March 2010

Feed-in tariff details announced

 

The feed-in tariff (FIT) for small-scale generation of low-carbon electricity could earn householders installing solar PV £900 a year and reduce annual energy bills by £140. Small scale is up to 5 MW. Announcing the details of the scheme, which comes into effect on 1 April, Energy & Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband also published a blueprint for a similar scheme to be introduced in April 2011 to incentivise low-carbon heating technologies. Known as the renewable heat incentive, this scheme will be a world first.

Mr Miliband explains, ‘The feed-in tariff will change the way householders and communities think about their future energy needs, making the payback for investment far shorter than in the past. It will also change the outlook for a range of industries, in particular those in the business of producing and installing small-scale low-carbon technology.’

The scheme applies to Solar PV, microCHP, hydro and wind. Income from the FIT will be tax-free for individuals but taxed for companies.

Paul Reeve, head of environment at the Electrical Contractors’ Association, comments, ‘Feed-in tariffs have done more than anything else to accelerate the installation of micro-renewable energy capacity in Europe and will play a significant part in helping the UK to achieve its renewable energy target. It’s a win-win situation; so long as the tariffs are set sufficiently high, its good for the environment’ it’s good for the consumer, and it’s good for those in the building-services sector.’

The FIT for a retro-fit PV installation up to 4 kW is 41.3 p/kWh if the customer uses the electricity directly, with a further 3 p/kWh for exporting it to the Grid. A wind generator of up to 1.5 kW has an FIT of 34.5 p/kWh.

March 2010

Work starts on a 2 year Government initiative to improve energy efficiency

 

Work on what is believed to be the first project to start on site under the Government’s Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) will improve the energy efficiency of a multi-story block in Bristol. Project partners include carbon-reduction company Sustain, which is managing the CESP delivery, Bristol City Council and EDF Energy, which are promoting and funding the energy-saving measures, and building company Rok, which is carrying out the refurbishment.

Energy-saving work for Rawnsley House, a block of 131 flats in Easton, includes replacing external cladding, the roof and windows to reduce residents’ fuel bills and cut carbon emissions. The CESP scheme came into force in September 2009 and is expected to benefit around 90 000 households by December 2012. The programme encourages a whole-house approach to improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s existing housing with measures such as solid-wall insulation, fuel switching and low-carbon technologies.

Dec 2009

TECHNOLOGY: Free heat pump guide

 

Research organisation BSRIA has launched a guide to heat pumps explaining the design of heat-pump based heating and cooling systems to maximise the benefits of reduced operating costs and carbon emissions while avoiding excessive capital costs for plant and infrastructure. The guide's emphasis is on the application of packaged heat pump plant for residential and small commercial buildings. Some guidance is provided for component-based plant that may be used for larger scale applications.

 

The introduction, heat pump fundamentals and legislation sections from the guide are free to download by clicking here.

 

Dec 2009

Microgeneration set for future growth

 

Business opportunities in the microgeneration sector have received a boost following Government proposals to provide a guaranteed long term income through Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs) to householders that opt for microgeneration technology to generate clean electricity at small scales.

Under the proposals, power generators will get payments for all electricity generated, plus a top-up for electricity exported.  The payments will be fixed for 20 years (25 years for photovoltaic systems). The Department of Energy and Climate Change's stance on ending installation grants is that because FITs provide a good return on investment, the market will provide the necessary loans or financial packages on a commercial basis. NAPIT believe that under the current economic climate such financing will remain difficult. In responding to the government, NAPIT has lobbied for a choice where a householder can apply for capital support in return for a reduced FIT payment (either in the rate, or by taking a shorter support period).

David Cowburn, managing director of NAPIT Certification - which operates the UKAS accredited microgeneration certification scheme (MCS) for installers - says: "Installations completed since 15 July 2009 will be eligible for FITs which means that there is no reason to hold back on installing systems now, interest in installer registration and householder investment is growing all the time and the new rewards will only support this further." Microgeneration installers can direct their customers here to gain access to Government grants.

For further information on NAPIT's Microgeneration Scheme and how to register, call 0870 444 1392

Nov 2009

CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme - Profit from early action

 

With only six months to go until the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) gets underway Harry Morrison, General Manager at the Carbon Trust Standard Company takes a look at who will be affected and how the Carbon Trust Standard can help businesses rise up the rankings and cut the costs of compliance. Due to start in April 2010, the CRC is a vital tool for cutting carbon emissions from large, non-energy intensive organisations. By 2020, it is expected to deliver annual reductions of at least 4.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions and save participants around £1 billion a year in reduced energy costs. The CRC will require organisations that consumed more than 6,000MWh of electricity through half hourly meters in 2008 to participate in the scheme from April 2010 onwards. Around 5,000 public and private sector organisations will be included, ranging from retail, leisure and manufacturing companies through to local authorities, universities and NHS Trusts.

From April 2011 onwards they will have to buy and surrender carbon allowances to cover their annual emissions, with revenue from the sale of allowances being recycled back to participants based on their carbon cutting performance.

A Carbon Reduction Commitment League Table will rank organisations and those who are highly ranked will receive a bonus payment whilst poor performers will be penalised.

In its first year the league table will rely exclusively on "early action metrics" to determine the bonus/penalty amount organisations receive. Recent changes announced by Government have introduced greater flexibility in terms of gaining recognition for early action, but certification against the Carbon Trust Standard remains a key early action metric, alongside voluntary automatic metering.

The Government's changes to the CRC are designed to clarify the policy and address some of the main concerns of stakeholders, particularly businesses. Key changes include:


To claim the Carbon Trust Standard as an early action benefit, organisations must hold a valid certificate at the end of the first year of the scheme (31st March 2011). This means that any organisation likely to be covered by the CRC should act now to prepare for registration, starting by assessing their carbon emissions. Achieving the Carbon Trust Standard will not only reduce the cost of participation in the CRC but it also provides a clear demonstration of an organisation's commitment to measurable carbon reduction. Based on a rigorous certification process the Carbon Trust Standard measures actual results. To achieve it, organisations must have measured, managed and reduced their carbon emissions over time. This provides sceptical stakeholders with reassurance that an organisation's environmental claims are more than just "greenwashing" - important as 70% of consumers and nearly a third of businesses say they are more likely to buy from companies who are working to reduce their carbon emissions.

Since its launch in 2008, over 150 of the UK's most recognisable brands and organisations have already achieved the Standard. HSBC, Asda, B&Q, the London Fire Brigade and Marks & Spencer are just a few of the organisations to have marked themselves out as leaders, taking early action to tackle their environmental impact and listening to the needs of their stakeholders. In the process they have become more energy-efficient and saved hundreds of thousands of pounds. Collectively, companies achieving the Standard have cut their annual emissions by 1.5 MtCO2 and made an average reduction per annum of 6%. This is ahead of the overall trajectory required to meet the UK's carbon reduction targets. The total footprint certified by the Carbon Trust Standard accounts for 3% of the UK's total carbon footprint from businesses and transport.

Sept 2009

Museums and Marriotts lead the way in Carbon Clean up Campaign

 

Almost three weeks on since the launch of 100 Hours of Carbon Clean up Campaign, national  museums and Marriott Hotels are dominating the list of the organisations signed up, leading the way in reducing the amount of carbon emitted from their buildings.

The Natural History Museum, Tate Galleries and the Science Museum are all taking part in the annual carbon reduction campaign being run by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), while a growing number of Marriott Hotels including London, Leicester and Bristol branches are also signing up.

Other organisations dedicating their time to energy saving activities over the coming weeks are BBC Wales, Transport for London, EDF Energy, London Fire Brigade and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Industry representatives include CABE, Arup, BDP and HLM Architects, while a number of Government Departments such as the Prime Ministers Office and Communities and Local Government have also shown their support.

This is the fourth Carbon Clean up Campaign run by CIBSE - last year's campaign saw around 600 organisations sign up to cut carbon, including hospitals, museums, consultancies, local authorities and universities. The campaign is open to companies from all sectors who want to reduce the amount of carbon emitted from their buildings and to motivate fellow employees to get involved. In return, participants will be able to access an extensive list of carbon saving activities and expert advice.

To join hundreds of organisations in their efforts to reduce carbon emissions from their buildings, sign up now at http://www.100hours.co.uk/

July 2009

UK Low Carbon Plan: delivery dependent on focus on skills & knowledge

 

The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan published by the Government sets out the key actions and strategies to meet climate change targets: cutting the UK's carbon emissions by 34 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020 and deriving 15 per cent of all energy from renewable sources by the same date.

 

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) welcomes the inclusion of many measures the institution championed in earlier consultation responses but also agrees that successful delivery "will only be possible with strong, co-ordinated efforts from [government]".

 

Stephen Matthews, CIBSE Chief Executive, said: "There are many proposals in the Transition Plan which CIBSE wholeheartedly supports. But they will be a major challenge to deliver on anything like the scale proposed, and they require much more focus on delivery and compliance with standards and regulations across the building sector.

 

"They will also need considerable investment in skills and in developing our knowledge to support the wide uptake of energy efficiency, demand reduction and renewable energy measures which the plan envisions. These are all areas where CIBSE is already actively working with the major designers and installers in the industry to deliver the tools they need for the task ahead."

Matthews went on to note the influence of CIBSE's thinking on the Renewable Energy Strategy: "In a number of our consultation responses we have called for financial incentives to encourage the take up of renewable energy technologies, particularly for small businesses and households, in order to address the very large stock of existing buildings. The new plans offer a number of tax measures to help make renewables more attractive, including;

 

• New zero-carbon homes to benefit from stamp duty relief;

• Investment in certain energy-saving plant and machinery to benefit from enhanced capital allowances;

• A reduced rate of VAT for professional residential installation of certain microgeneration technologies; and

• Revenue from sales of electricity and ROCs from household microgeneration to be exempt from income tax.

 

March 2009

Response to zero carbon homes consultation

 

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) welcomes the recognition that the original definition of zero carbon is impractical, and has responded on a number of significant issues.

 

The Institution believes that building services engineers and other suitably qualified professionals are well placed to certify compliance with the carbon emissions requirements and other aspects of Part L of the Building Regulations.  Allowing compliance to be confirmed by accredited professionals would enable Building Control Bodies to focus their own efforts on higher risk projects.

 

CIBSE believes that the total energy used by a building should be the basis for compliance with whatever zero carbon definition is agreed - and that total energy covers energy that is currently not regulated.

Also, in its response, the Institution emphasises the need to address non-domestic buildings as a matter of urgency, and to apply similar policies where possible as renewal of the non-domestic stock tends to occur on a faster cycle than for dwellings, and may offer significantly greater opportunity to achieve substantial reductions in emissions.

 

The Institution is committed to tackling climate change and through its professional Code of Conduct requires its members to ‘have due regard to environmental issues in carrying out their professional duties.' CIBSE members are therefore at the forefront of delivering low and zero carbon buildings.

 

December 2008

'Design Compass’ tool to assist building designers

 

CIBSE has launched the ‘Design Compass' - an online tool to assist building design professionals to incorporate weather & climate change related information into a clearly defined framework.

 

The Design Compass provides a common methodology and frequently updated database where professionals can find information to help them deal with the challenge of the changing climate and the need to adapt to and mitigate against it.

 

The compass provides a consistent pathway linked to the RIBA Plan of Work, a widely recognized design process. It guides the user on the use and selection of present and future weather/climate information, as well as links to existing CIBSE guidance and other useful sources of information. The tool also provides the opportunity for users to input their suggestions for future CIBSE guidance and to provide references to other information they believe could be beneficial to others.

 

While the CIBSE ‘Design Compass' follows the stages of the Plan of Work, experienced professionals have the choice to either follow it or access the information provided according to their own methodology. At the same time it offers assistance to new designers to achieve best practice by following a recognisable and structured methodology.

 

The Design Compass is the result of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (http://www.ktponline.org.uk/). The KTP project was a collaboration between CIBSE and the UK Climate Impacts Programme (http://www.ukcip.org.uk/) and was co-funded by Technology Strategy Board (http://www.innovateuk.org/), CIBSE and EPSRC (http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/).

The Design Compass can be accessed through  http://www.cibsedesigncompass.org.uk/

 

 

September 2008

Beyond Excellent: New Categories for the 2008 BREEAM Awards

BRE Global are delighted to announce that they will be presenting awards for all building sectors at the 2008 UK BREEAM Awards to be held at the 100% Detail exhibition in September.

 The 2008 BREEAM Award Categories will include:

BRE Global will also be presenting special BREEAM awards acknowledging commitment to sustainability through the use of BREEAM.

Martin Townsend, BREEAM Director said, "We are delighted to see that this years awards will include the first BREEAM Excellent rated schools, retail and multi-residential buildings and we look forward to presenting awards to these top scoring buildings in these categories".

 "This is an important time for the construction industry. Sustainability and environmental issues are paramount and the BREEAM Awards provide examples and reassurance  to industry that high sustainability standards can and are being achieved."

"One major difference with the BREEAM Awards is their environmental achievement is quantifiable against defined and recognisable environmental categories".

 

June 2008

Introducing the next generation of energy efficient lighting

A breakthrough in lighting technology is the subject of an awards submission to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) 2008 Innovation Awards.

A UK-based company has developed high definition LED lighting, which it says “is a breakthrough in lighting technology with perfect colour rendition and extremely high energy efficiency”.

Using the latest technology, it produces white light with a perfect balance of all visible colours. It is extremely energy efficient and cost effective, making it an ideal light source for medical applications. Although high definition LED lighting was developed for surgical lights, it has widespread applicability. It produces far higher colour rendition than any other technology, uses a third of the energy and is substantially cheaper.

The technology is ready for market in its current form. Indeed, three product lines are now in production with firm orders from major hospitals. Licenses are under negotiation to develop lighting products for the film and broadcast industry and food freezer lighting.

IET Chief Executive, Robin McGill, said, “Around 20% of all energy is used for lighting in developed economies. High definition LED lighting has the potential to reduce this by more than half. As well as the obvious social and environmental implications, there is the economic benefit.”

Now in their fourth year, the IET 2008 Innovation Awards highlights the importance of innovation by celebrating its application across a range of engineering disciplines from across the world.

 

April 2008

CIBSE Energy Assessor presents one of the first commercial EPCs

CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessor John Field, of Power Efficiency Ltd, today presented one of the first commercial Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) produced by an accredited CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessor. The certificate was presented to Richard Ratcliffe of St Martins Property, the property development and investment company that owns the Cottons Centre on the South Bank of the Thames.

The EPC helps to make St Martins one of the best prepared commercial landlords in the country. They are ready for new legislation which requires owners of commercial buildings to make an energy assessment available to prospective purchasers or tenants. From 6th April buildings over 10,000m2 require certificates, with smaller buildings needing them later this year. It is estimated that 100,000 EPCs will be needed in the first year.

"We are delighted to receive one of the first EPCs from CIBSE. St Martins is committed to sustainable development and achieving a "C" grade for the Cottons Centre, a building more than 20 years old, reflects the work we have undertaken to enhance the Centre," said Richard Ratcliffe.

CIBSE President John Armstrong said: "EPCs will make great energy efficient building design visible, and Display Energy Certificates (DECs) will do the same for energy efficient building operation. They will highlight the importance of the job being done by low carbon specialists in reducing carbon emissions from buildings. CIBSE's Low Carbon Energy Assessors can go further than simply providing a building energy certificate, they can help commercial landlords and building occupiers to do more than just count carbon, they can help control it.

"By highlighting the contribution these experts can make, the arrival of EPCs presents an ideal opportunity to demonstrate to the next generation that becoming a low carbon designer or energy manager are highly worthwhile professions."

CIBSE Certification Ltd was one of the first organisations to be given the go ahead by the Department for Communities and Local Government to accredit Energy Assessors and is committed to accrediting sufficient Low Carbon Energy Assessors to provide excellent advice and real help for clients.

There are 850 people already on the CIBSE Low Carbon Consultants register and the majority of them are expecting to top-up to become Energy Assessors. There are currently 17 people fully qualified, 65 more just undergoing final checks and a further 199 who have completed their CIBSE training. CIBSE aims to have all of those fully accredited by July 1st when the number of certificates required will go up substantially

March 2008

Transitional Arrangements for European Performance of Buildings Directive

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG - the department responsible for implementing Energy Performance Certificates, EPCs) has announced a transitional period for buildings already on the market at 6 April.

 

Any building which is on the market before then and remains on the market afterwards will need an EPC by 1 October at the latest. If it is sold or rented out in the meantime, an EPC must be commissioned and then handed over as soon as practicable. This is intended to make it easier for owners and landlords of large buildings to comply with the legislation. Similar provisions will apply for the introduction of EPCs on buildings over 2,500 m2 in July, expiring also on 1 October 2008. This responds to industry expectations - putting in place similar arrangements as were in place for domestic. It is not anticipated that this will make a huge difference to the number of certificates required

 

February 2008

Air conditioning regulations cannot be ignored, warns CIBSE

By January 2009, all air conditioning systems with a cooling capacity of 250 kW or more must have been inspected to comply with the Energy Performance in Buildings Regulations. This aspect of the Regulations must not be ignored, warns CIBSE, despite the current focus on Energy Performance Certificates and Display Energy Certificates.

 

These air conditioning systems must be inspected by a competent person who is a member of an accredited scheme such as the one operated by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). The assessment will look at how efficiently the systems are operating and should also highlight any routine maintenance problems with units. All other systems must be inspected no later than January 2011.

 

CIBSE Certification now provides an accredited air conditioning assessor scheme for complex systems. For simple systems building owners and operators will probably look to their installers or maintainance professionals to carry out the work. A scheme covering simple systems is being run by BESCA.

 

To become accredited, individuals with appropriate experience should apply to CIBSE Certification Ltd using the application form on the website. In order to familarise applicants with the provisions of the regulations, CIBSE is running a training course entitled ‘Air conditioning inspection for complex buildings to meet the occupational standard'.

 

January 2008

A study of domestic turbines was published by renewable energy consultants Encraft in December. According to the study, only one of the 15 household wind turbines generated enough to power a 75W light bulb. The average daily output was 393.3W: an average of 17W per hour. In all, only three of the turbines generated over 400W of electricity, with one generating 1,790W per day. Four of the turbines didn't even make it into three figures. By way of comparison, a washing machine consumes 4KW/hr (4,000W), and a fridge-freezer 1.9KW. [PDF,1MB] The average turbine also operates at only 1.84 per cent of capacity.

 

Encraft stresses it's early days, which is true - the first 13 sites only went live last January, with 13 more following in October. However, it appears that the measured windspeed for many sites fell below the predicted figure. Turbulence in built-up areas makes for poor windflow. Or as SK Watson, of the Centre for Renewable Energy System Technology at Loughborough University, observes: "Those areas with higher capacity factor are where urban areas tend not to be!"

 

Windspeeds in rural vs urban areas

Worse, the measured energy output from the domestic turbines was far below the "theoretical" energy predicted. The trial has suffered other problems. One turbine was stolen, another damaged, and a further one was beseiged by pro-bat protestors. Several needed their inverters replacing. "We have had some reality checks," Encraft admits. However, Encraft MD Matthew Rhodes, quoted in The Guardian found one "benefit" from the white elephants. Apparently, seven out of ten people who see a turbine say it reminds them to save energy. The logic is, apparently, that when one sees one of these monuments to self-righteousness, one dashes back to turn the lights off.

 

January 2008

New Year action plans could help businesses save £1.4bn this year says Carbon Trust

 

UK businesses could save £1.4 billion and more than 11 millions tonnes of CO2 in 2008 through implementing simple low or no cost energy efficiency measures included in the Carbon Trust’s New Year business action plan. With winter energy bills and consumers increasingly demanding that businesses show how they are reducing their carbon emissions, the Carbon Trust is urging organisations to add carbon saving to their list of New Year’s resolutions. Its list of energy efficiency measures are quick and easy to put in place and can result in both cost and carbon benefits for businesses.

 

Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust said:
“Reducing your carbon footprint through improved energy efficiency should be top of the New Year’s resolution list for any business in 2008. Our six steps show that putting energy efficiency and carbon saving into action couldn’t be easier and switching off lights, turning down the heating and turning off equipment when not in use can save businesses an average of more than 10 per cent on their energy bills.”

To start making savings today, the Carbon Trust recommends every business should:

To find out how your business can save energy, CO2 and money in 2008 contact the Carbon Trust advice line on 0800 085 2005 or visit www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy.

* All statistics sourced from Carbon Trust and AEA analysis 2007.
For further information please contact the Carbon Trust Press Office on 020 7544 3100 or carbontrust@fishburn-hedges.co.uk.
 

December 2007

World famous yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur will help reward low carbon professionals, buildings and projects at a new high profile awards event that focuses on real, measurable improvements and progress.

Dame Ellen, as part of her role as campaign champion for the 100 Days of Carbon Clean Up Campaign, will present the awards for the 10 categories of the Low Carbon Performance Awards.

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), in association with E.ON, one of the UK's leading electricity and gas companies, has launched the Low Carbon Performance Awards 2008 to recognise and celebrate actual, proven achievements in delivering carbon savings in buildings. The event will also publicise these achievements to the building services sector, to its clients and to the wider public.

The Low Carbon Performance Awards will take place on 6th February 2008 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The awards are organised by CIBSE and will be presented as part of the CIBSE Annual Dinner.

 

November 2007

The IEE have issued a summary of the changes within the new IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition. The new regulations shall be published between January and June 2008 and shall be legally enforceable on 1st July 2008.

The new regulations have been completely restructured and shall be technically aligned with CENELEC (the european electrotechnical standards body).

For more information refer to www.theiet.org

 

October 2007

Do you know your carbon footprint? Business owners can obtain free carbon footprint calculator from www.carbontrust.co.uk