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CONTENTS
NEF Impact Statement 2014-15
SuperHome Open Days – September 2015
Energiesprong – will it be a game-changer in the UK?
Where will the new Government take us over the next five years?
Energy Awards 2015
Greenbuild Expo returns alongside new show, Buildings & Energy Efficiency
Entries invited for Buildings & Energy Efficiency Awards 2015
CoRE training courses
NEF Impact Statement 2014-15
The National Energy Foundation makes a practical impact on people's lives and contributes towards creating an energy-literate UK. On an on-going basis, the Foundation:
- Delivers practical projects – using its experience and technical expertise.
- Inspires action – providing building owners and occupiers with the encouragement, advice and real-life examples to achieve better performing buildings.
- Advances knowledge - supporting collaboration to drive forward the frontiers of knowledge, innovation and practice.
- Identifies and addresses market failures using evidence, analysis and ideas.
Each year, we summarise the work we’ve done, and the impact it's made, in our annual Impact Report. At the Foundation’s Advisory Council meeting on 9 June, we launched our 2014-15 report.
SuperHome Open Days – September 2015
SuperHomes are older homes refurbished by their owners for greater comfort, lower bills and far fewer carbon emissions - at least 60% less! They are some of the most improved homes for energy use in the UK, and they are fit for the future. SuperHomes have superior insulation; many have alternative heating sources and some produce their own energy. SuperHomes Open Days make some of these homes available to the public where they can learn about a range of installed technologies. They also include tours and Q&A sessions with the owners. Book now.
Energiesprong – will it be a game-changer in the UK?
See our article and take our poll. We look at Energiesprong, the Dutch energy efficiency retrofit model, and whether it could revolutionize the UK refurbishment industry. Energiesprong is based on the off-site manufacture of prefabricated wall and roof units, with an emphasis on energy efficiency. It’s being used by social housing providers in the Netherlands as part of their strategies to reduce energy bills, tackle fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions. It’s now gaining some interest in the UK.
Where will the new Government take us over the next five years?
The dust having settled after the unexpected General Election result, our Kerry Mashford considers what the landscape for energy and energy efficiency will look like over the next five years under the new Government.
Energy Awards 2015
Our Chief Executive, Kerry Mashford, is pleased to once again be on the panel of judges for the Energy Awards. The awards recognise and reward those organisations that demonstrate the finest examples of responsible energy consumption and set a standard for excellence throughout the industry. This year, the deadline for entries is Friday 17 July.
Greenbuild Expo returns alongside new show, Buildings & Energy Efficiency
This year, Greenbuild Expo 2015 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.
Entries invited for Buildings & Energy Efficiency Awards 2015
New for 2015, the B&EE Awards celebrate buildings and products that truly encapsulate energy efficiency. Previously known as the Greenbuild awards, the B&EE Awards reward genuine innovation and achievement in energy efficiency. The deadline for entries is 5pm on Tuesday, 30 June.
CoRE training courses
London
Building Fabric Retrofit. 29 June. Alan Pither
Building Services Retrofit. 7 Jul. Alan Clarke
Fundamentals of SWI. 13 Jul. Peter Rickaby
Ventilation. 20 Jul. Ian Orme
Birmingham
Ventilation. 29 Jun. Peter Rickaby
Retrofit Building Physics. 10 Jul. Valentina Marincioni and Sarah Price
Responsible Retrofit of Traditional Buildings. 23 Jul. Julia Bennett
Coordination and Risk Management. 28 Jul. Bob Prewett
Latest on Green Deal and ECO
The latest statistics released by DECC for the Green Deal (up to the end of May) and for ECO (up to the end of April) show that the Green Deal programme continues to slow and the number of Green Deal installers is down for the ninth consecutive month.
Latest Green Deal quarterly statistics
DECC’s latest quarterly report on the Green Deal, ECO and insulation up to the end of March.
Big Energy Saving Network 2015-16 launch
DECC makes £1 million available for third sector organisations and community groups to provide energy-saving help and advice to vulnerable people.
Electricity Demand Reduction Pilot
DECC launches a scheme whereby organisations could receive financial support for implementing energy efficiency projects through the Electricity Demand Reduction Pilot, if they deliver electricity savings at peak times. DECC provides a Participant Handbook and will be running a series of workshops and web-chats to help potential participants understand the scheme and develop their projects. Register by Thursday, 3 September.
Scotland takes the lead on infrastructure
The Scottish Government makes improving the energy efficiency of homes and non-domestic buildings a national infrastructure priority in an effort to reduce energy bills and tackle fuel poverty. So far, similar calls in England have fallen on deaf ears.
Funds for thermal feasibility studies
£234,000 is awarded to five Scottish feasibility projects to investigate the potential of thermal energy from the ground to heat homes and businesses.
Big 6 to blame for GD failure
Having expected them to come forward with a comprehensive package for their millions of customers, former Government Minister, Greg Barker, blames the Big Six energy companies for the failure of the Green Deal scheme.
Smart meter progress
The latest figures from DECC on smart meters show that a total of around 1,054,800 have been installed in domestic properties up to 31 March.
Green Deal smart meter opportunity
Lord Whitty proposes that the roll-out of smart meters is a good opportunity to undertake a Green Deal assessment at each house visited (with a view to collecting useful data) at the same time as installing a meter.
Energy efficiency strategy for Wales
Following its energy efficiency call for evidence (between 16 October 2014 and 8 January 2015) the Welsh Government publishes its first ever draft Wales Energy Efficiency Strategy and opens consultation on its development and the long-term direction of energy efficiency in Wales. Consultation closes on Wednesday, 9 September.
Poorest pay more
An energyhelpline.com survey reveals that people in the poorest and coldest regions of the UK pay the most for their energy. North Wales, Merseyside and northern Scotland are the most expensive regions.
Potential for electricity network operators to contribute to preventing fuel poverty
Research on behalf of the charity, National Energy Action, investigates the potential for electricity network operators to make a direct contribution to preventing fuel poverty, by investing in domestic energy efficiency improvements.
IPPR report on green policies
A new IPPR report looks at who's paying the most for green policies on energy bills, who's benefitting, and how this balance could be fairer. The report recommends six policy changes, one of which is to replace the current energy efficiency policy with a ‘Help to Heat’ strategy, to ensure energy-efficiency initiatives are more effectively targeted at fuel-poor households.
Citizens Advice looks into energy billing
A Citizens Advice investigation into energy billing and complaints reveals concerns about the cost of energy, billing procedures and poor complaint handling, all leading to a lack of customer trust in the energy companies.
Project saves young people money on energy
A financial confidence project in Birmingham advising young people on how to manage their household finances saves them money on their energy bills.
Developing a Vision for Energy in Buildings
A CIBSE evening reception for MPs to highlight issues of energy in buildings. The meeting raised the need for a new Energy White Paper to promote and accelerate cost-effective energy measures including energy efficiency, the more efficient use and production of energy in and from buildings, community energy and other measures. The evening culminated in a call for a Cost Effective Energy Measures Bill and the implementation of a strategy that would save the UK economy £12 billion per annum. The event was supported by a number of organisations, including the National Energy Foundation.
Best Foot Forward
In a new report, the CBI calls for energy efficiency to be designated a national infrastructure priority.
Insulate all homes
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ new report ‘Heat Energy: the Nation’s Forgotten Crisis’ calls for the UK Government to urgently introduce legislation for a national insulation programme to cover every home in the country.
'Powering Down' survey
Carbon Co-op is asking for input into its development of an online, open source, whole-house assessment and decision-making tool for community energy groups, so that they can replicate some of the retrofit work it’s carried out so far.
What shall I tell my neighbours?
How having solid wall insulation fitted affects the neighbours and what to tell them before installation day.
Potential cavity wall insulation problem
Is retrofit cavity wall insulation a ticking time bomb that will explode into a scandal to rival PPI mis-selling?
Biggest RP PV
Peterborough is home to the largest single domestic solar panels installation scheme for social housing in the country.
CWI in the sky
Abseilers are used to install cavity wall insulation at 37 high-rise blocks totalling 820 flats in Barking & Dagenham. The project is part of a £500,000 EDF Energy insulation programme to help residents save on their energy bills.
Community benefits from EWI
A video includes local residents talking about how their community in Alloa has benefited from a successful external wall insulation project.
Retrofit app launched
The launch of a new retrofit app by BRE for use with four-in-a-block homes allows housing associations and registered providers to work out the various refurbishment options and to calculate their benefits.
Energy storage competition ramps up
Another car company is set to compete with Tesla in the energy storage market while Tesla itself plans to double the capacity of its forthcoming domestic battery storage system after the initial version received criticism.
Stepping up to the next level
The company that’s developing a paving tile that harnesses energy from people’s footsteps crowdsources enough funding to take the product to the next level.
Electricity-generating gas boiler
A Suffolk-based company develops a domestic gas boiler that generates electricity while heating the home, thereby saving as much as £500 a year on energy bills and reducing carbon emissions.
Finnish dung energy
A company in Finland experiments with turning horse manure into energy to heat homes.
The Solar Independence Plan
The Solar Trade Association outlines its vision for the solar sector and launches a plan to make solar energy as cheap as fossil fuels by 2020, a plan that includes six steps to solar independence and the removal of subsidies.
Solar capital optimism
The former Energy Secretary, Greg Barker, is optimistic about driving forward on solar in London in the near future. So far, the capital has had a relatively low solar take-up rate compared with the rest of the country.
PV for capital schools
The London Assembly hears that, after a "dismal record of installing solar PV in schools", the Mayor of London is to make it a priority in the new phase of his public sector energy retrofit programme, RE:FIT.
PV top with HAs
A recent NHBC Foundation report finds that PV is the most popular renewable technology among over 200 housing associations.
THE REVIEW: UK social landlords - environmental performance 2014/15
SHIFT, the sustainability standard for the housing sector, assesses the environmental performance of social landlords in four key areas: strategy, existing homes, new builds and offices.
Right to Supply petition
A petition has been launched to allow local energy groups to sell their power direct to consumers, rather than having to sell it to the big suppliers.
Energy in EU leisure buildings
An EU report on the findings from energy audits and energy ratings taken in 26 leisure buildings across seven member states. The report covers energy consumption, breakdown of energy use, energy indicators, energy ratings and conclusions relating to EPCs.
Getting ready for MEEPS
How one asset management company is preparing for the arrival of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, ahead of 2018.
Top 5 barriers to energy performance projects
Despite the potential to significantly lower operating costs, businesses have a frustrating tendency to underinvest in the energy performance of their buildings. A survey reveals what‘s stopping them.
Home Performance Label
A consortium is formed to develop a Home Performance Label tool for the promotion of better performing homes, and to bring it to market.
Evolving market for small to medium scale district heating
The introduction of the non-domestic RHI in November 2011 helped to trigger significant growth in small scale district heating. Since then, the market has broadened to include a wide range of heat source options, including CHP (gas and renewable), anaerobic digestion and heat pumps.
Subsidy cuts; VAT increases: threat or opportunity?
Can we learn from the French approach to VAT? Are there better ways for DECC to deliver its energy security and climate change objectives?
Building a case for efficiency
A quick, five-step guide to building the business case for energy efficiency projects within your organisation.
Cracking the psychology of energy-saving
An interesting psychological look at why it's tricky to get people to cut back on their energy use. In general, people tend to incorrectly think that the objects they use the most consume more energy than they actually do.
Smart Lives report
The Energy Saving Trust’s ‘Smart Lives: Making smart smart’ report looks at whether smart technologies really are the answer to our energy efficiency prayers?
DECC practising what it preaches
DECC continues its energy-saving programme across its estate with the roll-out of LED lighting.
The Octopod
Built partly from shipping containers, the Octopod is a sustainable, solar-powered and highly-insulated Canadian house with an innovative hybrid heating system.
10 of the best
Inspiring, ground-breaking and sustainable – 10 of the world’s most energy-efficient office buildings.
PV first for brewery
A Milton Keynes microbrewery could be the first to run on solar energy.
Oats to energy
A breakfast cereal manufacturing giant is turning oat hull waste into biomass for energy at its plant in Brazil.
Various energy, environment and Green Deal-related jobs across the country are available on the following websites. Take a look at:
Acre
Carbon Action Network
CIBSE
Ends Job Search
Energy Institute industry vacancies
Energy Institute vacancies
Environment Job
Environment Jobs
Hays
IEMA
National Energy Services
Reed
The Guardian
Total
Utility Week
DECC heat pump training courses
Free one-day training courses, designed to help businesses, developers and housing providers to understand how heat pumps can deliver lower energy bills, greater comfort and better buildings. The roadshows will offer participants the chance to learn more about why heat pumps make sense, build their technical knowledge of how best to ensure good performance and understand the financing of heat pumps. The courses in London are fully booked.
- Exeter - Wed 1 July
- Cardiff - Thu 2 July
- Birmingham - Mon 6 July
Book online or by calling 020 8469 1333.
Low Energy Know How (Zero Carbon Hub) events
These events are an excellent opportunity to hear the most recent information on the Zero Carbon journey and definition, plus the latest on both the Performance Gap project and the cost of meeting the Zero Carbon Standard. These events will also provide delegates with the practical knowledge to meet regulations as Saint-Gobain will be presenting information on a number of product solutions designed to meet the Zero Carbon target.
- Cardiff – Wed 8 July. 8-9:30am
- Llandudno – Wed 15 July. 8-9:30am
- Eastleigh – Fri 17 July. 8-9:30am
Konstruct Academy. Woking. Tue 14 July. 9:30-12:30
This Zero Carbon Hub event, organised in collaboration with Innovate UK, Constructing Excellence and CITB, promises to demystify the Performance Gap, and will highlight the latest learning from three local domestic and non-domestic BPE projects. Delegates will hear an array of excellent speakers discuss cutting-edge research and knowledge in this space. A complimentary lunch will be provided and delegates will also receive a tour of the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ WWF Living Planet Centre.
2015 Public Sector Sustainability Awards
The 2015 Public Sector Sustainability Awards will be presented by Lord Redesdale and guests at a ceremony on 12 November 2015 at the London ExCeL exhibition centre. To enter the awards, download the Entrants Information Pack. If you’re interested in sponsoring the 2015 Awards, download the Sponsor Information Pack.
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