News
Research lays
out path to
Schools are failing to
decarbonising
buildings
record high energy
Researchers say they will soon
be able to map out exactly what
performance
steps need to be taken to meet
carbon reduction targets for
non-domestic buildings, and at
what cost. n
The majority of new school
buildings are not performing
The Carbon Trust, an to a high level, according to their
independent advisory body, has energy performance certificate
used a computer model named (EPC) ratings.
DeCODE (Determining Carbon By the end of 2008, 28 secondary
Opportunities in the Developed schools and 64 primary schools
Environment) to create a had had EPCs but, of these, only 43
report which will recommend were graded between bands A to C.
to government the “optimum” The rest fell into the lower D to G
path to help meet the target of efficiency bands. The average non-
at least an 80 per cent cut in domestic EPC rating is currently a C.
emissions from non-domestic The results also show only one
buildings by 2050. According to per cent of primary schools and
the trust, for the first time the two per cent of secondary schools
model will help to provide the scored an A.
evidence to show that everything The largest percentage of primary
from energy efficiency, micro- schools (15 per cent) received a
renewables and decarbonising D, whilst the largest percentage of
the grid will have to be done to secondary schools (14 per cent)
reach the target, while emissions fared better, scoring a B.
Shutterstock
could increase significantly if The findings were revealed by a
nothing is done. parliamentary question asked by schools were actually displaying Both DECs and EPCs are
DeCODE consolidates all shadow climate change minister their DECs. recorded on a national register
the Carbon Trust’s knowledge Gregory Barker to schools minister New schools with a floor area (www.ndepcregister.com) but, to
developed to date into one tool, Jim Knight. greater than 1,000 sq m are gain access to an individual school’s
enabling the organisation to But when Barker asked how required to have an EPC. Existing certificate, its unique reference
analyse all its data. many schools had been penalised schools that are being refurbished number must be known. This
It works by showing how for failing to display a DEC, Knight only require a display energy means schools can access their own
much carbon can be reduced was unable to answer because no certificate (DEC). data, but members of the public
when certain energy saving record of any penalties or issues of Both are legal requirements, cannot. Knight added that there
measures are chosen, and how non-compliance are kept. He was with local trading standards offices are no plans at present to publish
much this is likely to cost. also unable to answer how many responsible for enforcement. individual school energy data.
Information included in
the scenarios can range from
building demolition and
Plan for smart meters in all homes in 10 years
new-build rates to the use of
energy efficiency measures and Smart meters are to be installed in A DECC spokesperson rejected what energy they are using.
renewable technologies. every British home by 2020 – making the claim: “The figures that we have They are seen as a key step
Stuart Farmer, head of the UK the first nation to attempt an published in our impact assessment towards future smart grids, making
buildings strategy at the trust, overhaul of electricity and gas meters are a result of a lot of analysis and it easier for renewable generation to
said: “It’s not a question on this scale. independent expert advice as well as feed into the grid – including micro
of whether we should be The Department of Energy and input from stakeholders. We believe and community level generation –
focusing on energy supply Climate Change (DECC) estimates we’ve got our stats right.” and will support the decarbonisation
decarbonisation or building that it will cost between £7bn and Furthermore, the government’s of heat and transport through the
energy demand reduction; £9bn, or an average of £269 to £346 own consultation impact greater use of electric and plug-in
it’s not a choice between per household, to implement the assessment found that rolling out hybrid vehicles. Suppliers will also
energy efficiency measures or plan. smart meters to all households be able to offer more tariffs and
renewables, new or existing But it says the change should help will deliver net benefits of between services aimed at encouraging more
buildings. The challenge is so make homes more energy-efficient £2.5bn and £3.6bn over the next 20 efficient and economical energy use,
great that we need to do all of and reduce utility bills. years, which would “fall to suppliers, according to DECC.
these. The Carbon Trust report However, consultancy Ernst and to customers and to the country as a A consultation has now been
will concentrate the national Young believes the government whole”, DECC said. launched at www.decc.gov.uk/en/
policy position.” could have underestimated the cost Smart meters would enable content/cms/consultations/smart_
The report is expected to be by as much as £6.4bn. The company meter readings to be taken remotely metering/smart_metering.aspx
ready in early autumn. believes the true figure to be as high and give householders real-time The deadline for comments is
as £13.4bn, or £515 per household. information, helping consumers see 24 July 2009.
6 CIBSE Journal June 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEjun09 pp06-07 news.indd 6 28/5/09 17:10:19
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