NEWS PETROL STATION POWERED BY SOLAR CANOPY
A Sainsbury’s petrol station in Leicester is powered by what the supermarket claims is the world’s first transparent photovoltaic solar canopy. The solar- panel roof generates more than a quarter of the service station’s energy requirements, while reducing its need for artificial lighting. The translucent
solar-glass technology, developed by Cambridge-based Polysolar, can absorb light from both sides and works with low levels of ambient light, making it possible to use on flat or vertical surfaces.
IoR president calls for less cooling
Heat pumps key to major CO2
reductions by 2035
The refrigeration industry is more essential than ever, but needs to further reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, according to the new president of the Institute of Refrigeration
In his inaugural speech, Graeme Maidment told an audience at London South Bank University (LSBU), that refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump (RACHP) equipment produced double the emissions of air transport, and consumed 16% of UK electricity production. While it is making progress on direct contributions to CO2
emissions by tackling refrigerant gas leakage, it needs to do more to improve the energy efficiency of installations to reduce its indirect contribution, he said.
RACHP equipment accounts for 10% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, added Maidment, who was critical of government policy, which he said was too focused on renewables and not enough on demand reduction. ‘We should be investing more in energy efficiency rather than expensive PV,’ said Maidment, a professor of air conditioning and refrigeration at LSBU. ‘We need to reduce the need for cooling, increase efficiency and use lower-carbon electricity. We must also improve coefficients
of performance by optimising the lift between condensing and evaporating temperatures, and improving the integration of heating and cooling systems.’ Using heat pumps to replace boilers could cut CO2
emissions
to one-fifth of the current level by 2035, Maidment told his audience, which included CIBSE ASHRAE Group members. Wider adoption of ‘proactive maintenance’ would also cut running costs and improve system reliability. He said the industry did not get the recognition it deserved for its contribution to the country’s economic and environmental wellbeing, adding: ‘We are not metal bashers – we provide a vital service to society.’
EU sets tough 40% carbon target A tough target to reduce Europe’s
greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 was unveiled by the European Commission (EC) last month.
The package includes a binding, EU-wide renewable-energy target of 27%, as well as measures to strengthen the EU’s emissions- trading scheme.
The landmark deal was reached after long negotiations, as groups within the EC and member states
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ACR Show tackles F-Gas regulations
Industry experts will brief visitors on the changes to F-Gas Regulations and their practical consequences in a series of free seminars at the ACR Show 2014, which takes place in Hall 9 of the NEC Birmingham, from 11 to 13 February. The revisions to the F-Gas
Regulations, formally proposed by the European Union in late December 2013, will result in a phase-down of commonly used HFC refrigerants with a high global warming potential (GWP). The affected refrigerants are used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems in offices, retail stores, food and drink production, restaurants, leisure centres, hospitals, data centres and educational establishments across the country. Jan Thorpe, exhibition
director, said: ‘The new regulations will affect some of the most important refrigerants in use today. They will have implications for all who manufacture, install, purchase or use cooling systems for use in buildings or businesses. ‘People can get up to speed with the changes – and what they mean – by attending our free, expert-led seminars at the ACR Show in February.’ Visit
www.acrshow.co.uk
UK’s lightbulb moment
Almost nine in 10 UK households are buying energy-saving lightbulbs, a Europe-wide survey has revealed.
Paris in 2015, which will set out a worldwide framework for reducing global warming.
fought over whether to water down the proposals.
The decision was made ahead of a United Nations meeting in
All other major developed and developing economies are expected to set out their national emissions targets by 2015. The UK’s energy and climate change secretary, Ed Davey, said the target was too low, but he was overruled by other member states, including Germany, France and Italy, which backed it.
The UK is one of the top five
European countries for buying CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) lightbulbs in a bid to cut energy use and save money, according to the Energy Saving Trust survey. It comes in fourth for adopting CFL lightbulbs, beating the average adoption rate of 78%, but is still behind Italy, Spain and Portugal. For LED lights, the UK ranks sixth, scoring only slightly higher than the average 32%.
February 2014 CIBSE Journal 11
MARK WILLIAM RICHARDSON / SHUTTERSTOCK
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