The appearance of renewables in existing buildings
The appearance of renewables in existing buildings often says more about what a client’s stakeholders want to see
often says more about what a client’s stakeholders want to see, rather than a realistic payback on the client’s investment. The technology, of course, is marvellous. But the best
M&E contractors have a lot more to offer than technology. They can work directly with clients and their agents to provide cost effective and reliable advice, bearing in mind that client uncertainty – not just cost – is a key barrier to carbon-reduction measures. ‘Know how’ and practical advice can go a long way to securing ongoing involvement. Altering, refurbishing or extending will be a particularly good time for commercial or public sector operators to integrate carbon reduction into buildings.
Myth 3: Green building technology needs a new breed of professional
Good M&E contractors already have the basic skills and project experience to deliver cost-effective carbon reductions – the hardest part about installing, commissioning and maintaining carbon reduction measures is just that – knowing how to do it. However, many contractors need more product and
systems knowledge to allow them to offer the right carbon-reduction measures to clients. Sales staff can also benefi t from improved green ‘know how’. The ECA is developing a ‘green opportunities chart’ to increase this knowledge in both the commercial and domestic sectors. The chart will be populated with information during 2010 and will be available on the ECA website.
Training for the green economy
About the author
Paul Reeve
Paul Reeve is the ECA expert on environmental management and co-ordinator of the ECA’s ‘M&E Sustainability’ initiative, jointly with the HVCA. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Environmental Management and an adviser to leading certifi cation bodies on health, safety and environmental issues.
ECA registered members already possess most of the key skills needed to move into providing ‘green’ services to clients. However, training can help provide additional specialist knowledge specifi c to this fi eld of operation. General or introductory courses provide an overview
of the different sustainable technologies suitable for the UK, relevant legislation and basic principles of operation. This is suitable for company owners, managers, directors, sole traders, engineers and anyone who is considering this area but needs to know more Installation courses are available for qualifi ed,
experienced electricians and building services engineers. They provide in-depth knowledge on the installation of individual renewable energy systems. As well as bringing operatives up to speed and giving
companies a basis to begin to sell this service to clients, some short courses can help companies to meet the requirements of the UK microgeneration certifi cation schemes (MCS) for installers of renewable energy, if this is required.
FITs starts
Feed-in tariffs (FITs) came into effect in April. To be eligible for grants via the government’s Low Carbon Building Programme for electrical renewable generation (current eligible renewables are solar
(PV), wind and hydro) on commercial buildings, the renewable system must be installed by a contractor who is MCS-registered.
ECA courses
ECA runs a suite of fi ve sustainability/environmental courses: Introductory
■ Introduction to renewable energy – one day ■ Introduction to environmental issues for contractors – one day
Installation – assessed and certifi ed by Logic Certifi cation
■ PV installation – three days ■ Solar thermal and unvented hot water installation – three days
■ Ground and air source heat pump installation – three days
Call or go online
For information and detailed course content, visit
www.eca.co.uk/coursesprogramme or call 0845 872 5361 and speak to a member of the short course team. Alternatively, contact John Corcoran, ECA training manager, for professional training advice and guidance on 01732 471715.
Case study: Bishops Square – renewables in new build
Leading ECA member Southern Electric Contracting played a key role in the Bishops Square project in the City of London. This joint venture between Hammerson plc and the City of London provides 70,600 sq m of offi ce space (now leased to law fi rm Allen and Overy) along with 4,000 sq m of retail space. A major feature of this development was the installation of 600 sq m of solar photovoltaic (PV) roof panels, making this one of the largest commercial solar panel installation in the UK and saving over 30 tonnes per annum of carbon emissions.
Future opportunities…
Few commentators believe that the price of carbon under the CRC will stay at £12/tonne for long, and the value of carbon will also fl uctuate. This is an incentive for even more carbon reduction activity in CRC companies. A lot of carbon-reduction technology and combinations are going to be ‘fi eld tested’. The hard-won experience will confi rm which carbon reduction measures ‘really work’ – and just as importantly, which don’t. The most cost-effective solutions will become known to smaller commercial energy users, who even though they are not covered by the CRC, will increasingly see the business case for energy saving measures.
20
ECA Today Summer 2010
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