Objective 6: Implementing net zero carbon capital development
Improving our buildings helps us to make progress towards our net zero targets. This is for new buildings, for refurbishments and from disinvesting in older, less energy efficient buildings. This year the Poole Gateway Building achieved its final BREEAM certificate of “Excellent” with a score of 75.5% in May 2021. We also achieved BREEAM ratings of “Excellent” for the refurbishments of Studland House and “Very Good” for Christchurch House. These achievements show that the Capital Development across BU continues to meet the requirements of its commitments within the Sustainable Construction Policy of achieving as a minimum BREEAM Excellent and EPC A for all new capital developments and Very Good for refurbishments of over £1 million. Investments continued within new developments for low and zero carbon and nature-based solutions for Bournemouth Gateway Building. Some of the systems used include the installation of solar PV panels producing clean renewable electricity onsite. The use of Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) generating renewable heat onsite that is used throughout the building. Buildings are also designed with operational energy use and carbon emissions in mind. Each project was assessed using the CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) TM54 method to understand the predicted energy use of the building. This helped to enable design and operational changes that could help reduce the emissions impact of these decisions in a quantifiable approach. An example of embedding nature-based solutions within these projects is also considered, with the inclusion of rainwater harvesting systems which is used throughout the building for flushing toilets and irrigation points. (See objective 3).
Studland House Work continues with the refurbishment of Studland House with the target of achieving BREEAM Very Good. The project has replaced the old heating network with new layout which allows better control of heating throughout the building. This will save energy and carbon as well as improving thermal comfort. The Building Management controls have been upgraded to improve the system operation. Further metering has been added to enable BU to better understand and control energy usage throughout the building. Lighting has also been reused or replaced with LED lights and improved controls to reduce energy usage throughout the project.
27
