Heating Solar and biomass
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Renewable
solutions
Biomass and solar thermal systems are
than a holistic view of what might be good for both the
client and the planet.’
increasingly being specified as renewable
For Tom Lelyveld, sustainability consultant at
heating facilities. But, asks Ian Vallely, what
AECOM consulting engineers, deciding which
technology will work best starts with examining the
issues do engineers need to consider when
project drivers.
specifying them?
He says: ‘Is it planning, building regulations,
meeting a target set by the Code for Sustainable
Homes or BREEAM? Or is it due to a need to reduce
S
olar thermal and biomass heating systems running costs, to meet corporate social responsibility
each have their advantages and drawbacks, commitments, to respond to the carbon reduction
and which (if either) the consultant specifies commitment, or reduce carbon emissions, or make
inevitably depends on the application. better use of an available waste stream?’
However, how often are they able to adopt the ‘best’ The type of building(s) planned, and local site
solution? constraints, also have a bearing on the heating
Reginald Brown, head of energy and environment technology – and, says Lelyveld, all these factors should
at BSRIA, says: ‘In reality, the design of heating and feed into an assessment of feasibility.
cooling for new buildings is increasingly driven by the ‘There may be site-specific constraints – only shaded
exigencies of planning and building regulations, rather roof areas, air quality control or limited access, or
42 CIBSE Journal November 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEnov09 pp42-44,46 SolarBio.indd 42 22/10/09 17:13:43
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