New Products

For further information on products and services visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter the appropriate online enquiry number

Smart solution embedded in luminaires

Sylvania has introduced SylSmart Connected Building, a smart lighting solution for new build and retrofit in indoor commercial applications.

Unlike traditional control systems, SylSmart Connected Building embeds intelligence in each luminaire. This contrasts with most lighting control systems which are based on a centralised system architecture which can result in a single point of failure then affecting the whole system. SylSmart Connected Building has no central controller, operating in a decentralised way. This avoids a local problem causing a complete system shutdown.

The system uses Qualified Bluetooth mesh and smart sensors within Sylvania luminaires. This solution is ideally suited for control, monitoring, and automation systems where tens, hundreds, or thousands of devices need to communicate with one another reliably and securely. Sylvania is working on this initiative with Technology Partner Silvair, a leading contributor to the development of the Bluetooth mesh standard. Retrofit of SylSmart Connected Building luminaires is simple – no additional wiring is required just a simple swap-out. Traditional luminaires can be easily replaced with highly efficient, controlled, SylSmart-enabled fixture. Each luminaire contains a motion sensor providing precise control and optimum comfort to occupants. The SylSmart Connected Building system also provides maximum flexibility if the layout and demands of the office space is changed. Digital floor plans and configurations can be created off-site via a web-based platform. On-site implementation is accelerated with an intuitive mobile app, minimising disruption, and ensuring the security and reliability of the system. This app also supports regular maintenance with no in-depth training required. ONLINE ENQUIRY 107

Pressurisation questions answered online

Spirotech has launched an easy-to-use online selection tool to help installers and engineers with questions around pressurisation and which products to choose.

The tool focuses on the company’s SpiroPress range, with numerous possibilities in respect of system design, helping ensure the right solution is selected so that systems can be kept running at their best while minimising the need for maintenance.

Rob Jacques, Spirotech’s national key accounts and technical sales manager, said: “Solving pressurisation issues in complex heating and cooling systems can be a real headache for installers and engineers.

“Most problems within HVAC systems are closely related to air being introduced into the system as a result of poor pressurisation.

“A badly designed, installed or maintained pressurisation system can lead to negative pressures around the circuit. Air is drawn in through automatic air vents, gaskets and micro leaks and water may be emitted through pressure relief valves, leading to frequent refilling.

“There might be many possible solutions depending on the system design, but how do installers select the one that’s best to keep a particular system running at its best, while keeping costs down? “In just a few steps, it guides the installer or engineer to the most suitable solutions, including product specs, and with one click the product information can be saved on a computer or sent via email. ONLINE ENQUIRY 109

Turnkey solution to cutting lighting costs

Thorn Lighting has launched the Energy Service Solution to help customers as a complete turnkey solution to reduce lighting costs. Rising energy costs and increasing pressures to reduce energy consumption are making the need to become energy efficient more of a strategic necessity than an option for the environmentally conscious.

Dedicated to auditing, designing, supplying, installing, and maintaining energy efficient lighting systems as a full turnkey package, Energy Service Solutions is intended to be a hassle-free service for customers across all industry sectors. Planning a lighting scheme and incorporating the most energy efficient products, like the latest LED luminaires, can yield significant savings, reduced maintenance intervals and minimal interruption for the foreseeable future. By using automatic controls which take advantage of natural sources of light and presence detection, the luminaires are only on when needed.

An optimised correctly adapted lighting control system could help reduce energy consumption by up to 82 per cent by the efficient application with the use of a daylight-, presence- and time-based lighting control system. ONLINE ENQUIRY 108

Expansion of range of condensing units

Panasonic is expanding its range of environmentally friendly CO2 condensing units for commercial applications with the introduction of its medium-sized unit with a cooling capacity of 7.5 kW (medium temperature).

The latest addition to the efficient CO2 condensing unit line-up joins the existing larger 16kW and smaller 4kW units. Like its larger counterpart, the medium sized unit also has a heat recovery connecting port.

The CO2 condensing units offer energy savings for commercial users by utilising CO2 natural refrigerant and offers low noise levels at 35.5dB(A) (at 10m), ideal when displaying chilled and frozen goods in customer areas. The units can be installed in a variety of applications, such as for showcases in supermarkets, convenient stores, and petrol stations, as well as in cold rooms to keep food fresh and safe such as in hotels, schools and hospitals. The new capacity is compatible with Panasonic’s CO2 Refrigeration Designer - an online calculator designed to ensure the best solutions and results are achieved and eliminate calculation errors. The latest software updates introduce the new 4HP (MT) unit in the calculation and contains EU Declaration of Conformity documents. It also facilitates the design process and improves user-friendliness. In addition, the cooling capacity range for extended outdoor ambient conditions and the evaporating temperature conditions have been enlarged.

New Products

For further information on products and services visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter the appropriate online enquiry number

4G connectivity for improved BMS access

A 4G connectivity pack which enables a reliable and secure internet connection to Priva building management systems is now available in the UK.

This latest launch from building automation company Priva, will be welcomed by users who struggle to manage building services on sites where there is no internet connection. With the Priva Connectivity Pack 4G, connection to a BMS can be established quickly and simply. The inclusion of two external antennas ensures optimum signal reception and data transfer speed.

The pack is completely ‘plug and play’ and is supplied with a router and an activated SIM card so that it works straight out of the box. It is designed to connect automatically to the most suitable network (EU roaming automatically establishes a connection to the most suitable network in range). Just like Priva’s other online applications, the 4G Pack is updated automatically.

The hardware supplied with the pack – which includes a router with DIN rail mounting clip; an ethernet cable; a power supply adaptor and two antennas; plus the activated SIM card - is durable and rugged to ensure maximum reliability. If, for any reason any part of the pack fails, Priva will send a replacement component free of charge.

The Priva Connectivity Pack is available to Priva’s network of Partners and end-user customers on an annual subscription; users simply pay a fixed amount per month for the 4GB data bundle. The price is based on fair use - which means there is no issue for those who occasionally exceed the data limit. ONLINE ENQUIRY 105

Presence detectors use Casambi

CP Electronics is launching a new range of PIR presence detectors that provide a wireless solution for a variety of applications, all utilising Casambi technology. The detectors also incorporate relay and DALI output control, as well as presence and lux sensing.

Casambi provides state-of-the-art wireless technology that enables smartphones, tablets and even smart watches to become lighting controllers. This lighting control technology is integrated into luminaires and control devices to create a highly functional wireless lighting control solution with minimal cost and installation effort. The distributed and symmetric architecture allows any unit to go offline and catch up from others when they return back online. This control solution is powered through the Casambi App on iOS and Android devices.

The CP Electronics range includes three detector options (Compact, Mid-Range and High Bay) that offer a solution to a variety of installations: • the Compact detectors are low profile IP40 rated, ceiling flush mounted units that offer 360 degree detection in typical 2.8m ceiling heights; • the Mid-Range detectors are ideal for larger office areas and incorporate concentric lens facets to provide detection for open plan spaces; and • the High Bay detectors have been designed for lighting control in areas with demanding spaces and increased mounting heights.

The CP Electronics Casambi series of detectors incorporate smart automatic joining to mesh network on power up; thus removing single point of network failure, plus rugged de-centralised control, full flexibility to group or re-group and configure advance daylight and occupancy and time control regimes.

ONLINE ENQUIRY 111

Chillers provide solution for hospitals, universities

Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new Climaveneta-branded NX2 range of air source scroll chillers, expanding the NX2 family and offering improved energy efficiency and sustainability.

As a plug-and-play solution with low noise levels the chillers are the ideal solution for HVAC plants within hotels, offices, leisure centres, hospitals, and universities.

The new chillers complete the NX2 range, offering a two and four scroll compressor version with a capacity range from 40 to 376kW.

Both options are available with the lower-GWP R454B refrigerant, ensuring high levels of energy efficiency alongside quality comfort cooling, as well as R410A. The complete range is Eurovent certified and far exceeds the minimum seasonal efficiency level of 2021 imposed by EcoDesign Directive.

The systems have been designed for perfect acoustic wellbeing, and operate at lower noise levels than the previous range, helping them to achieve one of the best sound power levels in the market, while maintaining the same performance and footprint as the standard acoustic version.

They are also designed with high levels of seasonal efficiency in mind, and achieve excellent SEER values that are over 11 per cent higher than the previous range. These values could be boosted by selecting the optional UP kit (Ultra Performance kit), achieving top efficiency levels on the market.

The new ranges are also equipped with additional state-of-the-art options, including optional smart controls such as night mode, which brings sound levels to a minimum by reducing resource activity during low load periods, and leak detection. ONLINE ENQUIRY 106

Charlie Mowbray is product manager at Ideal Heating Commercial Division

Heating Technology

For further information on Ideal Heating Commercial Division visitwww.eibi.co.uk/enquiriesand enter ENQUIRY No. 143

Protect, separate and treat

Charlie Mowbray looks at how the whole system needs to be considered to ensure optimum performance W hen installing condensing commercial boilers, it is vital to think in terms of the provided the plate heat exchanger is specified correctly, the two systems can operate at different pressures, or the fluid within the secondary system could be a process or food whole system and ensuring you get grade fluid that could not be heated the most out of it. After all, high directly by a boiler. efficiency boilers are only as good as Something to take into the system they are installed within. consideration when looking to install For example, it is counterproductive a plate heat exchanger would be to install new boilers onto an old the heat transfer capacity and the system that is contaminated with temperature profiles on each side of debris and dirt. So-called dirty water the plate. These parameters will have is an inevitable consequence of an a direct impact on how effectively the aging system but if it is circulated plate heat exchanger will function, through a new boiler it could affect A plate heat exchanger therefore the plate will need to be its ability to run efficiently and can needs to be accurately accurately sized prior to installation lead to boiler breakdowns and even sized prior to installation to achieve and maintain these early failure. parameters.

Within the UK’s commercial By hydraulically separating the other particles to fall out of the flow Plate heat exchangers are typically heating industry, due to the maturity boiler from a secondary system a low and they collect at the bottom of the offered in two types, gasketed of the market, older open vented loss header adds a huge benefit to an low loss header for safe removal via a and brazed. gasketed plate heat systems are relatively common. This installation. The boiler can operate drain valve. exchangers comprise a series of can mean that there are pollutants independently to a system where the plates fitted with elastomeric in that system that present a risk to load is likely to be variable and the Capturing magnetite particles gaskets which are retained in a the new boilers. When retrofitting operating range for the system may Another approach would be the use frame whereas brazed plate heat new boilers onto older buildings the not be ideally suited to the boiler. For of a magnetic low loss header which exchangers eliminate the gasketed main threat can be caused by the the boiler, if it was installed directly combines the benefits of a low loss joints, allowing for higher design sludge and dirt that has accumulated to the system pipework, a variable header with the addition of a magnet pressures and temperatures. in the system often as a result of flow rate may lead to minimum inside it, capturing the magnetite While protecting and separating oxygenation. flow rates for the boiler not being particles as well. the installation mechanically will

Within the boiler heat exchanger maintained. The advantage of installing a plate help the boilers to reach their full waterways any contamination Not only can low loss headers help heat exchanger onto a system is that potential it makes sense to treat such as limescale, system dirt and the boiler and system to work well they do more than simply protect the water within the systems to magnetite can result in hard residue together, they can help preserve the the boilers from potentially poor ensure all parts of the installation on the heat exchange surfaces. working life of the boilers. As the in quality water. The boiler circuit are chemically protected as well. This can reduce the heat exchange flow rate through the low loss header and secondary circuit can operate Protection and separation are capacity and affect the output of the is very slow it allows entrained dirt or at different temperature profiles crucial with retrofit installations in boiler and therefore the system. commercial settings; however they

Protection or separation can could be redundant if the water is left sometimes be taken out of tender untreated. proposals to reduce on initial Fresh untreated water used to installation cost. This is a potentially initially fill a system can contain risky move when considering the oxygen and other compounds that long-term operation of the system. if left untreated would present a

To ensure that a boiler’s longevity risk to the longevity and efficiency is maintained we encourage of the system. Cleansing the system installers to consider system prior to installation and suitable protection and separation. Doing post installation water treatment is this helps add protection to the considered as good practice. internal parts from corrosion and Obviously modern boilers and built-up of scale over time. There are systems can comprise a number of a number of methods that can be different materials, so always seek used to address this such as; filters the advice of a competent water or strainers, air and dirt separators, treatment specialist to ensure that low loss headers, magnetic low loss Low loss headers can help the boiler and system work well together the appropriate chemicals in the headers and plate heat exchangers. correct concentrations are used. 

Monitoring & Metering

For further information on Prefect Controls visitwww.eibi.co.uk/enquiriesand enter ENQUIRY No. 133

Adrian Barber is marketing manager at Prefect Controls

The balance of power

Balancing demand is going to be a key weapon in future heating policy for the UK’s commercial buildings, believes Adrian Barber

There appears to be some confusion as to what the UK Government’s position is on the phasing out of fossil fuel-fired boilers. The Clean Growth Strategy launched in 2017 proposed plans to stop the installation of oil or coal heating systems from the mid 2020s where gas isn’t available, and to Improve standards on the 1.2m new boilers installed every year in England. Philip Hammond, the then Chancellor, announced in his spring statement of that year: “We will introduce a Future Homes Standard, mandating the end of fossil-fuel heating systems in all new houses from 2025.” He may have been quoting the Committee on Climate Change which recommended that new homes and commercial premises from 2025 should not be connected to the gas network and that by 2035 installation of gas boilers be phased out. The committee also recommended that the government concentrates on several other issues including lowcarbon retrofits, energy networks and green infrastructure.

However, there is no reference to a fossil fuel ban, in the Government’s own summary of the Spring Statement. Instead, there is a commitment to, “future-proofing new-build homes with low-carbon heating and world leading levels of energy efficiency”. At the time of writing, mid-December 2020, a further news release announced a ‘mix up’ when 2023 as a pledge to ban gas boilers from new homes from Boris Johnson was withdrawn from the Downing Street website.

So, since 2012 the timescale quoted has ranged from 2023, through 2035 right up to 2050 when the UK is committed to bringing all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero!

Whatever the timescales, it can be assumed that any such heating policy will also be applied to commercial buildings such as the UK student accommodation estate which currently comprises over 660,000 rooms.

Plan the transformation The largest single source of carbon emissions, responsible for more than one-third of the total, is space heating. Although student accommodation is only a relatively small number, compared with 29m homes, owners and providers should begin planning the transformation of their old stock by switching from fossil-fuelled boilers towards low-carbon heating sources. This will help with decarbonisation and, as importantly, maximise their effective use of energy.

One of the hurdles that such upgrades will face is electricity supply. Accommodation that was built in the 70s and 80s with a reliance on fossil fuels for heating will have an electricity supply that, at the time, was adequate for powering the lights, kitchen equipment and power sockets. But roll on 30-40 years, and the cost of upgrading the supply to run a fully electrical heating system could prove inhibitive.

The benefits of new technologies and cleaner, greener energy make controllable electric heating systems more attractive than on/off wet systems. But the additional electrical load this will place on supply must be a consideration that is taken seriously before a refit is given the green light.

Estimating the maximum demand for electricity in a building is an important calculation from both an operational and an energy efficiency perspective. This is a particular issue if a building is being re-purposed or major renovations are afoot.

Heat loss calculations will indicate the size of heaters required for each zone, but what if this adds up to a greater draw, than the building’s electricity supply can manage?

A second consideration is procurement. Organisations that are big consumers of electricity will negotiate their tariff directly with their energy provider. Estimating their usage is a balancing act – if they estimate too much they will be paying for unused capacity, too little and they face penalties for going over the agreed limits – in much the same way one predicts annual mileage when negotiating the monthly payments on a new car. Metering will provide the total consumption of power but, it is a blunt instrument when it comes to calculating the ebb and flow of demand.

Prefect Controls have overcome this conundrum with software they have developed and integrated with Irus – their central control heating system designed specifically for student accommodation.

It is unlikely that all electrical equipment i.e. heaters, cookers, lights etc. will be in use simultaneously. However, Irus steps in if demand rises unusually. Irus is able to use line metering data to calculate the total demand for the site. Nodes connected to each panel heater and water tank communicate with the central control unit. Energy managers access data through the web-based portal and they can adjust parameters accordingly. This provides complete control over room temperatures and water heating. Irus will automatically lower power input to non-essential heaters, such as those in corridors or stairwells and water tanks - or switch them off completely, if the pre-set maximum demand limit is being reached.

This technology means sites that previously were unsuitable for electric heating can now benefit from the efficiencies of appropriately sized panel heaters without the need for huge investment in a power supply upgrade.

Once again this proves that smart use of energy control provides efficiencies that are far beyond simply using less, but by balancing the demand to ensure supply is used effectively. 

Metering & Monitoring

For further information on products and services visit www.eibi.co.uk/ enquiries and enter the appropriate online enquiry number

Dashboard helps provide customers with holistic view

Systems integrator, BMSI is making available MediCentre, a remote technical centre, which is enabling the company to offer a tailored package for clients.

The package provides a full lifecycle service that creates a holistic view of customers’ energy efficiency, focussing on the acquisition, analysis and presentation of energy and BEMS control data from a wide variety of sources, using its software platform, MEDIC.

“The beauty of the Medic dashboard is that it features a customisable interactive display for viewing metering, energy, weather, wellbeing and BEMS information, all on one place,” says Steve Culshaw, MediCentre Manager. “Online access to MEDIC means that you don’t need to download, store and manage PC-based software, or have a dedicated PC. This enables our customers to have 360o visibility and real-time analysis of their data like never before, helping businesses to lower their operational costs and be mindful of creating a sustainable business model for the future.”

MEDIC can be used to manage and analyse data, build and schedule reports and configure notifications. It’s a flexible, scalable solution, suitable for multi-site, multiutility, corporate customers as well as standalone, single-site installations.

The Macallan Distillery in Moray, Scotland, has been utilising MEDIC to deliver a blended support maintenance service of onsite and remote PPM with a focus on resilience around reactive issues supported by a 24/7 callout facility. This allows data streams to be hosted in one place, giving an accurate, 360o view and analysis of the building that is able to inform key business decisions and protect against possible future-faults in real-time.

The Remote PPM preview report provides the client with a smart-based solution to deliver cost effective maintenance and energy optimisation. This enables BMSI to profile this data, analyse the performance of the building and include analysis on control loop performance, fault prediction and issue correlations. ONLINE ENQUIRY 135

eibi.co.uk/enquiries Enter 6

Monitoring & Metering

For further information on eSight Energy visitwww.eibi.co.uk/enquiriesand enter ENQUIRY No. 134

Janie Jeffries-Freer is CEO at eSight Energy

Achieving efficient monitoring

There are four key steps to be taken to achieve efficient building monitoring. Janie Jeffries-Freer examines a strategy to move from setting objectives right through to fine tuning your estate Every organisation is keen to cut the energy costs of the buildings they operate – but few actually have monitoring tools and large and very complex report. But to effectively achieve efficient energy monitoring for your commercial building, you need to focus on the energy infrastructure in place to facilitate metrics that matter. Prioritise the the delivery of information that metrics that can be utilised by will enable them to do so. your business to help meet energy

At most they know how much policies and objectives, as well they spend and what energy they as improve energy performance, use but beyond that, little else rather than those that only show is considered. The intricacies of the current state of the building energy usage, overall performance but offer no insight to how you got and energy productivity never there or what to do next. come up. For example, reporting on

For any organisation looking things like cost per unit of energy, to cut the energy costs of its energy productivity or total commercial building(s), the first energy consumption across your step is to understand how much commercial buildings, will provide energy is being used – in essence, The first step in reducing energy costs is to begin building an energy monitoring strategy a better understanding of overall having an energy monitoring performance across the enterprise efficient LED lighting, across a few energy performance. strategy. is vital. Most organisations have buildings to see if it reduces energy As you continue to compile more

But how can organisations solutions in place to capture consumption. actionable reports more and more achieve efficient building energy energy data but are those solutions The result is lower upfront people will buy into the process monitoring? What needs to be connected to provide an end-to-end expenditure (as the plan is only and support driving down energy done? There are four key steps view of energy consumption across applied to a few buildings) and consumption. to achieve efficient energy the enterprise? rapid identification of what works. monitoring. At this juncture, some form of As you continue to improve Step 4: Determine the correct energy management software and complete your plan, utilising approach

Step 1: Create energy policies (EMS) to connect data points the data obtained from your test There is no one-size-fits-all and objectives across the enterprise and energy sites, you can deploy the finished approach to effective energy

Before the implementation conservation measures (ECMs) plan across the other commercial monitoring. What works for one of any kind of holistic energy must be put in place to help buildings using a ‘lift and shift’ building might not necessarily be management software, you provide enterprise-wide visibility model. This systematic and applicable to another. For example, need to first set detailed energy- and reduce energy consumption. scalable approach will allow rapid a small organisation operating just saving policies and objectives to replication of the positive results a single commercial building might determine a plan for improving Step 2: Implement your plan achieved at the test sites, as well as want to quickly deploy energy energy performance across the The next step in achieving efficient creating building benchmarks to conservation measures as a shortspecified commercial buildings. building energy monitoring is essentially compare your buildings term strategy, whereas a large

What does the organisation implementing a plan based on the relative to others. organisation operating multiple want to achieve? Reduce energy policies and objectives – but rather commercial buildings might want consumption by 3-5 per cent than applying it across all of your Step 3: Develop actionable to use one of its buildings as a test year on year? Improve energy commercial buildings at the offset, reports site, deploying several energyproductivity by 5-10 per cent run a test phase or ‘pilot’ scheme When it comes to your building’s saving measures, to see what works by 2021/22? Outlining and across a few buildings. energy monitoring and reporting and if the strategy can be used at documenting aims and objectives Think of it as a trial run. Use it as – it’s vital to report on the most other sites over the long term. will ensure that energy managers, an opportunity to determine just valuable and actionable metrics to What’s important, however, is directors and stakeholders are how effective the energy reduction the business. The problem is that to determine the approach that aware of the objectives and are and performance improvement while most organisations have best fits with your organisation’s held accountable. plans are and whether your energy data loggers and systems across requirements, resource, budget,

Having agreed on the energy saving policies and objectives are commercial buildings to capture and the needs of your commercial policies and objectives, you can feasible. energy usage, performance and building. All of these elements then devise a plan to achieve these For example, implement energy consumption data – instead of are key in any successful energy targets. Of course, before deploying conservation measures, such as filtering the information and management or energy saving the plan of action, understanding replacing the building’s traditional extracting the most actionable project, so it’s vital that you energy consumption and lighting system with more energy- parts, it is all compiled into a single consider them equally. 

eibi.co.uk/enquiries Enter 7

Metering & Monitoring

For further information on products and services visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter the appropriate online enquiry number

Compact, lightweight heat meter

The Superstatic 789 Heat Meter is one of the latest editions to the Sontex range. Distributed in the UK by DMS Metering Solutions, the meter offers a composite meter body, providing high accuracy while remaining compact and lightweight and providing a financially beneficial alternative to the usual brass body. The lightweight construction and lower costs add to the list of benefits that all Superstatic Meters carry. The 789s use the Fluid Oscillation Measuring Principle and have been tested to meet the requirements for MID Class 2. The 789s are available in sizes QP1.5 15mm, QP1.5 20mm, and QP2.5 20mm (15-20mm) and are battery powered with a lifespan of six or 12 years.

The Sontex Superstatic 789 is suitable for both domestic and commercial installations, and can also be used for RHI and billing applications. The temperature range covered is -5oC to 90oC.

Four communication outputs are available- M-Bus, pulsed, radio, and wireless M-Bus. ONLINE ENQUIRY 136

Flow meter sizes complex boiler plant

A specialist provider of electrical and mechanical engineering services to the commercial, industrial, and public sectors in the south west recently use a Micronics flowmeter to measure the flow of water through a pipe for a multinational manufacturing company. A requirement was to not have to shut the plant down by tapping into the pipe. A design consultant recommended Micronics flowmeters to James McGinty, director of Plymouth-based Drew & Company. He felt that the ease of installation and the maintenance and service benefits delivered by this non-contact technology would be ideal for his immediate requirements. “We were able to hire the Micronics Portaflow 330 and found that it performed perfectly. It did everything we wanted and enabled us to correctly size some complex boiler plant.” The specialist Micronics product, used for clean liquid monitoring, with its integral logger and software and non-invasive measurement represented significant savings on installation costs and less disruption than when installing an alternative in-line meter. The Micronics clamp-on flowmeter for liquids is portable and easy to use and offers continuity and long term reliability. It is robustly constructed and provides a quick and reliable means of measuring flow accurately. ONLINE ENQUIRY 137

MWA offer a 5 year warranty

Nick Kennedy is operations director at Kingspan Energy

Energy in the Public Sector

For further information on Kingspan Energy visitwww.eibi.co.uk/enquiriesand enter ENQUIRY No. 138

Getting the net-zero treatment

As much as 20 per cent of energy used in hospitals is wasted. Nick Kennedy believes that it is the right time to give hospitals more support in achieving carbon reductions

Even in more normal times, hospitals must function 24/7 across the year and will be constantly running a diversity of energy intensive equipment. At the same time, many of the buildings are outdated and poorly insulated, increasing their energy demand and potentially presenting health and wellbeing risks to patients and staff. As the

UK moves towards a net-zero built environment – supporting NHS

Trusts in upgrading their facilities should be our highest priority.

The NHS is estimated to spend over £500m per year on energy in England alone, with major uses including building services, medical tools,

IT services and catering. Research suggests that as much as 20 per cent of this energy use is wasted1. This ongoing loss ultimately limits the ability of Trusts to focus investment in other key areas.

This issue is not unique to the

NHS. A report from ARUP estimated that if the global healthcare industry were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter of carbon2. Here in the UK, progress has been made to reduce carbon intensity and energy demand. In Scotland and England, for example, emissions have fallen by 26.9 per cent3 and 18.5 per cent4 respectively since 2007. Despite this, the NHS is still estimated to account for around 5.5 per cent of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions2 .

Steps are now underway to accelerate progress in this area.

Earlier this year, NHS England’s

Sustainable Development Unit sent out a call for evidence to help it to develop a plan to reach net-zero emissions “at the earliest possible point”. The expert panel of climate and healthcare specialists received over 600 pieces of evidence and are expected to publish their interim report this June5 .

Addressing the energy performance of NHS facilities can be expected to be a central focus within the expert report. A dizzying array of options are available to NHS

Hospitals present some of the most significant challenges when it comes to reaching net-zero targets

Trusts which can make it difficult for facilities managers to know where to invest first. The whole building approach taken within PAS 2035 provides a useful starting point. While this specification has been developed to guide energy improvements to homes, many of its recommendations are just as applicable to the healthcare sector.

Di erent challenges Central to the whole building approach is the acknowledgement that all properties present different challenges (whether it be the construction, condition, location, orientation etc) and that measures need to be selected as part of a cohesive response to these specific factors. PAS 2035 also highlights the need to carefully phase work to achieve the best results as changes in one area may impact others.

Building Energy Modelling (BEM) can help to inform these processes, both on new builds and refurbishments, allowing designs to be tweaked to achieve optimal performance and scheduling.

For many healthcare buildings, improvements to the building fabric will also provide considerable benefits. Modular approaches, such as insulated panels, can help to achieve this with limited disruption to hospital operations. Combining a metal façade, insulation and waterproofing in a single component, their highly insulated core and airtight jointing can greatly reduce heat demand and, when combined with an effective ventilation scheme, allow greater control of thermal comfort.

Once a clear plan is in place to limit a facility’s energy consumption, it should be possible to identify suitable onsite generation technologies to offset as much of the remaining demand as possible. In many cases, the large roof spaces of healthcare facilities will provide an ideal location for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.

To get the most from these, it makes sense to work with a supplier who offers tailored design services. Using BEM, they should be able to produce an optimal system configuration, taking into account factors such as potential shading, orientation, system pattern and appropriate battery technologies.

In addition to optimising system performance, suppliers can also help to offset initial costs through a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). A PPA, is a long-term renewable electricity supply agreement between a power producer and an energy consumer. They can take many different forms but typically a third-party developer will design, supply, install, operate and maintain a solar PV system installed on the customer’s property. The customer will purchase the energy generated by the solar PV system often at a reduced energy price for a specified period, offsetting the cost of the installation. At the end of the contract, the system will then usually become wholly owned by the customer.

Hospitals present some of the most significant challenges when it comes to reaching net-zero targets, nevertheless, by adopting a whole building approach and taking advantage of schemes such as PPA, it should be possible to cut energy waste and emissions and create buildings which support staff and patient wellbeing and allow future investment to be focused where it matters most. 

References 1) Energy in the NHS, BRE (https://www. bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=2627) 2) Health care’s climate footprint, ARUP (https://www.arup.com/perspectives/ publications/research/section/healthcaresclimate-footprint) 3) Scotland’s Carbon Footprint 1998-2016, NHS Scotland (https://www.hps.scot. nhs.uk/publications/hps-weekly-report/ volume-53/issue-51/scotlands-carbonfootprint-1998-2016/) 4) Natural Resource Footprint, NHS Sustainable Development Unit (https:// www.sduhealth.org.uk/policy-strategy/ reporting/natural-resource-footprint-2018. aspx) 5) Over 600 responses to call for evidence, NHS Sustainable Development Unit (https://www.sduhealth.org.uk/news/707/ over-600-responses-in-net-zero-call-forevidence/)

Accelerating investment and decarbonisation of the public sector estate

Re:fi t is the framework of choice for the public sector. It enables change to be delivered at scale and pace, supporting you with the preparation and implementation of programmes of energy effi ciency and renewable energy projects. This helps reduce carbon emissions, create income and improve the operational performance of your buildings, whilst helping accelerate the journey towards achieving net-zero.

Co-owned by the Greater London Authority and Local Partnerships, the Re:fi t 4 Energy Performance Contract Framework offers a swift procurement route with an OJEU compliant framework of 16 providers. It is underpinned by a performance guarantee, providing certainty to organisations and de-risking projects, protecting the client and their investment.

As a managed framework, dedicated expert support is provided to all organisations, through every stage of the project. We help minimise

cost and maximise savings and assist in appointing the best contractors for the project.

Local Partnerships is proud to be part of the public sector family. We are a joint venture between the Local Government Association, HM Treasury and the Welsh Government. We work solely for the benefi t of the public sector.

Our experts provide trusted, professional support. We bring public and private sector experience that provides confi dence, capability and capacity, helping public sector organisations achieve sustainable targets and a path to net-zero.

To fi nd out how Rachel and her team can help email rachel.toresen-owuor@ localpartnerships.gov.uk or call on 07825 963 218. If you’re based in London please contact retrofi taccelerator@london.gov.uk

Energy in the Public Sector

For further information on products and services visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter the appropriate online enquiry number

‘Largest ever’ local energy retrofit gets underway

Work is set to get underway on the UK’s largest-ever local energy retrofit project of its kind. 700 homes in Swansea will benefit from the installation of renewable energy, energy storage and smart energy management technology.

The homes, in the Penderry area of Swansea, are owned and managed by Pobl, Wales’ largest provider of affordable housing. The holistic decarbonisation of a whole local community has not been undertaken at this scale before.

Pobl is delivering this transformative retrofit scheme in partnership with renewable energy technology and service supplier, Sero. It is anticipated that the innovative scheme, supported by £3.5m EU funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government, will see the community generate as much as 60 per cent of their total energy requirements, reducing bills as well as carbon emissions by as much 350 tonnes per year.

Sero will install individual or communal batteries for all homes that will harness power generated via linked solar panels, so that renewable energy is generated and can be stored for use by the community. Every home will also have new smart thermostats and intelligent heating controls, managed through Sero’s digital app, to deliver energy bill savings for residents while also balancing demand from the grid so that stored energy is used at peak times.

Sero managing director, James Williams said: “The project will make a compelling case for turning existing housing stock into low carbon, generative homes, creating properly sustainable, connected communities, and cutting energy bills for residents in the process.

“There is huge potential for real environmental gains to be made by taking a strategic and optimised approach to retrofitting our existing homes - to reduce their current 20 per cent contribution to UK carbon emissions. This project will be an early exemplar of how that potential can be realised.” 

ONLINE ENQUIRY 139

Heating for new university building

Following extensive investment, the School of Education building at Liverpool John Moores University is ready to receive new students.

With a 300kW cascade system delivering a turndown ratio of 24:1 addressing the heating load of the building, the users are assured the most energy efficient response to their heating requirements. The boilers are controlled via volt free demand contact by BMS. Radiators around the building are served via the VT (variable temperature) circuit, and the CT (constant temperature) circuit serves the Silox cylinders and additional an air handing unit.

The Nesta Chrome cascade system installed has been configured in linear formation and has been designed to be low profile as standard, optimising plant room space whilst still allowing room for boiler servicing.

The two 600 litre Silox stainless-steel, twin-wall cylinders were sized to supply hot water to the whole building. The twin-wall concept used in the Silox cylinder is a combination of two tanks, one inside of the other. DHW is produced when the heat from the outer primary cylinder is transferred to the inner DHW cylinder, utilising the full surface area of the tank. The Silox 600 litre cylinder has a large heat transfer area of 2.8m² per cylinder, therefore can utilise more heat than a standard coil cylinder, resulting in less boiler cycling reducing boiler wear.  ONLINE ENQUIRY 140

Improved control for university centre

The University of the West of England in Bristol has recently carried out a refurbishment project to improve the control of temperature levels in its exhibition and conference centre.

The plan was to replace two unreliable, variable pitch axial fans which had limited capability to deal with changing temperature levels within the centre. When the centre was fully occupied during a conference and exhibition, the ambient temperature could rise significantly and it would take some time to reduce to more comfortable levels. Conversely, when the centre was occupied by a much smaller number of people, particularly during winter, it would take time to heat up.

The solution was to install an array of Nicotra Gebhardt’s high-efficiency RQM MultiEvo fans (with IE5 permanent magnet motors with integrated drivers), nine on the supply side and nine for extraction. The fans installed on the supply side are capable of providing a duty of 30m³/s at 1,800Pa and are able to achieve a static system efficiency of up to 78 per cent. This is up to 10 per cent more efficient than the next best direct save fan technology available.

The like-for-like energy saving (at full operation) on the supply side is circa 20 per cent. This equates to a static system efficiency (fan) of 76 per cent, unrivalled in the HVAC fan market. The extract side shows savings of 32 per cent. Overall, the replacement fans are projected to deliver energy savings of around £18,000 per annum, compared to the old ones.

Because the ventilation system modulates (via the building management system) according to demand requirements, the RQM MultiEvo fans provide improved energy saving at lower operating levels. This is because of the improved part load efficiency levels of the IE5 motor compared to the existing IE1 motor part load efficiencies.

Mike Kingdon, mechanical engineer for estates and facilities at UWE Bristol, said: “As well as the environmental and financial savings, the replacement project has provided improved reliability, markedly better system resilience and a reduction of noise in the centre’s halls.”  ONLINE ENQUIRY 141