EIBI May/June 2020 by Energy In Buildings & Industry

MAY/JUNE 2020

PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

www.eibi.co.uk

In this issue Hospital & Healthcare Heat Pumps CPD Module: Energy Efficiency Legislation Data Centres

Close examination How universities can reduce energy

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Staying in front Turbulent times ahead for suppliers

Taking aim at viruses Humidity levels help hospitals

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MAY/JUNE 2020

PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

www.eibi.co.uk

In this issue

Contents

www.eibi.co.uk

Hospital & Healthcare Heat Pumps CPD Module: Energy Efficiency Legislation Data Centres

Close examination How universities can reduce energy

Staying in front Turbulent times ahead for suppliers

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Taking aim at viruses Humidity levels help hospitals

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MAY / JUNE 2020

30 FEATURES

10 Hospitals & Healthcare

John Barker examines how the threat from viruses and bacteria can be reduced in care homes and hospitals thanks to the careful maintenance of the relative humidity Paul Brickman explores how hospitals and healthcare facilities can ensure that their back up power systems are reliable should the worst happen (12) There are around 1,277 hospitals in the United Kingdom, all subject to a whole raft of legislation. Sebastian Gray examines the most important to energy managers (14)

22 Energy in Universities

Ian Thomas examines how energy consumption contributes to the high cost of universities’ research facilities and how this might be mitigated

Heat Pump Technology The innovative use of heat pumps will provide heating from waste water to cultivate tomatoes at one of the UK’s largest horticultural projects

Mark McManus discusses decarbonisation and the vital role retrofit heat pumps options could play in achieving the UK’s lofty targets (26)

29 Energy in Data Centres

Dr. Stu Redshaw believes that BMS have their limitations when it comes to data centre monitoring. Operators have alternatives to keep pace with evolving demands Stephen Whatling believes that whatever the shape of the world post COVID-19, the demand for data centres will rise relentlessly. But problems lie ahead (30)

33 Air Handling

The way air handling units (AHUs) are designed and deployed will play a big part in the UK’s campaign to improve the health and wellbeing of building occupants, says James Henley

REGULARS 06 News Update Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors calls for radical action on UK housing stock, while the UK’s refusal to seal climate commitments is a stumbling block in a Brexit deal

09 The Warren Report A new normal will emerge from the coronavirus crisis. There is an opportunity to be grasped to put energy efficiency at the heart of sustainable growth

15 Products in Action A Japanese food wholesaler invests in condenser units for cooling while gas-fired water heaters are installed in schools in South Yorkshire

17 The Fundamental Series: CPD Learning

32 New Products

Owen Jones brings energy managers up to date with the latest legislation affecting the energy efficiency sector including the UK’s plans for an Emissions Trading Scheme and the replacement for the Renewable Heat Incentive

28 ESTA Viewpoint Pioneering projects are helping develop new quality assessment tools for energy performance contracting. Nick Keegan looks at the potential to adapt them to the ‘new normal’

Building specifiers and interior designers are being given greater flexibility over their lighting choices with new integrated LED accent downlights. Meanwhile, a new heating and cooling solution has been launched for the domestic market

34 Talking Heads Predicting the future direction of the UK energy market is tough but Grace Rothery is determined to maintain Gazprom’s position as the UK’s leading gas supplier

Follow us, ‘like us’ or visit us online to keep up to date with all the latest energy news and events www.eibi.co.uk MAY / JUNE 2020 | ENERGY IN BUILDINGS & INDUSTRY | 03

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Editor’s Opinion

New norm, new role

www.eibi.co.uk

The EiBI Team Editorial

’m getting used to working from home. I quite

problems to continue working successfully. And as

like it.” How many times have you heard that

we work from home energy use patterns are changing

from friends and colleagues over the last few

considerably from the norm. It has been estimated that

Managing Editor Mark Thrower tel: 01483 452854 Email: editor@eibi.co.uk Address: P. O. Box 825, Guildford GU4 8WQ

weeks? There really does seem to be a major shift

the average domestic bill has risen by 16 per cent over

Advertising

in attitude to the way we work. The longer we are in

this lockdown period. And it’s likely this will increase

lockdown and the slower things take to get back to

even more in the autumn and winter months if we

normal then it feels more like a new normal. Perhaps

decide that home is the new workplace. Then the

gone are the days when we commute five days a week

energy manager will be the new IT expert. Employees

but instead work from home two or make home our

will be able to communicate with him/her to get advice

new permanent workspace.

on keeping domestic energy under control. It’s quite

Sales Managers Chris Evans tel: 01889 577222 fax: 01889 579177 Email: chris@eibi.co.uk Address: 16-18 Hawkesyard Hall, Armitage Park, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 1PU

Already some companies are planning to abandon their offices when leases expire and allow all employees to work from home. Larger organisations

possible energy managers will have to extend their range of skills and training. And as we slowly move to a post-pandemic world

will be looking to reduce the office space they occupy

what greater opportunity will the Government have

with the knock-on benefit of reduced costs including

to put in place an economic stimulus that builds on

energy. Are we going to see huge areas of office space

the clamour for a green recovery? We have some of

empty and unlettable in the coming years? It will

the most energy inefficient housing in Europe, most of

certainly have a wide range of effects from a brake

which will still be standing in 2050. So surely this is a

on the growth of speculative build projects and even

chance to put in place subsidies and grants to reduce

on many pension pots that are built on the property

fuel poverty and make every home – and potential

market.

workplace – efficient, comfortable and affordable.

It may lead to a whole new role for the energy

Russ Jackson tel: 01704 501090 fax: 01704 531090 Email: russ@eibi.co.uk Address: Argyle Business Centre, 8 Leicester Street, Southport, Lancashire PR9 0EZ Nathan Wood tel 01525 716 143 fax 01525 715 316 Email nathan@eibi.co.uk Address: 1b, Station Square Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1DP

Classified sales

from home are spending a good deal of time talking

MANAGING EDITOR

Sharon Nutter Tel: 01889 577222 Email: classified@eibi.co.uk

to their company IT specialist to sort out connection

Mark Thrower

Circulation

manager. Already it seems that those who are working

Sue Bethell Tel: 01889 577222 Email: circulation@eibi.co.uk

Administration/ production Fran Critchlow Tel: 01889 577222 Email: info@eibi.co.uk

THIS MONTH’S COVER STORY Ian Thomas of TROX UK examines how energy consumption contributes to the high cost of universities’ research facilities and how this might be mitigated Scientific research is the lifeblood of many universities, establishing international reputations, attracting students and securing funding. But these activities have high financial and environmental overheads. The energy consumption of university laboratories is often more than three or four times that of ordinary teaching spaces on a square metre basis. See page 22 for more details Cover photo courtesy of TROX UK

Publishing Directors Chris Evans Russ Jackson Magazine Designer Tim Plummer For overseas readers or UK readers not qualifying for a free copy, annual subscription rates are £85 UK; £105 Europe airmail; £120 RoW. Single copies £10 each. Published by: Pinede Publishing Ltd 16-18 Hawkesyard Hall, Armitage Park, Nr. Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 1PU ISSN 0969 885X This issue includes photographs provided and paid for by suppliers

Printed by Precision Colour Printing Origination by Design and Media Solutions ABC Audited Circulation Jan-Dec 2019 12,175

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news update For all the latest news stories visit www.eibi.co.uk

Leaders call for green recovery A coalition of business leaders has added its voice to the growing demands for governments to examine economic recovery packages to focus on a transition to a low-carbon global economy. The Energy Transitions Commission, which includes a range of business leaders from organisations including Heathrow Airport, National Grid, Saint Gobain and BP, has sent a letter to governments with recommendations on how nations should “unleash massive investment in renewables,” phase out fossil fuels, and incentivise businesses to set net-zero emissions targets. The letter states: “Today, we call on governments of the world to spend economic stimulus spending wisely and invest in the economy of the future. We come from global organisations across the energy, industry, finance and civil society sectors. Our companies and organisations have been impacted by the economic downturn. We are acutely aware of the imperative to support corporates shaken by the crisis and restart the global economy fast. We are also committed to learn the lessons from the COVID19 crisis, which has demonstrated the unpreparedness of the global economy to systemic risks.” Clean energy, low-carbon and digital solutions are fundamental pillars of a better economy: they can improve the quality of the air we breathe, enhance our quality of life, and limit the occurrence of climate-related disasters. They can also underpin new businesses and new jobs: according to IRENA [International Renewable Energy Agency], the cumulative gains for transforming the energy system could reach $98tr between 2020 and 2050, greatly exceeding the related investment costs ($15tr).” One recommendation is the inclusion of “climate conditionalities” into stimulus packages that enable corporates a route to recovery through sustainable actions. These should include defined decarbonisation commitments set for 2030, with an end goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The packages would also require businesses to disclose climate-related financial risks from 2021.

INSTITUTION CALLS FOR RADICAL INITIATIVES

Every home sold ‘should hit C rating’ The main professional organisation for estate agents and surveyors is demanding that the Government ensure that practically every home sold should achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C. Traditionally the least outspoken of construction professionals, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is now demanding radical initiatives to modernise the UK housing stock. A new RICS paper calls on Government to make a “step-change in policies” for decarbonising existing UK housing stock, as people spend more time at home due to the Coronavirus lockdown. Government “must maximise public interest in home improvements to green the entire existing UK housing stock”. Seeking to “provide a blueprint for Government to take forward as part of their resilient recovery from COVID-19,” the new policy

paper highlights how government incentives can promote positive consumer behaviour, and both entice and support more people in making their homes energy efficient. Recommendations are encapsulated in a package of regulatory measures, industry standards, fiscal levels and market insight. These include: • Government must work with sector stakeholders and publish a defined energy efficiency road map, with quantitative targets, investment and implementation plans to achieve a minimum EPC rating of ‘C’; • Government should monitor and ensure that local authorities are

adequately resourced to manage and enforce across their portfolio of building control, minimum energy efficiency standards and EPCs; • Government must engage with industry to improve public awareness of standards and professional competency-based advice and training regarding energy efficiency retrofits and wider home improvement works, especially for heritage buildings which are more complex and present a skills gap in the market; • a uniform VAT rate of 5 per cent for home improvement and repair to houses to enhance energy efficiency, to be carried out by an accredited installer or contractor with a recognised quality mark; and • Government must create long-term policy and regulatory energy efficiency roadmaps to bring confidence to the financial sector, encouraging lenders to invest and develop products to support these ambitions.

Government outlines emissions trading scheme The UK Government is increasing the country’s climate ambitions through new proposals showing how a new UK-wide Emissions Trading System (ETS) would work – putting a cost on carbon pollution to encourage polluters to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases they emit. The system – designed by the UK Government jointly with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive – would be a crucial step towards achieving the UK’s target for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It includes plans to reduce the existing emissions cap by five per cent, going further than the current EU system. The new scheme would replace the EU Emissions Trading System, which the UK will leave at the end of this year as the transition period ends. The system draws on the best of the current system that the UK helped to develop while ensuring it has greater flexibility to work in the best interests of the UK. Once a new system is up and running the government

intends to go even further by amending the cap again in line with its net zero target. Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng (left) said: “The UK is a world-leader in tackling climate change, and thanks to the opportunities arising as we exit the transition period, we are now able to go even further, faster. This new scheme will provide a smooth transition for businesses while reducing our contribution to climate change, crucial as we work towards net zero emissions by 2050.” The Government confirmed that the Carbon Price Support will continue to operate at £18 per tonne of CO2 up to 2022. After the Brexit transition period, the UK will aim to apply an “ambitious carbon price” that could be linked to the EU ETS. Elements of the new Emissions Trading System are intended to be familiar to operators and it is designed to ensure a seamless transition at the end of the year. Emissions trading systems work by setting a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted from energy intensive industries such as steel, the power generation sector and aviation. The cap is reduced over time so that total emissions fall.

European Parliament approves tyre labelling plan The European Parliament has approved a new EU-wide tyre labelling scheme that it hopes will lead to lower emissions. The EU Commission calculates that vehicle tyres, mainly owing to rolling resistance, account for up to 10 per cent of the average vehicle’s fuel

consumption. The new tyre labels will operate an A-E scale for fuel efficiency, resembling familiar EU labelling schemes for household goods. The Commission estimates that the policy could deliver a transport sector emissions cut of up to 10m tonnes per year of carbon dioxide by 2030 as a

result of incentivising consumers to use only the most fuel-efficient tyres. The new labelling rules will apply from May 1, 2021. Road transport currently accounts for 22 per cent of the EU’s emissions. It is not clear whether the UK intends to comply with these higher standards.

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news update For all the latest news stories visit www.eibi.co.uk

UK GOVERNMENT REFUSES CLIMATE COMMITMENTS

IN BRIEF

Climate talks ‘obstacle to Brexit deal’

Heat exchangers get WRAS approval

The UK Government’s refusal to seal climate commitments, within a new deal with the European Union to govern relations after Brexit, has become a major stumbling block in their deadlocked final talks. While Britain has joined the global Paris agreement to fight climate change and has its own emissionscutting goals, London has refused to make binding commitments in this area within the new deal it is seeking with the EU from 2021. “This creates big problems with the level playing field and is increasingly politically sensitive in the EU,” said a spokesperson for the 27-nation European Commission. Britain has a legally binding target to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. The Commission is setting the same goal for the bloc. Yet their bust-up over climate provisions in the new deal reflects fundamental differences about the nature of their future relationship. “Trying to put this into the trade deal is another example of how the EU is seeking to continue influencing domestic UK policies,” complained a British official.

SWEP’s Sealix range of brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs), have been formally approved by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS). BPHEs are one of the most efficient ways to transfer heat. Christer Frennfelt, SWEP business development manager, consultant & utility, said: “The approval reinforces our message to customers that SWEP Sealix will help save them money.”

The EU wants to keep Britain closely aligned under a broad deal that includes compliance with product standards developed under the Eco Design directive, covering energy efficiency standards for many products. There are also several existing key directives covering energy end-use, both in buildings and commerce. But London wants to break away from the EU’s orbit and prefers a trimmed-down trade deal only. The ‘level playing field’ - extensive guarantees of fair competition ranging from labour and climate standards to state aid - is a key EU demand in the talks with Britain, a large economy on its doorstep. Brussels fears that UK imports could otherwise undercut the EU’s cherished single market. The rift raises the possibility of many future trade disputes over

energy and climate-related issues, as Brussels has pledged to impose carbon border costs on imports from countries with less stringent specific climate policies than its own. Britain’s long-term emissions targets currently do match the EU’s ambitions. But Brussels officials say that - without binding climate commitments within the new EU-UK deal - it is unclear what would happen if one party set a more ambitious emissions-cutting goal, or amended its carbon pricing policies in a way that ended the current “level playing field” on climate policies. • The UK has published 13 separate documents setting out its approach to a post-Brexit relationship with the EU, including an energy document covering carbon pricing. Issued 17 months ago (see EiBI Feb 2019) it stressed that Britain was considering a link between a future national Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and the EU’s carbon market. Since then, the UK has continued to insist it is on track to launch its own ETS next January (see page 6) when the Brexit transition period expires, even as it also makes contingency plans for a new interim carbon tax.

US energy use declines in 2019 by 1 per cent Total energy use in the United States declined by 1 per cent in 2019, partially reversing a significant increase in 2018, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Data recently released by the Energy Information Administration reveals that energy savings were spread across every economic sector (homes, commercial buildings, industry, and transportation), but were mostly in electricity produced by coal, along with a small decline in oil use for transportation. This data precedes the COVID-19 pandemic, and a more significant drop is expected when 2020 data is released at this time next year. The ACEEE also reveals that if energy use had grown as rapidly as gross domestic product since 1980, it would have been about 220 quadrillion BTUs (quads) last year. Based on studies looking at

the different factors involved, ACEEE estimates that energy efficiency accounts for about 60 per cent of the difference between the 100 quads of actual consumption and 220 quads if past patterns had continued. Structural changes, such as shifts toward a more service-oriented economy account for the other 40 per cent.

In other words, energy efficiency over the past three decades is reducing energy use by about 70 quads each year (and growing) – a gigantic achievement. To put this in perspective, this is about the same as the combined annual energy use of Japan, Germany, India, and the United Kingdom.

Club speaker line up announced The Rumford Club, a social dining and debate club for the built environment, has released its programme of speakers for 2020/21. Sharon Duffy, head of transport infrastructure engineering at Transport for London, begins the six-strong speaker line up in November. She will be followed by Chris Marsland of Eurosite Power, Simon Wyatt of Cundall, Mike Ryan of Habitat Energy, Dr Phillipa Coan, a behaviour change specialist, and Gary Shanahan of BEIS.

Webinar for water filtration, quality ENWA Water Technology is to offer a webinar on The Importance of Effective Filtration and Water Treatment for Heating and Cooling Systems. Taking place from June 15, the webinar focuses on water quality requirements for modern HVAC systems, highlighting the key issues that threaten new build and refurbishment projects and how to reduce these risks. Also, case studies will illustrate the positive impacts of effective water treatment and filtration on performance, resilience and lifespan. Experts will also examine the role of automation, effective control and management and how shortcomings in design and procurement can effect project commissioning and completion. Finally, the impact on lifecycle costs, energy efficiency and the environmental implications of failing strategies will be scrutinised. • Details: mandie.fawkes@enwa.com

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news update For all the latest news stories visit www.eibi.co.uk

Hydrogen has ‘a key future role’ Renewable hydrogen has a key role to play in the UK’s successful transition from fossil fuels to renewables, alongside a huge expansion of wind energy and other clean power sources, according to a new report published from RenewableUK. “Powering the Future: RenewableUK’s Vision of the Transition” sets out a wide-ranging vision of how the UK’s energy system is set to change between now and 2050, the Government’s target date to reach net zero emissions. Despite the short-term impacts of Covid-19 on energy use, RenewableUK expects low-cost renewable power to grow rapidly in the next ten years to meet new demand from electric vehicles, low-carbon heating and renewable hydrogen. By 2050, RenewableUK predicts renewables could be providing over three quarters (76 per cent) of the UK’s power needs. The study highlights the huge potential for green hydrogen – hydrogen produced using renewable electricity – as a zero-carbon alternative to fossil fuels like gas or petroleum. The UK’s mix of high renewable energy capacity and strong climate change policies mean that renewable hydrogen is likely to become cost competitive in the UK faster than in other parts of the world. Renewable hydrogen can be used instead of gas in factories – in heavy industries like steel making where progress on decarbonisation has been slow to date, as well as heating boilers in homes. Green hydrogen from renewables can also be used to power a turbine in the same way as a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant currently works, and in hydrogen fuel cells for heavy good vehicles and shipping.

SURVEY REVEALS LACK OF AWARENESS OF EMISSIONS SOURCES

Britons unaware of how to cut carbon While the majority of Britons see climate change as a major threat that both individuals and the government have a responsibility to tackle, most remain unaware of some of the most effective means of cutting carbon emissions from their daily lives, a major new survey suggests. An Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) survey of over 2,000 British adults reveals that 75 per cent of people regards climate change a big problem, with 84 per cent believing the government should do something to tackle the issue and 77 per cent claiming individuals should take some responsibility. But when quizzed on which activities they thought produced the most emissions, there was far less clarity from respondents, the innovation research body found. While 77 per cent said transport produced climate changing emissions and 67 per cent pointed to air travel, less than half highlighted the role of gas central heating despite this being

one of the major contributors to the UK’s greenhouse gases. The lack of awareness of emissions sources also appears to inform the actions people are taking to curb their environmental impacts. For example, while 86 per cent said they aimed to recycle everything they could and 71 per cent said they were trying to cut down on single-use plastics, far fewer - less than three per cent - had taken more effective actions to cut emissions the research found. Matt Lipson, consumer insight business lead at the ESC, said these findings indicated that concern about climate change “does not necessarily

translate into understanding the biggest sources of carbon emissions, or the action that will do the most to cut them. “For example, people understand a clear link between emissions and transport, but they’re less clear on how heating relates to climate change,” he said. “Many people think they’re already doing everything they can. But their efforts don’t necessarily have a big impact from a climate perspective.” On transport, of those respondents who said they had flown last year, 34 per cent said they would be willing to fly less often. Another 22 per cent also said they would consider switching to an electric car. The results will inform the debate over the extent to which the public will embrace changes in behaviour to reduce climate risks, which has been triggered by the huge changes in public and business practices undertaken in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19Xxxxxxxx leads to drop in energy investment xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx on track for growth of around 2 per cent, which would The Covid-19 pandemic has set in motion the largest drop in global energy investment in history, with spending expected to plunge in every major sector this year – from fossil fuels to renewables and efficiency – the International Energy Agency said in a new report. Energy efficiency is suffering too. Estimated investment in efficiency and end-use applications is set to fall by an estimated 10-15 per cent as vehicle sales and construction activity weaken and spending on more efficient appliances and equipment is dialled back. The unparalleled decline is staggering in both its scale and swiftness, with serious potential implications for energy security and clean energy transitions, says the IEA. At the start of 2020, global energy investment was

have been the largest annual rise in spending in six years. But after the Covid-19 crisis brought large swathes of the world economy to a standstill in a matter of months, global investment is now expected to plummet by 20 per cent, or almost $400bn, compared with last year, according to the IEA’s World Energy Investment 2020 report. “The historic plunge in global energy investment is deeply troubling for many reasons,” said Dr Fatih Birol (left), the IEA’s executive director. “It means lost jobs and economic opportunities today, as well as lost energy supply that we might well need tomorrow once the economy recovers. The slowdown in spending on key clean energy technologies also risks undermining the much-needed transition to more resilient and sustainable energy systems.”

UK project to explore potential of integrated, flexible energy system A new project has been launched to explore the potential for an integrated and flexible energy system to reduce the cost of reaching the UK’s net zero economy goal by 2050. Led by the Carbon Trust and supported by Imperial College, The Flexibility in Great Britain project will be carried out by a cross-sector consortium. It will conduct in-depth

analysis based on modelling, research and stakeholder interviews to investigate how different sources of flexibility across the heat, transport and power sectors can reduce overall system costs to consumers. It builds on Carbon Trust reports from 2016 which identified that the cost of a future energy system in Great Britain could be reduced by

£40bn with greater flexibility and the implementation of storage. The project’s findings will be published in early 2021 and are expected to inform energy system stakeholders and policy makers’ work on net zero commitments, heat decarbonisation pathways and the rapid transition to low emission transport options.

The consortium represents a broad range of organisations across the energy system including: Bryt Energy, EDF Energy, the Greater London Authority, the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers, SBM Offshore, Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks, SP Energy Networks, Statera Energy, UK Power Networks, and Western Power Distribution.

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THE WARREN REPORT

05/06.20 Andrew Warren is chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation

Shaping the world after lockdown A new normal will emerge from the coronavirus crisis. Ahead there is an opportunity to be grasped to put energy efficiency at the heart of recovery

ill the world after lockdown make delivering energy efficiency any easier than before? How much have attitudes truly changed among households, among businesses, among bureaucrats, among politicians? Will our experience lead to an even greater determination to deliver a zero carbon society? Or will inbuilt inertia simply permit a lazy reversion back to business-as-usual? For instance, President Trump is authorising a bond bailout worth $750bn for American fossil fuel companies. There are certain absolute changes that will hold. Beginning with alterations in location for many whitecollar workers. Nobody will snigger any more at the concept of “working from home”. Every enterprise, private or public, will be seeking to minimise the amount of office space-and often retail space-they need to occupy Such a significant shift is signalled in the official Government recovery strategy Our Plan to Rebuild: “Many businesses across the UK have already been highly innovative in developing new, durable ways of doing business, such as moving online or adapting to a delivery model.” It continues: “Many of these changes, like increased home working, have significant benefits, for example, reducing the carbon footprint associated with commuting.” Perhaps. But another consequence is that patterns and amounts of energy consumption will be changing, with

more usage in homes owing to higher occupation levels, and (logically) less in commercial buildings - assuming that energy management is optimised in them, not always true during lockdown. For decades, the energy inefficiency of the UK’s housing stock has long been acknowledged, abroad as a laughing stock, at home as a real cause of concern. Every single serious commentator on energy policy, on climate policy, on social policy, on health policy, on employment policy, has acknowledged the enormous unmet potential there is for wholesale improvement.

Strategic greening of the UK building stock It is now five years since the Conservative government created the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC). Among its consistent subsequent recommendations has been the strategic greening of the UK building stock, vital to meet the government’s statutory commitment to be running a net-zerocarbon economy by 2050. Already among the oldest stock in the developed world, it is acknowledged that the vast majority of the buildings we shall be living and working in 30 years from now have already been constructed. Getting these improved is, if anything, an even greater priority than ensuring that every new construction is zero carbon. So the NIC has been arguing for several years that wholesale refurbishment of the building stock’s energy performance must be a quintessential infrastructure priority. This concept was immediately adopted by the Scottish government. But the UK government has remained largely noncommittal on the subject. This March’s Budget promised that “later in the spring the government will publish a landmark National Infrastructure Strategy, which will set out plans for a once in a generation transformation of the UK’s economic infrastructure.” But spring has come, and gone. Following pressure from the Commons’ Business Committee, which published yet another excoriating report on the absence of any purposeful residential sector energy efficiency policy, the energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng, responded in dead-bat fashion. He said, unsurprisingly: “The Government remains

‘This is surely the time to invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean transport: a green recovery’

committed to taking the necessary action to improve energy efficiency. It is vital that we give these decisions the proper time and care they deserve.” So last month Kwarteng again was promising that “additional climate policies will be set out in due course and finalised in the context of a National Infrastructure Strategy, as outlined at the budget.” This prompted the government’s official environmental advisors, the Committee On Climate Change (CCC), to re-emphasise that installations of insulation in homes has dropped by over 90 per cent. Interviewed by the Business Green website, its CEO, Chris Stark, emphasised that: “I think infrastructure policies should change coming out of a crisis like this. This is the time to be doing energy efficiency. I would love to see the government give this the priority it deserves.” He continued: “At a time when energy prices are falling, it might otherwise get less prominence. So now is the time to do it, because when energy prices start to rise, when demand returns, we will wish that we had fixed the roof when the sun shone.” The CCC argues that the nation’s “credibility as an international leader rested on taking action at home” ahead of the UK hosting the COP26 UN climate talks next year. This is surely the time to invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean transport: a green recovery. Delivering green infrastructure and supporting the technologies of the future makes economic sense. There are encouraging signs from ministers that, intellectually at least, they, unlike Trump, recognise this. In the words of the co-chair of COP26, Business Secretary Alok Sharma: “Every country around the world will face a choice. Between laying the foundations for sound, sustainable growth. Or locking in polluting emissions for decades.” That is precisely the choice now facing the UK. These fine words must become purposeful actions. Energy efficiency must become a priority infrastructure investment. 

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Hospitals & Healthcare For further information on Humidity Solutions visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 124

Take aim at viruses

John Barker examines how the threat from viruses and bacteria can be reduced in care homes and hospitals thanks to the careful maintenance of the relative humidity

are homes and hospitals have been of particular focus recently. Attention has focused on how best to assist with limiting the transmission of airborne viruses in these establishments. This debate forms part of the greater discussion around indoor air quality and how we can protect people who are working, studying or being cared for in increasingly airtight buildings for the majority of their day. Humidity control as part of the indoor air quality (IAQ) discussion is very much part of the discourse. IAQ has come into focus as we try to replicate good quality fresh air in our homes and buildings irrespective of the outside air quality, while being conscious of energy usage which could put greater pressure on climate change. The benefits of humidity control are well documented - creating a more comfortable condition, adding to thermal comfort (feeling warmer for a lower air temperature) and importantly reducing the transmission of bacteria and viruses. Scientific data does show that to maintain a humidity of 50 per cent relative humidity (RH) will reduce the transmission of viruses by keeping the body’s defence mechanism (mucus membrane in the nose and throat) moist and able to capture air-borne bacteria and viruses before they enter the body. Maintaining an RH between 30-60 per cent has been shown to influence the survivorship of viruses and reduce the transmission and infectiousness of viral diseases. Sterling et al. (1985) (see Fig. 1), synthesised the knowledge at the time into a commonly shared graph of microbial and environmental contaminants on humans at different RH.

Humidity control adds to the thermal comfort and reduces the transmission of bacteria and viruses

These studies focus on the observed survival on surfaces and in the air column, and the rates of infection under different environmental conditions. Below are the key findings from commonly referenced or recent studies. Links to the studies are posted as well: • maintaining an indoor relative humidity between 40-60 per cent may help to limit the spread and survival of novel coronavirus. Humidification maintains hydrated and intact mucosal barriers of human occupants, resulting in an increase resistance against any microbial attack. (Dietz et al., 2020); • high temperature, high ultraviolet

‘An RH of 50 percent will cut virus transmission’ index, low wind speed, and low relative humidity are contributors to increased MERS-CoV cases (Altamimi et al., 2019) Cold and dry conditions favour influenza transmission in guinea pigs (Lowen et al., 2007); • maintaining RH in offices and workplaces lowers potential risk for transmission of viral diseases (Wolkoff, 2018 and references therein);

Fig. 1: Effect of pathogens, microbes, and environmental contaminants on human beings. From Sterling et al. (1985)

Influence of relative humidity More recent studies have taken aim at the influence of relative humidity (RH) on specific families of viruses, like influenza and coronavirus.

John Barker is managing director of Humidity Solutions

• while coronaviruses are durable on surfaces relative to influenza viruses, survival rates are reduced at moderate RH of 50 per cent. (Casanova et al., 2010) • the infectiousness of airborne influenza viruses was significantly reduced when RH was above 40 per cent (Noti et al., 2013); • humidification in homes can reduce survival of influenza and promote recovery, by improving restfulness, in sick individuals (Myatt et al., 2010); and • maintaining 40-45 per cent RH in hospitals reduced perceived air dryness and airway symptoms of patients and hospital staff (Nordström et al., 1994). So, where a humidity control system is not already in place in a facility, is there a practical solution for retrofitting into the office, care home, classroom etc? Mobile humidifiers can be used but they do require regular manual filling and take up floor space. Commercial systems can be installed into the fresh air supply (AHU), but sometimes this is not possible, or such a system is not already installed into the building. One excellent solution is to use the HomEvap, a cold water evaporative humidifier, which can be fitted to a heat recovery unit in a house or supplied with a fan to be neatly installed above a false ceiling in an office – out of the way, plumbed in, and providing excellent control automatically. Energy usage ranges between 20-90W dependant on if you require a fan or not. A single humidifier can evaporate five litres of water per hour which will provide humidity control to a space with a volume of approximately 1,200m3. The result is a comfortable, healthier environment for net zero energy usage (temperature can be reduced by 2°C when the humidity is raised from 30 – 50 per cent RH for the same thermal comfort). In a care home the solution is often not to put the humidifier in the day room or bedrooms but to control the humidity in corridors serving these rooms and to allow the humidity to migrate to the areas of concern. This way there is no noise issue (although very low in a bedroom a small fan can still be a nuisance) and maintenance when required does not disturb the occupant of the room. 

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Hospitals & Healthcare For further information on Crestchic Loadbanks visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 126

Cutting out the risk

Paul Brickman explores how hospitals and healthcare facilities can ensure that their back up power systems are reliable should the worst happen

or hospitals and healthcare facilities, which often run 24 hours a day, every single day of the year, having access to a reliable power system is absolutely mission-critical. A power cut is, at best, a major inconvenience and operational nightmare and, at worst, a threat to life. In recent years, the global demand for power has risen sharply. Our expectation to be continually plugged into the latest technology is as evident in industry and healthcare as it is in our home-lives, with technologically advanced equipment increasingly reliant on power to operate. Conversely, in the last few months, the change in our lifestyles, living and working patterns driven by the Coronavirus pandemic have seen our usage patterns fluctuate and the demand on the grid reduce. Hand in hand with these changes in demand, the UK’s energy mix is going through a transition from fossil fuel-generated electricity to an increased prevalence of renewable sources. Combine these factors, and the National Grid is faced with a challenge when it comes to balancing demand and supply - a situation which can lead to unexpected outages. Needless to say, with people’s lives in their hands, hospital trusts are well-aware of the impact of a break in mission-critical power. From the more obvious effect on lighting, heating and operational infrastructure such as lifts and computer systems, to critical lifesaving equipment in theatres and intensive care units. To mitigate the risk to life and the knock-on effect of having to reschedule appointments in an already overstretched public service, hospital power systems usually take a multi-phased approach to backing up their power supply. A mixture of local battery power and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems will handle the immediate risk and prevent critical

The cost of purchasing a load bank is typically a fraction of the cost of the system that it supports

machines from shutting down. This short-term fail-safe is backed-up by generator systems, which are designed to be operational within minutes and have the capacity to take over from the emergency batteries and power buildings and machinery over a longer period.

Robust and reliable Usually installed at build-phase, standby generators are a common solution to provide back-up power if the standard electricity supply is interrupted. They are known for being robust and reliable, offering contractors and facilities managers

the reassurance that they’ll do the job and kick in if the worst happens. However, just like any other internal combustion engine, lubrication, cooling systems, fuel system and electrics all need to be tested to ensure faultless operation. Lifting, moving and transporting sensitive equipment, as well as varying on-site conditions such as temperature and humidity, make it absolutely critical that backup power systems are tested in-situ in actual site conditions after being installed and on an ongoing basis thereafter. While the risks of downtime vary from site to site, one thing remains

Paul Brickman is sales and marketing director at Crestchic Loadbanks

constant - interruptions in power supply have the potential to cause operational chaos. Wherever a generator is installed, there is also a need for a load bank - a device used to create an electrical load which imitates the operational or ‘real’ load that a generator would use under normal operational conditions. Load banks are used to test, support, or protect a critical backup power source and ensure that it is working optimally should an outage occur. Ideally, all generators should be tested annually for real-world emergency conditions using a resistive-reactive 0.8pf load bank. This type of load bank provides a picture of how well an entire system will withstand changes in load pattern while experiencing the level of power that would typically be encountered under real operational conditions. The inductive loads used in resistive/reactive testing will show how a system will cope with a voltage drop in its regulator. This is particularly important for hospitals, where multiple generators might be operated in parallel. In this type of application, a problem with one generator could prevent other generators from working as they should. With fuel, exhaust and cooling systems also untested, as well as the potential for embedded moisture, an untested system becomes extremely high risk. The importance of testing is being recognised in many new-build facilities, with the installation of load banks often being specified at the design stage rather than being added retrospectively. The cost of purchasing a load bank is typically a fraction of the cost of the system that it supports, with rental options negating the need for capital expenditure altogether. Finances aside, the potential cost of power failures in the healthcare sector is unfathomable, putting an overstretched system under additional pressure and causing a very real threat to life. With this in mind, those specifying, commissioning or managing these sites can ill-afford to overlook the critical role of load banks when it comes to ensuring a stable, consistent and constant flow of power. 

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Hospitals & Healthcare

Sebastian Gray is a director at 2EA Consulting Ltd

For further information on 2EA Consulting Ltd visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 128

Hospital rules and regulations There are around 1,277 hospitals in the United Kingdom, all subject to a whole raft of legislation. Sebastian Gray examines the most important of these for energy managers

ne of the most important pieces of legislation is the Medium Combustion Plant Directive. This came into effect on 20th December 2018 for all new medium combustion plant greater than 1MW thermal input. Existing plant, depending upon thermal input rating, will need to be covered by the following dates: thermal input greater than 5MW – 1st January 2024; and thermal Input between 1MW and 5MW – 1st January 2029. A Display Energy Certificate and its accompanying advisory report, provides a rating between A and G based upon the building’s actual operational performance. The

completion of a DEC is mandatory for any building occupied by public authorities, including hospitals. Since 2011/2012, all public sector bodies are required to produce a sustainability report in accordance with the Government Financial Reporting Manual; this includes a discrete section within the Annual Report covering their performance on sustainability during the year. The Climate Change Levy was significantly increased in 2019; based on energy data for an average hospital, we estimate that CCL costs have increased from 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 by 51 per cent. By installing and operating a combined heat and power (CHP) unit a hospital can apply for CCL relief

on the gas used by the CHP after registering with the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) CHP Quality Assurance (CHPQA) Programme. Good quality electricity produced by the CHP unit is also exempt from CCL.

To maintain registration under the CHPQA Programme, CHP heat meters, gas meters and electricity meters need to be verified at regular intervals. This is to ensure that the data being reported is both accurate and the meters are operating correctly. The above legislation applies to all hospitals. Good energy management not only ensures that these facilities remain compliant, but can also present significant energy and cost savings. An energy consultant can help you manage the reporting process and identify savings that can be made. • For a full breakdown of each piece of legislation, please visit www.2ea. co.uk/hospitallegislation.

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

Japanese food stays cool in new premises Tanpopo Japanese Food, a UK-based food wholesaler, has recently equipped its warehouse in Feltham, west London, with condensing units from the Panasonic CO2 Cold Chain range. The units were installed by Versan Ltd of Chertsey, Surrey, a company specialising in the installation of refrigeration technology. For over 20 years, Tanpopo has been making and supplying sushi to catering companies, supermarkets, hotels, stadia and event organisers across the UK. With the use of renewable technology and reliability high on the agenda for Tanpopo, Panasonic’s Cold Chain Commercial Refrigeration range, which uses environmentally-friendly CO2, was the ideal choice for all their frozen and chilled food storage refrigeration requirements when the business moved to its new premises in Feltham. A further challenge for this installation was that the cooking and manufacturing process in the factory results in ambient temperatures of up to 43oC, so any refrigeration units chosen must be able to operate efficiently even in these extreme conditions. The range available in the UK features units for medium temperature (4kW to 16kW) and low temperature (2kW to 8kW) condensing units. Additionally, the 16kW units can be connected to provide up to 32kW cooling capacity at ONLINE ENQUIRY 101 medium temperature.

Water heaters save for Yorkshire schools Twenty condensing gas-fired water heaters have been installed as part of a major upgrade of plant rooms at eight schools in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Boiler, water heater and heat pump company Lochinvar, formed a partnership with HCP Consultancy to upgrade services to improve performance, cut running costs and reduce the environmental impact of the vital heating and hot water systems in ten plant rooms. One option was simply to replace existing atmospheric water heaters with like-for-like models. However, HCP Consultancy opted for Lochinvar’s high-efficiency, condensing technology because it reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions while also providing improved reliability and longevity. HCP’s strategic asset management (SAM) team used lifecycle asset data and technical knowledge to create a best value model and decided a strategic partnership with Lochinvar, FM provider Engie and the installation company Staffordshire Plumbing and Heating (SPH) would deliver the best outcome. The models chosen from Lochinvar’s EcoKnight range have efficiencies ranging from 93 to 95 per cent, which also comfortably meets current regulations. The schools now expect to achieve savings in energy consumption and carbon emissions of around 15 per cent. Engie, which manages the sites on behalf of HCP Consultancy and the schools, will provide ongoing maintenance.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Low-carbon Solutions For further information on EDF visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 145

The power of storage in our flexible future Today’s businesses are already flexible in many ways but the UK’s shift to low-carbon electricity means it’s time for a flexible approach to energy too, says Stuart Fenner

n order to reach our net zero targets we also need our energy to be more low carbon. After all, in the UK energy supply currently still accounts for 24 per cent of our total greenhouse gases. Of course, part of the solution is to increase production of renewable energy. And we’re doing that. From just 30 per cent today, by 2035, renewables will account for around 55 per cent of our total energy mix in the UK, alongside other low carbon sources such as nuclear. The problem is their intermittent nature - fluctuations in the weather cause volatility in the availability of renewables. This in turn can lead to imbalances between the supply and demand of electricity across the UK via the National Grid. The challenge is how to balance the network at times of peak demand without switching on coal- or gas-fired power stations. That’s where energy flexibility comes in. As a concept, flexibility is something that businesses will understand. The challenge lies in how you start getting your business to make the change to doing it. In many ways it’s a question of business transformation and will have a positive impact on both the bottom line, as well as on its sustainability agenda.

Full visibility of assets There is an easy way to make the most of your business’ existing flexibility assets. Flexibility optimisation and energy trading platforms, like EDF’s PowerShift, give you full visibility of all your assets and allow businesses to access remuneration. They enable you to see where your assets are and decide which of these to flex and make available to the grid at a given time. Businesses can decide how much capacity they are willing to trade and at what price. PowerShift takes information

EDF has worked with partners to optimise 10MW of solar and 6MW battery storage at Clayhill solar farm

from the assets on the customer’s site, from the grid’s requests in terms of stability, frequency regulation and from the price signals on the wholesale market. Initially developed based on clever algorithms, and now using artificial intelligence, PowerShift optimises the energy consumption of the assets on site in order to be able to contribute to grid schemes such as the established flexibility markets, with a close eye on emerging markets too. If you have the time and knowhow in your business, you can manage it all yourselves. Or if you don’t have the knowledge in-house or the time to implement it, you can

trust a partner like EDF to put their energy expertise to work for you. When it comes to technology, the obvious choice for flexibility is battery storage. Battery energy storage is one way to help stabilise the grid and to support the integration of more renewables on the grid. It helps minimise some of the challenges we have with renewable energy; giving you the capability to store the energy you generate instead of wasting it.

Concerns around energy prices Broadly speaking, any type and size of business could benefit from deploying energy storage, but the technology will be most appropriate

Stuart Fenner is head of energy solutions for buiness at EDF

for businesses that have particular concerns around energy prices or resilience, and those that undertake critical industrial processes. Additionally, for businesses that already have on-site generation, energy storage will allow them to utilise more of their own generation and take less energy from the grid. However, before installing energy storage (or any onsite solution, for that matter), it’s crucial that you and your team have a good understanding of exactly what it is you want to achieve. Are you trying to create a new revenue stream or is this part of a wider energy strategy? There are some great examples of flexibility working in practice. Last year we partnered with Upside Energy and Anesco to optimise a combined 10MW of solar and 6 MW battery assets at Clayhill solar farm, the UK’s first unsubsidised solar farm. We are using Powershift to enhance the efficiency and profitability of the assets, securing contracts with grid operators and generating revenue through direct access to wholesale markets. We’ve been able to offer Anesco a guaranteed ‘floor price’ for this project, which is a first. A very good example of a strong circular economy approach to flexibility and storage is Nissan, who is combining second-life batteries from cars to create a bigger battery. This then becomes an asset that EDF, with the PowerShift platform, can optimise, charge and discharge depending on the grid request and wholesale markets in order to create additional value for the business and for the grid. How does the future of energy storage look? We’re going from an initial base of 0.34GW of installed battery storage capacity in 2012 and 2013, to an estimated 40GW by 2022. This market growth is due in part to the falling costs of energy storage technologies. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) recently estimated that the cost of battery storage could fall by up to 66 per cent by 2030 so these technologies are becoming more affordable. It is becoming clear that energy storage and flexibility is no longer optional for the UK if we are going to meet our net zero targets by 2050. 

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“ Energy in Buildings and Industry and the Energy Institute are delighted to have teamed up to bring you this Continuing Professional Development initiative ” MARK THROWER MANAGING EDITOR

SERIES 18 | MODULE 01 | ENERGY EFFICIENCY LEGISLATION

Keep up to date with legislation By Owen Jones, senior consultant at JRP Solutions

erhaps the most significant piece of legislation enacted in the UK in recent times has been the UK Climate Change Act (2008), later amended in 2019. Under the act the Government signed up to a legally binding target to be net zero by 2050 based on 1990 levels, becoming the first G7 economy to do so. Additionally, the EU Energy efficiency Directives (2012) also set a target to reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent through efficiency measures by 2020. Another very significant piece of legislation is the UK Energy Act (2013) which is concerned with decarbonisation and reforming the electricity markets particularly seeking security of supply as coalfired power stations are taken offline -an action that has driven decarbonisation of the grid. Along with other EU member states the UK signed the United Nations Committee on Climate Change’s Paris Agreement committing to carbon reduction targets. This has also driven policy and the development of climate change adaptation plans. From these pieces of primary legislation, a number of schemes have been developed in the UK to drive the following: • greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions removal (all six listed in the Kyoto Protocol); • increased renewable energy; • increased energy efficiency; • energy supply security; and • innovation and economic competitiveness in energy. These five dimensions underpin the myriad of schemes and programmes. This article will look at some of the significant schemes focusing on energy efficiency measures relevant to public, commercial, manufacturing and industrial property sectors that are the responsibility of the Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) department. The additional complication of

Brexit and the UK’s exit from the EU will also be addressed. The Climate Change Act 2008 led to the setting up of the Climate Change Committee who are responsible for national strategy and reporting and measuring GHGs. The aim of this act was to introduce a package of policies and measures to transition to a low-carbon economy and achieve targets. Measures are delivered through either regulation and/or economic impact. Positive action towards decarbonising and efficiency either saves or generates money, while negative action or poor performance in either goal incurs additional cost. Some notable measures that have now ended but may be relevant are: The Feed in Tariff scheme was a government programme designed to promote the uptake of renewable and low-carbon electricity generation technologies by giving a guaranteed quarterly cash payment for kWh generated. Although the scheme has now closed to new projects existing participants will continue to receive payments which vary depending on date of joining and renewable technology. Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC) are certificates issued to operators of larger accredited renewable generating stations for the eligible renewable electricity generated. Operators could then trade ROCs with other

parties. ROCs are ultimately used by electricity suppliers to demonstrate that they have met their obligations on renewable electricity. The scheme closed to new projects on 31 March 2017. The Enhance Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme encouraged investment by allowing companies to write down investment in equipment on the approved Energy Technology List in the first year of operation. This scheme ceased on the 1st April 2020. The revenue saved by closing the scheme will fund the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund. The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme came to an end on the 1st April 2019 and is no longer part of the UK energy efficiency legislation landscape. CCL rates were increased significantly to compensate for the loss in tax revenue. Mandatory GHG Reporting was a requirement of the Climate Change Act 2008. All ‘listed’ companies are required to report on their GHG emissions in the company’s directors’ report section of the annual report. Mandatory GHG reporting was introduced in 2013 to enact this requirement. The aims were to provide information for investors and improve disclosure of environmental performance. This has now been superseded in most cases by the more comprehensive Streamlined Energy Produced in Association with

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Carbon Reporting (SECR) legislation. Some public bodies are not covered by SECR and are required to reporting GHG emissions under other legislation or commitments. Current schemes include: The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) scheme is mandatory if your business has more than 20MW thermal capacity of combustion plant installed at a site. Sites in the scheme are given a free allocation of carbon allowances with the total number of allowances capped. If the site emits more than its allowance further allowances can be purchased from the market. Unused allowances can either be sold or kept for future years. Emissions need to be reported annually. Hospitals and small emitters can enter a simplified opt out scheme where they are given an emissions target and must pay a penalty if they exceed this target. Due to Brexit the UK will exit the EU ETS and the Government is setting up a new UK ETS from January 2021. The allowances allocated will be 5 per cent below the UK's proposed phase IV EU ETS allowances to give a more ambitious target. The proposed UK ETS cost for carbon will be based on a similar cap and trade system with a transitional Auction Reserve Price (ARP) of £15/ tonne CO2. There will also be a Cost Containment Mechanism (CCM) to manage spikes in the carbon price. It is the Government's intention to link the new UK ETS to the EU ETS and trade emissions between the two schemes, but this will depend on Brexit negotiations. The Climate Change Levy (CCL) is an energy tax that is levied on all nondomestic energy users on electricity, natural gas, LPG/propane, other qualifying liquid and solid fuels if their monthly consumption is higher than a de minimis figure (1,000kWh for electricity or 4,397kWh for natural gas). The rates of CCL are charged as pence per kWh used, via supplier invoicing. The rate of CCL charged depends on the type of utility and changes annually as shown in Table 1. The Government’s Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) was developed as a response to article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and obligates all large organisations which either employ 250 or more people, or have an annual turnover in excess of €50m and an annual balance sheet total in excess of €43m. An ESOS Assessment is required which calculates the total

Table 1: CCL Main Rates Rate from 1 April 2018

Rate from 1 April 2019

Rate from 1 April 2020

Rate from 1 April 2021

Electricity (£ per kilowatt hour (KWh))

0.00583

0.00847

0.00811

0.00775

Gas (£ per KWh)

0.00203

0.00339

0.00406

0.00465

LPG (£ per kilogram (kg))

0.01304

0.02175

Any other taxable commodity (£ per kg)

0.01591

0.02653

0.03174

0.03640

Taxable commodity

energy use for an organisation for a chosen 12-month qualification period, identifies significant uses of energy, identifies energy saving opportunities, appoints an approved Lead Assessor and submits compliance to the Environment Agency. Records of the exercise must be kept and signed off at Director level. Compliance may also be demonstrated to the EA by having ISO 50001 accreditation that covers the whole organisation. A representative sample of at least 90 per cent of the organisation’s UK energy use must either be covered by ISO 50001, EPCs, Green Deal Assessments or compliant site energy audits. There is currently no requirement to implement any of the opportunities identified, however this may change in future years. Phase 2 of ESOS concluded on 5th Dec 2019 and the compliance cycle is repeated every four years. Site energy audits can be undertaken any time within the four years before the next compliance date. Climate Change Agreements (CCA) were introduced in tandem with the CCL to assist high-energyusing companies in the UK maintain international competitiveness by offering reductions in CCL charges to firms that achieve emission reduction targets. CCA is a voluntary UK scheme which applies if a site or part of a site has an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit or conducts one of the processes identified by the particular sector association. The benefit of being part of CCA is the reduction in CCL, which is applied to both electricity and gas

invoices, provided energy reduction targets specified in the agreement are met. For intensive energy users, having a CCA can reduce the CCL tax burden by hundreds of thousands of pounds a year. A consultation was opened by the Government on the 16th April 2020 on the future of the CCA scheme. The primary aims of the consultation are to gain opinions on extending the current CCA scheme by two years, through the addition of a new Target Period 5, from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2022 and extending certification for reduced rates of CCL for participants meeting obligations under the scheme to 31 March 2025 from 31 March 2023. The consultation will also look to re-open the scheme to new entrants and applications are now being accepted with a deadline of 30th September 2020. However no final decision has yet been made. It is proposed for the new TP5 that the baseline for targets will be changed to 2018 from 2008, no banked surplus allowances will be carried over from TP4 and the buyout price will increase from £14/tCO2 to £18/ tCO2 for over target emission. The Government is looking at the possibility of a further phase of CCAs but is likely to significantly alter the qualification criteria, scheme operation and incentive levels. Carbon Price Support (CPS) is a measure introduced to support the EU ETS price for carbon emissions and encourage investment in low emission power generation in the UK by increasing the cost of electricity generation from fossil fuels. The CPS

rates of CCL applies to electricity generation from fossil fuels where the installation has a generating capacity of 2.0MWe or more and is not good-quality CHP or standby generation. For export electricity generation, only the CPS rate is paid by the generating company on the fuel input and the main CCL rate for electricity is charged to the end user. For non-export generation both the CPS and main rates must be paid by the generating site. Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) is a scheme relevant only to sites that have a combined heat and power engine installed. This is a voluntary scheme which rewards efficient, good-quality CHP by allowing participants to claim CCL exemption and allowed ECA claims when still available. Annual submissions are made to the CHPQA on the quantities of fuel used, electricity generated and heat used. From this data two parameters are calculated, the power efficiency and the quality index (QI). If the power efficiency is above a target, typically 20 per cent, and if the QI is above its target, typically above 100, then the CHP is deemed to be good quality and the CHP is exempt from all CCL payments on incoming fuel and electricity generated. If the power efficiency is below target, then a proportion of the CCL on the incoming fuel must be paid. If the QI is less than the target, then CCL must be paid on a proportion of the electricity generated and if over 2.0MWe some CPS will also need to be paid on the fuel input. To maintain accuracy

Table 2: CCL Discount for CCA Holders Rate from 1 April 2018

Rate from 1 April 2019

Rate from 1 April 2020

Electricity

90%

93%

92%

Gas

65%

78%

81%

83%

LPG

65%

78%

77%

Any other taxable commodity

65%

78%

81%

83%

Taxable commodity

Rate from 1 April 2021

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levels the associated metering must be regularly calibrated otherwise accuracy correction factors are applied to the meter outputs. The CHPQA will issue a certificate at the end of June each year confirming the performance of the installation in the previous year. Once the certificate is issued operators should reconcile the CCL payments for the previous year and reclaim/pay any over or under payments. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) encourages private households, communities, and businesses to install renewable energy technologies for heating purposes, through financial support. There are two types of RHI schemes: domestic and nondomestic. The types of renewable heating systems are eligible for the non-domestic RHI scheme are solid biomass, heat pumps (air, ground and water sourced), geothermal, solar thermal and biogas. Eligible installations receive quarterly payments over 20 years based on the amount of heat generated. Rates depend on the type, capacity and commissioning date of the installation. However, the Government recently announced that it is set to replace the Renewable Heat Incentive with the Clean Heat Grant. Last month it confirmed that the non-domestic RHI is to close to new applicants on 31 March 2021. However, the RHI for households is not going to close to new applicants until 31 March 2022. The Clean Heat Grant replaces the RHI’s tariff-based support in favour of a £4,000 grant, set at a flat rate over scaling with system size or changing across technology types. Funding for the Clean Heat Grant has been committed for two years to March 2024, after which the scheme will close to new applications.Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are intended to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision. Only buildings with a floor area greater than 50m2 that is being sold or rented out or for a new construction qualify. The certificate provides an energy rating of the building from A (Good) to G (Poor). The better the rating, the more energy efficient the building. Display Energy Certificates (DEC) provide an energy rating of the

building from A (Good) to G (Poor) are based on the actual amount of metered energy used by the building over the last 12 months. A DEC and advisory report are required for buildings with a total useful floor area over 250m2 that are occupied in whole or part by public authorities and frequently visited by the public and must renewed annually for larger buildings. DECs must be displayed in a prominent place visible to the public and have a valid advisory report. This report contains recommendations for improving the energy performance of the building. The Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework came into effect in April 2019 and coincides with the closure of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. The legislation affects quoted companies, large unquoted companies and large limited liability partnerships (LLP) based on turnover, balance sheet and number of employees criteria, similar to ESOS. Businesses using less than 40MWh/year are exempt from reporting. An annual director level report has to be compiled detailing energy use, carbon emissions, performance to targets, descriptions of actions taken and planned actions to reduce carbon emissions. Energy use that must be covered in the required annual reporting is both scope 1 (primary fuels consumed directly, such as natural gas) and scope 2 (Imported energy such as electricity of heat) to include transport. Scope 3 emissions are not a requirement. Energy data and carbon emissions must be reported alongside a performance metric e.g. production per kWh and a high-level description of energy efficiency actions needs to be included in the annual report.

The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) is intended to help businesses with high energy use to cut their energy bills and carbon emissions through investing in energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies. The fund has been under consultation, the results of which are due to be published soon. It is hoped the scheme builds on opportunities identified through ESOS and SECR and grants will be awarded to help fund both preliminary investigation and design work as well as purchasing and installation of equipment. The aim is to launch the first phase of the £315mi fund in summer 2020. The Industrial Heat Recovery Support (IHRS) programme encourages and supports investment in heat recovery technologies. Businesses are helped to identify and invest in opportunities for recovering and reusing heat that would otherwise be wasted. The programme runs until March 2022. Funding (from a total pot of £18m) is allocated through a competitive process. The next deadline for applying is 31 July 2020. Industrial Strategy Clusters Mission focuses on industrial areas of high concentration of industrial activity. The six clusters with the largest carbon emissions in the UK are Humberside, south Wales, Grangemouth, Teesside, Merseyside and Southampton. The Government’s mission is to establish the world’s first net-zero carbon industrial cluster by 2040 and at least one low-carbon cluster by 2030. The mission is backed by £170m public investment through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. Collaborations of organisations have been able to apply for grant funding, via Innovate UK, to help develop and implement

Table 3: CCL CPS Rates Carbon Price Support rate commodity

Gas

Petroleum gas or other gaseous hydrocarbon in a liquid state

Coal and other solid fossil fuels

£ per kilowatt hour (kWh)

£ per kilogram (kg)

£ per gigajoule (GJ) on gross calorific value (GCV)

1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016

0.00334

0.05307

1.56860

1 April 2016 to 31 March 2021

0.00331

0.05280

1.54790

Unit

decarbonisation of industrial clusters in the UK via either creating roadmap plans for industrial clusters or deployment of carbon reduction strategies and technology. The current application process is now closed. However, depending on the outcome of the phase 1 planning stage, further funding opportunities may become available. All measures past and present including amendments are listed in the UK’S draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) which has been published by BEIS in the wake of Brexit. An Energy White Paper is planned for publication this summer (2020) and is intended to set out a new approach to energy policy driving forward measures to reduce costs across the system through a greater role for markets, more agile and flexible regulation, a new framework for strategic intervention and a commitment to ensure system cost are distributed in a fair way.

Further reading • https://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/energyefficiency/targets-directive-and-rules/energyefficiency-directive_en • http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/ contents • http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/ contents/enacted • https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ energy-act • https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-savingsopportunity-scheme-esos • https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/803086/industrial-clustersmission-infographic-2019.pdf • https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov. uk/competition/498/overview#summary • https://www.gov.uk/guidance/industrial-heatrecovery-support-programme-how-to-apply • https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmentalprogrammes/fit/about-fit-scheme • https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmentalprogrammes/non-domestic-rhi • https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ energy-performance-certificates • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ display-energy-certificates-and-advisory-reportsfor-public-buildings • https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/585344/greeninggovernment-commitments-overview-reportingrequirements-2016-2020.pdf • https://www.gov.uk/guidance/industrial-energytransformation-fund • https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/ docs/2020/03/non-domestic_rhi_tariff_table_ q1_2020-21_corrected.xlsx • https://www.gov.uk/guidance/participating-inthe-eu-ets • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ climate-change-agreements-operations-manual--2 • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ environmental-reporting-guidelines-includingmandatory-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reportingguidance • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ uk-national-energy-and-climate-plan-necp

For details on how to obtain your Energy Institute CPD Certificate, see entry form and details on page 20 MAY / JUNE 2020 | ENERGY IN BUILDINGS & INDUSTRY | 19

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SERIES / JUNE 2020 SERIES 18 17 | MODULE 01 09| |MAY MARCH 2020

ENTRY FORM

ENERGY EFFICIENCY LEGISLATION SPACE HEATING Please Pleasemark markyour youranswers answersbelow belowby byplacing placingaacross crossin inthe thebox. box.Don't Don'tforget forgetthat thatsome some questions questionsmight mighthave havemore morethan thanone onecorrect correctanswer. answer.You Youmay mayfind finditithelpful helpfulto tomark markthe the answers answersin inpencil pencilfirst firstbefore beforefilling fillingin inthe thefinal finalanswers answersin inink. ink.Once Onceyou youhave havecompleted completed the theanswer answersheet, sheet,return returnititto tothe theaddress addressbelow. below.Photocopies Photocopiesare areacceptable. acceptable.

QUESTIONS 1) In 2019is the UK Government signed up in 1. Which the most common heating media a legally binding target to be net wettosystems? zero by? ■ High temperature hot water ■ 2030 ■ 2040 ■ 2050 ■ 2060 ■ Steam Low temperature hot water sample of ■ For 2) ESOS, a representative of the organisation’s Coldpercentage water ■ what energy consumption needs to be covered by assessments or ISO 50001? 2. What is the most common space heating 80% ■ 90% ■ 100% ■ fuel70% in the■ UK? Fueloften oil is the ESOS reporting cycle ■ How 3) Electricity ■ repeated? Year ■ ■ 2 years Natural gas ■ Every years ■ ■ 10 years ■ 4Coal 4) For ESOS how many of the identified 3. What is a typicalmust dry bulb temperature opportunities youspace implement? for a home? ■ None 160C ■ All ■ 190C ■ 50 per cent ■ 220Cthose with a payback less than ■ Only ■ ■ 3240C years 5) What is type of organisation may still need 4. What currently the most common to undertake GHG reporting rather than construction material for panel radiators? comply with SECR? Cast iron ■ Retail Outlets ■ Pressedbodies steel ■ Public ■ Cast aluminium ■ Hotels and Restaurants ■ Copperindustry ■ Heavy ■ 6) Why were CCLisrates 5. Which of these a keysignificantly component of a increasedventilation on the 1stsystem? April 2019? mechanical To offset lost revenue from closure ■ A fan ■ of the CRC Anpay atrium ■ To for more wind turbines ■ ■ A chimney ■ Opening windows

To invest energyend’ efficiency in 3rd ■ 6. Which is thein‘delivery of a vapour world countries compression heat pump system? energy efficiency in industrial ■ Thefund evaporator ■ To clusters ■ The condenser The compressor ■ Which 7) of the following schemes is still to new applicants? The slinky ■ open ■ FIT ■ ECA ■ ROC ■ RHI 7. Which of these factors is used by a weather 8) What is the thermal capacity threshold for compensation control system? combustion plant at which a site needs to Buildingwith thermal inertia ■ comply EU ETS regulations? ■ 2Time MWof day ■ Outside ■ 10 MW air temperature ■ Date ■ 20 MW ■ ■ 20 kW 8. Which of these factors is used by an optimum 9) What is the de minimis for charging of CCL start control system? on electricity invoices? Level of building occupancy ■ ■ 500 kWh Outside air temperature ■ 1,000 kWh ■ Boiler kWh capacity ■ 4,397 ■ Boiler flow temperature ■ 10 MWh ■ 10) For DECs twoheating things system must acan 9. Which typeswhat of space qualifying buildingsystems operator building management be do? used to control? the certificate in a prominent ■ Any ■ Display location and have a valid advisory Wet systems ■ report Air handling plant ■ Renew the certificate every six ■ Boilers and Display the certificate in a ■ months prominent location 10.Display What is athe thermostat? certificate in a prominent ■ and renew the certificate A temperature sensitive switch ■ location every two years ■ A temperature sensor ■ Have a valid advisory report & Renew A proportional ■ the certificatecontrol every device two years ■ A digital display device

Please Pleasecomplete completeyour yourdetails detailsbelow belowin inblock blockcapitals capitals Name Name......................................................................................................................................................................... .........................................................................................................................................................................(Mr. (Mr.Mrs, Mrs,Ms) Ms).................................... .................................... Business Business.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Business BusinessAddress Address................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

How to obtain a CPD accreditation from the Energy Institute Energy Energyin inBuildings Buildingsand andIndustry Industryand andthe theEnergy EnergyInstitute Instituteare aredelighted delightedto to have haveteamed teamedup upto tobring bringyou youthis thisContinuing ContinuingProfessional ProfessionalDevelopment Development initiative. initiative. This module inin the eighteenth series andand focuses on Energy Thisis isthe thefirst ninth module the seventeenth series focuses on Space Efficiency It is accompanied by a set of multiple-choice Heating. ItLegislation. is accompanied by a set of multiple-choice questions. questions. To Toqualify qualifyfor foraaCPD CPDcertificate certificatereaders readersmust mustsubmit submitat atleast leasteight eightof ofthe the ten tensets setsof ofquestions questionsfrom fromthis thisseries seriesof ofmodules modulesto toEiBI EiBIfor forthe theEnergy Energy Institute Instituteto tomark. mark.Anyone Anyoneachieving achievingat atleast leasteight eightout outof often tencorrect correctanswers answerson on eight eightseparate separatearticles articlesqualifies qualifiesfor foran anEnergy EnergyInstitute InstituteCPD CPDcertificate. certificate.This Thiscan canbe be obtained, obtained,on onsuccessful successfulcompletion completionof ofthe thecourse courseand andnotification notificationby bythe theEnergy Energy Institute, Institute,free freeof ofcharge chargefor forboth bothEnergy EnergyInstitute Institutemembers membersand andnon-members. non-members. The Thearticles, articles,written writtenby byaaqualified qualifiedmember memberof ofthe theEnergy EnergyInstitute, Institute,will willappeal appeal to tothose thosenew newto toenergy energymanagement managementand andthose thosewith withmore moreexperience experienceof ofthe the subject. subject. Modules Modulesfrom fromthe thepast past16 16series seriescan canbe beobtained obtainedfree freeof ofcharge. charge.Send Send your yourrequest requestto toeditor@eibi.co.uk. editor@eibi.co.uk.Alternatively, Alternatively,they theycan canbe bedownloaded downloaded from fromthe theEiBI EiBIwebsite: website:www.eibi.co.uk www.eibi.co.uk

SERIES SERIES17 16

SERIES SERIES18 17

MAY MAY2019 2018--APR APR2020 2019

MAY JUNE- APR 20202020 - MAY 2021 MAY/2019

11 Batteries BEMS & Storage 22 Energy as a Service Refrigeration 33 Water Management LED Technology 44 Demand Side Response District Heating 55 Drives & Motors Air Conditioning 66 Blockchain Technology Behaviour Change 77 Compressed Air Thermal Imaging 88 Energy Purchasing Solar Thermal 99 Space SmartHeating Buildings 10 Centre Management 10 Data Biomass Boilers

11 Energy Efficiency Legislation Batteries & Storage 22 Building Controls* Energy as a Service 33 Smart Water Grids* Management 44 Lighting DemandTechnology* Side Response 55 Heat Pumps* Drives & Motors 66 Metering & Monitoring* Blockchain Technology 77 Air Conditioning* Compressed Air 88 Boilers Burners* Energy&Purchasing 99 Behaviour Change* Space Heating 10 Heat & Power* 10 Combined Data Centre Management*

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Energy in Universities

Ian Thomas is product manager – Labcontrol, TROX UK

For further information on TROX UK visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 127

Under the microscope Ian Thomas examines how energy consumption contributes to the high cost of universities’ research facilities and how this might be mitigated

cientific research is the lifeblood of many universities, establishing international reputations, attracting students and securing funding. But these activities have high financial and environmental overheads. The energy consumption of university laboratories is often more than three or four times that of ordinary teaching spaces on a square metre basis.1 The higher energy costs and carbon emissions of the science campus are typically associated with the air supply and extraction requirements of fume cupboards. When sashes of fume cupboards are open, the volumes of air required to maintain a safe working environment for laboratory personnel increase significantly. For example, a 900mm wide cupboard with a maximum sash height of 500mm and face velocity of 0.5m/s would extract approximately 225l/s of conditioned air from the room.

Energy reduction project When approaching an energy reduction project for a university there are a number of important questions that need to be asked: 1) Are the fume cupboards fixed on a constant air volume, or is air volume variable? For example, extracting 225l/s of conditioned air from the room the minimum air volume could be around 55l/s with a variable air volume fume cupboard when the sash is down. So converting from constant to variable volume could save 170l/s, when the sash is in the down position. 2) Would the site benefit from a room air management system? Simply installing variable volume fume cupboards may not be sufficient to achieve the ambitious sustainability targets of today’s research-intensive institution. The ideal option is to fully integrate fume cupboard air supply and extraction with the wider air management systems to prevent wastage. Installing a room air

Advanced air management technology is reducing energy use at the University of Birmingham

management system (such as the TROX EASYLAB system) makes it possible for all input and extract air for the laboratory to be controlled automatically to ensure that the required ventilation strategy and levels of safety are maintained. With this design approach, the supply and extraction of the fume cupboards (or other technical air management devices) is automatically balanced and offset in line with changing requirements, reducing the total supply and extract volumes. For example, if the fume cupboards are open and extracting air, there is not the same requirement for the room system to carry out this process. By scaling down room exhaust air extraction in line with fume cupboard extraction, the room air management system is able to prevent wastage associated with over-supply of conditioned air, improving energy efficiency significantly. 3) Could air change rates for the air conditioning systems on campus be reduced (with the provision of local overrides) at the weekend, or overnight, when the laboratories are unoccupied? 4) Could devices be installed to close the sashes of fume cupboards automatically when they are not in use by students? 5) Could energy consumption be reduced by installing local cooling or extraction devices? Equipment

such as ventilated down flow tables, canopy hoods or fume exhaust ‘snorkels’ can reduce energy consumption by taking away heat at source, reducing loading on the site-wide cooling system. 6) Could the design of the air management system facilitate greater operational flexibility of the laboratory spaces? A more flexible laboratory which enables multiple scientific disciplines to work side-byside can be used by more students, for more of the time, reducing expensive under-occupation of the facilities.

Air management system In the new Rosalind Franklin Science Building at the University of Wolverhampton, a TROX EASYLAB room air management system has been installed to manage the supply

and extract controllers for over 50 fume cupboards. Responding rapidly to changes in extract volumes by the technical extraction devices, the room air management system offsets one form of exhaust air against another. This maintains the correct air flow balance and room pressure at all times in the laboratories, whilst generating energy savings by preventing over-supply and extraction of conditioned air. Auto-close mechanisms fitted to fume cupboards ensure that sashes close automatically, if left open unnecessarily. At the University of Birmingham’s new Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) the installation of advanced air management technology is reducing energy consumption by maximising occupancy levels. In one area of the CTL, for example, the TROX air management system, integrated with the site’s BMS, optimises energy efficiency of 50 fume cupboards. It divides the lab into five zones, each with ten fume cupboards, fitted with TROX EASYLAB TVLK-type fume cupboard controllers. Sash distance sensors control the volume flow rates based on the height of the sashes, and TROX BE-SEG-02 user displays, with traffic light warning systems and audible alarms, contribute to safe working procedures. Each zone features two supply air VAV units which track the extract air, ensuring the maintenance of correct leakage flows. By matching the supply of air to the changing requirements of the space these features reduce over-supply and wastage of conditioned air, ensuring that multiple scientific disciplines can carry out teaching and research safely side-by-side. At the same time the optimum level of environmental and financial performance can be achieved. The resulting levels of efficiency have contributed to the building’s ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating. 

Reference 1) Peter James and Lisa Hopkinson, ‘Carbon, Energy and Environmental Issues Affecting Laboratories in Higher Education - A Supplement to the HEEPI Report on General Regulations and Schemes on the Topic’, August 2011.

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Heat Pump Technology For further information on Low Carbon Farming visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 129

Cultivating low carbon The innovative use of heat pumps will provide heating from waste water to cultivate tomatoes at one of the UK’s largest horticultural projects

world-first project to be completed later this year in East Anglia is using heat pumps to produce heat from waste water to cultivate tomatoes. The two East Anglian projects are in Bury St Edmunds and Norwich. Both are owned by Greencoat Capital and developed by Brightonbased Low Carbon Farming Ltd. Together they have 29 hectares of indoor growing space. Using heat pumps to capture waste heat from nearby water recycling centres, the projects displace traditional gas-fired greenhouse heating methods, and will increase significantly the production of low carbon, British produce. Electricity for the ground source heat pumps will be provided by the grid and combined heat and power units. These have the added benefits of providing waste heat which further supplements the greenhouse heating and providing carbon dioxide to enrich the atmosphere inside the greenhouse to encourage plant growth. The combined investment of £120m is expected to create 360 new green economy jobs, rising to 480 in high season. The greenhouse’s high productivity, hydroponic growing system will use 10x less water, increase British tomato production by 12 per cent, and reduce the carbon emissions associated with doing so by 75 per cent. Even then, Britain is still expected to import more than 70 per cent of its tomatoes. Anglian Water is working with Low Carbon Farming on the first projects to supply the waste heat and in doing so solve the environmental challenges associated with heating local water courses. David Riley, Head of Carbon Neutrality at Anglian Water: “These projects are helping us fulfil our environmental obligations and represent the kind of innovative approach to sustainability we are embracing right across our business

low carbon greenhouses. The plan represents a significant advance for national food resilience, capable of seeing the UK become self-sufficient in tomatoes and cucumbers, while removing the food miles associated with importing such produce. In practice, growing capacity is likely to be allocated to a wider range of produce, including peppers and flowers.

Nationwide roll-out

Fruit of the vine: Low Carbon Farming plans to increase British tomato production by 12 per cent

in our own challenge to become zero carbon by 2030. Finding alternative sustainable uses for land close to water recycling centres which also make use of excess energy makes sense for UK businesses.”

Renewable heat ‘new frontier’ A fund managed by Greencoat Capital, the UK’s largest investor in renewable energy, acquired the two East Anglian projects in September 2019. James Samworth, partner at Greencoat Capital: “Renewable heat is a new frontier for UK climate action and every sector will need to play its part. Our projects have demonstrated that it’s now perfectly

Heat pumps will capture waste heat from nearby water recycling centres to provide ideal growing conditions

possible to strip the carbon out of British growing and, with the appropriate policy environment in place, we look forward to considering the role we can play in financing a wider roll-out of this solution.” Low Carbon Farming has unveiled its plans for a nationwide rollout of sustainable infrastructure that could change the face of British horticulture. Buoyed by the UK’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and the impending release of the Government’s clean heat strategy, the company has identified potential sites for a further 41 giant,

Andy Allen, director of Low Carbon Farming, said: “Our East Anglian projects provide British farming with a bankable template for the nationwide roll-out of transformative, renewable heat solutions. Having secured the financing and proven the business model, and with the case for secure and sustainable British produce having been thrown into such sharp focus, it’s time to plan for the next stage. “Policy decisions made the innovation behind our first projects possible – specifically, the entirely logical extension of the Tariff Guarantee until the end of the Renewable Heat Incentive in 2021. We now look to government for a clear and far-sighted decision to extend revenue support for renewable heating in British farming far beyond 2021.” Through its tenancy agreements with third party growers, Low Carbon Farming’s East Anglian projects will supply low carbon, British tomatoes to retailers including Subway and Sainsbury’s. Baroness Natalie Bennett of Manor Castle, former Leader of the Green Party and a long-time advocate of sustainable farming practice commented: “We need a proper food strategy in England (Wales and Scotland already have more or less decent ones). Our diets are deeply unhealthy and our farmers often face an unnecessary trade-off between the commercial and the environmental. “British farming must increase its production of fruit and vegetables many times over but in a manner compatible with our net zero commitment. That’s why this wastebased innovation is so exciting: it smashes both boxes and establishes a highly replicable template for policy-makers to build upon.” 

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Heat Pump Technology For further information on Stiebel Eltron UK visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 130

Keeping our heritage Mark McManus discusses decarbonisation and the vital role retrofit heat pumps options could play in achieving the UK’s lofty targets

nstalling renewable options in new-build properties is among the Government’s primary focuses in legislation designed to improve sustainability. The most recent of these – the Future Homes Standard 2025 – introduces new benchmarks requiring new-build homes to be future-proofed with low-carbon heating systems and also brings a focus on energy efficiency by 2025. However, it’s key that this appetite to improve the green credentials of the country’s building stock extends beyond the new-build market. The UK’s built environment currently contributes around 40 per cent of the country’s carbon footprint according to the UK Green Building Council. Improving performance in existing buildings is crucial if we are to meet the increasingly challenging carbon reduction targets needed to meet global sustainability objectives. Any efforts to decarbonise the UK economy must include a significant focus on the retrofit market. Heat pumps offer the ideal renewable solution to the issue of retrofit for hot water and heating – by extracting heat from the air, ground or water to them repurpose and generate renewable power. Thereby providing clients with lower fuel bills and minimising their impact on the environment with easy installation and minimal maintenance required.

Complicated endeavour

At Welham Hall in North Yorkshire, a heat pumps system draws on a nearby lake as an energy source

tight or awkward spaces and efficient heat generation can offset the lack of insulation often found in older buildings. They can also be supplemented by the fact that they do not require additional structures to work, with existing outbuildings often being appropriate for housing the heat pump system itself. This flexibility is important given the options for new external buildings to house energy systems are limited in heritage sites. They can also integrate with existing heating systems, creating hybrid options that allow for a phased approach to energy efficiency. In an area where heritage heating systems may require retention due to

a building’s listed status, this can be a significant benefit. Allowing estates teams and owners to preserve the original radiators and other heating systems within the restored building.

Renewable credentials The use of electricity to harvest energy from the environment means that the renewable credentials of heat pumps surpass competing technology. Electricity is the only energy source that can viably be generated by sustainable means, so as time passes and the continued decarbonisation of electricity generation progresses, heat pumps will become an increasingly energy efficient and environmentally

Welham Hall is a good example of how heritage sites need not be exempt from sustainable measures

Historic England estimates that there are around 500,000 listed buildings in the UK. Creating bespoke renewable energy systems like purpose-built structures for energy generation that require the adaptation of these building’s fabric is a complicated endeavour given the planning restrictions on heritage sites. However, the adaptability of heat pumps means that they are best placed to offer an option for those looking to revitalise a heritage building with minimal impact to the surrounding area. They’re an effective solution too in that the correct heat pump specification can often work around

Mark McManus is managing director at Stiebel Eltron UK

friendly option. The retrofit of two ground-source heat pumps at Welham Hall, North Yorkshire as part of a wider restoration project offers a live demonstration of the potential that heat pumps hold as an option. The system comprises two Stiebel Eltron WPF 13S heat pumps, which provide heating and hot water to the whole property using a nearby lake as a source. The lake supplies a consistent natural source of energy that can power the system with minimal impact on the environment, not only saving money but also improving the properties reputation for sustainable operation. A core component of this restoration and retrofit was to minimise changes to the original buildings and visual impact on the wider estate. This prerequisite led to the design teams’ decision to use the existing lake as an energy source. It meant that trenches for a ground loop system, which would provide power to the system, were not required with the end results being a system that is near invisible. While the heat pumps have so far provided a consistent performance in a range of weather conditions, a backup oil boiler was also installed as a fail-safe during particularly harsh temperatures. It ensures that the system can operate reliably in a range of situations with no loss in performance while vastly improving the sustainability of the site. Since completion, the system has been monitored using an Internet Service Gateway, which has revealed a Seasonal Performance Coefficient of 3.36 – a key contributing factor to it receiving widespread industry recognition. This project is a perfect example of how heritage sites need not be exempt from improved sustainability measures. Despite the challenges of listed status, potentially poor insulation and a lack of space, we have reached a point at which we can tastefully modernise these heritage building’s heating systems without compromising on performance. Harnessing this technology and using it as part of a wider push to retrofit all heritage buildings, as well as homes and commercial buildings in the UK with renewable options will prove key in meeting our targets to reduce emissions. 

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ESTA VIEWPOINT

For further information on ESTA visit www.estaenergy.org.uk

A platform for best practice Pioneering projects are helping develop new quality assessment tools for energy performance contracting. Nick Keegan looks at the potential to adapt them to the ‘new normal’

t the time of writing we are approaching two months of lockdown, making me reflect on the impact this has had on the energy services contracts we work on at EEVS. Unsurprisingly, there have been challenges around how to adjust performance reporting to account for seismic changes in operations, and delays to construction works. Perhaps less anticipated though, were the opportunities it could bring for clients and energy services providers to work together and make the best of the situation. Some of the issues to be addressed include: • how can you best minimise energy use while maintaining essential services, and stay vigilant to ensure infrequent site use does not result in equipment being left on unnecessarily? and • how can you best make use of onsite generation when the energy profile has changed? These questions are not just relevant now but will also become acutely so as we move to the ‘new normal’. The key to being able to react and make the best of changing conditions is a strong working partnership built on well-aligned incentives, clear communication and transparency. This was also a key finding from pilot projects we have been working with to test new quality assessment criteria for energy efficiency services. Beyond the technical elements often seen to be of paramount importance, the secret to successful energy services contracting appears to be in the communication. At EEVS and in ESTA’s Energy Services Contracting group, we have been following the pan-European QualitEE project. This has established a set of quality assessment criteria for energy efficiency services at a European level, designed to form the backbone of quality assurance schemes, which can build trust and uptake of services. The assessment criteria are structured to follow the value chain from initial energy auditing, through construction, contract agreement, guarantees, O&M and performance measurement (M&V). It was recognised early on, however, that the energy services

South Cambridgeshire Council is aiming to cut the carbon emissions at its headquarters

markets around Europe have their nuances, and so some local refinement was necessary. We have had the chance to engage with two UK energy performance contracting projects. They have acted as pioneers to test these criteria and help us refine them for the UK context, while also evaluating the feasibility of auditing processes that will form the basis of a potential UK quality assurance scheme for energy performance contracting led by ESTA.

Energy performance contract The first of these projects is an energy performance contract between Dundee City Council and Vital Energi using the Scottish Non-Domestic Energy Efficiency Framework (NDEEF). This is a £1.8m investment in efficiency measures and on-site generation for three leisure centres, a community centre, art gallery, library, depot and car park. The contract is now concluded, having met its guaranteed savings in the first year after completion, as is the approach taken in the design and build variant of the NDEEF. This meant it was ideal to test the assurance processes for the proposed ESTA scheme, which will retrospectively assess sample projects from beyond the first savings verification point, to accredit energy performance contracting providers. Due to the success of this project additional phases of works are underway to support delivery of the council’s net-zero

Nick Keegan is chair of the ESTA Energy Services Contracting Group and director at EEVS Insight.

carbon targets. The second project is at an earlier stage, which allowed for testing in a ‘live’ environment. This is important, as alongside being a tool to support accreditation in the proposed ESTA scheme, the criteria can be used by clients and contractors for ongoing self-assessment. This project is an energy performance contract between South Cambridgeshire District Council and Bouygues Energies & Services using the RE:FIT framework (managed by Local Partnerships). Its ambition is to lead the way by going as far as possible in reducing the carbon emissions of the council’s headquarters within reasonable economic limits. The headline elements are a heat pump to decarbonise heating, and solar PV car ports fitted with EV charging to facilitate the transition to zero emissions transport. Working with the pilot projects revealed that organisational structure and communication procedures were critical to success and trust building. This means: clear reporting lines; regular and well-structured meetings; engagement with end users; transparent reporting and data exchange; and processes for change management. Among other areas of feedback, this has been used to inform the first draft of ESTA’s new “Quality Criteria for Energy Performance Contracting Services” that has been published at https:// estaenergy.org.uk/groups/escg/. Although consultation continues on these criteria and the proposed ESTA quality assurance scheme, this tool is now ready-to-use. Project stakeholders can use this as a self-assessment checklist throughout development, procurement and delivery. By publishing the first draft of these quality criteria ESTA aims to initiate an evolving platform for best practices freely available for consumers and suppliers, to offer a framework to build the strong working relationships needed to achieve the best energy outcomes.  • To read more about the pilot projects visit https://qualitee.eu/gb/pilot-projects/ and to hear about the outcomes of the QualitEE project, join online events being held in three one-hour sessions 17-19th June. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/ qualitee-project-18261210897

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Stu Redshaw is chief technology officer of EkkoSense

Data Centres For further information on EkkoSense visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 132

Take monitoring to a new level Stu Redshaw believes that BMS have their limitations when it comes to data centre monitoring. However, operators now have alternatives to keep pace with evolving demands

any organisations continue to solely rely on building management systems (BMS) to monitor the environment for their critical data centre estates. The reality is that these systems are unable to support the datapoint densities needed to effectively monitor this essential thermal performance. Because BMS sensors typically report on a blend of hot and cold average temperatures, it’s easy to be lulled into a sense of false security as things generally look great. But that’s not rigorous enough for true data centre performance optimisation and reduced risk operation. When you absolutely need to be certain that all the different IT racks and cooling equipment in your facility are performing within precise temperature and power parameters, it’s time for a more accurate monitoring approach. However, while a BMS is great for ensuring that the fabric of a building is operating correctly, it’s becoming increasingly less applicable for today’s dynamic data centres. Typically deployed in an empty data centre shell on day one, the BMS generally monitors the ambient temperature from a number of hard-wired wall sensors, and will require a lot of customisation work to handle additional datapoints. This data is then fed back to screens in the building operations room, where any alerts will need to be addressed. This model no longer works for critical facilities, particularly as data centres can now hold potentially thousands of thermally sensitive pieces of equipment, each of which requires monitoring to ensure its ongoing efficient operation. To enable this, data centre environments now require an entirely new level of sensing granularity to enable effective thermal monitoring for what have become high-intensity, dynamic environments where operating conditions and equipment status can change within seconds.

Technology is now available to help organisations deliver the high standards of monitoring now required in a data centre

Thermal issues rank as the second largest cause of data centre loss of service - accounting for almost a third of unplanned outages – so there can never be any room for complacency, especially given the critical role that hosted services now play in supporting digital and cloud operations.

Potential thermal failure To insure against this happening, many data centre teams hedge against potential thermal failure by routinely over-cooling critical facilities. Unfortunately, cooling inefficiencies often mean these efforts are misguided, with the result that around 11 per cent of racks in a data centre aren’t actually able to maintain 100 per cent ASHRAE data centre cooling compliance. Last year temperatures hit 38.1°C in the UK at the end of July, and Paris recorded a high of 42.6°C. Records also fell across the Netherlands,

Belgium and Germany. This proved a critical issue for data centre teams in a number of Europe’s key data centre nodes, impacting London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam particularly. What caught many operators by surprise was just how quickly thermal runaway can transform a data centre that was running fine into a site with real problems due to cooling plant failure. Where cooling systems and resilience have not been tested in anger, plant failures or reduced output caused by high ambients can quickly lead to high IT temperatures. So it’s easy to see how what was previously thought to be a well-operating site can quickly become well over temperature within hours, if not minutes. The good news is that the technology is now available – and increasingly accessible – to help organisations deliver the levels of monitoring needed to keep on

top of their data centre thermal risk, At EkkoSense, for example, we’re combining the latest low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) enabled wireless sensors with immersive 3D software to create true real-time 3D visualisations of a data centres critical heartbeat operational data. With this level of visualisation and analytics software in place, data centre teams can eliminate thermal hotspots, improve their overall site resilience and also gain early insight into potential issues before they become critical and even cause an SLA breach. By introducing the industry’s first true IoT-enabled family of wireless thermal sensors, we’re disrupting the traditional sensor cost model and making the real-time thermal management of critical facilities such as data centres a possibility. Bringing the cost down also means that sensors can be deployed in much larger numbers - ensuring that high spatial resolution is available, down to rack-level where required. This allows the air temperature and humidity at each asset of interest to be accurately monitored, and wirelessly transmitted to enable the measurement of values at predefined intervals. Basic sensors are used to keep track of rack equipment temperatures, while more advanced cooling duty sensors are available to check that your CRAC/AHU units are doing what they’re meant to. With this level of monitoring granularity, covering all aspects of a data centre estate’s performance including thermal overviews, cooling capacity, power capacity and space capacity - becomes achievable. This kind of remote monitoring also opens up the possibility of having data centre performance optimisation experts supporting your operations from a remote Network Operations Centre. It’s certainly a long way from the kind of basic monitoring offered by traditional BMS functionality but, when it comes to monitoring and managing your dynamic data centre environments, it pays to get on the front foot. 

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Data Centres

Stephen Whatling is chairman at BCS

For further information on BCS visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 131

Adapting to the ‘new normal’ Stephen Whatling believes that whatever the shape of the world post COVID-19, the demand for data centres will rise relentlessly. But issues such as rising energy demands and a serious skills shortage will need to be addressed

s we continue to respect the Governments advice to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives, it is no surprise that the demand for internet services has increased dramatically. Netflix has added 16m new subscribers in the last two months; the Zoom app, loved by some and hated by others, now has 300m users; Microsoft Teams added 12m daily users, an increase of almost 40 per cent, in a single week; and the average home is using 38 per cent more bandwidth every day. A recent UBS Evidence Labs report found that broadband speeds in London had dropped by around 8 per cent since February and the lag time was up by a similar figure. This proves that the increase in demand is having an impact on the overall network and that capacity issues are having to be being managed by the internet service providers. Many people outside the data centre industry just assume that the cloud has infinite capacity. However, key players, like Microsoft, were already looking to add capacity before the pandemic. In fact, data centre capacity had been increasing over many years in response to demand for cloudbased services. In a survey carried out by BCS in the summer of 2019, over 90 per cent of developers had already planned to increase capacity over the next 12 months. And this was before Covid 19. In the medium term, more capacity will come on-stream. While many construction projects are either on hold or being delivered later than planned due to workplace distancing measures and supply chain issues, the consultancy and design of new facilities is continuing apace. At BCS we are seeing no let up for this because people working from home easily can progress the project. Perhaps of greater concern is the wave of projects that are currently in the design phase and will be looking

There a is an opportunity for homegrown businesses to play a greater role in the data centres of the future

to commence construction in the near term. We know that two-thirds of our 2019 survey respondents had concerns about the availability of skilled data centre construction staff. Combined with the slower build times due to the likelihood of new safety processes being put in place for at least the rest of this year this means that it is almost certain that demand for extra capacity will outstrip the ability of the market to supply it.

Worsening skills shortage The skills shortage will get worse before it gets better. Many graduate vacancies and apprenticeship schemes, both vital in the ongoing provision of skilled data centre staff, have been put on hold until the future is clear. This delay in

‘Lockdown means more data capacity will be needed ’ recruitment, training and provision of engineers will further slow the development of new capacity. During the pandemic itself the industry is not compelled to cancel or pause construction as we provide critical infrastructure. For example, we are managing the construction of a data centre in Italy’s red zone. Work is continuing, albeit not without its challenges! Some construction sites have taken a short pause while others continue but at a slower pace. However, we are now seeing disruptions to supply chains for machinery and equipment as more necessary projects such as the

work in the NHS understandably take priority. This comes on top of factory closures and logistics issues. It’s not only a shortage of skilled labour, machinery and slower build times that will affect the ‘new normal’ as it is highly likely that the same workplace restrictions will have an impact on the supply of raw materials. Steel and copper from China, and in our case steel supply from the red zone in Lombardy, Italy, will all be restricted and supplies will be slower than usual for some time to come. One thing is certain, demand for additional data centre capacity will increase even more as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown. Whenever demand exceeds supply prices inevitably rise. Only the strongest and financially fittest businesses will survive the lockdown period. These businesses, including Alphabet, Microsoft and AWS etc. will be in a position to buy up any capacity that does exist. They already have strong business models and a pseudo monopoly position between the three of them. I think we will see their position strengthen even more and that cannot be a good thing for the industry as a whole and for the businesses and consumers that need cloud-based services. A positive that should come from the current situation is a move to near-shoring or on-shoring of critical services. It is clear that, judging from recent events, healthcare manufacturing, healthcare consumables and pharmaceuticals production will migrate closer to home. But what about data? We have seen a trend towards nearshoring data centres as a result of the rise of edge computing and AI. This is likely to accelerate with the realisation that data, data centres and access to the internet are critical elements of our national infrastructure. There is an opportunity for homegrown businesses to play a greater role in designing, constructing and providing the critical infrastructure of the future. 

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

Heat pump for low-energy homes

LED downlight for hospitality and retail Sylvania is giving premises owners, building specifiers and interior designers greater flexibility over their lighting choices with its new Ludospot integrated LED accent downlights. Ludospot is modular system that allows users to select the LED module required and then choose the right housing style. Ideal for hospitality, retail and commercial applications, Ludospot allows people to get more creative with their downlights. With Ludospot, choose the module you need and mount on the desired die casting aluminium housing to get the right ambience for your application. A wide range of housing options allows direct replacement of most recessed halogen spotlights’ installations on the market, whatever the diameter and the circular, square or rectangular shape. The Ludospot 50 Module and 111 Module have a high colour rendering index CRI90, with SDCM <3 light colour consistency. The 50 modules are available with 15°, 28° or 40° light beam angle option whilst the 111 modules are available 24W or 38W with 38° light beam angle. Users can select Ludospot in either warm 3000K and neutral 4000K colour temperatures. Easy and quick mounting of the modules thanks to the Twist&Lock system, the housings can accommodate single, double or triple LED modules, depending upon the requirements. For complete design flexibility, Ludospot has a choice of round or square, single, double or triple housings. Sylvania also offers IP44 ONLINE ENQUIRY 103 degree protection on a number of the housings.

Panasonic has launched the Aquarea High Performance J Generation Bi-Bloc heat pump, a heating and cooling solution, for new installations, refurbishments, and low-energy homes. Utilising air-to-water heat pump technology and R32 refrigerant, it is a highly efficient and more environmentally friendly solution compared to R410A refrigerant. By converting heat energy in the air into household warmth, the highly efficient Aquarea technology helps to reduce CO2 emissions and environmental impact compared to conventional boilers and electric heaters. The J Series also includes quieter outdoor units compared to previous models. This helps to reduce noise outside of the property, which is particularly noticeable in quiet, rural areas. The unit can be combined with high efficiency hot water tanks, such as the anode-free “A” Stainless Steel Tank in 192-litre and 280-litre capacities. Each tank reduces energy loss thanks to its high levels of insulation, resulting in the most efficient solution. Synchronisation with solar panels is also possible. Providing a simple yet sophisticated control solution, Aquarea J Generation is also compatible with the Aquarea Smart Cloud, a powerful and intuitive service for remotely controlling the full range of heating and hot water functions, including monitoring ONLINE ENQUIRY 104 energy consumption.

Screw compressors deliver higher energy efficiency Gardner Denver has launched a range of oil-lubricated screw compressors as part of the CompAir L-Series. The premium range, available in 90 kW, 110kW and 132kW models, combines a fixed speed compressor with IE4 motors. This creates a system that delivers energy efficiency improvements of 2.3 per cent when compared with the standard models. The new models feature a newly patented oil regulation valve, which automatically regulates oil injections and discharge temperature according to environmental conditions. Not only does this reduce power consumption, but it eliminates the risk of condensate and corrosion in the system too. It also helps maintain the oil’s high quality throughout the compressor’s lifetime, reducing the unit’s total cost of ownership. The new models also include an improved airend that is supported by the CompAir Assure warranty, which covers the airend for up to ten years or 44,000 hours. Dora Artemiadi, product manager for industrial compressors EMEA at Gardner Denver, said: “We compared one of the premium units with a number of alternative models. Our compressor delivered five per cent greater energy efficiency, as well as a flow rate up to 12 per cent higher." The company adds that energy savings of €3,700 a year against a number of other competitor models are possible, and even possible savings of more than €6,000 when compared with other compressors available in the market.

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James Henley is product development manager at Daikin Applied UK

Air Handling For further information on Daikin Applied UK visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 133

Healthy AHUs, healthy buildings The way air handling units (AHUs) are designed and deployed will play a big part in the UK’s campaign to improve the health and wellbeing of building occupants, says James Henley

he role of ventilation systems in minimising health problems in buildings has been under the microscope this year. It has quickly become clear during the COVID-19 outbreak that target air change rates in buildings needed to be maintained – even in partially occupied buildings – to minimise the risk of virus-containing moisture settling and remaining on internal surfaces. Building owners were also advised to switch air handling units (AHUs) to full fresh air mode and temporarily disable any heat recovery recirculation so that potentially contaminated air was not returned to the occupied space. AHUs will also continue to play a vital role in the ongoing threat posed to human health by air pollution. This is responsible for as many as 36,000 deaths a year in the UK, according to Public Health England (PHE). Long-term exposure to airborne contaminants increases the risk and severity of asthma and is linked to coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory problems and lung cancer. It costs our economy upwards of £20bn a year, largely due to the additional burden on the NHS.

Rethink ventilation strategies Growing awareness of the impact of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) on health and productivity has already forced many building owners and managers to rethink their ventilation strategies. AHUs are, therefore, under increased scrutiny because of their role as interfaces between potentially highly polluted outside air and the indoor environment. The design issue faced by specifiers of AHUs is that harmful particulates are getting

A client’s requirements can be met by accurately sizing and using innovations like EC fans

smaller, which makes them more dangerous when inhaled as they can penetrate further into the human body. New filtration standards are focused on PM1 particulates (the smallest easily measurable), including those from diesel engines, which have been identified as a Group One carcinogen by the World Health Organization and have also been linked in recent studies to early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This means very high standards of filtration are needed, which has a profound impact on the design of the unit and the system as a whole. F7 filters are becoming a requirement in line with the international standard EN779. This combination of heat recovery and higher specification filters means an AHU will be subjected to higher pressure drops. This has implications for the size of the unit and its fan power, which, in turn, could lead to the use of larger motors that consume more energy. This flies in the face of current design trends, which have been moving

‘There are thousands of over-sized systems that can never meet their energy efficiency targets’ towards smaller units to reduce capital cost and free up valuable lettable space in commercial buildings. As a result, in our highly pricesensitive industry there is growing evidence that some suppliers to the commercial building sector are simply ignoring the new standards to be able to quote a lower price to the client. As standards are rarely policed across the building services sector, this less-than-ethical approach often pays off – at least for the supplier. However, the outcome is that building owners and occupiers are left with systems that are not fit for purpose; are not legally compliant and leave a legacy of poor performance – and they pay more in the long-run too. As well

as missing energy targets, these systems will also leave occupants vulnerable to airborne pollutants. It is perfectly possible to design a system that meets the energy efficiency and IAQ criteria without having to over-specify on size and price. What is required, however, is the rigorous application of good, basic engineering principles including properly defining the type of system. For example, if it is a variable air volume (VAV) system then the ErP states that an engineer should establish efficiency based on 65 per cent of design duty – rather than the all too common practice of simply basing all the calculations on 100 per cent duty with 10 per cent added ‘just in case’. That unfortunate habit has left a legacy of thousands of over-sized systems that can never meet their energy efficiency targets because they are too big. They also fail more quickly because they are continually cycling on and off rather than operating for longer periods at lower duty – and they cost the client more than if a properly sized system had been specified in the first place. At Daikin Applied, we look to meet the client’s requirements by accurately sizing and using technical innovations like EC fans in order to minimise energy consumption. Fan power is also specifically referenced in the revised ErP legislation so is another design aspect that should not be ignored by specifiers. It also calls for multiple fan systems to build in redundancy as well as improving efficiency. So, it is perfectly possible to provide end users with a long-term solution that is both cost-effective to operate and helps to protect the health and wellbeing of occupants. You just need to apply the right design principles. 

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TALKING HEADS Grace Rothery

Grace Rothery is head of retail at Gazprom Energy

Stepping into the unknown Predicting the future direction of the domestic energy market is tough but Grace Rothery is determined to maintain Gazprom’s position as Great Britain’s leading gas supplier

ike every other market sector in the UK, the energy market is navigating uncharted waters. Predictions made at the beginning of the year on energy prices, number of suppliers, and patterns of use have been blown out of the water. Grace Rothery believes it’s impossible to say what the effects of the pandemic will be on the market. The head of retail at Gazprom Energy told EiBI: “If businesses continue to be closed or scaled back, and if people continue to work remotely, either temporarily or on a more long-term basis, then demand in the non-domestic sector will continue to reduce and prices will be affected in different ways. For example, we might expect wholesale prices to drop but infrastructure and/or transportation costs could go up.” In addition, she believes pressure will mount on suppliers and TPIs. “We may also see smaller, independent suppliers go out of business in the next few months if they don’t have the financial backing and stability to survive when customers cannot afford to pay their bills,” she commented. “This essentially means customers will have less choice when it comes to selecting their energy provider. The TPI market could also change and we have already seen a number of TPIs forced to take action including putting staff on furlough as a result of their core customer base (SMEs) being affected by closures.” Rothery's first priority is to maintain Gazprom's position as the leading gas supplier in Great Britain. The company has been supplying more gas than any other supplier since 2017. “There are a number of factors that have led us to this position,” she comments. “Everything we do has a focus on our customers, and we believe in the value of having an in-depth understanding of the challenges our customers face.” What sets the company apart from its competitors is its knowledge and overall attitude, Rothery believes. “Energy regulations are constantly changing so keeping on top of them may be challenging. However, our passion for

Rothery: 'customers will have less choice when it comes to selecting their energy provider'

‘We have seen environmental issues temporarily deprioritised as businesses fight for survival’ doing what’s right for the customer means that we excel in this area. We actually embrace change, working hard to innovate, adapt and react quickly and to a high standard with successful outcomes.” This desire to keep Gazprom at the top of the suppliers’ league stems from Rothery’s unorthodox route to her current role. Having qualified as a solicitor a couple of client secondments attracted her to practising law in house. “I was drawn to this as I enjoyed applying the law to help achieve and exceed business goals and this spurred me on to make the move in-house to Gazprom Energy. During my time here, I have led our Legal & Regulatory teams before transitioning to my current role in 2018.”

Greater emphasis on environmental issues As the UK slowly begins to emerge from the pandemic, emphasis will be turning onto whether the UK will be placing a greater emphasis on environmental issues. “We have seen environmental issues temporarily deprioritised as businesses fight for survival,” Rothery comments. “However, I doubt this will

be a long-term change unless government targets are adjusted accordingly. As long as companies need to comply with environmental regulations and meet emissions targets, reducing consumption and pollution will continue to be a priority in the future. We may see further government intervention to encourage investment in renewables because the business case for doing so at the moment is greatly impacted by the rock-bottom price of oil and other fossil fuels.” A new focus on environmental management does not mean that Gazprom has any intention in veering from its core business and into providing energy services. “In the short to medium term, we are focused on providing a great customer experience for gas and electricity supply,” states Rothery. “We encourage our customers to engage with specialists in energy management and other services because we believe in the ‘best-in-breed’ model, rather than Gazprom acting as a one-stop shop.” Rothery is convinced that energy will become one of the biggest overheads for businesses and customers are increasingly seeking to gain better control over their monthly outgoings. “For smaller consumers, the desire for accuracy will become even greater,” she adds. “This will lead to estimated bills to become a thing of the past and the harnessing of new technology to help manage energy consumption. Customers of all sizes will also be demanding greater transparency which will put more emphasis on the provision of data and make this a core part of an energy supplier’s service.” Rothery also believes that decentralisation will continue to play an important role in the energy market of the future. “This will evoke new and innovative approaches to supplying and buying energy that are more flexible and autonomous,” she adds. “We are going to see an increase of organisations investing in onsite generation so this indicates that power purchase agreements (PPAs) will become increasingly popular and significantly important in coming years.” 

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Building specifiers and interior designers are being given greater flexibility over their lighting choices with new integrated LED accent downlights. Meanwhile, a new heating and cooling solution has been launched for the domestic market

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