INDUSTRY NEWS
Breathing Buildings launches guidance paper
After supporting the Education Funding Agency (EFA) in the development of the new Priority School Output Specification, natural ventilation specialist Breathing Buildings has created a guidance paper to help contractors and engineers comply with the new criteria and cost targets.
Breathing Buildings supported the EFA in the assessment of ventilation strategies and the review of energy modelling, and therefore is expertly positioned to advise on compliance.
The guidance paper highlights the ventilation requirements within the new Output Specification along with
recommended solutions and data from Breathing Buildings sites such as Linton Village College.
Dr Shaun Fitzgerald comments: “We were honoured to be asked to contribute to the various meetings in the development of the Output Specification and feel that the new requirements are strongly aligned with our guiding principles regarding the importance of a sustainable ventilation strategy. Having been involved with the process we are very well placed to help contractors, architects and engineers comply with the new Priority School Output Specification and deliver a low energy school with a superb indoor climate.”
ICOM appoints Transforming the electricity market new Director
The recently introduced Energy Bill touches on so many different aspects of the energy market, aiming to boost confidence and encourage future investment.
Stuart Thorogood, President of Schneider Electric UK & Ireland says: “The energy bill, as expected, has been met with a mix of views and opinions. In the journey toward a low carbon economy Ed Davey, Energy Minister, set out what he called the biggest transformation to Britain’s electricity market since privatisation.
“I can well believe that this is the case, but it has been a long time coming and may have jeopardised a huge amount of potential investment throughout the UK in the process. With growing uncertainty across industry and lack of government confidence, industry has paid the ultimate cost with the loss of assurances within the market place.
Ross Anderson has been appointed as the Director of ICOM Energy Association, succeeding Robert Burke who has left to pursue other interests.
Ross brings with him a wealth of experience in the commercial heating and hot water sector, having spent many years in ‘hands-on’ engineering and, latterly, management roles within the sector. He spent 16 years at Lochinvar in various management positions and more recently has been working at Hoval. Ross has also played a key role on the technical committees of BCEMA, ICOM and BSI, as well as contributing to discussions on standards with various Government departments.
Ross Anderson commented: “With so many new regulations and initiatives in the pipeline this is an exciting time to be taking on the Director role at ICOM. I am greatly looking forward to working more closely with members and other stakeholders on these issues and building on the strong foundations that Robert Burke has already put in place.”
ICOM Chairman Adrian Walker added:
“We are very sad that Robert is leaving the Association but also delighted that we have able to fill his shoes with such a high calibre successor. There is a great deal to be done in coming years and I have every confidence we have a strong team in place to make positive progress.”
“I am entirely supportive of the government’s drive for a balanced energy portfolio but do feel, as many in the
industry might, that a renewed interest in gas is a potentially dangerous scenario and could risk placing the UK at the mercy of political border games.
“The importance of the energy mix cannot be underestimated and I can only perhaps conclude that in the last chance saloon, the government has realised that gas is the quickest, simplest and ultimately cheapest means of keeping the UK’s lights on. It’s just a shame that this realisation didn’t happen sooner at the detriment of other generation technologies.”
Secure our supplies He goes on to say: “The cost of the
government’s plans will of course be placed onto the energy bill but the additional exemptions and incentives proposed are a nice touch. By now it is painfully obvious that we not only need to secure our energy supplies and keep energy affordable, but also reduce emissions.
“Energy efficiency in homes and Fracked up gas strategy
For secure and affordable energy, the government should take a more long term view and invest in a genuine low carbon economy, says the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). Investment in gas should not come at the expense of renewable investment nor sideline the nation’s climate commitments. Published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Gas Generation Strategy outlines the government’s plans for meeting domestic energy demands. The strategy sets out plans for up to 37 gigawatts of new capacity by 2030 and sets to expand the shale gas industry by introducing the new Office for Unconventional Gas and Oil as a one-stop shop for shale gas regulation and investment. With the extent of shale gas reserves in the United Kingdom unknown, CIWEM finds such heavy investment in gas to be short- sighted and environmentally risky.
there will be a medium term need for some generating capacity from gas as part of the transition to a low carbon economy, CIWEM is concerned that the Treasury is driving the
8 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2013
UK away from its commitments on climate change. By including provision for up to 37 gigawatts of gas capacity in the Strategy, the Treasury’s proposals would add almost 50% to the 26 gigawatts of capacity advised by DECC and in the process shatter the UK’s very responsible carbon budgets.
Greater investment
In addition, proposals for gas to play a more extensive role in the nation’s energy strategy could lock the nation into expensive fossil fuels if cheap shale gas fails to yield as hoped.
Investment in gas infrastructure must not detract from energy efficiency, local combined heat and power and clean renewable energy investment in sources such as solar, wind, biomass, wave and tidal power.
To achieve secure and affordable energy long term, the nation needs greater investment in renewables.
Whilst
In its ‘dash for gas,’ the government must ensure that climate change commitments are not lost amidst its new developments. It is well known that methane can be emitted from unconventional gas extraction during several steps of the gas production process. Fugitive emissions of methane are a
concern in fracking fields; natural gas is predominantly methane, which has a very high global warming potential.
Robust regulation of fracking in the United Kingdom is essential. With the strategy forecasting commencement of shale gas production within the second half of this decade, CIWEM urges the government to proceed with caution until there is more evidence that fracking operations can be delivered safely, that environmental impacts are acceptable and that monitoring, reporting and mitigation requirements are comprehensive and effective. CIWEM’s Executive Director, Nick Reeves
OBE, says: “We have long called for a renewed and long term commitment to a renewable-centred energy mix. Regrettably, the government has now made gas central to its energy policies, rather than prioritising renewables, which will jeopardise our commitments to halting climate change. This is another example of the Treasury’s short term approach to grow the economy. This investment in gas could be better spent developing renewable energy infrastructure to secure more sustainable and affordable energy in the future.”
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businesses alike is the only sure fire way that consumers can reduce their energy bills over the longer term and there are tools available to help them in this process. Financial incentives will certainly help in this process and are a welcome addition to energy policy. “Crucially, the energy bill highlights the importance of investment and energy efficiency going hand in hand. Reducing energy demand will ultimately mean that the UK can build fewer power stations to provide for consumer’s needs, resulting in lower energy bills over the longer term. “To conclude, I believe the figures speak for themselves. McKinsey Management Consultancy has suggested the potential for the UK to reduce energy demand by as much as 26% by 2030. In real terms that is the equivalent amount of energy generated by nine power stations every year. Need I say more? The future is one featuring a broad energy mix, where the term ‘energy efficiency’ is no longer an empty statement, but a pressing reality.”
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