For all the latest news stories visit www.eibi.co.uk PLANNING DISPUTE UK government admits errors on data centre approval


The government has accepted it wrongly granted planning approval for a sprawling data centre beside the M25, because it had never considered the excessive amount of electricity it would require to function. Last year, the green light was given for a £1bn development at the Woodlands landfill site at Iver in Buckinghamshire. Campaign group Global Action Plan


brought a case against the government and the developers at the High Court, arguing that the electricity demands of the facility were not properly considered. The government has now conceded that the “claim is arguable, and the permission should be quashed”.


logical error”. Initially, in June 2024, Buckinghamshire County Council rejected plans for the 775,000 ft² data centre, But the developers, Greystoke Land, argued the site would create jobs. They appealed and the government


In a letter sent to the court, Carolyn


Southey-Jenson, for the Treasury Solicitor department, admitted that the data centre had been approved on the basis that “mitigation measures” would be put in place regarding energy usage. “The government no longer considers these could be secured,” the letter continues, which represented a “serious


overturned the council’s decision last April. The government had said that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was not required for a data centre, but barrister David Wolfe KC, for the claimants, disagreed, stating that cooling down computer servers at the centre would have “significant energy and environmental impacts”, including greenhouse gas emissions.


Energy storage report urges major UK investment


Tens of billions of pounds must be invested in long-duration energy storage if the UK is to meet its net zero targets and support the growing electricity demand from artificial intelligence, according to a new industry report. The Transition Finance Council says large-scale


deployment of the technology will be essential to moving Britain’s power system away from fossil fuels while maintaining reliability. Long-duration energy storage refers to systems, including large batteries and pumped-hydro schemes, that can release electricity continuously for eight hours or more, allowing surplus renewable power to be stored and used when generation is low. In a report published today, the council estimates that


between £10bn and £15bn of investment will be needed by 2030, rising to a further £30bn to £60bn by 2050. This would need to support goals set out in existing government plans on clean power, infrastructure, industrial strategy and the expansion of AI data centres. The report argues that while some long-duration storage


technologies are already in use, deployment remains limited and current market arrangements are not sufficient to attract the scale of private finance required. It says clearer revenue certainty for projects would help improve investor confidence and allow technologies to be developed at scale.


New guide helps building managers identify the best


smart building tech BSRIA has published its new guide ‘BG 91/2026 Procuring Smart Building Technology’, a new resource for professionals looking to install or renew smart building systems. The document covers the full


procurement process, from defining needs to delivering benefits, ensuring the right people, process and technology are in place to maximise the return on investment. This is practical guidance for both technical and non- technical decision-makers, advising on capital and operational expenditure for


EIBI | FEBRUARY 2026


a single building or a portfolio. From IoT sensors and building


analytics platforms to fault detection diagnostics (FDD) and artificial intelligence applications, the guide provides a refreshingly straightforward framework for making informed decisions when purchasing smart building technology. Additionally, it gives practical guidance on the system and process changes needed to


Silicone gel could prevent heat loss


from windows Windows can account for around 30% of a building’s thermal energy loss. Inefficient or poorly installed windows make buildings colder in winter and hotter in summer, and increase energy bills.


Installing gas-filled double or triple glazing helps, but physicists at the University of Colorado have developed a new material for insulating windows. The material, called Mesoporous


Optically Clear Heat Insulator (MOCHI), is a silicone gel that traps air through a network of tiny pores. These pores are many times thinner than a human hair, making them exceptionally good at blocking heat. Unlike conventional aerogels, MOCHI is almost completely transparent. To produce the gel, the team mixed


According to the Council, wider adoption of long-


duration storage could reduce overall electricity system costs by making better use of renewable generation and easing pressure on the grid. It also suggests new projects could support economic activity in parts of the country that have seen lower levels of investment in recent decades. The report calls for closer coordination between


government departments, regulators and the energy industry, alongside a greater role for institutional investors and insurers in assessing risks and financing projects. It also points to the National Wealth Fund as a potential source of public backing to help unlock private capital.


optimise building operations, reducing energy and maintenance costs, and enhancing sustainability and occupant experience.


The guide makes the case for data-


driven and practical procurement. Technical and non-technical decision- makers will find help preparing inspection checklists, engaging with key stakeholders, and navigating the procurement process effectively. Tom Garrigan, executive technical


director at BSRIA says: “Smart building technology offers tremendous potential to transform how we manage and operate buildings and this guide helps our industry unlock those benefits. By offering clear, practical guidance on procurement, we’re helping building managers make better decisions that deliver real value.”


surfactants into a solution with silicone. The surfactants form threads, the silicone sticks to them, and the clumps are then replaced with air, leaving a network of tiny, air-filled pores. The result is a gel more than 90%


air by volume, with lower thermal conductivity than still air, and visible- range light transmission above 99%. Its transparency allows use in solar thermal panels. Professor Ivan Smalyukh explains


that “cold-temperature MOCHI- enabled window insulation stops 95% of heat transfer, similar to high- performing building roofs and walls. We envisage MOCHI can expand insulated glazing in future energy-efficient buildings.” This could cut heating energy by


around 50%. MOCHI could also be used where high transparency and thermal insulation are needed, from greenhouses to space exploration. So far, the team has only created MOCHI in the lab; the process is time- intensive and not yet commercial. However, the materials are inexpensive, and the team is working to streamline manufacturing. The research was recently published


in the journal ‘Science’, and the work supported by funding from the US Department of Energy and the Advanced Research Projects Agency.


07


NEWS UPDATE


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