Inform Built Environment GREEN DEAL FEARS
Business broadly welcomes plans for the Green Deal, but fears elements of how it could be introduced will doom it to failure.
Industry bodies and the business lobby group the CBI have voiced concerns over the scheme, which the Government hopes will get its “greenest government ever” pledge back on track. The Green Deal, created in last year’s Energy Act, is due to be launched in October and aims to remove the need to pay upfront for energy efficiency measures and green technology. The Property and Energy
Professionals Association (PEPA) has urged the Government to consider “a staged introduction” of the Green Deal. PEPA, speak- ing after the consultation into the Green Deal closed, said in its submission it feels confident the Government’s plans for domestic buildings are well advanced. However, PEPA is con- cerned there are unanswered questions and unresolved issues with respect to imple- menting the Green Deal for non-domestic buildings.
The mounting design for the solar air system is 50% lighter than traditional solar arrays
Solar PV array installed on Swindon office
Building society Nationwide has installed a ground-breaking solar PV array on its head office in Swindon as part of its drive to save energy and reduce its carbon footprint. The 50kW system is expected to cut annual carbon emissions by more than 20 tonnes a year. The project was delivered by the European solar PV manufac- turer Conergy, which says the
mounting design for the solar air system is 50% lighter than more traditional solar arrays and the first of its type to be used in the UK on a commercial flat roof. John Timmins, from Carillion
Facilities Management, which looks after the property, said: “We are supporting Nationwide with energy-related initiatives and have already contributed to a 9.1% reduction in electricity consumption at the Swindon head office year to date compared to the same period in 2010/11.
“This solar install takes the process to the next level.” Tom Robinson, Carillion’s chief sustainability officer, added: “This is a great example of how we can work in collaboration with our partners to help them drive their own sustainability and environmental policies.” The solar PV arrangement – the Solar Famulus Air system – has a mounting design that allows the panels to fit neatly against the profile of the company’s head office building.
Tesco opens Ireland’s first zero-carbon store
Dublin outlet incorporates energy efficient features
Tesco has opened Ireland’s first zero-carbon store in Cabra, Dublin, as it works towards its goal of being a zero-carbon busi- ness by 2050.
The store is Tesco’s fourth zero-carbon store across the UK and Ireland, and follows
stores
in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, Bourne, Lincolnshire and Welshpool, Powys.
Tesco’s zero-carbon stores reduce the amount of energy they use and, over the course of a year, transfer as much renewable energy to the National Grid as they use. The new store in Cabra incor- porates environmental and energy efficient design features including lights that dim according to the level of natural daylight, a mecha- nism to collect rainwater to be used to flush the staff toilets and an energy efficient combined heat cooling and power plant to heat
and cool the store and generate renewable electricity.
Bukky Bird, head of engineer- ing and environment at Tesco said: “Our zero-carbon stores are designed with both the customer and the environment in mind. “Each time we are able to refine the design and include more inno- vative environmental features. “Building Zero Carbon stores
The Cabra store will transfer renew- able energy to the National Grid
like this will help us achieve our goal
business by 2050.” BRIEFS WIND ENERGY FIRM ECOTRICITY IS PUTTING ITS TOE IN THE WATER WITH THE INSTALLATION OF 200 WAVE POWER DEVICES OFF THE UK COAST
www.sustainablebusinessonline.com Sustainable Business | January/February 2012 | 13 to become a zero-carbon Nationwide HQ goes solar
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