Renewables Carbon Reduction
Spend and save
With the introduction of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, the need to reduce emissions has come into even sharper focus for businesses across the UK. Here Mike Burke looks at the challenge of incorporating renewable energy into a project to meet future low-carbon requirements
or some companies, making carbon sav- ings is seen as part of fulfilling their sustainable commitments, for others, reducing energy consumption is a purely com- mercial decision. The two, of course, are not mutually exclusive and there are optimised building energy solutions now available that provide clients with an attractive return on investment, whilst allowing them to do their bit for the environment.
F
Over time, it is accepted that an office build- ing or a factory starts to become inefficient in terms of its energy usage, simply because the technology, for example heating and lighting systems, become progressively more out of date compared with modern products. The challenge we therefore faced was to develop a practical and workable solution that would help building owners deliver carbon savings and reduced energy costs, yet not be prohibi- tive in terms of the capital outlay.
www.sustainablebusinessonline.com Carbon emissions
Energy management specialists are increas- ingly being called upon to advise on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. As large public and private organisations will have to comply with the requirements of the Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment
(CRC) Energy
“Businesses that will be affected by the CRC are looking to implement effective energy management programmes”
Efficiency Scheme from now onwards, there is a desire to achieve greater energy efficiency in existing buildings. This CRC scheme aims to cut emissions from organizations with an average electric- ity bill of approximately £500,000 per year.
In doing so, it is anticipated that it will cover 25% of the total business sector emissions within the UK.
Businesses that will be affected by the CRC
are looking to implement effective energy management programmes that often include integration of renewables in order to reduce
the cost of CO2 allowances. Those that do not will likely have to pay a considerably higher price for allowances that cover their emis- sions. Even organisations outside the current CRC remit are looking to reduce their carbon emissions, as legislation looks set to become progressively tighter for them too. As a result of the ever more stringent legis- lation, building owners are looking for solu- tions to their energy reduction requirements that are good for the environment and make good business sense too. Renewable energy can be seen as a sound business investment for the building owner and carefully choosing an
Sustainable Business | January/February 2012 | 29
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