sustainability Sustainability high on the agenda for Scottish new town
The developers behind Aberdeenshire’s planned new town, Chapelton, have appointed advisors to find “low-carbon, affordable solutions” for the utilities provision for the 8,000-home town. Elsick Development Company (EDC) has appointed mechanical and electrical engineers RSP Consulting and utilities broker Inventa Partners to develop a proposal for all utilities for the development, including water, gas, telecoms and electricity. Lord Southesk, director of EDC, said: “Chapelton is designed with sustainability in mind. The town is planned to discourage excessive car use by offering a pleasant pedestrian environment as well as ample amenities and job opportunities close to home.
The houses within Chapelton are also designed to lessen carbon emissions in line with current government policies. Early homes are designed to achieve carbon savings through use of efficient building materials. When we reach a critical mass of homes, facilities such as a combined heat and power plant may enable residents to lower their utilities bills and achieve further carbon savings.” Robert Dunn, partner at RSP, said: “Our role is to liaise with utilities companies and advise on sustainable utilities solutions, not just for heat and power but also for telecoms and water. We are currently looking at options for a non-fossil fuel heat source and putting together a plan for a district heating system – working closely with Inventa Partners to find a cost solution. We are
also looking at systems that minimise water use and speaking to telecoms providers about fibre broadband solutions, which will create local jobs by attracting businesses to the community.” Kerry Thompson, director at Inventa Partners, said: “The challenge to meet and exceed today’s strict local and national government targets, as Elsick Development Company has set out to do, is exciting but can be expensive. We are looking at ways to deliver utilities that are commercially viable. This could be by setting up an Energy Supply Company (ESCo) or a multi-utility services company – there are a number of innovative options.”
The masterplan and phase one application for Chapelton has been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council.
ARUP UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST ALGAE-POWERED BUILDING
Consultant engineer Arup has unveiled what it describes as the world’s first algae powered building in Hamburg, Germany. The project features a 200 square metre bioreactive façade, made up of 129 flat panel glass bioreactors, installed on the south-west and south-east facing walls of the four-storey residential building. The bioreactors use microalgae to generate biomass and solar thermal heat as renewable energy resources. The system can also provide other functions such as dynamic shading, thermal insulation and sound insulation. Jan Wurm, Europe research leader at Arup, said: “Using bio-chemical processes in the façade of a building to create shade and energy is a really innovative concept. It might well become a sustainable solution for energy production in urban areas, so it is great to see it being tested in a real-life scenario.”
Madden takes helm at Future Cities Catapult
Peter Madden has been appointed as chief executive of the Future Cities Catapult, a new initiative aimed at helping businesses develop integrated products and services for sustainable cities. He joins from Forum for the Future, a non-profit organisation working internationally with cities, governments and leading businesses to innovate sustainable products and services, where he was chief executive. Commenting on his appointment, Madden said: “Working with the Catapult is a fantastic opportunity. We’re living in an increasingly urban world. By helping UK companies innovate new products and services for the cities of the future, we can both benefit millions of city-dwellers and give a significant boost to our economy. The Future Cities Catapult will give UK businesses a real cutting-edge in this area.” Iain Gray, chief executive of the Technology Strategy Board said: “We are delighted that Peter has agreed to join Catapult at this important stage. He has demonstrated leadership qualities throughout his career and has helped government, cities and public service providers create innovative solutions and new value. The news is further evidence of Catapult’s growing strength as it attracts the UK’s brightest and most influential executives.”
38| May 2013 showhouse
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