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ONLY THERMAL SPRING IN WALES GETS NEW ROLE AS RENEWABLE HEAT SOURCE
A primary school and bowls pavilion in a South Wales village have switched to clean, renewable heating, but in an innovative way that cannot be replicated anywhere else in Wales.
Ffynnon Taf Primary School and the Pavilion at Taff’s Well Bowling Club in Taff’s Well, Wales, have had a bold new heating system installed by Kensa, the UK-based Ground Source Heat Pump specialists, that uses naturally occurring heat from the only thermal spring in Wales – the historic Taff’s Well Spring.
This unique water source heat pump system harnesses natural heat from the warm spring water, which emerges from deep beneath the earth at around 21°C, to provide the two council-owned properties with low-carbon heating and hot water
Using the innovative clean heating method instead of gas is expected to cut the school and pavilion’s carbon emissions linked to heating by close to 80%. It also demonstrated a way of using Kensa’s ground source heat pumps without drilling vertical boreholes to access heat energy stored in the ground.
The bold idea of using the Taff’s Well thermal spring to heat buildings was initially proposed by the Friends of Taff’s Well community group, who were looking at other ways the historic spring could benefit the local community.
The unique installation highlights the versatility of Kensa’s ground source heat pump systems and forms part of Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council’s ambitious plans to decarbonise by 2030.
How the system works:
Kensa’s ground source heat pumps, found in thousands of UK properties, are usually set up to source energy from the ground to provide heating and hot water.
The one-of-a-kind installation at Taff’s Well pumps warm water from the spring and passes it through a nearby heat exchanger, which is connected to Kensa’s ground source heat pumps housed inside the school and pavilion.
In this highly energy-efficient system, heat energy stored in the warm spring water is absorbed and converted by the heat pumps into usable energy for the school and pavilion’s heating and hot water systems.
While in the system, the water is confined to its own pipework, mostly hidden under the ground and out of sight, and doesn’t encounter any
other substances to ensure there’s no issue of contamination or pollution.
To keep the connecting pipework hidden and to avoid above-ground damage, Kensa horizontally drilled hundreds of meters between the Well, the school, and the pavilion.
After passing through the system, the clean water is emptied back into the Well’s overflow, feeding into the River Taff.
This is the only system installed by Cornwall-based Kensa that uses a natural thermal spring as a heat source.
This project follows other retrofit renewable heating installations completed in non-domestic buildings by Kensa. Using ground source heat pump technology the UK’s leading manufacturer and solutions provider has futureproofed heating and lowered carbon emissions caused by heat in multiple UK schools and council properties.
On Tuesday, 16th July, Kensa’s Dr Stuart Gadsden visited the site, along with representatives from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, to demonstrate to pupils from the Ffynnon Taf Primary School’s Eco Committee how their new low-carbon heating and hot water system works.
Dr Stuart Gadsden, Kensa Contracting Commercial Director, said: “This is an incredibly unique system and really demonstrates how versatile Kensa’s ground source heat pumps are. It was great to show the pupils how their exciting new heating system works and
how it will reduce their carbon footprint.
“Using the historic Taff’s Well thermal spring as a renewable heat source is a brilliant example of how bold ideas can lead to something that benefits future generations. It’s something the whole community can be proud of, and we were pleased to play our part in making it happen.”
Ffynnon Taf Primary School Headteacher, Kathryn Price, said: “We are very excited about how Taff’s Well Thermal Spring has been utilised for the whole school community. Our Eco Committee thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the heat pump system and how this helps to reduce the school’s carbon footprint. We will continue to celebrate the success of the thermal spring installation in our community for many years to come.”
Jon Arroyo, Energy and Carbon Reduction Manager at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: “We have an ambition to decarbonise the Council by 2030 and we understand there is no one solution to decarbonise our heating systems, so it is important that we look at what heat resources are around or under us. As a Council we see our role in exploring alternative solutions to help steer our businesses and residents in their journey towards a net zero future.” https://www.kensacontracting.com/
2024 SET TO BE A RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR HEAT PUMP INSTALLATIONS
2024 is on track to see more heat pumps installed in the UK than ever before, according to data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy.
In the first six months of the year there have been 27,000 certified heat pump installations in the UK, which is 45% higher than the same period in 2023 – which was itself a record-breaking year for the technology. It means that the total figure for 2024 is almost certain to be higher than any previous years, as the transition to net-zero gathers pace.
Speaking about the increasing number of heat pumps being installed in the UK, Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of Heat Pump Association, said:
“It is fantastic to see the continuing growth in heat pump installations within the UK, underscoring the progress and commitment from the sector in supporting the decarbonisation of heat. Clarity and confidence from the new Labour Government on the direction of travel for the electrification of heat will be crucial to continue the momentum and ensure we stay on track for a record year.”
The data also reveals more than 80,000 homes have had certified solar panels installed so far in 2024, having surpassed the 1.5 million installations
mark earlier this year. Battery storage installations, meanwhile, have reached almost 8,000 certified installations in 2024, which is already more than any previous year with six months still to go. It shows a remarkable rise for the technology since the Battery Storage Installation Standard was introduced in 2021, and as homeowners increasingly look to build their own energy resilience.
Chris Hewett, CEO at Solar Energy UK said: “I am glad that consumer demand for solar energy has remained both substantial and stable over the first half of the year, buoyed both by high energy bills and undoubtedly by environmental concerns too. This should provide installers with the confidence to invest in their staff, particularly in recruiting the new people we need to grow the sector.”
“We should also celebrate reaching the milestone of 1.5 million MCS-scale solar installations this spring, not to mention battery storage systems, the natural partner to solar PV, hitting a new record last month. It’s safe to say that now is something of a golden era for smaller-scale sustainable energy.”
Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said: “As the decarbonisation of UK homes gathers pace, it’s vital that homeowner confidence in renewables continues to grow alongside that to sustain demand.
High-quality installations are key to this because we want everyone to enjoy the benefits of home-grown energy, so it’s fantastic to see these record numbers for certified installations.
“We also know that alongside consumer trust in the effectiveness of renewable technology, ongoing government support can make a significant difference in helping to make the transition. The recently published Heat Strategy for Wales highlights a clear commitment to heat pumps, and initiatives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) – which provides up to £7,500 towards the installation of a heat pump – are crucial in providing support to consumers. It is no coincidence that the record number of certified heat pump installations has coincided with a record number of BUS applications in 2024, which is ensuring more homeowners have access to low-carbon technology. It’s something that we hope the government will continue to support as home-grown energy becomes more mainstream in UK homes.”
MCS holds the most comprehensive repository of data on the uptake of smallscale renewable technologies across the UK on The MCS Data Dashboard. For near-realtime updates on renewable installations, you can sign up for free to The MCS Data Dashboard at https://mcscertified.com/ about-the-mcs-data-dashboard/
Acrospire launches British designed and manufactured EV charger brand, evpzee
British exterior lighting manufacturer, Acrospire, is proud to announce the formal launch of a new brand for the business, evpzee, dedicated to making electric vehicle (EV) charging simple and accessible. With a focus on on-street EV charging solutions, evpzee aims to revolutionise the EV charging landscape for street lighting engineers, housing developers, and contractors. Grounded in Acrospire’s rich knowledge of lighting infrastructure, evpzee ventures into the EV charging arena with a commitment to simplicity and reliability. The transition from illuminating streets to powering vehicles underscoring Acrospire’s dedication to provide endto-end solutions for its specifiers.
evpzee’s flagship product is its 7kW oncolumn electric vehicle charging solution designed for overnight charging. Leveraging existing lamp posts, evpzee addresses the significant portion of UK car owners without
off-street parking access. This approach promotes EV adoption and offers convenient, accessible, and cost-effective charging solutions.
By utilising existing infrastructure, evpzee’s on-street lamp post charging solutions offer several advantages, including:
• Reduced range anxiety through convenient on-street charging
• Lower installation costs utilising existing power network, and quick plugand-play implementation Elimination of the need for extensive civil work with built-in O-PEN earthing and fault protection Approved metering for reliable billing
EV adoption and address charging infrastructure shortfalls, evpzee offers a comprehensive on-column solution tailored to meet their needs.
• Load balancing between chargers For councils, housing developers, and contractors seeking to facilitate
To learn more about evpzee, and stay updated on upcoming product innovations and releases - including being the first to hear about the launch of a 22kW EV charging solution - visit www.evpzee.co.uk
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Underfunded Ventilation in Schools is Failing Our Students
Folllowing a recent survey, CIAT is joining the efforts to raise awareness about the critical need for continued school ventilation spending amidst the UK cost-of-living crisis. CIAT UK is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
Reduced investment in heating and ventilation is not just a financial issue; it’s a threat to our students’ learning outcomes and overall well-being. A recent survey by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has revealed a significant decline in classroom conditions, a direct result of government underinvestment.
The survey accumulated 8,585 responses from state-funded secondary and primary schools. Results revealed that 57% of respondents claimed the most recent classroom they taught in was too hot during summer due to poor ventilation, and 28% complained of cold conditions due to inadequate heating systems. Other responses included broken windows and doors (19%) or leaking ceilings (19%).
In a 2023 report, the National Audit Office highlighted that sustained underinvestment had plunged the school estate into decline, forcing around 700,000 students to learn in buildings requiring substantial refurbishment or reconstruction.
According to a Carrier-backed study by researchers at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, these conditions are not just uncomfortable but can lead to elevated CO2 levels and higher concentrations of harmful particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These toxicity levels cause more than just physical complications, severely affecting mental functioning.
The study comprises three related studies into the impact of ventilation and filtration on occupants’ cognitive function and health in the lab, the impact in buildings in US cities, and in six countries worldwide.
“Lab tests revealed that cognitive function scores were 61% higher in green buildings (with low VOCs) than conventional buildings,” said Matthew Maleki, Business Development Manager and IAQ Champion at CIAT UK&I. “In enhanced green buildings with low VOCs and enhanced ventilation, they
were a massive 101% higher.”
On average, participants in green-certified buildings saw 26% higher cognitive function scores than those in non-certified, high-performing buildings. Higher scores were identified in critical areas such as crisis response and strategy.
The most significant cognitive function differences were seen in crisis response (73%), the ability to gear decisionmaking towards overall goals (44%), the capacity to pay attention to situations at hand (38%), and strategy (31%).
About CIAT
“Green and well-ventilated buildings can generate massive improvements in people’s cognitive function and mental health,” said Matthew Maleki, “Students are not only protected from more physical harms, but they are more productive and less likely to be off sick. Bright, well-ventilated spaces with lots of daylight are vital.”
Learn more about CIAT’s approach to improving IAQ at www.ciat.com/en/uk/ about-us/ciat-4-life
CIAT is one of Europe’s leading names in cooling, heating, and indoor air quality. Renowned for its capacity to create innovative, durable and high-performing products, CIAT offers a complete range of equipment that is designed to work together. CIAT latest innovations have been specially designed to meet the most demanding requirements. CIAT is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions that matter for people and our planet for generations to come. For more information, visit ciat.com
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FOR A SUCCESSFUL AND SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW
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WOULD YOU RUN A MARATHON IN THE
WRONG SIZED TRAINERS?
Running a marathon is no small feat. Yet, it’s possible for anyone, even those who consider themselves unfit or have no running experience.
I’m not a marathon expert (I haven’t run one yet), but like any goal, there’s a basic approach to getting there. In the case of running 26.21 miles, you need to focus on two things:
1. Ambition and Attitude – You must want to do it and believe you’ll finish. It’s no surprise that longer-distance running tends to be taken up by older people, as life experience and mental fortitude bring determination.
2. Technique and Training –It takes hard work to be ready, focusing on form and technique, getting your stride and breathing right, and building stamina and resilience through regular training.
Starting with no running experience to finishing a marathon seems simple enough; I’ve almost convinced myself to sign up. There’s a lot of work involved, but it is possible. Even those with some running experience must
Ryan O’Neill, chief strategy officer at Equity Energies discusses why so many organisations across the UK feel hamstrung in their Net Zero progress and looks at why a fundamental ‘good fit’ is what will unleash the performance needed to win the race.
commit to a plan that incorporates these elements to be fully prepared.
Yet, there’s one more thing to consider. You wouldn’t run a marathon in trainers that don’t fit, would you?
A DIFFERENT FINISH LINE
Okay, I’m not planning on running a marathon soon. But the analogy is useful when thinking about a different journey – reaching Net Zero.
From an organisational perspective, you might be starting with no experience or could be making progress but are still nervous
about the full journey. Regardless, the same two elements matter.
1. Ambition and Attitude – There is widespread awareness of the importance of reaching Net Zero from an environmental perspective, alongside understanding the positive commercial impact. This often translates into a strong ambition to get started or to signal intention through setting carbon reduction targets.
2. Technique and Training – For many organisations, reaching Net Zero involves complex
layers, as any pathway must be commercially viable and maintain business continuity. Understanding your starting point, identifying options, and setting out a (training) plan to work up to the goal is crucial. On paper, it seems straightforward, but many organisations find it complex to the point of inaction. One of the biggest challenges is embracing the fact that there’s no single pathway to Net Zero. Every organisation is different and needs a unique plan to succeed. While the goal is equality – everyone reaching Net Zero and unlocking its value – each organisation requires a different approach to get there.
GETTING THE SIZE RIGHT
If equality is giving everyone new trainers, equity would be making sure each pair of trainers fits. Without that simple nuance, the first step taken on your jog, let alone the marathon that follows, isn’t going to feel that great. It’s the same when it comes to
organisations embarking on the journey to Net Zero. We know there is no one-size-fits-all Net Zero solution, yet there’s still an expectation that people and the organisations they represent can easily choose a path and stick to it, even when they’re being bombarded with information and options, each claiming to be the silver bullet.
Just grab the first pair of trainers you see and get running. What could possibly go wrong?
For any Net Zero pathway to be a success, it needs to be equitable –designed and implemented in a way that responds to the organisation’s own unique requirements. And when those requirements change, or the options available to support progress evolve, the pathway needs to change too. A runner won’t think twice to adapting their unique training plan based on how they are feeling, the progress they’re making, and any obstacles they encounter.
It’s worth getting it right. Just like any runner will tell you, once you start to feel the benefits, it’s hard to stop.
The right Net Zero pathway unlocks commercial, environmental and societal value, and will become an ongoing catalyst for organisational performance.
You only need to take the first step.
FINISHER MEDALS ALL ROUND
The joy of finishing a marathon shouldn’t be reserved for Olympians and professional athletes, and progress on Net Zero shouldn’t be reserved for large corporations or those with ample resources. After all, it is the 50,000+ amateur runners in the London Marathon who, combined, create the most significant impact on personal health, wellbeing, and charity fundraising.
Success will come when every organisation in the UK can move forward in a way that matches their unique requirements, unlocking the benefits of action.
Equality through equity? Now that’s something worth tying your laces up for. https://www.equityenergies.com/
Visit our website and find out about the schemes we deliver. You can also read our latest news highlighting ambitious decarbonisation projects across the UK.
HARNESSING AI TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE:
WHY BUSINESSES NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO DEPLOY MODERN TECHNOLOGIES TO DRIVE SUSTAINABILITY
Rohan Kelkar, EVP Global Power Products, Schneider Electric
Artificial Intelligence (AI’s) energy demands are escalating at a significant rate, with a recent WEF report finding that computational power is doubling every 100 days. This rate of growth puts increasing pressure on organizations to find new ways to make AI sustainable. Research shows that leveraging AI for environmental applications could contribute over $5 trillion to the global economy in 2030. However, to realize that potential, AI needs to be more than just intelligent. It needs to become fully optimized to increase efficiency across all environmental applications and add business value through
saving time and improving accuracy.
In recent years we’ve seen the development of AI continue to accelerate, and the AI capabilities we have available to us today have been built and deployed in ways designed to generate valuable data. The emphasis here is to contribute to enabling improved decision-making, which in turn boosts productivity and optimizes efficiency across industries. When coordinated effectively, AI can substantially contribute to accelerating reliable and low-cost energy transition by helping us learn and understand the exact usage of energy in every infrastructure so that we can measure and act accordingly to save energy.
THE ADVANTAGES OF DIGITALIZATION IN DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY
Digitalization is improving performance efficiency while playing a crucial role in the energy transition. The opportunity to drive sustainability lies in applying various digital technologies that exist today, including solutions enabled with a full digital twin, across the entire lifecycle, from the design phase to maintenance within a unified digital environment. This gives AI stable and reliable data sets, enabling real-time processing to efficiently manage the design, build, operation, and maintenance of the physical
system. Resources and data that were traditionally managed individually are now integrated and managed with the dual goal of achieving sustainability alongside improving efficiency.
We have reached a stage where green policy is ramping up, digital energy solutions are becoming more easily available, and there is increasing proof that sustainability isn’t solely an environmental concern, but also an economic and business opportunity. Investments in decarbonization technologies are growing and green financing is to grow by 21% per year by 2033, showing the direction where investments are flowing across the next decade. It’s up to us to support that transition and do so in a way that benefits our industry and business ecosystem.
COLLABORATION IS KEY FOR SUSTAINABLE AI DEVELOPMENT
Businesses cannot develop sustainability strategies alone, there needs to be more industry collaboration and co-innovation. One of the most effective ways to do this is through finding the right partnerships. Collaboration
between organizations, suppliers, and customers, is crucial in helping each party build resilience and reduce their overall environmental impact. This means adopting the role of sustainability consultants to partners and suppliers that are on their own journey to decarbonize.
An effective example of this is Schneider Electric’s partnership with leading chip maker NVIDIA to optimize data center infrastructure and build AI capabilities. This partnership saw the development of the world’s first publicly available AI data center reference designs. These designs opened up new doors for AI deployment and operation within data center ecosystems.
Addressing the evolving demands of AI workloads, the reference designs offer a robust framework for implementing NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform within data centers, whilst optimizing performance, scalability, and overall sustainability. Partners, engineers, and data center leaders can then utilize these reference designs for existing data center rooms that must support new deployments of high-density AI servers and new data center builds that are fully optimized for a liquid-cooled AI cluster.
CONTINUING THE DEPLOYMENT JOURNEY
Business growth across industries relies on taking advantage of available technologies, and successful AI deployment offers untapped potential to achieve this. As we have discussed, leveraging the right partnerships to address the challenges posed today makes it possible to simplify and accelerate both your businesses and your partner’s sustainability journeys.
When deployed effectively, AI makes it possible to accelerate the energy transition by helping us better understand the role of energy in infrastructure so that we can monitor energy consumption in real time and make data-driven decisions on where energy can be saved by improved efficiency. In order to benefit from this untapped potential, though, businesses need to work together to integrate AI into their sustainability strategies. Doing so effectively will not only provide business value in advancing efficiency but will also provide wider sustainability benefits in our collective journey to reaching net zero. https://www.se.com/
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NEW GOVERNMENT PRIORITISES
CLEAN & COST-EFFECTIVE POWER
Chris Goggin observes and comments on the priorities of the new Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Enhancing renewable energy production is a key objective of the current government, as is the creation of a publicly owned Energy company that safeguards UK customers from external cost elevations. Additional insights into large solar and wind projects as well as information on further home heating plans will also be shared.
Alist of national priorities has been drawn up by the new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. These objectives include:
• taking back control of our energy with Great British Energy.
upgrading Britain’s homes and cutting fuel poverty through our Warm Homes Plan.
standing up for consumers by reforming our energy system.
• creating good jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, including a just transition for the industries based in the North Sea.
• leading on international climate action, based on our domestic achievements. This article will concentrate on what these aims mean for UK customer energy options and cost. The first two bullet points regarding “Great British Energy” and “The Warm Homes Plan” will be discussed as key areas of interest within this article.
The current government hope to create a publicly owned energy company capable of delivering clean energy that bolsters domestic security at low cost. Great British Energy will be supported by £8.3 billion of subsidy and will assist national industry, local authorities and public sector organizations in pursuit of a fair, clean and cost-effective energy transition.
£3.3 billion will be directed towards the construction of localized smaller power projects whilst £5 billion will be invested into larger projects and supply chains. This money will be raised through the taxing of North Sea fossil fuel companies.
Great British Energy will generate and deploy clean renewable electricity to support all UK households that are currently
being affected by exorbitant fossil fuel costs. The current government aims to completely decarbonize the UK electrical grid by 2030 to safeguard UK customers against external geopolitical influences that elevate costs.
A further move that highlights the government’s commitment towards renewable capacity enhancement is the uplifting of the onshore wind ban imposed by the former government. This move will assist in adding additional renewable energy capacity to the national grid once project connections are made.
Scottish based clean energy company SSE Renewables have begun operations at the £566 million Viking Wind Farm located on the Shetland Islands. Once fully operational 103 turbines will generate 443MW of clean power and provide energy to 475,000 homes. Viking Wind Farm will be the most productive onshore wind facility in the UK.
Alongside uplifting the onshore wind ban, the new Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has recently awarded planning permission for three large solar projects that will provide clean energy and offer stable national power security.
UK solar power companies PS Renewables and Tribus Clean Energy are collaborating to deliver a £600 million, 2,500-acre solar farm on the Suffolk Cambridgeshire border. Once operational power could be potentially distributed to 172,000 homes.
Clean energy company Low Carbon will construct and operate the Gate Burton Solar facility, Lincolnshire. The 500MW renewable installation will distribute green power to 160,000 homes once commercially viable.
The 350MW Mallard Pass solar farm is in Lincolnshire and Shetland will provide
92,000 households with green power and is expected to be operational for around 60 years. All three solar farms exemplify the intent to introduce cleaner energies into UK domiciles and commercial properties.
An additional government objective includes the £6.6 billion Warm Homes Plan that will work alongside local councils and authorities to deliver grants and low interest loans in supporting investments for insulation, solar and other low carbon methods of domestic building heat.
A new direction of energy policy is designed to rapidly increase renewable capacity into the UK electrical grid whilst reducing customer cost and carbon emissions. The creation of a publicly owned energy company – Great British Energy and adding objectives such as the Warm Homes Plan will help to deliver further improvements upon UK NetZero accomplishments. More details on the energy objectives of the new Labour government can be seen at https:// www.gov.uk/government/news/ energy-secretary-ed-miliband-setsout-his-priorities-for-the-department Rinnai will continue to analyse all media reportage of energy matters and provide UK customers with information that affects fuel cost, supply and options. Further updates on energy policy, legislation and standards can be delivered direct to your mailbox with Rinnai’s monthly newsletter, simply sign up at www.rinnaiuk.co.uk/contact-us/newsletter-sign Visit www.rinnai-uk.co.uk
THE COMMONALITY OF ‘NON-STANDARD’ INSTALLATIONS OF LOW CARBON TECHNOLOGIES
The challenges of introducing new technologies to consumers are not uncommon in our ever more high-tech and digital world. However, a recent personal experience highlighted these issues when I began the process of installing Low Carbon Technologies in my own home.
Quoting Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as an amateur psychologist might be a little bit of a stretch. However, two of its fundamental elements; shelter and property are central to much of life. Installing Low Carbon Technologies in the home directly targets what end users value most: their homes, their shelter.
For many, this can be an incredibly rewarding experience: the excitement of engaging with innovative technologies, the opportunity to actively participate in the energy system while reaping financial benefits, managing energy use, contributing to Net Zero, and enjoying an overall sense of personal or family well-being.
However, things can quickly take a turn. In my case, the issue arose from what my supplier referred to as a ‘non-standard’ EV charger installation. I don’t live in a large mansion – just a typical Victorian semi-detached home. It just so happens that my driveway, and therefore the ideal spot for the charging point, is positioned a few meters away from the main structure of the house.
For my family, the installation has unexpectedly turned into a minor engineering challenge that the installation company has struggled to resolve for several months. However, my challenges are going to be far from unique. Our property is fairly typical, and it’s evident there will be many layers of complexity across the GB housing stock, where installers continue to classify these as
‘non-standard’ installations for Low Carbon Technologies. The Smart Meter rollout has shown us that variability is the norm. Many energy consumers’ unique property situations or personal circumstances don’t always fit neatly into a company’s processes or standard product designs. As an industry, we need to be cautious with the term ‘non-standard.’ Without thoughtful attention to the necessary processes and customer relationships, we risk damaging the experience surrounding what customers cherish most – their homes. https://gemserv.com
Changes in this edition include:
– an update to the requirements for island mode isolators
– further guidance on the safety and the location of batteries within an installation
– updates to schematics for domestic use
This Code of Practice looks at electrical energy storage system applications and provides information for practitioners to safely and effectively specify, design, install, commission, operate and maintain a system.
– updates to the requirements for sizing of generator connecting circuits, and coordination of assemblies through which generators connect.
THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE UK GOVERNMENT IN THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION
Following their electoral success, the new government has been quick to put into motion its strategy for making the UK a ‘clean energy superpower’. The legislative announcements in the King’s Speech, followed by the partnership announcement between Great British Energy and the Crown Estate demonstrate a commitment from the Government to deliver on its promises.
The enthusiastic start is very welcome, and rapid progress is absolutely necessary to deliver the UK’s energy transition. However, there is opportunity for the Government to make even further waves by allocating efforts to enhance energy flexibility in the UK. The energy transition will be delivered through government working in tandem with businesses, and a key part of the latter’s contribution will be increased use of demand side flexibility.
ADAPTING TO A NEW TYPE OF ENERGY SOURCE
The Government’s vision for grid transformation is undeniably important: decarbonisation of the grid is essential to the UK achieving its net zero targets. However, this can only happen if the grid and its users are able to fully manage the inherent intermittency of renewable energy generation. In the UK we cannot always guarantee the sunshine, and while wind is more reliable, it is not a certainty either. This means delivering infrastructure which allows for the generation and storage of renewable energy, as well as promoting demand-side flexibility.
One of the solutions lies in enhancing the grid’s capacity to balance intermittency through advanced forecasting and demand response technologies. In buildings, energy storage systems can store excess energy generated during peak production times and release it when renewable energy production is low. Moreover, integrating demand response programmes allows for more flexible energy consumption, aligning usage patterns with renewable energy availability.
Modernising the grid to handle increased renewable energy capacity is a cornerstone of our clean energy future. Demand-side flexibility will play a vital role in bringing it to fruition.
Siobahn Meikle, Vice President for Northern Europe, Eaton
THE ROLE OF BUSINESSES AND THEIR BUILDINGS
Commercial buildings have an important role to play in delivering progress. As they represent a third of the UK’s energy consumption, ensuring such buildings can leverage innovative solutions to foster a more resilient and adaptable energy system will make a significant contribution to the UK’s net zero ambitions.
Encouraging commercial building owners to invest in the flexible capabilities of their premises will ultimately benefit them by providing them with a degree of independence from the grid and access to zero-carbon energy which they generate themselves. Smart energy management systems, on-site renewable energy generation, EV charging infrastructure and energy storage solutions are all part of the equation. In combination, these technologies make it possible to manage energy use in commercial buildings depending on the conditions of the day.
This might be via the deployment of advanced energy management systems to optimise energy use in real-time and thus enable businesses to respond dynamically to fluctuations in energy supply and demand. More simply, it could be a matter of encouraging businesses to use any onsite renewable generation capacity they may have – solar panels, for example – together with energy storage solutions to take advantage of weather conditions, such as a sunny day.
By adopting flexible technologies, businesses not only contribute to the overall stability of the grid they also achieve operational efficiencies that translate into significant cost savings, all while lowering their carbon footprint.
SHARING THE WEIGHT OF RESPONSIBILITY
While the Government’s role is pivotal in setting the stage for a flexible energy market, responsibility does not fall solely on its shoulders. Success will require collaboration between
government and industry to design the frameworks which will encourage the necessary investment and innovation. This includes developing clear standards for energy storage, demand response, and other flexible solutions.
Attracting private investment to fund the deployment of enabling technologies at scale through policies which foster fair, transparent and easy access to flexibility markets will be vital to ensuring the energy transition is accessible and affordable for all.
CONSOLIDATING THE POSITIVE STEPS WE’RE MAKING
The new government’s proactive stance on making the UK a ‘clean energy superpower’ is commendable, and its early actions demonstrate a serious commitment to achieving this vision. However, the success of this endeavour will rely heavily on collaboration between the government and the private sector, particularly in enhancing energy flexibility. By encouraging businesses, especially those in commercial real estate, to adopt flexible energy solutions, the UK can not only manage the inherent intermittency of renewable energy but also ensure a resilient and sustainable energy future.
The Government must continue to play a key role in creating an environment that promotes investment and innovation in these technologies. Ultimately, it is through shared responsibility and cooperation that the UK will be able to achieve its net zero ambitions while ensuring the benefits of the energy transition are widely distributed across society. www.eaton.com
THE IMPACT OF THE LATEST ENERGY REFORMS ON THE UK’S PATH TO NET ZERO
The UK has seen some positive reforms in the energy sector over recent months which could have a huge impact on the UK’s road to net zero. Rob Moore, Chief Development Officer at battery energy storage company, Connected Energy, shares his views.
The recent establishment of Great British Energy is a strong declaration of the UK government’s intent to bring the country closer to net zero. It signals a strong message that the government wants to make Britain a clear-energy superpower and will help to accelerate the drive to meet clean energy targets by 2030.
Significantly, this positive move will see the UK Government following a more Nordic model. It makes a lot of sense for the Government to own generating assets, and for some of those assets to be placed in public ownership. This will enable citizens to reap the benefits of clean energy investment – through lower energy bills and profits for the nation – rather than the bank balances of energy developers.
The new partnership between Great British Energy and the Crown Estate is a clear statement that this government will accelerate the investment and development of renewable energy projects in the UK.
As part of this, one of the first policy announcements was the removal of the de facto ban on onshore wind developments. The policy tests that were in place effectively blocked onshore wind developments, making it impossible to get planning approval. With wind power one of the cheapest forms of power, the removal of the ban will support the ambition to double onshore wind developments by 2030, helping to secure investment and derisk projects. This is essential to help meet the UK’s net zero goals.
Perhaps, however, the immediate greenlighting of some very large solar farm projects is more controversial. It makes a lot of sense for the Government to own and manage green energy assets. However, projects being rushed through planning, against the recommendations of planning officers for ecological and landscaping concerns is not a positive move. What we need is appropriately sized, quality solar farms with the ability to connect to the grid; more wind and more energy storage.
Further policies are also needed to encourage the co-location of energy storage. Government, network operators, and industry, are now well aware of the relative dispatch profiles of BESS and renewable generation, and the opportunity that co-location with storage can bring. As a key enabler of renewable energy generation, energy storage can make a huge contribution to meeting net zero targets by balancing the intermittency of renewables and turning solar and wind into baseload generators.
If we want the UK to reap the benefits of this acceleration of renewable generation, and meet net zero goals, then policies must also encourage the co-location of energy storage in any new plans.
As Great British Energy seeks to reinvigorate the renewable industry, there is one major challenge ahead. That is the availability of grid connections.
Grid connections are one of the biggest challenges which the country faces in meeting net zero goals. If we are to speed up the acceleration of quality renewables projects, then
the lack of grid connection is where the government should start.
The new Connections Reform project, run by the National Grid ESO, will hopefully go some way in helping to overcome this. The solution, named TM04+, will make it a lot quicker for projects to connect to the UK grid and overcome delays when requesting network connections. It will see us moving away from a ‘First-Come, FirstServed’ approach to a model where projects that are ready to build, with planning consent, are no longer held back by delayed projects that are waiting in the queue ahead of them. This new model will pave the way for more quality projects by moving applications to a ‘Use it or lose it’ situation.
To support this, it is hoped that Great British Energy will make some firm announcements that will bring investment into the network to support more aggressive dispatch models and ensure our network assets are suitable for distributed energy sources.
Overall, it is clear that the new Labour government has ambitious plans to accelerate renewables and clean power. It will take time, and a collaborative approach is needed but the early signs are positive that we are heading in the right direction towards achieving net zero emissions.
Connected Energy is a global leader in developing, building and operating stationary battery energy storage systems using second-life batteries. www.connected-energy.co.uk
Putting the App into Happy Housing
The smart way to meter, measure and manage energy resources for Councils and residents alike.
What’s the simplest way for you to offer residents a simple but secure opportunity to pay for their gas or electric? The smartest solution undoubtedly comes from Energy Controls; making it easy for customers to pay for their energy while they’re relaxing at home
And it couldn’t be more straightforward or more rewarding.
Pay-As-You-Go
Whether you’re looking to streamline your energy overheads with automated meter readings or get paid upfront using the latest prepayment system, Energy Controls has the products and expertise to help. They have a fully hosted, web-based software solution linked to market-leading Payment Platform that enables property managers to offer tenants a simple 'Pay-As-You-Go' solution for making energy payments
Energy Controls’ award-winning SMART meters are ideal for all types of sub-metering applications, ranging from blocks of flats to travellers sites and social Housing
Business Booster
Energy Controls have been trading for 33 years and are now the leading Supplier of prepayment metering systems to the Landlord sector.
They have invested heavily in an IT infrastructure that delivers a secure, reliable and robust online payment solution which in turn gives the Council and residents alike immediate access to their energy usage data around the clock.
Energy top-up payments can be made online anytime from anywhere using the FREE App
“The prepayment opportunity that our SMART Meters offer our customers provides an instant boost to cash flow” Chris Smith,
Managing Director
• Get paid upfront for your energy supplies
• T Tenants can Top-up online or via our FREE app
• Cashless money transfers directly into your bank
• E Emergency Credit feature
• Remote disconnect/reconnect of power supplies
Accurate Data
The Energy Controls’ SMART meter portal enables Property Managers and tenants to monitor their energy usage trends, on the go from anywhere and at anytime.
Our online payment platform integrates seamlessly with PayPoint to allow users to top up their meters securely, online or using our FREE App A variety of energy usage and financial reports are generated automatically and are sent directly to customers on a regular basis.
Happy Customers
But you don’t have to take Chris’s word for it. Simply read what the Gypsy and Traveller Team Manager for West Sussex County Council had to say:
“Working with Energy Controls, we have introduced a new cashless PayPoint system for the SMART meters at our Traveller Sites. This system has been a huge improvement for the Council because not only does this mean our staff no longer have to handle cash, the PayPoint service gives our residents greater flexibility and independence. I would not hesitate in recommending Energy Controls and their products and services.”
The Manager at Southend YMCA went even further:
"Energy Controls supply 21st century thinking and a great web based service, with lots of useful functions, allowing you to see how much energy has been consumed on an individual basis. We highly recommend Energy Controls to any business. The whole experience of having the latest metering system installed was too good to be true and very straightforward.”
SMART TECHNOLOGIES: ACCELERATING THE JOURNEY TO DECARBONISATION
AJodie
Eaton, CEO of Shell Energy UK,
opportunities
presented
by
explores the
smart technologies and artificial intelligence
(AI) as businesses navigate the complex landscape of renewables, storage and onsite generation to achieve their decarbonisation goals.
ccording to the latest progress report to parliament from the Climate Change Committee (June 2023), the UK’s industrial emissions fell by 3% in 2022 to 63 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). While positive, the pace of industrial decarbonisation will need to accelerate over the next decade to meet ambitious government targets.
The government’s Carbon Budget Delivery Plan (CBDP) requires industrial emissions to fall by 8% on average annually between 2022 and 2030. It also says that there continues to be a lack of available data in the industrial sector, which limits monitoring, evaluation and policy implementation.
Good data is crucial to drive strategic decision-making, especially when it comes to improving business performance and costs. From gathering market trends, to optimising the operational efficiency of production processes or finding ways to control energy spending, accurate and timely data has the potential to deliver significant rewards,
However, accessing the right data can be operationally complex. In fact, the most prevalent obstacle to reducing carbon emissions is a lack of sufficient data to baseline and monitor energy emissions. This insight was revealed in a recent survey commissioned by Shell Energy, where 69% of respondents indicated that access to accurate data was their most significant challenge.
Smart technologies and AI have the potential to provide businesses with access to the kind of data that can unlock opportunities to drive efficiency, plan investment and resolve issues to enhance performance in real time.
A CRUCIAL ROLE FOR SMART TECHNOLOGIES AND AI
Smart technologies can be found on a range of systems including air conditioning units, lighting and energy storage systems, enabling them to both communicate and optimise local energy consumption in response to demand. These enhancements can have a positive impact on energy savings, CO2 emissions, asset life cycle and/or operation and maintenance costs.
As society becomes more reliant on intermittent renewable energy sources, the need to match demand with supply requires accurate forecasting. This has a vital role to play in delivering supply security and identifying how to deploy new technologies effectively to drive efficiencies and optimise performance.
This is where AI comes in. By harnessing big data to quickly analyse
past patterns, current conditions and future predictions, AI algorithms can inform generation forecasting by predicting when (and how much) energy is likely to be produced from resources such as wind and solar. This, in turn, can be used to inform future energy management decisions – maximising efficiencies and helping to balance supply and demand.
AI already supports smart grids and demand side response, by monitoring and diagnosing system problems to avert blackouts, as well as balancing intermittent resources and leveraging load flexibility through curtailment (a deliberate reduction in output below what could have been produced in order to balance energy supply and demand). It also plays a crucial role in optimising the operation of onsite energy storage systems, ensuring the efficient utilisation of stored energy during periods of limited renewable
generation, enabling a continuous supply of low carbon energy when needed.
Companies across the manufacturing and construction industries harnessing this capability most effectively, with the former using it to autonomously optimise efficiencies and guarantee backup power in times of peak demand, and the latter to operate seamlessly in harsh environments. Elsewhere, AI is being used to improve wider energy consumption efficiencies. The Google DeepMind project, for example, saw historical data used alongside machine learning capability to accurately predict exacting upcoming requirements, rather than estimated. This, in turn, prevented over-cooling and enabled savings of 40%.
Another area where AI is able to offer significant value is through predictive maintenance in industries including automotive, oil and gas, chemicals and aerospace. Data can be harnessed to proactively flag equipment service requirements ahead of time, rather than waiting for problems to occur and reactively fixing them. This, in turn, helps to optimise the efficiency of equipment and mimimises downtime.
At a Shell refinery in the Netherlands, for example, AI is used to detect valve control issues. With thousands of data points captured every minute, anomalies are spotted and alerts triggered so that further investigation can take place. This not only alleviates the risk of equipment failure, but also prevents parts from being preemptively changed while still in good condition.
Another area where AI can support decarbonisation is through Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), where it has the ability to improve the efficiency of CCS processes by optimising the capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or emission sources. For instance, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) can be harnessed to identify the most suitable methods for using captured carbon, whether for industrial processes or safe long-term storage.
Smart technologies working with AI are helping to create intelligent, responsive energy systems. They see a myriad of variables plugged in to provide information not just on energy consumption in real-time, but also on factors that can influence energy use, from external temperatures to the
DECARBONISATION
availability of onsite generation or stored energy. This can give businesses far greater control over how they buy, use, store and – in some cases – generate their energy to meet fluctuating demand.
The combination of real-time information and forecasting capabilities helps businesses to strike the right balance between load curtailment and operational needs. With advanced knowledge of the expected timing of peak events and energy prices, customers are able to strategically respond in ways that deliver cost as well as energy savings.
Grid optimisation, optimal use of intermittent renewable energy sources and flexible load management are just a few of the ways in which AI can help energy users to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. By embracing the potential of smart technologies and AI, businesses can navigate the challenges of decarbonisation with confidence and accelerate the transition towards a sustainable and resilient future.
For more information on how Shell Energy can support your business visit www.uk.shellenergy.com.
STRENGTHENING THE BUSINESS CASE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR DECARBONISATION
With a target of Net Zero emissions by 2050, decarbonisation is a national priority. Public sector organisations must take the lead and demonstrate the art of the possible. Yet, developing a compelling business case for decarbonisation projects is challenging. Our surveys and interviews with the sector brought to life the difficult choices decision makers are facing, including dealing with financial constraints and having to choose between immediate priorities for service delivery versus longer term goals like decarbonisation. For a decarbonisation proposal to be successful it must demonstrate its environmental, financial, and strategic value within that challenging context.
As part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Guidance (PSDG) at Energy Systems Catapult, commissioned by UK government, we’ve put together a practical guide for public sector professionals to help them build stronger business cases and secure approval for their decarbonisation projects.
ASSESSING FEASIBILITY
A credible business case begins with a realistic assessment of a project’s feasibility. Public sector decision makers need to see that all potential challenges have been considered and addressed. These are three of the biggest issues I believe it is best to address early:
1. Building tenure: The type of building tenure - whether freehold, leasehold, or under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI)can limit what decarbonisation measures are possible. Leasehold buildings require landlord permission, while PFI contracts may restrict alterations. Reviewing building contracts early will show decision makers that your proposal is realistic, avoiding unnecessary delays.
2. Network capacity: Installing low carbon technologies, like electric vehicle charging points or heat pumps, could strain local energy grids. Engage with distribution network operators (DNOs) early to assess grid capacity and the
Stephanie Parker, Senior Advisor Decarbonisation – Complex Sites, Energy Systems Catapult
cost of upgrades. Addressing these challenges in your business case boosts confidence in the project’s feasibility.
3. Planning permissions: Many energy efficiency projects fall under permitted development, but larger projects or those involving heritage sites may need planning permission. Highlighting your engagement with planning authorities and any necessary permissions can reduce concerns about project delays.
ALIGNING WITH ORGANISATIONAL PRIORITIES
To gain approval, your decarbonisation proposal must demonstrate how it supports broader organisational goals.
1. Financial savings: Long term cost savings are one of the most compelling arguments for decarbonisation. Energy efficiency measures can reduce utility bills, and generating renewable energy on-site can protect against rising energy prices. Highlighting savings, or prevention of future costs in your business case can resonate with financially focused decision makers.
2. Operational efficiency: Decarbonisation projects are often most successful when they are integrated into ongoing maintenance or equipment replacement programmes. For example, when upgrading heating systems, consider low carbon alternatives. Then, when you are presenting your case, you are seeking to justify an additional cost (the costs above the like for like replacement) with all the benefits it brings,
not the total cost of the project. By aligning your project with existing plans, you show that you understand the existing priorities within the organisation and are working with the grain, building your credibility.
3. Reputation and compliance: Sustainability is linked to reputation, particularly for universities and local authorities. Decarbonisation projects can enhance an organisation’s standing and meet public expectations, which can lead to future funding opportunities. Including these benefits, even though they can’t easily be monetised in your business case can make it more compelling for decision makers who are focused on long term outcomes or have a public facing role.
DEMONSTRATING VALUE THROUGH COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Comparing the benefits of your project against a ‘do nothing’ or ‘business-as-usual’ (BAU) scenario can more clearly demonstrate the value of what you are proposing. By highlighting the risks and costs of inaction, you can significantly strengthen your case.
1. Carbon emissions: Estimate the carbon emissions under a BAU scenario and compare them to the emissions reductions from your proposed decarbonisation measures. This shows how the project contributes to achieving internal and national carbon reduction targets, making the environmental case stronger.
2. Energy costs: Compare energy costs under a BAU scenario with potential savings from decarbonisation. Highlighting these financial benefits helps decision makers see the project as a strategic investment.
3. Stranded assets: It can be tempting for organisations to install new fossil fuel heavy plant and equipment as it is often cheaper in the short term. However, demonstrating that the organisation might be left with a ‘stranded asset’ i.e. an asset that will have to be decommissioned before the end of its usual life, can help decision makers to think longer term, and not want to store up problems for the future.
PRESENTING THE FULL FINANCIAL PICTURE
A robust business case must present the full financial implications of the project, considering costs beyond the initial investment.
1. Enabling works: Some low carbon technologies may
require enabling works, such as retrofitting buildings.
Acknowledging these additional costs in your business case shows that you’ve planned for the project’s full scope and avoids surprises, securing your credibility within the organisation. Ideally you want to spend exactly what you said you would, but it’s always preferable to come back with cost savings on a project than asking for more budget.
2. Maintenance and training: Decarbonisation projects often involve new technologies. While most technologies require ongoing maintenance, new technologies (particularly heat pumps) will require investment in staff training for both maintenance and operation. Including these costs in your financial projections demonstrates that you’ve considered the long-term sustainability of the project. Decision makers are more likely to support a project that accounts for all lifecycle costs.
Championing Scotland’s net zero goals
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3. Contingencies: Unexpected costs are inevitable in any project. Including contingencies in your budget planning shows decision makers that you’re prepared for potential risks, enhancing your proposal’s credibility.
Building a strong business case for decarbonisation in the public sector requires a strategic approach. By thoroughly assessing feasibility, aligning the project with organisational priorities, presenting a comprehensive financial picture, and engaging stakeholders, you can significantly increase your chances of securing approval. In the drive towards Net Zero, public sector professionals play a crucial role. With the right business case, and a personal reputation for putting together highquality projects, you can help turn sustainability goals into reality.
Download your free copy of How to effectively make the case for decarbonisation projects to decision makers: https://es.catapult.org.uk/tools-andlabs/public-sector-decarbonisationguidance/developing-your-strategy/
We’re committed to reducing carbon emissions and delivering energy saving measures for Scotland
Our teams support Scottish Government to help local authorities, universities and arm’s length external organisations and more to decarbonise their buildings.
See our website for information about our work including:
› The Recycling Fund
› Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund
› The Scottish Public Sector Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme
› Scottish Funding Council schemes
ENERGY AUDITS ARE A CATALYST FOR DECARBONISATION
Buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions; 28% comes from operational emissions produced by the energy needed to heat, cool and power them.
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Net Zero Emissions 2050 roadmap calls for a doubling of efforts to improve building efficiency as part of a broader strategy to achieve global net-zero emissions by 2050.
The roadmap emphasises the need for the deployment of clean energy technologies and energy-efficient building retrofits within this decade to stay on course. An energy audit can be the tool building owners can use to make positive changes to decarbonise their buildings.
UNDERSTANDING ENERGY AUDITS AND THEIR NECESSITY
In terms of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, energy audits are a method for identifying inefficiencies in a building’s HVAC system. These audits not only help to pinpoint areas where energy consumption can be optimised but also offer a pathway to align with sustainability targets, thereby
With rising energy costs and stringent environmental regulations across the UK and rest of Europe, optimising energy use in commercial buildings is not just financially imperative, it is critical in the race to decarbonisation, says Ralph Davies, Head of Sales at Carrier Service.
contributing to the broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy independence.
A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO AUDITS
Knowing how to analyse your commercial HVAC system is key to determine if you’re getting peak performance from your investment, as well as diagnose primary sources of energy loss. At Carrier, we follow five key stages when completing an energy audit.
1. Gathering data – The first step in conducting an energy audit is to gather comprehensive data on the current energy consumption
patterns of the system. This involves collecting historical energy usage and costs, monitoring system outputs, and using sensors or meters to record real-time energy usage. This data provides a clear picture of where and how energy is being used within the building.
2. Establish performance baseline – With the collected data, auditors establish a performance baseline that serves as a reference point for evaluating the efficiency of the HVAC system. This baseline is critical for understanding the typical energy demands and identifying periods of unusually high or low usage,
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which might indicate inefficiencies or opportunities for improvement
3. Setting benchmarks – After establishing the baseline, the next step is to set benchmarks based on industry standards ISO 50002 or BS EN 16247 – both accepted methodologies in the UK. These benchmarks allow auditors to compare the building’s performance against the defined minimum set of requirements and best practices, helping to identify areas where the building underperforms.
4. Conducting gap analysis – Using the benchmarks, auditors conduct a gap analysis to determine the discrepancies between the current performance of the HVAC system and the established levels. This analysis helps to pinpoint specific areas where improvements can be made and identifies the potential savings and benefits of making those improvements.
5. Recommending energy conservation measures – Based on the insights gained from the gap analysis, the final step involves recommending specific energy conservation measures. Recommendations can include simple fixes and adjustments that enhance system performance without extensive upgrades. These may include recalibrating sensor settings to improve
accuracy and responsiveness or sealing leaks and improving insulation.
If substantial work is needed to improve efficiency, more complex solutions will be recommended. These upgrades often include installing more advanced AHUs that incorporate heat recovery technologies or replacing a chiller’s fixed speed drive with a variable speed drive, which allows the unit to adjust its output based on real-time demand.
In some case, more substantial recommendations can be made to replace heating systems altogether. The electrification of heat is a key aspect in achieving net zero, and sustainable technology such as heat pumps will facilitate this.
Each recommendation is accompanied by a detailed analysis of the cost of implementation against expected energy savings and CO2 equivalent reduction potential. This step is critical for prioritising measures that yield the most substantial benefits in terms of energy conservation, sustainability impacts, and return on investment.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO ENERGY AUDITS
As well as lowering emissions, there are additional benefits building owners can expect to see if they implement the recommendations from the audit. These include:
IMPROVED OCCUPANT SATISFACTION
An optimised HVAC system can enhance the indoor environment of a building, significantly enhancing occupant comfort and satisfaction. Improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is particularly important as it directly impacts the health, productivity, and well-being of occupants.
CULTURAL SHIFT TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
By highlighting the benefits and feasibility of sustainable practices, energy audits can encourage a culture of energy consciousness within organisations, promoting ongoing commitment to energy conservation.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND EXPERT GUIDANCE
Within the audit’s recommendations, on-going servicing and maintenance can prevent energy waste that may otherwise occur due to neglected equipment. Regular servicing not only ensures systems operate at peak efficiency, building managers have the dedicated support of expert technicians who can overcome any challenges during the equipment’s lifespan.
To find out more about Carrier’s service and aftermarket solutions, including energy audits, please visit www. carrier.com/commercial/en/uk/service
IS A FABRIC FIRST APPROACH THE BEST WAY TO HEAT DECARBONISATION IN BUILDINGS?
Time is of the essence if we are to meet our decarbonisation objectives, with some organisations, including in the public sector, committed to a net zero target by 2030. Although not the entirety of scope one and two emissions, heating in buildings accounts for a notable amount of carbon emissions. In fact, the built environment accounts for about 25% of our greenhouse emissions in the UK.
Since we all know heat decarbonisation is not a quick fix – the problems mount when attempting to decarbonise at speed and scale in a cost-efficient way. At Salix, we encounter this challenge when supporting our public sector organisations, regardless of their size. Let’s explore whether heat decarbonisation by any means necessary, or a more considered approach is really the best method for buildings in Scotland and the UK more generally.
In nearly all of Salix’s funding programmes we encourage a whole building approach, including the recent round of Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund. This is in keeping with the Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard published by the Scottish Government. The voluntary standard is pertinent to new, or large refurbishment construction projects. A whole building approach is a traditional approach to building improvement, following the mantra of refine, reduce, decarbonise. The approach is a holistic assessment of the all the factors that contribute to a building’s energy consumption to identify the most effective suite of solutions.
Recent developments in the heat pump market have attracted a rethink in recent years about whether energy
Sebastian Lunt Energy Carbon Programme Manager, Salix Finance
efficiency measures are needed. Novel refrigerants, newer models entering the market and cascading heat pump configurations can operate with flow temperatures similar to current fossil fuel powered heating systems, without changes to the building fabric, and at a reasonable seasonal coefficient of performance (sCOP).
Heat pumps will work in uninsulated buildings and heat pumps will work in cold environments. With all these innovations established in the market, should we still consider heat demand reduction before heat decarbonisation? Well, the answer is not as clear cut as you would hope. No decarbonisation pathway is right or wrong, it is a balance of different factors and priorities. Decision makers will have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each pathway to net zero.
A heat pump that can work at a higher flow temperature in a direct swap with end-of-life fossil fuel plant might have a lower capital cost compared to a whole building approach suite of measures but is likely to have a higher operational expenditure. This is in part due to the cost differential between electricity and fossil fuels, but also that the sCOPs of these types of heat pumps aren’t yet as good as more conventional flow temperatures from heat pumps.
On the other hand, investment in improving the insulation levels of the building fabric will reduce the size of low carbon heating plant required, improve thermal comfort, and reduce the need for electrical infrastructure upgrades. The reduction of electricity consumption can reduce the need to upgrade a building’s electrical infrastructure to accommodate the installation of a heat pump. Both of these will reduce the operational energy expenditure of the building, but the upfront cost could well be higher.
To make any informed decisions about the most appropriate pathway, organisations should have a very good understanding of their buildings.
A rough list would include, current fossil fuel consumption, heat demand profiles (peak, seasonal and annual), the type of the thermal fabric and its condition, ventilation requirement, local planning permissions, available space, current heating distribution and incoming electrical infrastructure.
With the uncertainties around the energy cost fluctuations, energy security, resiliency of the electrical grid and wider benefits of energy efficiency measures, Salix will continue to promote a whole building, but common-sense, approach to decarbonising buildings. Some energy efficiency measures are simple to implement at a low cost, whilst others have significant cost and deliverability hurdles. In some heritage sites, Salix has seen the successful implementation of low carbon heating solutions without any changes to the building fabric. No one area, or building is the same, so we wouldn’t expect a uniformity in solution either. We have a plethora of case studies showing how solutions can be tailored to the wide breadth of building types in Scotland and the UK. Have a look at our website area https://www.salixfinance.co.uk/ scotland to find out about the work we are doing in Scotland.
• https://www.carbonbrief.org/ guest-post-how-heat-pumpsbecame-a-nordic-successstory/?_thumbnail_id=48213&utm_ content=buffer302f3&utm_ medium=social&utm_source=twitter. com&utm_campaign=buffer https://es.catapult.org.uk/ tools-and-labs/public-sectordecarbonisation-guidance/ AM17 Heat pump installations for large non-domestic buildings, 2022, The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
A LEADING PROVIDER OF GAS-INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES MEETS THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF THE UTILITIES INDUSTRY
As one of the country’s largest manager of gas-meter equipment and a provider of the full range of gas connection services, National Gas Metering plays a vital role in gas projects of all types and sizes. Since 1986, the company has worked across domestic, industrial and commercial installations, spanning all pressure tiers – and is now extending this expertise beyond natural gas to hydrogen, anticipating the transition to support the UK’s ambitious net-zero-emissions goals.
For any project with a gasinfrastructure need, National Gas Metering offers a full onestop-shop service – through its Siteworks team which includes specialists GIRS design and project management along with the allimportant design, build and installation of your gas metering installation.
New connections, disconnections, upgrades, downgrades, alterations, removals, metering and civils along with Kiosk design and build services are all covered.
The team also design, build and connect outlet pipework at a customer’s site allowing you an un-interrupted supply to carry on ‘business as usual’ on a supply critical site via a parallel installation.
Very few companies offer this complete end-to-end solution for gas-infrastructure projects, and recent research shows that customers in a
variety of industries highly value this comprehensive capability.
PREPARING FOR A CLEANER FUTURE
Looking ahead, National Gas Metering intends to remain the UK’s leading provider of gas-metering and infrastructure services. However, in the decades to come, the gas in question is likely to be hydrogen.
metering and connection. As naturalgas infrastructure changes to hydrogen infrastructure, National Gas Metering will be ready to help the country’s homes and businesses change with it.
The company’s aim is to support any business wanting to make the transition to hydrogen. Consumers will still need safe and highly accurate metering equipment, which is connected to the source of distribution. This is the focus of National Gas Metering’s R&D activities, and it leverages its supply-chain partners to collaborate on developing the products needed to ensure accurate and effective hydrogen
Of course, natural gas will continue being used until the move over to hydrogen has taken place. National Gas Metering will provide services for both, using its knowledge and experience to help make the transition between them as smooth, and successful, as possible.
To find out more about National Gas Metering, visit: https://metering. nationalgas.com/services/gasconnections-infrastructure Call: 0121 210 3763 Or follow on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/ company/national-gas-metering
UNDERSTANDING NONCOMMODITY COSTS AND WHAT THEY MEAN FOR BUSINESSES
When it comes to energy costs, most of the recent focus has been on how to reduce the impact of volatile wholesale energy prices on businesses.
However, aside from this, the additional elements added to electricity invoices – the non-commodity costs – are now responsible for a growing share of the overall cost businesses have to pay.
The steady increase in these costs has had a marked impact on businesses, with many of those consulted in npower Business Solutions’ latest Business Energy Tracker saying that reducing or simplifying non-commodity costs needs to be a key priority for the new government.
To help demystify non-commodity costs and what they mean for businesses it’s important to consider what they are and how they are impacting the rising cost of energy.
Firstly though, let’s take a brief step back to look at why these charges became a major part of business energy invoices.
THE NEED TO DECARBONISE
In 2000, plans were set in motion to reduce the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels. However, increasing renewable generation required a huge change to our electricity system – and the costs associated with it. The government encouraged wind generation as an alternative source of power, but the infrastructure was costly to set up.
As a result, subsidies were created to stimulate and incentivise investment, first through the Renewables Obligation (RO) for large-scale wind farms and biomass, followed by the Feed-in Tariff for small-scale solar, in 2010.
In 2014, Contracts for Difference (CfD) was introduced, replacing RO for all new generation in 2017. That said, the RO will continue paying out subsidies for the next 13 years.
FUNDING THE JOURNEY TO NET ZERO
The truth is that the cost challenges to businesses now are paving the
npower Business Solutions’ Head of Industry Charges, Stephen Evans, provides us with an overview of this complex area of energy costs.
way for future sustainability. And, these subsidies have worked. We now have wind generation that meets almost 30% of the UK’s total electricity demand, and growing volumes of solar and biomass that currently supply around 10% of our electricity. Some of the other key drivers that are causing a rise in non commodity costs as we adapt our energy system for greener energy include:
• Creating a viable and sustainable infrastructure that will successfully service future generations will take considerable execution. For example, renewable generation sites tend not to be in the same locations as the incumbent power stations, which were not planned around wind or solar yield. Also, rather than having a small number of large generation sites, we now have large numbers of smaller sites and connecting these sites to the central electricity grid requires significantly more transmission and distribution infrastructure to be built.
• Helping power travel further: Offshore wind and solar farms are often miles away from population centres, unlike the power stations of old that were deliberately placed near towns and cities to limit the amount the generated power needed to travel. Transmission and distribution costs for green energy have to rise to meet this key challenge.
• Balancing supply and demand: As well as funding green energy subsidies and transmission and distribution costs, electricity consumers also pay towards the cost of balancing the grid and
ensuring security of supply. This ensures we always have exactly the right amount of supply to meet demand. As we transition away from predicable fossil-fuel supply to more intermittent renewable generation, it makes the job of balancing the grid much more complex.
• The price of security of supply: As we rely less on gas-fired power for 24/7 generation, the cost of running these power stations isn’t being met by these ad hoc payments. So they also need a subsidy, which is what the new Capacity Market (CM) delivers, with its focus on ensuring security of supply during periods of peak demand (e.g. over the winter months). But this too is funded via an additional charge added to energy invoices.
PAYING NOW FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The bottom line is that the noncommodity elements added to electricity invoices have risen from around £100 per MWh in Q1 2023, to £112 in Q1 2024 – and are set to jump to around £132 by Q4 2025.
The good news is that these costs will reduce once these key infrastructures are in place. The investment made up front now will ensure a greener and more sustainable electricity system for future generations.
To find out more about noncommodity costs, download npower Business Solutions’ latest guide here: https://npowerbusinesssolutions.com/ resources/will-uk-energy-costs-godown
STRATEGIC UTILITY MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Robin Hale, Chief Executive, MEUC
As energy generation and consumption patterns continue to evolve, staying ahead of market dynamics and regulatory changes is more critical than ever.
MEUC’s Buying and Utilities Live Autumn Conference, returning to the AMTC in Coventry on 16 October is an essential event for those buying and using utilities, who are grappling with the complexities the energy and water sectors bring, whilst seeking to capitalise on opportunities.
“MEUC consistently provides high-quality events that bring together major energy consumers with expert professionals to address the energy trilemma of cost, sustainability, and security.”
– Kevin.
A COMPREHENSIVE AGENDA TO EMPOWER YOUR ENERGY STRATEGIES
Session 1: Regulation and Market Dynamics for Energy and Water
Start your day by delving into the complexities of current market conditions. This session will cover influencing factors for future energy delivery, regulatory strategies, and the challenges being faced by the water industry. Crucial for those considering what lies ahead in this ever-changing landscape.
Session 2: Risk and Reward – Mapping Out Your Future Energy Consumption
Next, we explore effective risk management strategies and supply security through power purchase agreements (PPAs). This session will also cover integrating on-site generation and storage solutions, aligning your energy strategies with sustainability goals, assisting you in combating the volatility of energy prices.
Session 3: The Future of Energy – Management and Innovation
Focusing on the evolution of energy markets and technological advancements, discussions will include smart energy solutions, the role of interconnectors and grids in achieving net zero, and strategies for building resilient energy systems that provide widespread opportunities.
Session 4: Emerging Trends and Practical Applications in Energy and Water Management
To conclude the day we will dive into the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of energy and water management. Here you can participate in breakout discussion sessions led by MEUC experts, who will facilitate and direct the discussion, focussing on practical insights and actionable strategies for improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Throughout the day you can also engage with our supporters. Our exhibition will feature leading companies and solution providers ready to showcase their innovative products and services.
Exhibitors include: 2G | Amber | Ameresco | Corona Energy | Drax | EDF | Energy in Buildings and Industry | Energy Manager Magazine | ENGIE Impact | ENTRNCE | Granular Energy | IMServ | innova | National Gas Metering | npower Business Solutions | SEFE | Shell Energy | SSE Energy Solutions | Strive by STX | Swan Energy | The Energyst | Waterplus | Waterwise | WAVE | WUN
Explore their cutting-edge services and solutions and discuss the presentations with them and your peers in a relaxed environment over coffee, tea and lunch.
NETWORKING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: BUILDING CONNECTIONS AND EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE
Attending the MEUC Autumn Conference and Exhibition offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with peers, industry experts, and key stakeholders. This event provides a unique platform to build professional relationships, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations.
Our attendance policy, restricted to members, end users, supporters and invited guests, ensures an undiluted, focused and relevant networking environment. The MEUC team are on hand to guarantee a valuable and memorable experience.
In addition, the event represents 5 hours of MEUC CPD, helping you further your professional journey.
GAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE
In an industry that’s rapidly evolving due to technological advancements and regulatory changes, staying informed and connected is key to maintaining a competitive edge. Attending the MEUC Autumn Conference and Exhibition is the first step in equipping yourself with the latest knowledge and trends, enabling you to make informed decisions. Networking with other utilities professionals will increase your ability to lead your organisation to success in a challenging landscape.
MEUC extends far beyond hosting events throughout the year.
“The MEUC events give us a great opportunity to catch up with existing customers as well as prospect for new opportunities. The quality of the presentations are impressive and always relevant to the key issues facing our industry.”
- Jack.
Whilst their Spring and Autumn Conferences and their exclusive evening networking reception at the House of Lords, hosted by MEUC’s President Lord Teverson, are must-attend events, membership offers so much more.
By joining as a corporate member, you also gain access to an extensive array of resources designed to empower you and your organisation. These include weekly briefings, regular meetings, quarterly update webinars, partner webinars, a specialised training course, and on-demand expert support from the MEUC team and wider contacts. These resources ensure members stay informed about the latest regulatory changes, market trends, and technological advancements.
Membership connects you with a network of major energy and water users, creating a platform for sharing insights, solutions, and best practices that drive efficiency and innovation across the sector.
EXPLORE THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
To find out more, please get in touch: robin.hale@meuc.co.uk
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR EMEX, THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND NET ZERO EXHIBITION BEING HELD AT LONDON’S EXCEL ON 20 & 21 NOVEMBER 2024.
Read on to discover how you can secure your free place today and take advantage of the many new, valueadded features the show is offering to visitors this year…
New for 2024, the BSI Academy is a dedicated area from BSI Group, the national standards body of the UK, where you can take part in free, 40-minute CPD-accredited training sessions. Covering vital areas of learning for the sustainability sector, this is an exclusive opportunity to elevate your professional learning at no cost. The three bitesize courses running on both days of the show are: Introduction to Energy Management ISO 50001, Introduction to Environmental Management ISO 14001 and Introduction to Net Zero. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and are an excellent way to improve your knowledge if you are new to this field or if you want to build further on what you already know.
Returning in November are the ever-popular roundtables exclusive to those operating in the public sector space. Places on these are strictly limited to allow for meaningful discussions and this year will cover areas such as: Balancing sustainability investment within ongoing maintenance projects; Property decarbonisation: 2030 strategies and practical supply chain planning and Collaboration and partnerships to share best practice. Table hosts will share their own experiences and encourage group discussion and questions. Most tables will run twice, so you have the opportunity to join two tables on each day, with additional time for networking and making new contacts for the future.
Sponsored by Local Partnerships, a joint venture between the Local Government Association, HM Treasury and Welsh Government, they help the public sector deliver projects and change at a local level. Full details of all the sessions are available on the main show website, and places can be reserved as part of the visitor registration form.
Following on from the public sector roundtable success, EMEX is delighted to welcome Mott MacDonald as sponsor of further discussion groups open to all. Following a similar format to their public sector counterparts, the topic under discussion for these sessions will be focused on: Energy strategies and master planning for large energy users and sites. Again, these sessions will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and can be selected via the visitor registration form.
Still focusing on giving visitors to EMEX opportunities to expand their expertise and practical takeaways, the new hands-on workshops are another value-add, free feature for 2024. These fully interactive sessions are designed to demonstrate practical strategies for achieving key goals in energy management and carbon reduction. Hosted by Carbonology and Supply Chain Sustainability School, further
details of the different focus areas of the workshops can be found on the EMEX website and places reserved as part of visitor registration.
This year, EMEX is delighted to welcome IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment), a global body for environment and sustainability professionals, and the YEP (Young Energy Professionals) as hosts of exclusive peer mentoring sessions. These 10-minute sessions across both show days offer exciting opportunities to make valuable new contacts and receive specialist advice from senior professionals for those both established in their careers focusing on overcoming specific sector challenges and those at the beginning of their journey who may benefit from vocational mentoring.
All of these new, value-added features are completely free for EMEX visitors to attend. Simply register your free ticket today and select which sessions you would like to take part in: https://forms.reg.buzz/mark-allengroup/emex-2024/visitor/em
For further information on all of these plus the rest of what’s on at EMEX 2024, visit the website now: https://www.emexlondon.com
YOUR UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH FUTURE LOCAL ENERGY MARKETS
The Local Energy Markets Alliance (LEMA) is hosting a twoday summit to shape the agenda for local energy systems, dynamic load balancing and consumer-first propositions.
Attendees will:
• Engage with senior decision-makers
• Debate local energy sharing
• Explore market innovations
• Discuss financing options for local energy solutions
Don't miss out on a prime opportunity for networking and shaping the future of energy markets!
Visit the LEMA Summit 2024 page for more details and to register or scan the QR code. Are you ready to be part of the energy revolution?
by Pixabay
UNLOCKING CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITIONS;
OPTIMISING STEAM SYSTEMS FOR EFFICIENCY AND COST REDUCTION
In the landscape of clean energy transitions, energy efficiency emerges as the unsung hero, often referred to as the “first fuel.” It not only presents one of the swiftest and most economical ways to mitigate CO2 emissions but also holds the potential to slash energy bills and strengthen energy security.
But what exactly is the role of energy efficiency in clean energy transitions?
Energy efficiency stands as the cornerstone in the endeavour to curb energy demand, particularly in scenarios aiming for Net Zero Emissions by 2050. By implementing efficiency measures across various sectors, we can significantly reduce the need for energy consumption while simultaneously curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, these measures translate into tangible cost savings for consumers, serving as a buffer against unforeseen price fluctuations.
However, the path ahead is not without its challenges.
Despite recent increases in efficiency investments, the pace of global energy intensity improvements has hit a plateau. Progress notably decelerated in the latter half of the previous decade and came to a virtual standstill during the initial years
of the Covid-19 pandemic. To effectively navigate towards net zero emissions, it’s imperative to ramp up efforts and double the global pace of energy efficiency progress throughout this decade.
However! Let’s focus on optimising steam systems – a crucial yet often overlooked component in the realm of energy efficiency.
Steam systems, critical in industrial settings, play a pivotal role in processes ranging from heating to power generation. However, these systems can be known for their energy inefficiencies, often resulting in significant energy losses and inflated operational costs.
By optimising steam systems, we can unlock a myriad of benefits:
• Improved efficiency; Fine-tuning steam systems through measures such as insulation upgrades, steam trap maintenance, and boiler tuning can substantially enhance overall system efficiency. This translates into lower energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Cost reduction; Enhanced efficiency directly translates into cost savings for businesses. By minimising energy waste and maximising output,
companies can slash their operational expenses and boost their bottom line.
• Enhanced Reliability; Optimal steam systems operate more reliably, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity. This ensures smoother operations and minimises disruptions to production schedules.
• Environmental Impact; By reducing energy consumption and emissions associated with steam production, optimised steam systems contribute to broader sustainability goals, aligning with clean energy transition objectives. In conclusion, optimising steam systems represents a tangible and impactful way to drive energy efficiency improvements and advance clean energy transitions. By harnessing the potential of these systems, we can not only benefit from energy savings, and reduced costs but also make significant strides towards achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future. Let’s seize this opportunity to propel our journey towards a cleaner, greener tomorrow. Supporting article - Energy Efficiency 2023 – Analysis - IEA https://origin.iea. org/reports/energy-efficiency-2023 https://www.spiraxsarco.com/
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HEATING CONTROL IS JUST AS IMPORTANT IN PASSIVHAUS PROJECTS
It is far more cost-effective to save energy than generate it!
With 35% of global energy consumption coming from the building sector, its energy use in the construction, cooling and heating of buildings is the largest contributor to carbon emissions. Construction must go through a radical change to meet Net Zero targets to mitigate the climate crisis.
The tools needed to deliver net zero exist today! The University of the West of England (UWE) has first-hand experience at Purdown View, its newest student accommodation development, combining Passivhaus construction with intelligent heating control.
PASSIVHAUS CERTIFIED
Purdown View is one of the largest Passivhaus certified developments of its kind in the world, it is also a first for the university sector in the UK. Built in the heart of the UWE Frenchay Campus, this project is key to UWE achieving its 2030 sustainability target.
Constructed in three blocks of up to six storeys, the development comprises studio flats and clusters of four, six and eight bedrooms with en-suite or shared pod shower rooms. In total 900 beds.
The buildings will yield a 54% reduction in running costs and carbon emissions compared with a typical ‘good practice’ building.
So, why does a Passivhaus building require heating control. In a nutshell – overheating. A serious issue often over-looked. Central control of individual heat sources, and monitoring of every room’s temperature, ensures heat input cannot be applied when deemed unnecessary by the control criteria.
INDIVIDUAL ROOM CONTROL
Irus, from Prefect Controls, is a centrally controlled Building energy Management System (BeMS). It currently manages space and water heating in 70,000+ rooms at more than 130 sites across the UK.
It works on the basis that heat input is only activated to maintain the pre-determined temperature, which,
in the case of Passivhaus projects is seldom.
Individual room controllers send data to and from the portal using the existing electrical wiring, a technique known as Mains Borne Signalling (MBS). This is cost effective and negates the expense of installing data cabling.
Occupants can increase the temperature using Boost mode, but the profiles set via the internet portal, cut input after the time limit elapses. This ensures the thermostat cannot be turned to ‘max’ and left there all year.
PIR movement sensors and window open technology means energy is cut when rooms are empty or windows open. The system is always striving to avoid heaters switching on. Ensuring the Passivhaus criteria of not exceeding 25°C for more than 10% of the year is met. Profiles can be changed on a room-by-room basis remotely, to ensure individual occupants’ comfort. At the end of term, the ‘Reset-all’ feature brings every room back to the same profile – ensuring compliance with the site’s heating policy – all this without staff ever crossing a threshold.
KITCHEN SAFETY
UWE also specified HobSensus
across all the kitchens at Purdown View, Prefect’s hob safety product that integrates with Irus. The device prevents hobs being left on if the person preparing food is distracted or leaves the kitchen unattended. It remotely keeps managers up to date with kitchen activity and triggering’s.
AWARD WINNING
In October 2023, HobSensus won the ‘Safety Innovation Award’ presented by Electrical Safety First, the campaigning organisation recognised by government as the leading authority on electrical safety. A month later the previous Irus/UWE project also won ‘Education Sector Project of the Year’ at the Energy Saving Awards. While this year Purdown View’s sustainability credentials were recognised by winning the ‘Innovation in Student Housing’ prize at the CUBO Awards. www.prefectcontrols.com
USING MICROGRIDS TO UNBLOCK THE GRID CONNECTIONS QUEUE
Spencer Thompson, CEO – Eclipse Power. An investment platform for networks including Eclipse Power Networks. Eclipse Power Networks is a specialist licensed Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO).
Where is the power going to come from to meet the growing demands from the electrification of housing, industry, transport, and heating? And, importantly, will grid connections enable expectations and targets to be met?
The new Labour government has pledged to build 1.5 million homes in five years to address the housing shortage. However, already more
and more housing developments are being delayed by getting a connection to the grid. Developers are realising that grid connections are being constrained by the queue, which is running close to the terabyte mark.
The need to supply power to more housing developments, coupled with the exponential rise in EV charge point installations is adding significantly to the queue. A new development of a few thousand homes is usually
a ‘five-year plus’ programme that is built and connected in batches of 100-500. Even getting the first connection can be a challenge.
The upcoming modifications to ‘Connections Reform’ which are due to go live in January 2025 could have a big impact. They include switching the connection queue from ‘first come, first served’ to ‘first ready, first connected’. This is good news for developers who have carefully planned their connection projects. Especially forwardthinking developers who are exploring smarter approaches to connections in response to grid constraints, for example looking to utilise microgrid technology behind the meter.
ASSETS ASSEMBLE –BRING ON THE MICROGRID
Microgrids are self-contained power networks that connect to the
power network at a local or regional level and can run in parallel with the national grid. They usually comprise interconnected loads and distributed energy resources (solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, and generators) within a defined boundary that work together to meet the site’s needs, with least possible interaction with the grid. Importantly, microgrids can be integrated with other smart grid technologies to further optimise energy use and enhance grid stability. Another viable option could be building out and developing a private network (which could include microgrid technology) resulting in a development which needs less import/export capacity from the grid. So, when the developer submits their application for a grid connection, they may be more likely to secure a closer connection date for the project as they will require less capacity. Optimising electricity consumption behind the meter and balancing with exporting/importing to/from the grid is the trick here. The concept has been around the industry for a long time but hasn’t really taken off with the networks and customers. Given the current constraints on the grid, now is the perfect time to deliver innovation as we strive for net zero.
WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?
Recently, a development of around 4000 homes that needed a 20MVA supply from a local DNO was told that the connection would be delayed by six years because of transmission reinforcement upstream. Using a microgrid could turn a 20MVA demand into a 5-10MVA connection, reducing
the cost to connect to the grid and, more importantly, the lead time.
Another benefit of microgrids is the revenue model they can enable behind the scenes. They can be developer owned, owned by a network company like Eclipse Power, community owned by local residents, or a combination of the three.
POWERING PARKS AND CAMPUSES
Outside of the housing demand, there could be even bigger grid benefits from microgrids powering commercial and industrial parks and campuses. Large energy companies have tended to move towards energy parks, rather than single assets, with solar and battery providing several valuable revenue
streams. Developers are beginning to work with data centres and even green hydrogen balanced behind the meter in a microgrid. These options have the potential to have a major impact on unblocking the connection queue over the next five to 10 years.
INTELLIGENT PLANNING TO BENEFIT THE NETWORK
More joined up thinking and actively building solar, battery, hydrogen and data centres around the country to map to the network would help reduce constraints in certain areas. At the moment, the rules are that you can connect anywhere. So, all we’re doing is creating this hugely inefficient network. By introducing reasonable rules to control the location of new generation and storage assets, we could provide more benefit to the network while keeping some flexibility around where the technologies connect.
Microgrids represent a smart network future that has been in the background of government and industry thinking for a long time. There are a few barriers still to pass. Some are around governance, especially in the residential sector, where there are regulatory restrictions around how much a microgrid or private network is possible. The regulator, together with various distribution code changes, will be the key to unlocking this.
For more information, please visit https://eclipsepower.co.uk/
COMMUNITY MICROGRIDS
Liam Johnson is Senior Energy and Carbon Analyst at Salix. Salix’s role is to support the UK government in driving the transition to a low carbon future and meet challenging net zero targets. We deliver and administer grant and loan funding on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Education and the Scottish and Welsh governments. This is delivered across the public sector as well as housing.
Community microgrids are little known outside the world of energy, yet they are a fundamental mechanism in improving the way we consume energy and have the potential to decarbonise the grid one small community at a time.
A microgrid is a small-scale, localpower-based system that provides greater efficiency, reliability and sustainability when distributing energy. Microgrids can be independent of the main grid (off-grid) or incorporated and controlled by it (on-grid). Microgrids can range in size from a single home to a local community and normally contain a diverse range of renewable energy generators.
Microgrids can be operated independently of the grid and can provide reliable sources of power. They can also be a more resilient power source, allowing more isolated communities within the UK greater energy independence, and reducing vulnerability from extreme weather and wider grid disruptions. Examples of isolated communities include the Isles of Scilly who have removed damaging fossil fuel generators for cleaner wind and solar power, and the Orkney Islands who have harnessed tidal and wind power and integrated them into its microgrid. Paving the way for more energy-secure communities.
Microgrids are also more energy efficient than traditional grid infrastructure, this is because, with a microgrid, the community or building is able to reduce energy costs and lower carbon emissions by incorporating a combination of renewable energy sources and fuel storage solutions. This balance between distribution and storage means the introduction of microgrids are low impact making them more favourable
in on-grid (connected to the grid) areas with limited capacity for connection.
A study by the UK Energy Research Centre also looked at the growing trend of Grassroots Innovations, of which microgrids are a part. According to the UK Energy Research Centre, there are roughly 3,000 community energy projects in the UK, the majority of which are fed by grassroots initiatives that help to create the localised, sustainable development of energy policy for the community. Microgrids offer the chance to give people control of their energy supply and enable choice of greener and cleaner power sources.
A notable example of this is the Brighton and Hove Energy Service which was created in 2013 and was initially set up to focus on investing in smallscale and local energy projects, such as microgrids. However, due to the unique nature of the service being run by and for the community, its responsibility goes beyond providing electricity or heat, instead also focusing on occupants’ needs for a brighter, warmer and liveable home. In the past few years, the service has installed a wide range of solar PV, LED and undertaken energy-saving surveys across 500 properties, according to a report released by UK Energy Research Centre. Post-project monitoring has revealed that Brighton and Hove Energy Service projects have saved building occupants more than £42,000 in savings, according to UK Energy Research Centre data. This has enabled Brighton and Hove Energy Service to support those struggling with increased energy costs.
A big part of the success of Brighton and Hove Energy Service was community fund-raising, if there is lack of initial investment this can setback the implementation of microgrids. In communities with limited financial investment from local authorities and
businesses limited funding threatens to stifle any incentive to get projects off the ground. Microgrids can be a costly investment, especially if adapting newer technologies to be compatible with older, national grid infrastructure, creating headaches for designers, making planning, building and operating challenging.
Aside from integrating older and newer infrastructure, there are limitations on the size of these grids which are limited by their economies of scale. To set up something which is widespread it would take cross-partnership communication between energy providers, communities and regulatory bodies. The community would also need to internally train or bring in expertise to set up and run the microgrid, due to the unique circumstances of each site, every area will have specific issues and challenges when implementing.
Despite this however, these projects can be made possible through funding programmes such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, through which Salix has supported a variety of wide-scale decarbonisation, from individual buildings to entire university campuses. Cranfield University is a good example, who’s top-down approach to decarbonisation has been supported by Salix and created the opportunity to work with local businesses such as Nissan and Luton airport.
Microgrids in the UK are just one piece of the puzzle on the path to achieving net zero emissions. They have the potential to change how consumers interact with energy. However, their growth presents new challenges that can be addressed through investment in innovation, leading to job creation in crucial sectors of the economy. https://www.salixfinance.co.uk/
Businesses looking to improve their water footprint and start operating more sustainably, while reducing their utility bills at the same time, could find it particularly beneficial to have a water audit of their site carried out.
These audits involve comparing water usage, including volumes, against what you’ve been charged for by your water company, with the aim being to reveal any discrepancies and inconsistencies that may have manifested over time, leading to you being billed incorrectly.
Visibility is the name of the game where water consumption is concerned and if you don’t know how you’re using water and where, you can never really be sure that you’re not being overcharged.
As an example of what can happen if you don’t take charge of your bills and know exactly what you’re being charged for and why, take a look at this BBC News report about the Livermead Cliff Hotel in Torbay which is currently in a dispute with Pennon Water Services over estimated bills to the tune of an impressive £15,000. https://www.bbc. co.uk/news/articles/cl4yrrk0xp5o
It seems that the hotel believes it has been overcharged by thousands of pounds, with bills dating back to between 2012 and 2014, because its water meter wasn’t connected. Although the hotel claims that the meter was known to be faulty, it wasn’t replaced by the water supplier.
Hotel director Anthony Rew explained to the news source that over the course of three-and-a-half years, the business was overcharged 7.5 cubic metres of water per day, when typical usage was 5.5 cubic metres.
He said that the faulty meter was first discovered in 2014, adding: “We went out to the meter, went to read it, couldn’t read it. [We] put our hand inside where the meter was and pulled the meter out. It wasn’t even attached.”
The dispute with Pennon Water Services has now been going on for six years, with the hotel threatened with disconnection for failing to settle the account.
In a statement, the water company said: “We will always work with our
customers to investigate the cause of any consumption concerns. We have different allowances depending on different scenarios to help bring in line a customer’s bill with their own average usage.”
HOW CAN WATER AUDITS HELP BUSINESSES?
To avoid distressing and timeconsuming situations such as the one Livermead Cliff Hotel has been facing for the last few years, it’s essential that you deepen your understanding of your business water use so that you can identify the most appropriate ways to save water, reduce consumption and drive your bills down as a result.
This is where water audits really come into their own and you may well find that you can achieve up to a 30 per cent reduction in charges for water supply and wastewater disposal as a result.
It’s also entirely possible that you may be able to put in a claim for refunds for historical overcharges - and we’ve seen some of our clients succeed in getting refunds of £500,000… and even more!
The audit itself starts with an indepth analysis of your historical water bills, reviewing a complete record of water supply and wastewater bills going back at least 12 months. If your business incorporates multiple sites and different premises, we’ll need to see bills for each site and from every supplier you have.
Of course, this can be a very arduous task but bear in mind that we’re trying to gain full visibility of your water expenditure so you can enjoy full control over a significant business overhead in the future, so a bit of hard work at the beginning will pay serious dividends later down the line.
As well as asking for copies of your bills, we will also likely need other information as well, depending on the nature of your business. For example, we may need to know the number of public toilets on site, staff numbers, details of leisure facilities like spas, plunge pools and swimming pools, catering facilities and so on.
Once we have all the information we need, we can then carry out a preliminary desktop water audit so you can see exactly where you can save money on bills.
Water-saving measures include the likes of rainwater harvesting, grey water reuse, water leak detection and repair, and water monitoring where remote monitoring equipment is installed to track water flow hourly for ten years. This is particularly effective for identifying leaks, as it will reveal spikes in usage as they happen, suggesting that there may be a leak on site and giving you the opportunity to deal with them quickly.
If you’d like to find out more about this kind of service and the business benefits that come with it, get in touch with the SwitchWaterSupplier.com team today.
OVERCOMING INTERMITTENCY IN RENEWABLES FOR LONGTERM, LOW-COST ENERGY
The impact of intermittency in renewable electricity generation should not be a showstopper for businesses looking to generate renewable power for their own use. In this article, Bruce Woodman Managing Director of Pure Energy Professionals (PEP) asks if renewables are really as intermittent as they are made out, and sheds light on the subject to alleviate investment anxiety in businesses looking to take control of their long-term energy costs.
The intermittent nature of variable renewable energy sources is a fact. The sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow. While this is sometimes used as an argument against renewables, or to express concern about potential supply disruption, intermittency does not need to have the impact that people might think.
At grid-level, addressing the challenges of integrating higher proportions of variable renewable energy has driven the development of several technological solutions to maintain a balanced grid. Last year low-carbon sources accounted for 56% of the country’s total electricity consumed, made up of renewables (43%) and nuclear (13%). Carbon Brief published that the share of electricity generated in GB from burning coal and gas fell to a record low of 2.4% for an hour at lunchtime on Monday 15 April. In 2024, we have already seen a record 75 half-hour periods when fossil fuels have met less than 5% of demand, compared to 16 in 2023 and five in 2022.
It is important that existing grid connections for businesses generating
their own renewable power remain unchanged. For business-scale, userowned renewable power generation, adding renewable energy plant ‘behind the meter’ will supply on-site demand first and feed into the grid when there is surplus. When there is a shortfall in wind or solar supply, the site continues to be supplied from the grid. Getting the balance of installed renewable energy right can allow a high proportion of grid electricity to be replaced with completely clean renewable electricity. Adding battery storage will increase that proportion still further. With modern direct boilers, renewable electricity can also directly displace gas for space heating or process heat.
THE RISE AND RISE OF USER-OWNED POWER GENERATION
The appetite for user-owned or in-house power generation among businesses is growing. This is essentially a way of generating energy from renewable sources – usually wind and solar – on or near to the facility that will use it. That might be an out-of-town office for an insurance company, a business park, or a factory or processing plant – anywhere
that needs a certain baseload of power.
Ideally the renewable asset, such as a solar installation and/or wind turbine, is in relatively close proximity to the business premises, either on-site or within 2 to 10 km, so that a dedicated cable brings the power directly to the buildings using it. If there is no suitable location nearby, power can be generated some distance away and transported, or ‘sleeved’ to the facility through transmission and distribution networks to supply yourself under a self-consumption Power Purchase Agreement.
There are considerable financial, technical and commercial benefits for businesses who opt to use renewable sources to generate energy for their own use. Bringing energy production and management in-house offers energy security; protecting a business from short-term price volatility and long-term price rises. It may be selfevident, but as there are no fuel costs for wind and solar power, the ability to control and accurately forecast energy costs over a period of 20+ years can significantly boost a business’s longterm profits and shareholder value.
Developing renewable assets accelerates corporate net zero ambitions. It enables a business to have ownership and control of the full energy lifecycle, from generation to storage and usage and associated emissions reductions.
These are compelling reasons why organisations are moving towards more user-owned or in-house energy production. It would be wrong to say that they are going ‘off-grid,’ however. A grid connection is still important for a couple of reasons. First, to provide back-up in case there is a major shortfall in the availability of supply from inhouse resources and, secondly, through offtake contracts to export excessive supply of non-dispatchable power – on a particularly windy day, for example.
INTERMITTENT DOES NOT MEAN UNPREDICTABLE
There is a difference between intermittent and unpredictable. While wind and solar are intermittent, their short-term output and annual
average over the next 25 or more years can be very accurately predicted. Of course, there are variations year to year, but they are not huge.
Understanding how the weather behaves at a certain location is a key part in almost all decisions about renewable energy. There are many data sources that can be used first to help determine potential power generation from a particular site and, secondly, to predict or forecast the amount of energy that could be provided over both the longterm (seasons, years and decades) and the short-term (daily and even hourly).
By looking at past weather behaviour, it is possible to model likely future weather patterns. The introduction of long term global reanalysis data-sets like NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) provides a whole world picture of climate performance going back over 20 years. That data can be used to predict future weather conditions and trends for the 20- or 30-year life of a renewable energy project at a high resolution.
SMOOTHING INTERMITTENCY WITH A RIGHT-SIZED RENEWABLES MIX
If a site can host a mix of renewable energy production, intermittency can be smoothed, and its impact reduced. Solar and wind are complementary. Solar PV production is strong in the summer while there is less produced from wind. With the opposite happening in winter months. By over-sizing its renewable production capability, a business can
decrease still further its dependency on grid electricity and gas. A business consuming, say, a 1 MW baseload power and heat at a factory or large out of town office would build a renewable energy production facility of more megawatts than it consumes. For as much of the year as possible, it would be supplying its own demand and returning the rest to the grid under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), or supplying another of the company’s premises under a PPA.
Using storage technologies can further smooth intermittency through Battery Electric Storage Systems (BESS) and other technologies such as heat batteries and hydrogen, which can be stored and used for heat, transport fuels and even electricity production if necessary.
OWNERSHIP PROVIDES CONTROL
As we have experienced over the past few years, power prices are driven by international events and global markets. This leads to huge volatility in pricing. Predicting and budgeting for electricity, heat and transport costs into the future is a major concern for companies. Anything that can increase the predictability of costs helps the business budget its investment in future growth, production improvements and in renewable energy.
Wind and solar projects use natural energy, so there are no fuel costs. The recurring annual costs for land rental, insurance, operations and maintenance are all contracted up front and so are predictable. The capital cost of the renewable energy
project can be forward-fixed over many years with a structured loan.
Because the costs are contracted, over the course of any financial year they are highly predictable. If output drops in a poor year, the cost of each unit of electricity generated will increase by a small amount. Similarly in a good year, the cost drops, again by a small amount.
PREDICTABLE, LOW-COST AND LOW-CARBON
The impact of intermittency is often exaggerated and should not be used to hold back investment in in-house renewable energy. The intermittent nature of wind and solar is easy to overcome by over-sizing renewable generation and using storage, while always maintaining grid connection for back-up and exports.
Power from wind and solar is the lowest cost, lowest emission generating energy option available to businesses. It provides the most predictable cost over the near, medium and long term as all of its costs can be contracted and controlled, to alleviate investment anxiety for businesses that want to reduce their carbon footprint significantly. The output from renewables can be used for power, heat and transport.
Owning the means of energy production gives companies control over their energy supply, security and costs: boosting profits, providing essential energy security, and having a genuine plan to deliver on net zero goals. https://www.peprenewables.com/
HOW OPTIMISING SOLAR CAN HELP US ALL
Daniel Cross, Senor Director of Load Forecasting, POWWR
Arecent study found that the sunniest place on earth is on a large plain near the Andes Mountains in Chile, which can see as much sun as Venus. Even on average, the solar irradiance on the plateau is around 308 watts per square meter, meaning that the solar energy potential in the region is roughly twice as high than in Central Europe. However, whether someone is based in Chile or Chichester, they are likely increasingly looking to the skies as a source of power as traditional fossil fuels continue to be phased out.
Solar has gathered momentum as a key power source in the past decade. Partly, this is due to advancements in solar technology and partly this is due to supportive government policies. Its popularity has also been buoyed by the decreasing costs of solar installations, and increasing awareness of the environmental benefits. Plus, there has been the significant advancements in battery technology.
BETTER BATTERIES
One of the key areas of improvement in batteries has been in energy density. Modern lithium-ion batteries have far better energy density than in the past, allowing for longer-lasting batteries in smaller, lighter packages. Another key area of improvement has been in charging speed. Innovations in battery chemistry and thermal management are enabling much faster charging times. In fact, some new technologies allow batteries to reach 80% charge in as little as 15 minutes.
In addition, modern solar batteries have a longer lifespan, less degradation, are safer and often have in-built smart battery management systems (BMS) that can monitor battery health, optimise charging and discharging cycles, and predict potential failures.
LEVELLING THE GRID
Enhancements in battery technology is timely. Increasingly volatile extreme weather patterns, data centres required
to power the new era of artificial intelligence, population increases in urban areas, and the popularity of electric vehicles are all putting more load on the power grid than ever before.
Advancements in battery technology have paved the way for batteries to play a crucial role in a wide range in largescale renewable energy storage and, therefore, grid stabilisation. Not only are enhanced battery technologies being integrated into the grid to store energy from renewable sources such as solar to smooth out supply fluctuations. But those being used in public sector solar power systems allow the storing of solar energy for use at night or other times when the sun is no longer reaching the panels. Plus, such efficient battery storage has made it easier for to push excess energy back to the grid at opportune times.
MAXIMISING EFFICIENCY
Whether a public sector building gets 12 hours of sunlight a day or 12 minutes, maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of the solar energy system is imperative. The first key aspect of solar optimisation is, unsurprising, ensuring that the angle and direction of the solar panels are adjusted to capture the most sunlight. This means orienting the panels towards the equator and tilting them at an angle that maximises exposure to the sun. Using tracking systems to follow the sun’s path from east to west during the day can make them even more effective. Do make sure that solar panels are placed where they will not be shaded by trees, buildings, or other
obstructions throughout the day. Using advanced photovoltaic technology to increase the conversion rate of sunlight to electricity can also help. As can regular cleaning of the panels to remove dirt and debris that would otherwise reduce their efficiency. There are several ways that technology can help too. Software and Internet of Things (IoT) devices can be used to monitor and track the performance of solar systems in real time. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can be used to analyse huge data sets on weather conditions and average cloud coverage to ensure that an end user gets the most out of their system. Finally, data analytics can be used to predict and prevent potential issues before they impact system performance.
JOURNEY TO A RENEWABLE FUTURE
Another important component is the energy industry itself. Whilst government incentives are welcome, it is also important that suppliers reward those who embark upon a journey towards a renewable future. Energy suppliers need to do all they can to encourage the public sector to use their batteries effectively so that any excess energy produced can find its way back to the grid. After all, it is a win, win. In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, the more that can help with energy production, the more consistent energy supply will be for all. https://www.powwr.com/
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You will gain access to 15 accredited renewable energy and energy efficiency training courses designed to further your career in the sector.
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HOW HEALTHY ARE YOUR HEAT NETWORK METERS?
Emily Lister, Sales & Marketing Director at Insite Energy.
When we think about heat network energy efficiency, household meters are not generally the first things that comes to mind. However, correctly operating heat meters are a crucial component of a well-functioning heat network system. Not only do they help ensure residents are fairly and transparently billed, in line with regulations, but they can also play a
vital role in monitoring overall system performance and pinpointing faults, thereby reducing operating costs.
The term ‘meter health’ refers to a meter’s overall condition, which in turn directly affects its ability to provide accurate and regular automatic meter readings (AMR and connect to metering systems). As well as giving more precise information, healthy meters are less likely to fail and incur additional costs. This ultimately benefits residents by keeping tariffs lower.
METER HEALTH PROBLEMS
Unhealthy meters, meanwhile, can give inaccurate data, stop communicating with the billing platform or cease functioning altogether, causing billing issues that are difficult to resolve retrospectively. These include overcharging residents on the one hand,
leading to disputes and dissatisfaction, or under-recovering costs on the other, causing potentially serious cash-flow problems for property managers that act as energy suppliers and operators.
Faulty meters can also cause operators to miss or misdiagnose equipment failures, leading to operational inefficiencies and higher maintenance costs.
To protect consumers from these types of difficulties, Ofgem is putting in place stringent metering requirements for heat networks when it takes over as regulator for the sector next year. Smart meters will need to be installed in almost all cases and, as well as meeting specific accuracy standards, all meters will need to undergo timely repairs. Non-compliance may lead to fines and other penalties for energy suppliers, not to mention public censure and possible reputational harm.
HEAT NETWORKS
SAVINGS AND SATISFACTION
For all these reasons, every energy management plan should include clear-cut strategies for ensuring and maintaining meter health. This is not only good practice but leads to very tangible real-world benefits.
In one recent example at a London housing association, implementing a proactive meter maintenance strategy across 4,807 homes saw the number of bills based on accurate readings increase by a remarkable 117% in 12 months. At the same time, costs went down by around £75,000 and resident satisfaction improved.
These impressive results were achieved even with a diverse portfolio of meters of different ages and from different manufacturers, as well as a variety of different types of housing tenures. We were helped by the fact that, as the incumbent metering & billing provider, we had access to customer and system information, allowing us to quickly schedule and manage customer appointments, ensuring a smooth process all round. This successful programme is currently being rolled out across a further 2,857 homes.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR METER HEALTH
So, it’s clear why meter health is so important. But what practical, cost-saving steps should you take to optimise your meters and obtain these kinds of benefits?
• Consider installing remotemonitoring software to identify unhealthy meters and diagnose the cause of the problem. This should also enable you to investigate whether the issue can even be resolved remotely, avoiding a lot of unnecessary house calls, and making for a speedy ROI. Your metering & billing or maintenance provider may be able to help with this.
• Communicate with residents about the process, emphasising the cost savings and other benefits that stand to be realised. This will help your maintenance team to gain access when callouts are needed. Wherever possible, batch meters that need maintenance together to make the best use of engineers’ time.
• Continuously monitor the functioning of your heat network through data from meters and sensors across the system to maintain meter health and promptly address potential issues. A problem on the network may indicate a problem with a meter, and vice versa.
• Prioritise meter repairs for cost reduction based on data-driven insights.
• The best approach is to invest in a holistic meter maintenance contract comprising robust service level agreements (SLAs) and consistent monitoring programmes to spot, prevent and rectify issues
proactively – before they become expensive headaches. As well as improving your meter health, this gives a degree of certainty around future costs and service provision, which benefits residents and property managers alike.
Remember, meter maintenance isn’t just about keeping the hardware running; it’s about ensuring residents’ bills reflect their actual usage, reducing operational costs, ensuring regulatory compliance and improving customer satisfaction. Effective planning and a targeted approach are essential to make all that happen.
https://insite-energy.co.uk/business
This is easier to do when there’s a regular maintenance regime in place.
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