OPINION
Conference cheer I am writing to you to let you know how much I enjoyed the CIBSE Conference and Exhibition this year. Although I was only able to
attend on the one day, I not only found it technically useful, but also very inspiring. With more than 42 years’ experience in engineering, it is interesting to see how the industry is evolving and still continues to move forward. While we have been using building information modelling for more than two years, it was intriguing to see that we are in fact behind the rest of the world. Paul Morrell’s use of metaphors and imagery made, for me, one of the best talks of the day. He provided an insightful statistic that is very
prominent for both engineer designers and facilities managers: ‘Three percent of the capital cost of the building is spent on support for mechanical engineering post construction.’ Stephen Allen Managing director of Cavendish Engineers
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 in the CIBSE Journal to: editor@
cibsejournal.com, or write to Alex Smith, Editor, CIBSE Journal, CPL, 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.
MANUFACTURER’S VIEWPOINT
Government – and industry – needs to focus on the ‘purple agenda’ if it is to realise its energy effi ciency and carbon-cutting plans, says Martin Fahey, of Mitsubishi Electric
As previously mentioned, I attended all three main party conferences in Brighton, Manchester and Birmingham as part of an initiative called the Sustainability Hub, which was seeking to educate our politicians about the direct fi nancial benefi ts of the green agenda.
One of the comments I heard during these events was whether we should refer not to the green agenda, but instead to the ‘purple agenda’, because that is the colour of £20 notes. It is certainly
Do energy benchmarks work?
CIBSE LinkedIn group
Andrew Cooper: Please visit
www.fm-world.co.uk/features/ the-trouble-with-energy- benchmarking to view a feature that I have written for FM World, the magazine of the British Institute of Facilities Managers. In this I look at energy benchmarking and I consider if the benchmarks used in the UK are outdated and therefore of any practical use. Rob Farman: Comparing apples and pears is always hard and when that includes different buildings in different areas, in different years with different weather patterns, it becomes more so. As implied by your comments on energy
performance certifi cates and display energy certifi cates, it does need quite a large number of samples to draw valid conclusions. With government seeking to make post-occupancy evaluation (POE) mandatory on its projects, we may see a lot more information in greater detail than we now have. The only drawback is that I know of at least four POE methodologies, and comparing results from POE ‘method A’ with POE ‘method B’ could be tricky. Ian Knight: I hope the iSERV project – in which CIBSE are participating – might be of interest to you (
www.iservcmb. info). The project is looking at benchmarking the energy use of buildings and their services by the activity mix in the building. The benchmarks are being derived from detailed measurements undertaken in buildings from around Europe. Join the debate at
www.cibse.org/linkedin
true that people are more engaged if they can see a direct fi nancial benefi t or consequence of their actions, and this was part of the debate we were trying to
average, 60% of the energy consumed in the UK goes on heating. Research also shows that moving just 12% of this heating requirement away from fossil fuels to renewable technologies will help the country get a third of the way to the tough renewable targets that must be met. We need more of this sustainable thinking, not only within
We should refer not to the green agenda, but instead to the ‘purple agenda’, because that is the colour of £20 notes
have under the Sustainability Hub partnership – to show the direct savings that can be achieved through greater effi ciency and renewable technology. As a manufacturer, we know that we have our part to play, but we also realise that collaboration is key. All three political parties made warm and encouraging noises about the need for more renewable technologies, and I was able to personally speak briefl y to ministers Ed Davey, Caroline Flint and Greg Barker at the conferences – although unfortunately, I did fail to get an audience with Boris! Government has an incredibly important role to play in delivering the legislative backdrop to encourage and – where necessary – force businesses and individuals to consume less energy.
Buildings, in all their forms, account for nearly half of all emissions in this country – more than either transport or industry. It is important to note that, on
www.cibsejournal.com
government, but also within our own industry and among end users. As an industry, I know we have the skills and workforce able to help. As a manufacturer, I know that the products exist right now.
What we need
is a clear demonstration of support and commitment from all political parties, and the engagement of all parties involved in delivering building services – which includes the building designers, specifi ers, operators, manufacturers and installers.
I think the politicians have got it. Let’s see if they can put action behind their warm words.
Martin Fahey is Sustainable Solutions Manager at Mitsubishi Electric. Join the debate by visiting the Green Gateway LinkedIn group, or following Martin’s Twitter account (@green_ gateway) which offers followers a chance to receive up-to-the-minute news and views from those within and outside the industry, including key opinion leaders.
SPONSORED BY
November 2012 CIBSE Journal
25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80