|
|
CONTENTS
Revamped LogPile launched
“Simple Buildings, Better Buildings”
Vacancy. Volunteer Content Writer - YouGen
Greenbuild Expo returns alongside new show, Buildings & Energy Efficiency
Buildings & Energy Efficiency Awards 2015
CoRE training courses
Latest Government eco statistics
£224 million to tackle fuel poverty in Scotland
Wary of personal data sharing
Exposing energy monopolies
Fuel bank three-month trial
Big 6 company cuts domestic heat tariff
Bamboozling bills
Labour targets Big Six
Liberal Democrat manifesto
UKIP manifesto
SNP manifesto
Labour’s Zero-Based Review
Labour’s Green Plan
Survey shows what energy managers are doing
EMR and what to do about the added costs
Behaviour change scores over technology
Behaviour change in 10
Sustainable energy in the countryside
Pace of refurbishment needs to be ramped up
“The Future of Housing - And How Airtightness Can Help”
“Mandating transparency about building energy performance in use”
ESOS data management
The performance gap and green buildings
Halogen’s temporary reprieve
UN launches new buildings and construction programme
Zero-carbon homes at Olympic Park
Communal heat charging survey
Potential of abandoned coal mines to provide energy
AD is the answer
2015 – the year of solar for London?
Reduced thermal energy loss at Canada Water Library
Solar slate tile success in conservation area
Sustainable brewery turns Guinness green
Revving up fridge performance
Reaping the fruits of solar
Solar for business park
A BREEAM first
Passivhaus development in East Midlands
SEWI solution
Councils’ PV plan
Small town independence
Amsterdam to expand DH
Energy ‘smart glass’
Jobs across the UK
Retrofit of historic buildings. London. Tue 19 May
Energy Management Forum 2015 – increasing efficiency, reducing cost. Birmingham. Wed 20 May
Responsible retrofit for traditional buildings. Bristol. Wednesday, 3 June
DECC Heat Pump Training Roadshow 2015. Various locations. Tue 16 June – Wed 8 July
Short course on combined heat and power. Cranfield University. Mon 22 – Fri 26 June
Revamped LogPile launched
The Foundation has recently launched an improved version of LogPile, our online database designed to help the general public find suppliers of wood fuel (logs, pellets, etc) and wood fuel equipment (stoves, boilers, etc). LogPile now has added search facilities and is much more user-friendly. We’re currently working with suppliers across the UK to update their details and get as many companies as possible listed in time for the 2015/16 heating season.
http://www.nef.org.uk/wood-fuel-equipment-suppliers/
'Simple Buildings, Better Buildings'
At the recent CIBSE Technical Symposium, our Technical Director, Malcolm Hanna, presented on the development of VolDECs (Voluntary Display Energy Certificates) for commercial offices. If you weren’t able to attend, his presentation is here:
http://www.nef.org.uk/about-us/resources-presentations/
Vacancy. Volunteer Content Writer - YouGen
We're looking for someone to research and write content on saving energy and generating energy from renewable sources for our award-winning YouGen website. This post also involves administering the site's expert blogger system and contributing to the promotion of the site to both consumers and installers.
http://www.nef.org.uk/about-us/join-us/
Greenbuild Expo returns alongside new show, Buildings & Energy Efficiency
Greenbuild Expo 2015 is a well-established exhibition for the sustainable built environment professional and, new for this year, it will run alongside the new Buildings & Energy Efficiency (B&EE) Event, a show dedicated to helping businesses meet their energy efficiency objectives. Greenbuild Expo will continue its emphasis on promoting sustainable building practices and tackling some of the important issues of our time, such as building high-quality and sustainable housing, refurbishing the current stock and eradicating fuel poverty.
http://www.nef.org.uk/about-us/press-releases/greenbuild-expo-returns-alongside-new-show-buildings-energy-efficiency
Buildings & Energy Efficiency Awards 2015
New for 2015, the B&EE Awards celebrate buildings and products that truly encapsulate energy efficiency. Culminating in a glamourous event held at the Palace Hotel Manchester on Tuesday 10th 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
CoRE training courses
- Assessing dwellings for retrofit. Birmingham. Thu 7 May
- Funding domestic retrofit. Stoke on Trent. Thu 7 May
- Responsible retrofit of traditional buildings. Birmingham. Mon 11 May
- Retrofit building fabric. Flitwick. Wed 13 May
- Building fabric retrofit. Thu 14 May
- Retrofit building services. Flitwick. Wed 20 May
http://www.core-skills.com/events/#.VTZ2NiHBwXB
Latest Government eco statistics
Statistics published by DECC on the Green Deal and the GDHIF (to the end of March) and ECO (to the end of February) record the latest monthly uptake figures but also show that the number of installers is down for the seventh consecutive month.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/green-deal-and-energy-company-obligation-eco-monthly-statistics-april-2015
£224 million to tackle fuel poverty in Scotland
Under a scheme worth up to £224 million over seven years, as many as 28,000 fuel poor and vulnerable households in Scotland could make their homes easier and cheaper to heat with insulation, more efficient heating and low-carbon or renewable measures. A wider range of options is available for people living off the main gas grid including solar thermal and biomass systems.
http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Tackling-fuel-poverty-186d.aspx
Wary of personal data sharing
Although people in the UK are keen on cutting their energy use, a recent survey reveals that they are worried about their personal energy use data being shared through smart meters.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27419-uk-people-happy-to-cut-energy-use-but-wary-of-smart-meters.html?utm_source=Daily+Carbon+Briefing&utm_campaign=b50e325f05-cb_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_876aab4fd7-b50e325f05-303435173#.VT-GcCFVhHy
Liberal Democrat manifesto
The LibDems launch a series of election pledges, including: a commitment to make saving energy an infrastructure priority, a Green Buildings Act to set new energy efficiency targets (including a long-term ambition for every home to reach an EPC Band C by 2035), targets for all social and private rented homes to reach Band C by 2027, and a statutory target to bring the homes of all fuel-poor households to Band C by 2027.
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/libdems/pages/8907/attachments/original/1429028133/
Liberal_Democrat_General_Election_Manifesto_2015.pdf?1429028133
UKIP manifesto
The UKIP manifesto includes nothing on energy efficiency but promises investment in coal, the abolition of green taxes and the withdrawal of subsidies for the majority of renewables.
http://www.ukip.org/manifesto2015
SNP manifesto
The SNP is to press for ECO to be funded through general taxation, supports community energy and promises action on fuel bills.
http://votesnp.com/docs/manifesto.pdf
Labour’s Zero-Based Review
In its “Labour’s Zero-Based Review” the Labour Party identifies £38 million of potential savings within DECC and spells out its policy on energy efficiency, energy bills, fuel poverty and ECO.
http://www.shadowdecc.org.uk/labour_s_zero_based_review_labour_identifies_potential_savings
_of_over_38m_a_year_from_the_decc_budget
Labour’s Green Plan
Labour launches its Green Plan, which includes establishing energy efficiency as national infrastructure priority and a commitment to retrofitting five million homes over the next decade.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/20/labour-launches-green-manifesto-nine-years
-after-david-cameron-hugged-husky
Survey shows what energy managers are doing
edie’s third annual energy management survey reveals what businesses are doing to become more energy efficient, why they are doing it and how successfully it's being done. For example, 44% of the survey respondents are generating energy from on-site renewables.
http://www.edie.net/library/Sustainability-stats--Energy-managers-survey-in-numbers/6587
EMR and what to do about the added costs
How the Government’s Electricity Market Reform costs are affecting the food and drink sector, and how energy managers can minimise the increases.
https://www.2degreesnetwork.com/groups/2degrees-community/resources/emr-costs-unpalatable-food-and-drink-sector/
Behaviour change scores over technology
Although buildings provide significant opportunities to save energy, behaviour change can drive energy savings well beyond improving the efficiency of buildings themselves.
http://energyindemand.com/2015/04/24/how-people-interact-with-buildings-impacts-on-energy-use/
Behaviour change in 10
A 10-step approach for influencing energy efficiency behaviour change with both individuals in the community and organisations.
https://www.2degreesnetwork.com/groups/2degrees-community/resources/10-steps-changing-energy-behaviours/
Sustainable energy in the countryside
Cambridge Architectural Research's report “Warm and Green” for the Campaign to Protect Rural England gives examples of what energy and carbon savings can be achieved, but progress should not depend on the extraordinary efforts of committed individuals and community groups. Much more must be done to address the barriers rural communities face, and to ensure that the sort of initiatives we now regard as exemplary become commonplace – especially if the UK is to cut its emissions to its target levels.
http://www.carltd.com/content/Warm_and_Green
Pace of refurbishment needs to be ramped up
Why low-carbon refurbishment is crucial for building sustainable cities. However, because progress on energy efficiency refurbishments has been frustratingly slow so far and only a fraction of the overall opportunity in the UK has been realised, the rate needs to be increased.
http://www.carbontrust.com/news/2015/03/low-carbon-refurbishment-crucial-building-sustainable-cities
“The Future of Housing - And How Airtightness Can Help”
A video on how a home’s airtightness can affect its comfort levels and its energy efficiency, and what can be done to improve the situation for occupants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va4qsH6pdEU&feature=youtu.behttp://ow.ly/LPMrT
"Mandating transparency about building energy performance in use"
This paper reviews the history of energy certificates in the UK’s non-domestic buildings, analyses Government policy and considers the lessons that can be learned to inform better policy-making and produce more successful initiatives in the future.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09613218.2015.1017416
ESOS data management
Some interesting and useful dos and don’ts of managing the data requirements of ESOS. https://www.2degreesnetwork.com/groups/2degrees-community/resources/dos-and-donts-
managing-data-requirements-esos/?utm_campaign=Energy_Built_Environment&utm_source=hs
_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=17168847&_hsenc=p2ANqtz_IQ0hDZUO_zoDLX_
A6aJK1l3quMsb6zJkRk1I0NAnDZj5tWMhOSqI71KWbsVgQ8Afkp3_49Mi985u44EJCg
_xmrGFVMQ&_hsmi=17168847
The performance gap and green buildings
A recent study of four ‘green’ buildings reveals a number of performance gap issues.
http://www.building4change.com/article.jsp?id=2637#.VT-LjiFVhHy
Halogen’s temporary reprieve
The EU postpones a ban on inefficient halogen light bulbs by two years – to 2018, after campaigners lobby that LED alternatives aren’t yet ready to replace them.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/20/eu-delays-ban-on-halogen-bulbs?utm_
medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it
UN launches new buildings and construction programme
The United Nations Environment Programme launches The Sustainable Buildings and Construction Programme, which aims to improve the social, environmental and economic performance of buildings by promoting resource and energy efficiency. The programme will focus on five key areas:
- Establish, promote, and enable conditions for sustainable buildings and construction policies.
- Support and promote sustainable housing.
- Enhance sustainability in the building supply chain.
- Reduce climate impact and strengthen climate resilience of the building and construction sector.
- Enhance knowledge sharing, outreach and awareness-raising.
http://unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=26802&ArticleID=34968&l=en
Zero-carbon homes at Olympic Park
Architects are designing 200 zero-carbon homes as part of the new neighbourhoods of East Wick and Sweetwater at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The first homes will be available at the end of 2017 and the development is scheduled to be completed in 2023.
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/london/east-wick-and-sweetwater
Communal heat charging survey
As there is no national benchmark for how much to charge tenants for communal heat, the rates charged can often lead to complaints. Sustainable Homes is conducting a survey of landlords on the costs charged to tenants of metered communal heat, the aim of which is to find out what rates are charged at a national level so that landlords know that residents are being treated fairly.
http://www.sustainablehomes.co.uk/blog/are-you-charging-your-residents-too-much-for-communal-heat?utm_content=14268885&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Potential of abandoned coal mines to provide energy
A research project by Nottingham Trent University discovers that disused coal mines are a viable source of renewable thermal energy. The two-year study found that residual heat in mine groundwater can be condensed and used to heat and cool buildings. The project explored redundant mines over a 30km area and found that they have the potential to produce enough energy to heat 45,000 homes.
http://www.edie.net/news/6/Coal-mines-could-heat-UK-homes-again/
AD is the answer
An anaerobic digestion plant in Gloucestershire that turns grass into gas sufficient for 6,000 homes is the answer to fracking says Ecotricity.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/20/ecotricity-offers-anaerobic-digestion-of-grass-as-answer-to-fracking?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it
2015 – the year of solar for London?
With the possibility of 2015 being a bumper year for solar in London, a support team is set up to provide technical help to London's local authorities and housing associations to boost solar installations in the capital.
http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/energy/re-new-home-energy-efficiency/2015/03/
achieving-mass-solar-installation-in-london
Reduced thermal energy loss at Canada Water Library
Thermal bridging at the new £14 million Southwark Council Canada Water Library provides outstanding thermal insulation and dramatically reduces thermal energy loss in connective areas.
http://www.buildingtalk.com/building-products-and-structures-/balconies-/schck-thermal-bridging-solution-at-canada-water-library/410646.article
Solar slate tile success in conservation area
How one householder fitted solar slate tiles in order to reduce visual impact in a conservation area. Instead of being bolted on like traditional solar panels, they are inset into the existing roof, replacing some of the conventional roof tiles. The tiles look like the existing ones and work in exactly the same way as solar panels.
http://www.yougen.co.uk/blog-entry/2553/Solar+power+in+a+conservation+area'3A+how+solar
+slate+tiles+pleased+the+planners/
Sustainable brewery turns Guinness green
A new Guinness brewery in Ireland is awarded LEED Platinum certification. The sustainability features include: an energy recovery system that reduces the need for steam heating; a hybrid refrigeration system that aims to run at 0 ºC instead of -4 ºC; solar shading; high-performance insulation; automatic, high-efficiency lighting; a CHP plant; low-energy heating; a ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and air conditioning that is restricted to only certain parts of the building.
http://www.gizmag.com/diageo-guinness-brewhouse-leed-platinum/37007/
Revving up fridge performance
Sainsbury’s is retrofitting aerofoils developed using Formula 1 aerodynamics technology to its in-store fridges in a bid to improve their energy performance.
https://www.2degreesnetwork.com/groups/2degrees-community/resources/sainsburys-uses-formula-1-tech-boost-fridge-performance/ utm_campaign=Energy_Built_Environment&utm
_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=17306530&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9c00ptDSIiZorISadiKDHDVma1hB4qg36OegeI6SZu1UGD_wdv0VDAMumDsfNW8ulvu4v8-aAB33Vbs7Exuuvaa6UNOQ&_hsmi=17306530
Reaping the fruits of solar
A Kent apple storage company invests in an 800-panel solar panel array, which should be capable of meeting 22% of its total energy use.
http://www.bpva.org.uk/members/bpva/news/kent-top-fruit-firm-makes-energy-investment/
Solar for business park
A site in Mansfield becomes the UK's first completely electricity self-sufficient business park after the switch-on of its 2,000-panel 450KW on-site solar farm.
http://www.edie.net/news/6/Business-Park-powers-itself-with-solar-array/
http://ow.ly/M4doJ
A BREEAM first
After a £5 million refurbishment, a Legal & General Property building in Bristol is the first ever to be certificated under the BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fit-Out scheme, which is the newest of the internationally recognised BREEAM standards for rating the sustainability of building projects.
http://www.edie.net/news/6/Business-Park-powers-itself-with-solar-array/
Passivhaus development in East Midlands
68 affordable Passivhaus homes go under construction in a £7 million development on a 13.2 acre site in Leicester.
http://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/news/detail/?nId=499#.VTTMvfnF8lS
SEWI solution
Three four-storey 1950s blocks of flats in Havering are retrofitted with structural external wall insulation. The project was undertaken to overcome the structural defects of the walls, bring the blocks up to current Part L Building Regulation standards in relation to thermal efficiency requirements, and improve their external appearance.
http://www.24dash.com/news/housing/2015-04-20-Structherm-systems-used-to-refurbish-flats-in-Havering?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Councils’ PV plan
Two south coast councils agree to install solar panels on their council houses with a view to later extending the scheme to their non-domestic civic buildings.
http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/local/solar-panel-project-to-help-fuel-poverty-1-6682259
Small town independence
A video showing how the Polish town of Kisielice is becoming energy independent and demonstrating to the rest of Poland that it can move away from its dependency on coal and, in doing so, is developing a name for itself across the EU.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxIBXoVPREE&feature=youtu.behttp://ow.ly/LPKFm
Amsterdam to expand DH
The Dutch city of Amsterdam aims to totally decarbonise its network through the fourfold expansion of its district heating system to 40% of the city by 2025.
http://www.cospp.com/articles/2015/04/amsterdam-aims-to-totally-decarbonise-through-district-heating.html
Energy ‘smart glass’
Researchers develop 'smart' glass windows that use weather such as wind and precipitation to create energy.
http://energyindemand.com/2015/04/18/smart-glass-shows-promise/
Retrofit of historic buildings. London. Tue 19 May
An interactive panel discussion seminar, led by Carrie Behar of The Energy Institute at The Bartlett, UCL. This seminar includes a panel of four speakers who are experts in their fields and focusses on the benefits of retrofit, exploring key issues such as:
- Energy consumption of new versus unaltered heritage buildings
- Key technical strategies
- Potential challenges and opportunities for architects working in this sector
http://www.architecture.com/WhatsOn/May2015/RetrofitofHistoricBuildings.aspx
Energy Management Forum 2015 – increasing efficiency, reducing cost. Birmingham. Wed 20 May
The forum will address the key issues of:
- What the future holds for energy pricing and its effect on UK organisations.
- The journey towards ESOS compliance, ISO 50001, DECs, the Green Deal and energy audits.
- Meter Monitoring and Targeting (MMT) – optimising the data available to you.
- How to maximise staff engagement in energy efficiency.
- How should energy management and those responsible for it, fit into the modern organisation?
- The latest technology changing energy management.
http://www.sb-energy.net/home
Responsible retrofit for traditional buildings. Bristol. Wednesday, 3 June
National conference aimed at professionals from local authorities, housing associations and private landlords who are planning or delivering retrofit programmes on traditional buildings. The event will:
- Identify risks and unintended consequences associated with the retrofit of traditional buildings and share best ways of managing them.
- Equip delegates with the knowledge, practical resources and skills required to successfully and effectively carry out work on their traditional housing stock.
- Share practical, affordable and achievable case studies.
- Develop expertise and establish a practical support network.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/responsible-retrofit-for-traditional-buildings-conference-tickets-16159178538?aff=eiosprexshretwtr&ref=eiosprexshretwtr
DECC Heat Pump Training Roadshow 2015. Various locations. Tue 16 June – Wed 8 July
A series of free one-day training courses, designed to help potential heat pump customers in both the domestic and non-domestic sectors – such as businesses, developers and housing providers - understand how heat pumps can deliver lower energy costs, greater comfort and better buildings. The roadshows will offer people the chance to learn more about why heat pumps make sense, build their technical knowledge and understand the financing of heat pumps including unlocking the Renewable Heat Incentive.
www.deccheatpumptraining2015.eventbrite.co.uk
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decc-heat-pump-training-roadshow-2015-registration-15927483532
Short course on combined heat and power. Cranfield University. Mon 22 – Fri 26 June
Cranfield University is organising the 9th edition of its Combined Heat and Power (CHP) course, which will provide delegates with an understanding of CHP technologies with conventional fuels and renewables taking into account current challenges. A key aspect of the course will be the assessment of financial viability of a cogeneration system involving several factors. The course is delivered as a combination of lectures, workshops and discussion of case studies conducted by members of Cranfield University’s staff and relevant external industrial contributors. The course will build up the delegates’ understanding and knowledge of CHP technologies with conventional fuels and renewables. More specifically, on completion of the course delegates will be able to:
- Explain the operational characteristics of the major components of a CHP plant and appraise their design and off-design performance
- Discuss technical, economic and environmental risks and benefits of various CHP technologies
- Apply appropriate methods available to assess financial viability of a cogeneration system considering several factors
- Identify the most appropriate plant size and select a suitable cogeneration system
- Outline the optimisation and development of the CHP technology in response to current and future challenges, market outlook and users’ requirements.
http://www.theade.co.uk/short-course-on-combined-heat-and-power-_1027.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
