/The_poor_pay_more.pdf
Commons committee blasts Ofgem
In a scathing attack on Ofgem, the Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee said new price caps for power distribution companies that are intended to keep costs down have been too generous, and that the regulator needs to “get its act together” to keep energy bills down for customers.
http://www.energylivenews.com/2015/02/23/ofgem-blasted-for-failing-to-keep-energy-bills-down/
What you need to know about LEDs
A really useful consumer guide from YouGen to LED lightbulbs - covering fittings, shapes, brightness etc.
http://www.yougen.co.uk/blog-entry/2528/5+things+to+bear+in+mind+when+buying+LED+lightbulbs/
Fuel poverty report
The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (for England) publishes its 12th annual report (2013-14). It concludes that the only real long-term sustainable solution to alleviating fuel poverty is a properly funded mass programme of insulation and installation of efficient heating systems.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fuel-poverty-advisory-group-for-england-12th-annual-report-2013-14
Power to Switch
Launch of the media campaign for Ofgem’s 'Power to Switch' service, which encourages the public to be energy shoppers and investigate whether it's worth switching energy supplier.
http://www.goenergyshopping.co.uk/en-gb/power-to-switch/?utm_source=beanenergyshopper&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=power_to_switch_feb_2015
More cuts in gas prices on the horizon?
Despite a recent slump in its profits, British Gas announces that it could cut household gas prices again later this year, and that prices are likely to stay low into 2017.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/11421916/British-Gas-owner-Centrica-reports-35pc-slump-in-profits.html
Labour wades in after CMA report
After the recent Competition and Markets Authority’s report following its investigation into the energy industry, Caroline Flint MP reaffirms Labour’s belief that Britain's energy market is broken, millions of consumers are being overcharged and radical action is needed.
https://www.politicshome.com/energy-and-environment/articles/opinion/house-commons/caroline-flint-mp-consumers-need-action-now
The retrofit challenge
How existing buildings are the ‘elephant in the room’ and the factors influencing the lack of progress in the retrofit industry, with VolDECs playing a role on the road to better energy efficiency.
http://builtenvironmenthub.org/news/news/hub/the-retrofit-challenge-how-existing-buildings-are-the-elephant-in-the-room-and-the-factors-influencing-the-lack-of-progress-in-the-retrofit-industry/
Green energy bond
How a green energy bond could kick start the national retrofit programme that's needed. Aimed at both local authorities and housing associations, the bond would aim to raise finance for retrofitting and the building of new green homes – all at a high standard. It would use the strong credit ratings of local authorities and higher rated housing associations to ensure competitive rates, and would last for around thirty years.
http://www.sustainablehomes.co.uk/blog/how-a-green-energy-bond-could-kickstart-retrofit?utm_content=12489668&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
£60m for renewable projects
The Green Investment Bank provides £60 million investment for up to 30 community-scale renewable projects across UK. The money will go on hydro-power, onshore wind on brownfield sites and biogas projects including anaerobic digestion and landfill gas.
http://www.edie.net/news/6/GIB-60m-fund-announced-for-2-4-GW-of-community-scale-renewables/
£51m for offshore wind
The European Investment Bank provides £51 million for a transmission link for a wind farm off the coast of north Wales, which will produce enough electricity to power around 400,000 homes.
http://www.energylivenews.com/2015/02/15/eu-lends-51m-to-link-uk-offshore-wind-farm/
Carrot and stick
A new report on household energy efficiency policy in the UK calls for a ‘carrot and stick’ approach to improvement, which would give individuals more control together with increasingly tougher regulations over time on energy-wasting properties.
http://www.e3g.org/news/media-room/energy-efficiency-should-be-national-mission
Improving energy efficiency in local councils
‘Energy Efficiency: How to enhance local authority strategies’. A recent Guardian Public Leaders Network seminar sought to explore best practice and barriers for councils trying to reduce energy bills across the board.
http://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/en-gb/press-releases/all-press-releases/improving-energy-efficiency-in-local-councils.aspx#axzz3S5G62IPJ
EU financial initiatives
The EU launches two new financial initiatives aimed at encouraging greater private sector involvement in schemes that contribute to reducing energy use.
http://www.eib.org/infocentre/press/releases/all/2015/2015-031-new-european-support-to-address-climate-and-biodiversity-challenges.htm
Bridging the performance gap
This BRE information paper looks at a way to bridge the ‘performance gap’ between the predicted energy performance and the in-use reality - using the Green Deal assessment tool for non-domestic buildings, which allows the input of non-standard operating conditions, hours of operation and occupancy patterns. The publication is aimed at all those working to identify energy waste and deciding on energy-saving measures and programmes.
http://www.brebookshop.com/details.jsp?id=327495
Plug-in meters help energy management
How plug-in energy-monitoring meters that connect to the pulsed output of various kWh meters in a building are enabling building owners and managers to manage energy use better.
http://www.buildingtalk.com/building-services-/electrical-services/the-plug-in-route-to-energy-saving/410362.article
The energy saving hierarchy
Reducing energy use in buildings isn’t all about ‘big ticket’ measures. Stick to the energy saving hierarchy - eliminating waste, reducing demand and improving efficiency – before upgrading or installing new equipment, which is much more capital intensive.
https://www.2degreesnetwork.com/groups/2degrees-community/resources/reducing-energy-use-buildings-isnt-all-about-big-ticket-capital-intensive-investment/
Producing the business case for investment in energy efficiency
A BRE information paper aimed at energy and facilities managers, energy consultants and advisers to help tackle the production of a poor business case, which is one of the biggest obstacles to the uptake of low-carbon and energy efficiency measures.
http://www.brebookshop.com/details.jsp?id=327507
District heating case studies
For anyone looking for ideas on district heating, or needing to know more about it, here are some useful case studies from across the UK.
http://www.vitalenerginetworks.co.uk/casestudies/
DECs – thumbs up or down?
Following the opening of the Government’s consultation on Display Energy Certificates, what’s the future for DECs? Should they be abolished or improved?
https://www.2degreesnetwork.com/groups/2degrees-community/resources/should-decs-be-abolished-or-improved/
Goodbye to high energy ovens
New EU rules come into effect to phase out energy inefficient domestic ovens, hobs and range hoods by 2019.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/19/energy-saving-oven-law-gets-warm-welcome-from-celebrity-chefs-and-wi
LED revolution continues
The next LED lighting revolution is ultraviolet and industry is seen as one of its primary uses. The new LEDs will improve production line efficiency because they will be able to reach stable output much faster.
http://asia.nikkei.com/magazine/20150115-Living-with-terror/Tech-Science/The-next-LED-revolution-is-upon-us-and-it-is-ultraviolet?n_cid=NARAN012
Goodbye kettle, hello Miito
The humble kettle has been revolutionised and re-designed around a heated metal rod, with energy efficiency in mind.
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/08/innovators-boiling-point-redesigning-kettle-miito
Invest in London PV
The Mayor of London is urged to set aside funding from the capital’s £17 billion 2015-16 budget to help London schools install PV. Each array would generate income of around £3,435 per year, have a payback period of 10-12 years, and provide revenue for a further 8-10 years.
http://www.london.gov.uk/media/assembly-press-releases/2015/02/solar-will-save-schools-money-says-assembly
Not just any PV array…
Marks & Spencer completes the UK’s largest single roof-mounted solar panel array. 25 miles of 24,272 panels fitted on a 900,000 sq ft distribution centre roof will generate over 5,000 MWh of electricity per year, equivalent to that used by 1,190 houses.
http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/media/press-releases/2015/mands-starts-generating-renewable-energy-from-uk%E2%80%99s-largest-roof-mounted-solar-array
GIB WtE investment
The Green Investment Bank invests £30 million in a new £60 million 10MWe high-tech Waste to Energy plant in Hertfordshire, which will produce enough electricity to power over 7,000 homes each year.
http://www.edie.net/news/5/30m-investment-by-UK-GIB-propels-waste-sector-into--new-phase-/
Green Apple
Apple announces plans to spend $1.7bn on building two giant data centres in Ireland and Denmark, both powered by 100% renewable energy.
http://www.edie.net/news/6/Apples-new-European-data-centres-to-be-100-powered-by-renewables/
Bank the savings
A review of its lighting and heating controls saves Royal Bank of Scotland £355,000 a year at its flagship London office.
http://www.emexlondon.com/2015/02/savvy-lighting-and-heating-control-saves-355k-a-year-in-rbss-flagship-office/
Savings for hospital
In a challenging environment, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust saves £528,000 a year on energy and water costs.
http://www.emexlondon.com/2015/02/northern-lincolnshire-and-goole-save-528k-pa-of-utility-costs/
Towards energy independence for IKEA
Retailer IKEA moves closer to energy independence with the purchase of a wind farm in Poland and a commitment to buy a further two.
https://www.2degreesnetwork.com/groups/2degrees-community/resources/ikea-group-moves-closer-energy-independence/
SME hotels in the UK can make big energy efficiency savings
How hotels can invest in energy efficiency measures and expect a return within two years, and how one hotel chain is to save £360,000 a year after investing £300,000 in energy and water efficiency projects across its 21 UK hotels.
http://energyindemand.com/2015/02/21/making-hotels-more-energy-efficient/
Tower block retrofit
Residents in four tower blocks in Walsall are to benefit from an energy efficient retrofit, which will reduce fuel bills, improve home comforts and bring numerous health and wellbeing benefits to hundreds of residents.
http://www.walsalladvertiser.co.uk/Homes-green-refit-thanks-grant/story-26046425-detail/story.html
CHP to expand in granite city
£1 million is awarded for the expansion of a CHP network in Aberdeen to include non-domestic properties. The development will help cut energy bills and provide cheap power to thousands of homes.
http://www.theade.co.uk/granite-city-green-heat-revolution-_2894.html
University identifies savings
An energy management programme at the University of Law identifies 15% energy savings, 19% cost savings and a two-and-a-half year payback period.
https://www.2degreesnetwork.com/groups/2degrees-community/resources/cost-doing-nothing-was-55-higher-energy-spend-by-2020-so-heres-what-university-law-did/
High-rise retrofit
754 flats in three, 23-storey high-rise tower blocks in west London are given an ambitious and complex energy efficient retrofit, including external wall insulation and solar panels.
http://specificationonline.co.uk/news-article/8031/rockwool-rockwool-and-the-lse-present-study-into-tower-refurbishments
Paris landmark produces wind energy
As part of a major renovation and upgrade, the Eiffel Tower is fitted with two wind turbines, generating enough electricity for its commercial areas on the first floor.
http://www.cnet.com/news/the-eiffel-tower-now-generates-its-own-power-with-new-wind-turbines/
DECC stakeholder events to discuss gas CHP non-financial barriers. Manchester, Leeds, London. 9, 16 and 18 March
Three, half-day DECC stakeholder events to discuss tackling non-financial barriers to natural-gas fired Combined Heat & Power (CHP).
http://www.theade.co.uk/event--decc-stakeholder-events-to-discuss-gas-chp-non-financial-barriers-_2918.html
http://ow.ly/JJmfn
Reduce energy bills, install renewables & get cash incentive. Nationwide. Various dates up to Thursday 19 March
DECC energy efficiency & renewable heat roadshows. Find out about the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and how renewable heating could help you have a warmer home. Come along to a free DECC RHI event and hear more about the incentive, speak to installers and see some of the eligible technologies.
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/department-of-energy-amp-climate-change-7825529924
http://ow.ly/JqFGp
Ofgem ECO2 transition event. London. Tuesday 24 March
This event will look at: how the ECO changes are being introduced, what has been learnt from ECO1, and what tools and information sources are available to participants.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eco2-transition-event-tickets-15927445418
http://ow.ly/JJnxL
Financing Home Energy Efficiency: Lessons from the Green Deal and Needs for the Future. London. Tuesday 24 March
UCL Energy Seminar. Has the Green Deal Finance Company ‘turned the corner’ and, if so, how was it achieved? And, what lessons have been learned to inform possible future policies?
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-energy-seminar-financing-home-energy-efficiency-lessons-from-the-green-deal-and-needs-for-the-tickets-15943853495?utm_content=buffer7d4a7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Retrofit Live. Stoke-on-Trent. Wednesday 29 – Thursday 30 April
The conference is aimed at experienced retrofit practitioners and professionals in the domestic retrofit sector, or those who want to develop expertise. It aims to showcase the best-in-class in terms of technical best practice, the development of effective retrofit delivery models and the latest in research and innovation.
http://www.retrofit-live.com/conference/
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