www.heatingandventilating.net
Low carbon buildings
Renewables vital for heat networks
Alleviating fuel poverty by reducing bills for end-users and cutting carbon emissions are two of the core aims of heat networks, yet current design practices are putting these ambitions at risk, according to Pete Mills, commercial technical operations manager at Bosch Commercial and Industrial
hose designing heat networks and district heating schemes, whether due to budgetary concerns or technical considerations, are all too often opting out of using renewable energy, waste heat, or low carbon technologies. The issue is particularly prevalent in small and medium-sized developments, comprising of 200 dwellings or fewer. According to Pete end-users will often see no
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perceivable benefits in their bills without these technologies and in the worst cases the costs of energy can actually increase. He said: “It has become increasingly common for heat network design plans to feature little or no low carbon and renewable technologies. As well as
producing a poor result for building operators and users on an individual scale, controversy around poorly performing schemes is calling into question heat networks in general, which if implemented correctly can make a significant contribution to decarbonising the UK’s building stock, as well as alleviating fuel poverty.” “It’s integral that, as an industry, we take a user-
first approach in the design and implementation of heat networks, incorporating those technologies that are going to have the greatest benefit for building operators and end-users. As a necessity that would involve the use of renewable energy, waste heat, or low carbon technologies.”
He continues: “To increase the uptake of
renewable and low carbon technologies it is also beholden upon developers and housing associations to include low carbon and renewable technologies, as part of their heat network specification, in order to ensure fairly priced heat.” Manufacturers such as Bosch have experience in the development of heat networks and how to combine them with renewable technologies. Pete adds: “Working closely with consultants,
contractors and developers early on, it has been possible to develop solutions that ensure the best return in terms of reduced costs and lower CO2 emissions.
creation of a comfortable working environment. It’s one of the reasons more than 150km of Rehau’s Thermally Activated Building Structure (TABS) system was installed to provide low energy passive cooling – almost enough piping to run entirely round the M25. This makes the installation one of the largest
KEEPING TABS ON LOW CARBON AGENDA T
he iconic White Collar Factory in London’s Old Street is now open for business – but key to the contemporary work spaces is the
of TABS solution so far in Europe, and it has been completed by specialist installers Anders Heating Company. TABS was specified by consultants ARUP as part of a programme to deliver a flexible, practical building which can achieve 25% reductions in operational carbon emissions over a typical office building and both a BREEAM Excellent and LEED Platinum rating. Developed by Derwent London the former factory is designed around the principles of reducing artificial heating, cooling and lighting. The White Collar Factory deliberately echoes many of the adaptable, well built industrial buildings of the past which have been converted successfully into contemporary work spaces. Alongside the thermal mass structure, it features tall ceilings, a passive façade and flexible floor plates. In TABS, Rehau’s PE-Xa polymer pipework is
embedded within the concrete floor slabs. Chilled water is circulated through the pipework enabling the slab to act as a heat sink; drawing heat away from the useable space and creating a comfortable working environment for the occupants. As well as being sustainable and energy
efficient, it is also quiet, has no moving parts which could fail and doesn’t generate much air movement providing a better working environment. Anders has installed more than 150km of
Rehau pipework in the building across 16 floors. The natural exposed GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag) concrete has been incorporated into the design scheme, with 3.5m floor heights and perimeter blade columns providing additional thermal mass.
Anders’ team completed the installation, working
closely with M&E contractors Michael Lonsdale Group and main contractors Brookfield Multiplex. A key reason for the specification of the REHAU
TABS system was the integral REHAU EVERLOC compression sleeve jointing and fittings system. This is used on all of Rehau’s pipework solutions, from underfloor to district heating, and provides a permanent, leak free joint with no O-ring and no pre-preparation of the pipe required. The brass compression sleeve fittings are safe to use within the embedded floor slab, allowing repairs to be made if the pipework is damaged on site during the construction programme. More than 16,600 Everloc joints have been installed at The White Collar Factory – all with a £100,000 comprehensive warranty. The low carbon cooling system works in conjunction with an openable windows in the building and with a mechanical energy input in the perimeter zones which will be required only when outside temperature is below 14º or above 25ºC. As well as the TABS, the AHMM designed White
Collar Factory incorporates a series of renewable energy technologies including a 300m² array of photovoltaic panels and a 100m² solar thermal array. As a result, the project has been used as an case study by the Government's Technology Strategy Board.
www.heatingandventilating.net
February 2018
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