Letters
We have tools for biomass Regarding the news report on page 10 of October CIBSE Journal headlined ‘Biomass boilers not low carbon, argues study’, the Carbon Trust has spent considerable time and resource in trying to tackle this issue and has consequently developed a project-specific ‘carbon footprint calculator’. This is available online at www.
carbontrust.co.uk/cut-carbon- reduce-costs/calculate/ pages/
default.aspx This tool encompasses biomass-fuel systems down to the specific fuel type, fuel del ivery distance, delivery vehicle and frequency. The issue was also raised at the organisation’s recent biomass technical event. For more information, visit
www.carbontrust.co.uk Mr G M Howell, CEng, MIEE, CIBSE Associate
Case study outcomes are not such a success I am very disappointed that a development that is designed to be energy efficient is not achieving better results in its performance (‘Social success’, September Journal, page 36). Of course, Zack Gill of Buro Happold knows the real reason – occupant behaviour. Design teams can design to the highest codes but, if occupants are not prepared to reflect the same commitments in energy use, then we will be going nowhere on the reduction of energy. When it comes to the low fabric U-values
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artificial scarcity and thus a price increase. The truth of the matter is that we have
recorded for the Clay Fields homes featured in the case study, these appear low compared with current 2006 Building Regulations. Yes, the figures do look better than the national average – but this is not good enough when we consider the energy efficient design of the scheme. Ashley Burns MSc
Scaremongering over ‘peak oil’ While I agree that we are due another oil crisis on the scale of the one in the early 1970s, I have serious doubts on whether
22 CIBSE Journal November 2010
more oil than we know what to do with, and many of the existing oil wells once thought to be exhausted are now refilling! I urge readers to research the case of Eugene Island, which is an oilfield in the Gulf of Mexico, 80 miles off the coast of Louisiana, USA. It was discovered in 1973 and began producing 15,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), which then slowed to about 4,000 bpd in 1989 but then started producing up to 13,000 bpd. There have also been reports that Russia has vastly increased its reserves even beyond those of Saudi Arabia. I predict the next oil scare will be used to promote the sustainability agenda but will be
this has anything to do with us running out of oil in the ground (‘Crunch time’, Opinion, August Journal, page 20). The peak oil scare of the Seventies was due to the difference between proven and actual reserves, and was manipulated to cause an
hidden behind a false claim that the world is running out of oil. I accept that being prudent with our
energy resources is smart thinking, but using scaremongering and claiming we are running out of a freely available, tried- and-trusted resource, is stupid. It’s time we woke up, before it’s too late. Martin Gage, CIBSE Associate
October 2010
ENERGY CHECK Sainsbury's under the spotlight
BLACK WATER How to recycle foul waste
FUEL CELLS Harnessing hydrogen power
Innovation can steer us through the storm I understand the concern expressed by the Journal about the increasing societal and regulatory pressure on the profession at a time of economic stress, and can offer some help to the industry to steer it through these choppy waters (‘From the editor’, September Journal, page 5). Here in California we have
a state that is bankrupt, a President under duress and the constant threat of a clawback of the modest environmental gains we have managed to fashion in recent times. The tide will always ebb and
Refi t takes off Terminal gets M&E facelift
www.cibsejournal.com 24/9/10 15:39:13
flow in a predictable way. ‘The future ain’t what it used to be’ is an old adage, but so is the definition of the good engineer: ‘one that can design for one dollar what any old fool can design for two!’ Collectively we need to stick to our belief that WE can navigate these troubled times
and help redefine the built environment through combining the best of innovation and replication. Kevin R Hydes FCIBSE Berkeley, California, USA
CIBSE Journal welcomes article proposals from any reader, wherever you are – whether it be letters, longer opinion pieces, news stories, people or events listings, humorous items, or any ideas for possible articles.
Please send all letters and any other items for possible publication to: bcervi@cibsejournal. com, or write to Bob Cervi, Editor, CIBSE Journal, Cambridge Publishers Ltd, 275 Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8JE, UK. We reserve the right to edit all letters. Please indicate how you wish your letter to be attributed, and whether you wish to have your contact details included.
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Enter the CIBSE Building Performance
Awards 2011 NOW Closing date 8 October 2010 See page 14
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