November/ December 2019 by Energy In Buildings & Industry

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

www.eibi.co.uk

In this issue Boilers & Burners Data Centre Management CPD Module: Blockchain Technology EMEX 2019 Show Preview

High-rise heat Boilers in innovative London landmark

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Risk management How should data centres buy energy?

All being well How buildings impact on our health

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

www.eibi.co.uk

In this issue Boilers & Burners Data Centre Management CPD Module: Blockchain Technology EMEX 2019 Show Preview

High-rise heat Boilers in innovative London landmark

Risk management How should data centres buy energy?

All being well How buildings impact on our health

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Contents 08

www.eibi.co.uk

FEATURES

15 Boilers & Burners

To discuss how we might decarbonise our homes, Vaillant recently hosted a roundtable with representatives from the heating, energy and construction industries. Mark Wilkins examines the issues

The impact of data centres is under scrutiny. Simone Bruckner investigates their energy efficiency (38)

Andrew Dabin investigates various types of heat exchangers and their suitability for different applications (16)

Current harmonics are a burden for the power grid and data centres. Instead of reducing them, it would be better to avoid them altogether, believes Bernhard Siedler (42)

Paul Arnold looks at how to optimise heating efficiency with good boiler selection and efficient design (18) At 135m high, East Croydon’s 101 George Street will be the world’s tallest modular building when it opens its doors to the public in May 2020 (23)

A London data centre is saving £200,000 per year thanks to an innovative cooling solution centred around four chillers (40)

46 EMEX 2019 Preview

The Energy Management Exhibition (EMEX) is the UK’s leading event for professionals looking to create a low-carbon, energyefficient and sustainable future

Co-working spaces are on the rise. Tom Murray explores some of the most important factors relating to water heater specification (24)

During the two days of EMEX 2019 over 80 top specialists will give their knowledge and expertise to visitors (48)

36 Data Centre Management 53 Well-being in Buildings How should mission critical sites optimise their energy risk management strategy? Focus on energy procurement, says Bobby Collinson

The impact of our workplace on health and well-being should be subject to greater scrutiny, according to Dene Kent

REGULARS 06 News Update Government promises action on energy efficiency. Over 4,000 heat pumps and EV chargers needed every day

12 The Warren Report Costing the country almost £2bn a year, the Winter Fuel Payment has for 22 years hid the paucity of energy efficiency spending

29 The Fundamental Series: CPD Learning Mark Hobbins looks at blockchain technology and what it might mean for the energy sector

33 New Products New for the energy manager this month are a range of commercial extract fans and a new generation of devices for measuring air quality

55 Products in Action A London school makes huge savings with a lighting upgrade while heating control comes to the Swiss mountains

44 View from The Top Mark Rose is ensuring that Total Gas & Power is staying on course by concentrating on being a trusted, dependable supplier

45 ESTA Viewpoint Gone are the days of a one-off technology upgrade, believes Nick Keegan. Now, building efficiency will need to adapt to changing usage requirements

58 Talking Heads AIC is just beginning to get a foothold in the UK market. Stephen Wilson explained to EiBI how an emphasis on product quality will help the supplier of boilers flourish

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 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 | ENERGY IN BUILDINGS & INDUSTRY | 03

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editor’s opinion

Local heroes needed

his has been the year of raising awareness.

So it is encouraging that the government seems to

From a sea change of attitude towards

have taken their advice (see page 10). Over 30,000

plastics to the quiet determination of

letters have been sent to invite members of the public

Greta Thunberg right through to the more

to join such an assembly aimed at outlining how we

noisy protests of Extinction Rebellion on the streets of London, we have witnessed a remarkable change

can meet net-zero emissions targets. The recipients have been chosen at random to

in attitude towards the environment. People are

participate in the Climate Assembly UK, which will

looking to get involved, not just the “uncooperative

run for four weekends between January to March

crusties” but professionals and pensioners alike who

next year in Birmingham. A sample will then be

feel the need to influence the future.

selected from respondents to the invites, with 110

I’ve had one or two interesting conversations with EiBI readers who have the technical knowledge and

people taking part in the assembly. You might say that their proposals are no more

experience in energy-saving projects through their

than a recommendation to Government but

work and now feel compelled to take that knowledge

experiments with citizens’ assemblies have had

into their community. One reader had a whole host

striking successes in Ireland. For example, in 2017,

of ideas for his local area but was searching a way of

one recommended ending a constitutional ban on

conveying those ideas to the local population.

abortion. This is now law.

So will 2020 be the year when the call to action

So if you get the chance to participate, grab the

www.eibi.co.uk

the EiBI team editorial Managing Editor Mark Thrower tel: 01483 452854 Email: editor@eibi.co.uk Address: P. O. Box 825, Guildford GU4 8WQ Social Media Assistant Sam Jackson tel: 01889 577222 Email: info@energyzine.co.uk

advertising 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 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

gets converted into actual action? I don’t think we can

opportunity. If not, use the idea as an inspiration

expect a revolution but ideas will need to start coming

to create your own local community group that

together. Interestingly, Extinction Rebellion really

can make a difference. There is a vast reservoir of

doesn’t have any hard and fast idea of how they would

enthusiasm out there. Tap into it and turn awareness

hit their ambitious target of zero carbon by 2025.

into action.

classified sales

to investigate, discuss and make recommendations on

MANAGING EDITOR

circulation

how to respond to the climate emergency.”

Mark Thrower

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

However, one of their three stated aims is to create a citizens’ assembly to “bring together ordinary people

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

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

THIS MONTH’S COVER STORY ELCO Heating Solutions has supplied four 200kW TRIGON XL gas condensing boilers to Ulster Museum, Belfast. The new boilers, which replaced four ageing cast iron units, are providing highly efficient heating and hot water to the entire property. One of the major challenges involved access to the basement plant room. The modular build of the TRIGON XL allowed Sermet’s installation team to disassemble the boilers into their component parts at ground level and subsequently transport them to the basement in the small service lift. Completing the whole process took less than half a day for each boiler. See page 20 for more details Cover photo courtesy of ELCO Heating Solutions UK Ltd

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 2018 12,179

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Sustainability ‘not top priority’ for managers Less than one-fifth (18 per cent) of UK energy managers say hitting sustainability targets is their number one business priority, according to a survey commissioned by npower Business Solutions. Despite recent global attention on the environment following Climate Week in New York and net-zero pledges from many UK companies, 48 per cent of energy managers admit saving business energy costs still remains their primary concern. The findings are likely a result of increasing political and economic uncertainty in the UK: three quarters (75 per cent) are concerned about potential business energy price hikes, with Brexit viewed as the greatest factor affecting business energy prices in the future (32 per cent). When it comes to a change in government, respondents believe that this is likely to lead to increased price instability (60 per cent), greater regulation (50 per cent) and the continued rollout of new energyrelated policies to meet net-zero targets (56 per cent). However, energy managers are already implementing a number of strategies and tools to help manage energy efficiency and better prepare their business for continued uncertainty. More than half (52 per cent) have employed employee behaviour change programmes and 41 per cent are focused on engaging in a long-term (5-10 year) energy management plan. Ben Spry, head of flexibility services at npower Business Solutions, Energy HQ says: “It’s great to see UK business energy managers already taking positive steps to plan for the sector’s uncertain future. We’re encouraging energy decision makers to engage in long-term, strategic planning to help reduce risk and improve resilience.” Employee behaviour change programmes are also highly effective in reducing business energy consumption, with 42.8 per cent of energy managers reporting they have led to the greatest reduction in energy use for their business. Other energy-saving business tools include, LED lighting (30 per cent), and implementing energy monitoring tools/software (21 per cent).

GOVERNMENT REPLIES TO COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

‘Dramatic’ improvements promised The government has quietly published a detailed response to the many criticisms to its lack of ambition on delivering energy efficiency, made by the Committee on Climate Change (see EiBI July/August 2019). It is now promising to go “further and faster, to tackle climate change.” The new response includes plans to “dramatically” improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings particularly in the private rented sector, which covers most of the floor space in the retail and offices sector. It is undertaking to require all rented properties to hit Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band B by 2030. All that is now required from landlords is not to create new leases for buildings with an EPC rating of F or G. Such rules would usher in greener office and commercial buildings, while cutting carbon emissions equal to half a million homes, the government response stated. In addition, a consultation early next year will consider introducing mandatory in-use energy performance ratings for business buildings, made publicly visible in an attempt to get

businesses to crack down on wasteful energy use. Such ratings, known as Display Energy Certificates (DECs), have been mandatory throughout the public sector since 2007, and are updated annually. After making an initially high impact, lack of enforcement has led to an overt diminution in the number of publicly occupied buildings acquiring such DECs. Currently, less than half of qualifying public buildings are understood to be displaying an up-to-date

DEC in accordance with statutory requirements. The concept of requiring private sector buildings to display their levels of efficiency is not new. Former Prime Minister David Cameron proposed extending the DEC requirements to them, but left office before delivering his commitment. However, the European Energy Performance of Buildings directive now requires compliance in private occupied buildings regularly visited by members of the public.

Over 4,000 heat pumps, EV points ‘needed every day’ An average of over 4,000 EV charge points and domestic heat pumps will need to be installed per day to reach net zero, a target which will require a predicted £48bn in network upgrades, according to new research from Capital Economics on behalf on ScottishPower and SP Energy Networks (SPEN). The Zero Carbon Communities report provides a roadmap for local communities to reach net zero, with Liverpool as the first location to take part in the campaign. Forecasts from Capital Economics predict that the UK will need to install over 25m EV charge points and almost 23m heat pumps to meet a 2050 net zero. The total cost of transforming the UK’s transport and heating systems, as well as upgrading the electricity grid to cope with increased demand is estimated

to be £286bn by 2050. The cost of reinforcing the grid makes up £48bn of that figure. However, SPEN said it believes there is the potential to “significantly” reduce costs by investing in a planned and strategic way if the framework in which networks operate changes. ScottishPower is therefore calling on policymakers to devolve power to allow communities to have more

say, make plans and investments now to meet needs of communities and ensure all regulation has decarbonisation at its core. The campaign was launched in Liverpool, which is predicted to need nearly 600,000 EV charge points installed to meet its net zero target of 2040. The costs of reinforcing the electricity networks in the Liverpool City Region are predicted to be £1.4bn.

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

MOVE AWAY FROM GENERATION PROJECTS

IN BRIEF

EIB shifts energy funding policy

CHP for major Edinburgh site

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is set to agree later this month to completely reorient its lending programme, moving heavily towards funding energy efficiency projects. According to the current proposals, energy efficiency investments in buildings and industry are now set to represent approximately three- quarters of the total energy investment required during the next decade. Between 2021-30, this will amount to average investment levels worth €281bn per year. In contrast, power generation investments would be at less than one-fifth of that level, at just €55bn per year. This is because “the energy efficiency target is expected to reduce overall energy consumption, and therefore expected future reduction investment needs.”

ENGIE, the energy and services specialist, has partnered with Edinburgh St James, the 158,100m2 development to develop and operate a new low carbon decentralised energy scheme, worth £90m. The 33-year partnership will develop and operate a combined cooling heat and power scheme which will: • serve all homes and businesses at the site; • ensure cost-savings and a low carbon footprint; • encourage sustainability and recycling throughout the site, by using electricity generated from the Energy Centre to supply power elsewhere.

This change of priority towards energy saving is justified because, “given the persistent investment gap in this area, the Bank has an important role to play in supporting EU and national policies to stimulate the necessary investment, both within and outside the Union.” There are three areas on which the Bank will focus in the years ahead: “an initiative to increase the renovation rates of buildings” establishing a European Initiative for Building

Renovation; “support for high levels of energy performance in new buildings”, incentivising buildings “exceeding national mandated standards”; and the increase of energy efficiency investment by SMEs, providing an “integrated package of tailored financial support to financial intermediaries.’ There is, the EIB argues, “an urgent need to invest, and financing energy efficiency remains complex. To accelerate the uptake of energy efficiency investment, the Bank will finance up to 75 per cent of the eligible portfolio capital cost, both within and outside the Union.” The new policy focus on energy efficiency coincides with the appointment of Christine Lagarde (above) as its new head. She was previously a French finance minister.

HVAC solutions in the capital Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new London office and a specialist team dedicated to delivering energy efficient HVAC solutions in the capital. “With the London Plan being expanded to account for the next 20-25 years, it is important that we are right on hand to offer support and advice to designers, specifiers and installers,” said Rob Bowden, London Business Manager at Mitsubishi Electric. The London team will be using its new facility to host a series of customer CPD events where clients will be invited to meet the team, who can offer guidance, support and expertise for major projects and developments.

Bentley Motors achieves carbon neutrality certificate Bentley Motors has achieved carbon neutral certification for its factory headquarters in Crewe, taking another important step on its journey to become the world’s most sustainable luxury automotive manufacturer. The certification from the Carbon Trust, which confirms that the company meets the internationally recognised PAS 2060 standard for carbon neutrality, reflects measures taken by the company to reduce the carbon emitted in its operations, including the use of renewable electricity. All Bentley’s electricity is generated by either on-site solar panels or purchased as certified green electricity. All emissions that cannot be eliminated are compensated with high-quality offsets. Earlier this year, the UK’s largest solar car port,

comprising 10,000 solar panels, was installed at Bentley’s factory site in Crewe. The installation has a capacity of 2.7MW and covers 1,378 car parking spaces - an area of 16,426m². Adding to the 20,815 roof top panels already fitted, it took the total on-site solar panel energy capacity to 7.7MW. The achievement reflects almost two decades work to make the Crewe site as energy and carbon efficient as it can be. Although parts of the site have existed since the 1940s, in 1999 Bentley was the first UK automotive manufacturer to achieve the ISO 14001 environmental management standard and sees upgrading the site to maximise energy efficiency as a continual process. To secure the PAS 2060 certification, Gold Standard carbon credits have been purchased to offset the emissions that occur during manufacturing.

Javid launches transition review The Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has launched the Net-Zero Review which will assess how the UK can manage the transition to a lowcarbon economy. The review aims to determine how the UK can maximise economic growth opportunities associated with the transition to net-zero carbon. At its core will be an assessment of how to fairly balance contributions to ensure a just transition of the economy, and how to reduce costs for low-income households.

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

Global rate of energy efficiency slows down Energy efficiency has tremendous potential to boost economic growth and avoid greenhouse gas emissions, but the global rate of progress is slowing – a trend that has major implications for consumers, businesses and the environment, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. Global primary energy intensity – an important indicator of how heavily the world’s economic activity uses energy – improved by just 1.2 per cent in 2018, the slowest rate since the start of this decade, according to Energy Efficiency 2019, the IEA’s annual report on energy efficiency. The rate of improvement has now declined for three years in a row, leaving it well below the 3 per cent minimum that IEA analysis shows is central to achieving global climate and energy goals. If the rate had reached 3 per cent over that period, the world could have generated a further USD 2.6 trillion of economic output – close to the size of the entire French economy – for the same amount of energy. “The historic slowdown in energy efficiency in 2018 – the lowest rate of improvement since the start of the decade – calls for bold action by policy makers and investors,” said Dr Fatih Birol, the IEA’s Executive Director. “We can improve energy efficiency by 3 per cent per year simply through the use of existing technologies and cost-effective investments. There is no excuse for inaction: ambitious policies need to be put in place to spur investment and put the necessary technologies to work on a global scale.” The new report includes a special focus on the ways in which digitalisation is transforming energy efficiency and increasing its value. By multiplying the interconnections among buildings, appliances, equipment and transport systems, digitalisation is providing energy efficiency gains beyond what was possible when these areas remained largely disconnected. While efficiency in these areas has always had benefits for energy systems, digitalisation enables these benefits to be measured and valued more quickly and more accurately.

NEW EU RULES TO CURB WASTE

Easier repairs will reduce emissions Manufacturers in Europe will for the first time be required to make home products such as TVs, fridges, and washing machines easier for consumers to repair, under new EU rules aimed at curbing waste and greenhouse gas emissions. These new ecodesign rules will mean all TVs, monitors, fridges, freezers, washing machines, washerdriers, dishwashers, and lighting products placed on the EU market from April 2021 have to meet minimum repairability requirements. To date, the Ecodesign Directive has focused on making sure new products are more efficient, so that they perform better while using less energy. EU policy will now push a step further, by making sure products also

last longer and are easier to repair and recycle. The updated Directive should remove the most wasteful products from the market, replacing them with appliances that meet higher energy efficiency standards and are designed to be easier to recycle, according to the European Commission. The move is aimed at extending the lifetime of products in order to save consumers money - while also slashing greenhouse gas emissions generated by product manufacturing, waste disposal, and inefficient products.

It comes on top of new energy labels for home appliance products adopted by the EU in March. Together with the new energy efficiency requirements, the measures are expected to help save an additional 140TWh of energy a year. These new Ecodesign rules were previously agreed in principal by all 28 EU member states back in January and therefore should apply within the UK, even though they will not be fully mandatory for over two years. Any company wishing to sell into the EU market in future will be bound by these rules.

UK must use COP26 to ‘kick-start focussed action’ The run up to the COP26 meeting in the UK must be used by the next Government to kick-start ambitious and focussed action to tackle the climate emergency, the CBI’s director-general has said in a speech. Calling for all political parties to agree and implement a long-term national plan to combat climate change, Carolyn Fairbairn (above) outlined three key actions firms need from the Government to unlock business investment to reach the UK’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In her speech delivered at Schroders, and marking the launch of a new CBI report, Fairbairn called on the Government to promote renewable and nuclear energy, set out plans to make transport and heating networks green, and include consumption emission rates (i.e. the emissions created by products imported into the

UK from overseas, like phones and TVs) in the UK’s greenhouse gas emission figures. “To tackle the climate emergency in the time we have, we need to go faster, and further, than ever before,” Fairbairn said. “The truth is that nobody has done anything like this, on this scale before. Business can’t do it alone. It must be done in partnership with government every step of the way. It needs a tangible vision, and measurable plan to work to, and with. “So, today, the CBI is launching our new report, The Low Carbon 2020s – a Decade of Delivery,” she added. “It sets out the actions our members see as essential to the UK’s low-carbon success in the next ten years.” “We are asking the Government to turn 2020 into a year of action. We have the deadline of the UN COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow next November. So, let’s use it to kick-start the UK’s net-zero plans and see how much we can achieve in the next 12 months.”

Controls industry looks to reward industry leaders Entries are officially open for the 2020 Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) Awards. To reflect the fast-moving landscape of the industry, the BCIA has introduced the “Smart Buildings” accolade which will be awarded to a manufacturer, installer or team in recognition of a project which demonstrates how smart technology has been used to enhance the user experience in a building/complex. Engineers are at the forefront of evolving commercial buildings, so if you are a talented Engineer over the age of 35 why not enter the Engineer

of the Year category? Or if you’re aged 18-35, make a name for yourself in the Young Engineer of the Year category which is sponsored by Schneider Electric. Innovation is the beating heart of the controls industry. This is the time to stand up and be proud of your market changing products and projects. You can enter the Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects which is sponsored by Johnson Controls or Technical Innovation of the Year – Products. Showcase your excellent customer service skills or impressive energy

saving accomplishments by entering one or more of these categories: Best Service and Maintenance Provider, sponsored by Western Automation, Energy Management Award, which is sponsored by Priva or the Building Controls & BEMS Installer of the Year category sponsored by Trend Control Systems. The 2020 BCIA Awards will take place on Thursday 30 April at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The awards are free to enter with no restrictions on the number of categories you can enter. The deadline for entries is Friday 20 December 2019.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Claim BREEAM Points with RHECO New highly efficient range of gas-fired unit heaters Reznor, part of Nortek Global HVAC (UK) Limited, continues its tradition of manufacturing high efficiency warm air heating equipment with the introduction of the new highly efficient RHeco series of energy saving condensing gas fired unit heaters. Our ErP compliant range includes the highly efficient RHeco series of energy saving condensing gas red unit heaters, which has been ErP compliant for years. The RHeco range provides the highest efficiency levels and substantially reduced CO2 & NOx emissions (under 25ppm). The units exceed the requirements of current Building Regulations L2, with thermal efficiencies up to 109 per cent to provide exceptional levels of seasonal efficiency. Also the extremely low NOx modulating pre-mix burner enables BREEAM points to be claimed (when applicable). • For more information please visit www.nortek-erp.com or email erp@nortek.com

ELECTION RESULT WILL SPUR ENERGY-SAVING ACTION

Canada backs climate action parties Canada’s parliamentary election last month is a big win for energy efficiency and the environment. Two-thirds of voters backed political parties in favour of a carbon tax and other environmental measures, making it easier for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party to enact climate and energy legislation. Climate policy was a top issue. Trudeau (right) defended his Liberal Party’s climate policies, including its backstop carbon tax that began earlier this year and applies to provinces without their own price on emissions. The major opposition party, the Conservatives, made repeal of the carbon tax a cornerstone of its campaign. In 2018 and 2019, opposition to carbon pricing contributed to Conservative provincial victories in Ontario and Alberta. The election will spur more energysaving and climate-friendly policies. Trudeau’s Liberal Party, ideologically

centrist with a pro-environmental agenda, won the most seats in Parliament but lost its majority. As a result, it will have to compromise with other parties to get bills passed. This is likely to happen with the Bloc Quebecois or the New Democratic Party (NDP), both of which often have even stronger views on environmental protection - and are expected to push the Liberals towards radical measures. The Liberal platform promised the following energy efficiency measures: • deep retrofit of 1.5m homes over the next five years;

• free energy audits for all homeowners and landlords, with interest-free loans up to $40,000 (£32,000) based on the result; • Net Zero Homes Grant of up to $5,000 to help buyers of newly built homes that are certified zeroemissions; • $100m in skills training, to ensure workers keep up with the increased demand for energy audits, retrofits, and net-zero home construction; • mandatory ENERGY STAR certification for all new home appliances, as of 2022; and • a national competition to create four $100m, long-term funds to help attract private capital for deep retrofits of large buildings such as office towers. Canada has the fourth highest per-capita carbon dioxide emissions in the world, and 9th highest overall emissions. The Liberals have pledged to develop a pathway to zero emissions by 2050.

Call for public to join a climate citizens’ assembly Over 30,000 letters have been sent to invite members of the public to join a citizens’ assembly aimed at outlining how the countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can meet net-zero emissions targets. One of the key aspects of the citizens’ assembly is to map out the steps that the public can take to contribute to the net-zero emissions target. The 30,000 invites have been chosen at random to participate in the Climate Assembly UK, which will run for four weekends between January to March next year in Birmingham. A sample of the invites will then be selected from respondents to the invites, with 110 people taking part in the assembly. Rachel Reeves MP (above), Chair of the Business, Energy

and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee said, “Adopting the net-zero target was a major milestone for the UK, reflecting the strong cross-party support for action on climate change. “We now need to set out a clear roadmap for the actions to achieve net-zero. It’s very clear that we will all need to play a part in meeting this target and that we all share a responsibility to future generations to do so. Finding solutions which are equitable and have public support will be crucial. Parliament needs to work with the people and with the Government to address the challenge of climate change.” Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas, added: “Tackling the climate emergency is not an issue just for politicians. It needs to include everyone, or we will not succeed in building a sustainable, just and fair society Citizens’ assemblies are the ideal vehicle to do this, and I warmly welcome this initial step.”

Government opens two net-zero innovation funds The UK Government has opened two innovation funds aimed at helping businesses plan and deploy technology to help reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Two fund challenges run by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on behalf of the government have opened, allowing businesses to apply for a share of up to £1m to develop plans to decarbonise industrial clusters and another share of up to £1m to create roadmaps to plot a course to net-zero by 2050. Up to £140m could then be accessed by

successful applicants. The Deployment and Roadmaps funds are being opened as part of the wider Industrial Decarbonisation challenge that commits £170m towards technologies such as carbon capture and hydrogen networks across the UK. These technologies will help decarbonise industrial clusters located in Grangemouth, Merseyside, Teesside, Humberside, south Wales and Southampton. The Government is aiming to establish the “world’s first net-zero

carbon industrial cluster by 2040 and at least one low-carbon cluster by 2030”, as part of the Industrial Clusters Mission. Bryony Livesey, interim challenge director for Industrial Decarbonisation said: “This is a great opportunity for businesses to contribute to decarbonising a cluster of industries. These initial competitions are an important first step for businesses to tell us their ideas and plan to accelerate cost-effective decarbonisation as part of a wider cluster of firms and solutions.

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THE WARREN REPORT

Andrew Warren is chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation

The UK’s fig leaf for energy efficiency Costing the country almost £2bn a year, the Winter Fuel Payment has for 22 years provided the ultimate in quantitative easing, hiding the paucity of energy efficiency spending

he Winter Fuel Payment scheme is the largest single item of annual public expenditure linked directly to fuel usage. Now in its 22nd year of operation, it currently costs the taxpayer just under £2bn every year. It is regularly described as the Government’s largest programme to combat the scourge of fuel poverty that affects one in eight UK households. Distributed later this month to almost 12m people of pension age, the payment is worth between £100 and £300 per household. The higher amount goes to those over 80, a growing proportion of those eligible. Its ostensible role is to underwrite the extra cost of paying household fuel bills during the colder period of the year. Even pensioners living in care homes- so presumably paying no fuel bills directly- still receive their allowance. But of course there is nothing whatsoever that mandates those who receive this tax-free benefit to devote the revenue to anything as specific as fuel bills. Recently these payments have been informally known as “the grandchildren’s Christmas present fund.” Effectively, in classic economic terms, Winter Fuel Payments became the original Quantitative Easing programme: money being placed into the public domain to encourage spending. All recent research has revealed that the vast majority of beneficiaries are most definitely not in fuel poverty. Indeed, the majority of households in fuel poverty

are now occupied by people under 65. Witness the Scottish Government’s declared intention, now that it has extensive powers over social services, to expand the list of programme beneficiaries to families with severely disabled children. Overall, the UK-wide budget of the programme has been gradually increasing towards the £2bn mark for some years. Back in 2011, when the Andrew Dilnot Commission reported on social services expenditure, the budget was £1.7bn . It was £1.97bn in 2018/19, and Dilnot had anticipated it would climb to £2.8bn by 2021/22. In practice, given that the age when women become eligible for pensions is now older than before, the Department of Work and Pensions now hope that the 2021/22 total will drop to £1.85bn.

Refusal to pay the allowance to pensioners abroad Another reason why claimant numbers have been lower than originally anticipated has been the refusal to continue to pay the allowance to quite so many pensioners living abroad, even those with a “genuine and sufficient link to the UK”. Back in 2015 there were 141,000 UK pensioners abroad who received the allowance. Last year the figure was just 40,000. How did this cull take place? Simple. The government returned to the initial concept that the money was related to cold winters. And so decreed that those pensioners living in the more southerly EU countries (Cyprus, Malta, Spain and Gibraltar, Portugal, and France) could be excluded. For some reason, those oldies living in sunny Italy or Croatia still get the full handout. Meanwhile, the official Fuel Poverty Committee for England has recently issued its most damning criticism yet of the failure of government energy efficiency programmes. Recommending revisions of the fuel poverty strategy, the Committee stresses that between them, the government and energy companies are spending £2.1bn per year in assisting householders to pay their energy bills. In contrast, only one-quarter of that amount ( £0.55bn p.a.) is allocated to improving household energy efficiency levels. As Winter Fuel Payments are easily the biggest programme, the Committee is waxing indignant at its misallocation of resources. The funds received are mostly not spent on paying fuel bills, and very seldom spent on measures designed to reduce energy

‘The funds received are mostly not spent on paying fuel bills and seldom on measures designed to reduce energy wastage’

wastage. It has concluded that “in an era aspiring to ‘Net Zero’, this is not logical.” It is impossible to fault the logic. Between 2001 and 2014 in England the predecessor body was called the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (FPAG). (Full personal disclosure: for eight years to 2014, I was a member of that Advisory Group). It was a logic that we long recognised. Nonetheless it was never a policy change that FPAG endorsed. I vividly remember the then Secretary of State for Energy, Sir Edward Davey, at one of our meetings imploring us to denounce the failure to use that £2bn each year rather more effectively – most obviously by increasing the proportion spent on installing energy saving measures. I suspect that had we been confident that £2bn – or even a substantial chunk of it – would be genuinely ringfenced for energy efficiency investments, we would have readily endorsed his plea. But that isn’t the way the Treasury operates. Based on past experience, we reckoned that the Treasury would instead only hear us saying that much of the money was frequently not going to those in fuel poverty. And reckoning that this was reason enough to simply cut the programme budget in half. Subsequently, we members of the old FPAG applauded our own perspicacity when, in its manifesto for the 2017 general election, the Conservative Party said it would means-test all Winter Fuel payments. That manifesto made no mention of reallocating any funds saved to funding any programme designed to improve the housing conditions of the fuel poor – even though no such programme had existed in England since 2010. Fortunately, the subsequent “agreement” between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party from Northern Ireland contained an unequivocal commitment that there would no change to the “universal nature of the Winter Fuel Payment.” Which is why this 22-year-old programme continues merrily, more quantitative easing than fuel poverty alleviation. It provides a fig leaf for energy efficiency, hiding the paucity of positive actions now backing it. But it is a fig leaf that well-meaning advisors would wish away at their own peril. 

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Environmentally responsible, low cost heating: Vitocal 200/222-A

One of the quietest monobloc units of its kind thanks to Advanced Acoustic Design Heating and cooling with a single appliance thanks to reversible circuit Up to 40% CO2 and 20% fuel saving compared to a gas condensing boiler Energy efficiency class: A++ / A (Type 221.A04: A+ / A) Internet-enabled with Vitoconnect (accessory) and free ViCare App Easy to operate Vitotronic control unit with plain text and graphic display No minimum distances between indoor and outdoor unit High DHW convenience thanks to 220-l integral DHW cylinder (222-A) For more information please see www.viessmann.co.uk/vitocal222

Viessmann Limited Hortonwood 30, Telford, TF1 7YP Telephone: 01952 675000 E-Mail: info-uk@viessmann.com

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Mark Wilkins is head of training and external affairs at Vaillant Group

Boilers & Burners For further information on Vaillant visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 126

A long road to zero carbon homes To discuss how we might decarbonise our homes, Vaillant recently hosted a roundtable with representatives from the heating, energy and construction industries. Mark Wilkins examines the issues

s part of efforts to cut carbon emissions from domestic heating, the Government has started to consult on changes to the energy standards required in Part L of the Building Regulations. But regulatory reform alone is not the answer. To stand a chance of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, there is no doubt that we must act now. But the journey towards a greener, cleaner world will not be an easy one. So what should industry, Government and trade associations do to speed up efforts to decarbonise our homes? What are the issues at stake, and how can we continue to deliver comfortable living conditions without putting a further strain on the planet? These were just some of the questions posed when a group of industry stakeholders convened earlier this year, to debate what needs to happen in order to make it feasible to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It was agreed by all that improving the fabric of our buildings to reduce their heat demand is vital. While new properties are more energy efficient, the biggest challenge lies in retrofitting existing homes and ensuring that the improvements make a difference now and into the future. Kevin Cox, operations manager at integrated building solutions firm J Tomlinson, pointed out that most housing associations they work with focus on the easiest solutions such as windows, doors and cavity insulation. More energy-efficient lighting and boilers are also often considered to reduce the level of energy demand. However, Les Finucane, business development director at BSW Heating, a heating contractor, pointed out that “deep retrofit is needed in many cases, especially for old Victorian properties. But

Heat pumps are likely to play a major role in meeting the future heating requirements of the UK

very little is done in terms of the fabric of the building - it’s often a short-term fix”, such as carrying out appropriate maintenance and repair, and upgrading to a more energy efficient boiler. This approach poses a stark contrast to the more holistic way of upgrading the energy efficiency of our homes that is beginning to emerge in some market sectors, where a whole house approach is being advocated in selected instances. Howard Porter, CEO of the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association, supported this move. “There are some measures that need to be done

in conjunction with other measures.” He also added that “classic problems such as putting in lots of external wall insulation and forgetting about ventilation” can be avoided.

Tighter regulations While tighter regulations can drive down emissions by making it compulsory for properties to meet certain standards, financial incentives are also required. A ‘stick and carrot’ approach, as Lesley Rudd, CEO of Sustainable Energy Association, puts it. But the question is – who should ultimately pay for the cost of schemes that encourage the use of low-carbon solutions? Bean

Beanland, chairman of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association, felt that the economic benefits of decarbonisation should be made loud and clear. “One of the issues in the retrofit market is that it is a private investment for the public good. At the moment, government is not recognising this – RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) was a stab at that. But we need a long-term view that makes the low-carbon industry investable. We need the Treasury to come up with some hard values on what is the public benefit from decarbonisation.” In the public housing sector, many providers are currently considering low-carbon solutions. However, Kevin Cox highlighted that long-term access to funding is needed. “We have a big pipeline of social housing that want low-carbon solutions – ground source and air source heat pumps, for instance. They’re coming back to us because of the deadline to apply for the Renewable Heat Incentive and start their projects. But the biggest problem we have is projects often take a long time to come to fruition.” A key part of the puzzle is, of course, ensuring that there are enough engineers and installers with the knowledge, skills and experience to design and install low carbon technologies. Unless there is a clear direction from the government to drive demand for these solutions, there is very little incentive to undertake additional training. Les Finucane explained: “There’s got to be a market first. At the moment, there is little point training up large numbers of engineers if they don’t have the work to do and the opportunity to keep their skills current.” Energy reduction is a crucial starting point and should be a national infrastructure priority. Thereafter, there is no silver bullet. The diversity of our country’s housing stock and the communities they serve means that different markets need different policies and financial support, to drive demand and investment in low-carbon solutions. A mix of technologies, combined with a holistic, wholehouse approach will be needed. Supported by the right training for system designers and those on the ground installing them, action on climate change can be accelerated. 

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Andrew Dabin is product manager at Hamworthy Heating

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

Why the metal matters The heat exchanger is an all-important part of the boiler. Andrew Dabin investigates various types of heat exchangers and their suitability for different applications

hen it comes to commercial boiler selection, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. The heat exchanger that sits at the heart of the boiler can be made from different metals and this affects how well it performs within the system due to factors including the design of the heat exchanger itself (such as the size of the waterways), vulnerability to corrosion, and heat transfer properties. Are you refurbishing an old heating system that is more likely to suffer from debris/sludge in the existing pipework? Or is it a new build you are working on and you might have to consider stricter legislation? What is the water quality – is it particularly acidic? How is the access to the plant room? Those are all important questions to consider before a boiler is chosen. Cast iron is a traditional material used in heat exchangers which is composed of iron, carbon (2-4 per cent), silicon and possibly traces of other elements. It is known as being particularly sturdy and has been used in heating since the late 19th century. It was originally used due to its tolerance to sulphurous flue gases which were a by-product of coal. Given cast iron’s heat transfer properties and manufacturing techniques, the resulting waterways in a cast iron heat exchanger are generally larger. This means it can deal with older heating systems more effectively than low water content heat engines. However, best practice would always be to flush and clean any systems prior to installing a new boiler. Cast iron boilers cannot condense, but technological advances mean the design of the appliance can include a secondary heat exchanger, which allows it to achieve ErP-compliant efficiencies. Due to its large waterways, it

The choice of heat exchanger can make a huge difference to boiler performance and life

is suitable for use with older pipework which makes it a great choice for refurbishment projects – all while meeting modern-day efficiency requirements.

Excellent heat transfer Aluminium is a lightweight material with excellent heat transfer properties resulting in quick heat-up times. Aluminium heat exchangers are manufactured as a casting. Due to their low weight, they are often used in wall hung boilers and modular boilers which aids transportation and stacking. However, it is worth noting that the pH band of the water it operates with should be kept between 7 to 8.5 to protect the heat exchanger from galvanic attack/corrosion. We recommend regular water quality tests and preventative water treatment to help with this. When used on an older system, a system flush should be carried out. To protect the boilers from debris and different water flows, the use of a plate heat exchanger should be considered to separate them from the secondary circuit. Aluminium is often a preferred choice due to its lower cost and quick heat-up times, especially for new build projects where good

‘Building age, legislation, water quality, efficiencies, and size should be considerations when choosing a boiler’

Whatever heat exchanger is chosen a regular system flush is recommended

water quality can be maintained. Aluminium boilers can also incorporate a higher volume of water due to a fast response time owing to their excellent heat transfer properties. If a heat exchanger is designed with a single flow path such as that of the Hamworthy Upton aluminium boiler, it also results in a high flow velocity, which helps to reduce scale build-up. Stainless steel is an alloy based on iron combined with chromium (minimum of 10.5 per cent) to make it corrosion resistant. There are many variations of stainless steel with other added elements to improve weldability and formability to suit different uses. Grade 316 is the most common type which has good welding characteristics. Its heat transfer properties are similar to those of cast iron. Stainless steel heat exchangers generally have a smaller waterway diameter to get the water speed high which is required to ensure a sufficient heat transfer area. Compared to aluminium, it is compatible with a wider pH band (7-9.5) and hence suitable for more challenging conditions. Wetter environments such as swimming pools can especially benefit from these properties. It is a popular choice for new builds and often comes with a long warranty (5-10 years) to reflect reliability. Building age, legislation, water quality, efficiencies (and size) should be considerations when choosing a boiler. No matter if the installation then benefits from a boiler with corrosion-resistant stainless steel, old-system-tolerant cast iron or highly efficient aluminium heat exchanger, a water quality assessment and treatment is necessary. In old systems, a system flush is recommended. Lastly, regular maintenance ensures a long lifetime of the boiler and its heart, the heat exchanger. 

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UP T O 10% TO R EDUCED LIF T WEIGHT WEIGHT REDUCED LIFT

IMPROVED IMPRO VED ACCCESS ACCCESS FOR FOR EVEN EASIER E ASIER MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE

UPDATED UPDATED CONTROLS CONTROLS

BUILT BUILT IN NON-RETURN V VALVE, A AL LV VE, INCREASING SAFETY SAFETY INCREASING

NEW CA SCADE CASCADE C ONTROL CONTROL

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NEW NEW FRONT FRONT P ANE A L DESIGN DESIGN PANEL

Boilers & Burners Paul Arnold is Product Manager at Remeha

For further information on Remeha visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 128

Saving with efficient design With energy costs still the primary concern for UK energy managers, Paul Arnold looks at how to optimise heating efficiency with good boiler selection and efficient design

n this time of political and economic uncertainty, 48 per cent of energy managers1 have admitted that saving business energy costs remains their primary concern, ahead of hitting sustainability goals. It’s clear that our building stock needs to be as energy efficient as possible if our new net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target is to be achieved by 2050. But by implementing energy-saving tools, energy managers can simultaneously make a building more cost-effective to run, reduce its environmental impact, and prepare for future uncertainty. Heat has been identified as a natural target for improvement. So, with many UK non-domestic buildings relying on boiler plant for heat, let’s consider how we can optimise heating efficiency and cut bills with good boiler selection and design. When selecting modern condensing boilers, quality and longevity should top the list of criteria. But reliability, ease of installation, maintenance and servicing, as well as availability of part replacements, are additional factors that should influence selection. This is underlined by the 10-80-10 rule that outlines the total lifetime costs of a commercial building. While 10 per cent is invested at the construction stage and a further 10 per cent on the building’s demolition, a staggering 80 per cent is spent on its maintenance and operation. It follows, then, that a boiler replacement – one of the most cost-effective routes to rapid energy and cost savings – cannot be regarded as a mere quick fix if the plant is to continue to operate efficiently throughout its lifecycle. Ease of control is a further element that should be considered at the outset. According to the Carbon Trust, inadequate or incorrect application of a boiler control can add more than 15 per cent to fuel consumption (and costs) compared to a well-controlled system. Opting

When selecting condensing boilers quality and longevity should top the list of criteria

for a modern condensing boiler that is supplied with enhanced control capacity and direct connection to any Building Management System as standard, like the Quinta Ace range, will help optimise the building’s energy performance throughout the boiler’s lifetime. But just as boiler technology is evolving, so is its application. With that in mind, let’s look at the benefits that can be achieved with efficient design. On projects requiring lower heat outputs, installing multiple wall-hung boilers on a cascade system rather than selecting larger units will reduce installation time while improving long-term heating efficiency and reliability. The ability to install up to ten boilers, in-line or back-to-back, on a site-assembled manufacturer cascade system provides versatile design options to overcome space constraints, a frequent design hurdle. In terms of energy usage, the design increases the boilers’ turndown ratio, allowing them to match the heat demand more accurately and preventing on/off cycling. This ability

to adapt to fluctuating demand is particularly beneficial in buildings where the heat requirement varies throughout the day.

Non-disruptive maintenance A further advantage of a multi-boiler cascade is the increased reliability and more straightforward, nondisruptive maintenance it offers. This can be essential in buildings like care homes where avoiding any disruption to the heating and hot water service is a major consideration. Stuart Court, a supported housing scheme in Leicestershire, is a case in point. When contractors Arthur Pollard were appointed to replace the existing ageing 360kW boiler, they opted to replace it with four Quinta Ace 90 condensing boilers to optimise long-term system reliability. “Splitting the load across multiple boilers means that even if one boiler should fail, there will be no interruption to the heating and hot water provision,” said Olly Foster Pollard, technical engineer at Arthur Pollard. “The design also makes the boilers easier

to service and maintain.” In buildings with low-ceilinged plant rooms or with higher heat demand, installing multiple floor-standing boilers in a modular design is an increasingly popular, flexible solution to achieving highperformance heating. One of the major advances in boiler technology is the wider availability of more compact, lightweight floor-standing boiler models that can be safely manoeuvred into position. Thanks to extended back-to-back or side-to-side modular design options, a high heat output can be installed in a tiny footprint and in hard to reach areas. This made it possible for the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to simplify their heating systems when refurbishing them with Remeha boilers, by combining two plant rooms for more straightforward future maintenance. As with a wall-hung boiler cascade, applying a modular boiler arrangement ensures more reliable heating provision. Servicing and maintenance is also safe and easy as the connections are all on one level and no lifting or stacking of heat exchangers is required. Where space or time constraints present more complex design obstacles, forward-thinking manufacturers offer offsite fabricated cascade or rig solutions for both wall-hung and floor-standing boilers, designed bespoke to the project requirements. Certainly, energy efficiency alone won’t achieve our challenging emission reduction target, but it will make huge strides towards it. And with experienced manufacturers working with energy and estates managers to evaluate the options for long-term high-performance heating, we can create more comfortable, more efficient buildings while cutting their energy costs. 

Reference 1) Survey commissioned by Npower Business Solutions, Energy HQ

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Ulster Museum now warmed by new gas condensing boilers ELCO Heating Solutions has supplied four 200kW TRIGON XL gas condensing boilers to Ulster Museum, Belfast. The new boilers, which replaced four ageing cast iron units, are providing highly efficient heating and hot water to the entire property. ELCO’s agent for Northern Ireland (NI), Sermet (NI) Ltd, completed the boiler replacement and commissioning over two phases to maintain heating and hot water services throughout the project, while reducing disruption for

staff and visitors. One of the major challenges involved access to the basement plant room, which could only be entered via a ladder staircase or a small service lift measuring less than 1m2. The modular build of the TRIGON XL allowed Sermet’s installation team to disassemble the boilers into their component parts at ground level and subsequently transport them to the basement in the small service lift. Completing the whole process took

less than half a day for each boiler. The new boilers have been connected to the existing system, with the addition of a low loss header to provide hydraulic separation of the primary and secondary circuit. This approach is helping to regulate the heating system’s flow rates and pressures, which will ultimately maintain the boilers’ high efficiencies and performance levels over their lifetime. Furthermore, each TRIGON XL unit has been connected to the building management system (BMS), which utilises the boilers’ built-in cascade controls, ensuring they operate at the required set point and modulate accordingly. The specification was created by the Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) department for NI. Lead engineer, Bernadette Cassidy, said: “We identified specific design requirements for the replacement units, including ultra-low NOx emissions, seasonal efficiencies greater than 97 per cent, a flexible boiler design and a heat exchanger constructed entirely from stainless steel.” Other aspects identified within the new specification included the upgrade of the circulating pumps for adaptive flow rates, extra insulation to all pipework to reduce heat loss and new controls that could be monitored remotely by the local premises team.  ONLINE ENQUIRY 131

Upper range extended with small footprint unit Hoval has extended the upper range of its UltraGas condensing boilers with the launch of the UltraGas (1550) – a 1550kW boiler with a footprint of just 3.3m². Measuring only 1550mm width, 2152mm depth and 2547mm height, the boiler uses a standing system with upright heat exchangers to occupy less than half the floor space of other boilers of this capacity. This, combined with flexible connections, makes the UltraGas (1550) ideal for installation in tight spaces, freeing up plant room space for other items. In keeping with the rest of the UltraGas family, UltraGas (1550) combines high efficiency with low emissions at all outputs thanks to its innovative aluFer heat exchanger design and modulating premix burner. NOx emissions, for instance, are just 31 mg/kWh (relative to gross calorific value, according to EN 15502) The premix burner generates an homogenous, optimum fuel/air mixture which can be adjusted across a wide range to meet varying heat loads by modulating the fan speed. As a result, UltraGas (1550) delivers a modulation range from 328kW to 1550kW. In preventing start/stop operation, this design reduces fuel consumption and emissions, as well as electricity consumption. In parallel, the boiler’s high water content works

like a buffer for precise management of flow rates and return temperatures, further helping to minimise energy consumption and start/stop processes and simply the hydraulic systems. Control is via Hoval’s intelligent TopTronic system, which can also act as an interface with building management systems. The Hoval UltraGas (1550) is currently available as a single boiler and will be launched as a double boiler in the spring of 2020.  ONLINE ENQUIRY 132

Successor features updated controls Ideal Commercial has launched the Evomax 2, a successor to the Evomax that has been on the market since 2011. Evomax 2 features updated controls with a dynamic menu structure, which automatically senses the number of boilers in operation and only displays the relevant functions. Intelligent cascade control is now available through the optional Varican module, removing the need for a complex building management system. Within its evolved design, Evomax 2 comes with a built in flue non-return valve, increasing safety in common flue installations. Additionally, lift weight is reduced by up to 10 per cent to aid installation and three sides of its redesigned chassis can be removed, offering better access for servicing and maintenance. Many Evomax installations are multiple boiler cascade installations and Evomax 2 cascades have also been improved. Standard height cascades now have a maximum output of 900kW (6 x 150kW) and low height cascades can now run to 600kW with the introduction of a four-boiler low height frame and header kit. Ideal Commercial has also launched a range of brazed plate heat exchangers specifically designed for Evomax 2 frame and header kit installations which require full system separation. Other improvements include a new flue adaptor for improved ease of installation following customer feedback, a new burner design and air inlet damper, the introduction of a 100/150 horizontal flue kit for 150kW models and two new LPG models, taking maximum output to 120kW for off mains installations. Evomax 2 is also fully interchangeable with current Evomax models for easy retrofit.  ONLINE ENQUIRY 133

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Purewell Variheat mk2 Cast iron reliability for seasoned pipes

Stratton mk2 The complete package for quick & easy installs

Wessex ModuMax mk3 Built on tradition, designed for today

Upton Packing 1MW of power into a 1m2 footprint

The lineup for every heating & hot water solution Trusted expertise since 1914 From wall hung to floor standing boilers with outputs ranging from 43kW to 10MW and a mix of heat exchanger materials. Talk to Hamworthy to find your best matched solution.

Products that perform, service that delivers, people that care. 01202 662500 | sales@hamworthy-heating.com | @heatingatwork hamworthy-heating.com/a-hamworthy-boiler-for-every-building

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Varmax Simpler installs with no need for ancillary equipment

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Boilers & Burners For further information on Viessmann visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 130

High-rise heat and power At 135m high, East Croydon’s 101 George Street will be the world’s tallest modular building when it opens its doors to the public in May 2020. A combined heat and power unit is at its heart

t 135m 101 George Street in East Croydon is a striking new landmark on the south London skyline. With its two towers of 38 and 44 storeys, it has been designed with the rental market in mind. It is mostly made up of nearly 1,500 steel-framed modules which are manufactured offsite and are 95 per cent complete at the point of installation, being ready fitted with electrics, plumbing and windows. This construction method produces 80 per cent less waste than conventional building processes and requires fewer workers and less time on site. The entire build is on track to take just 30 months from start to finish. The modules sit atop a doubleheight, conventionally built, concrete podium housing communal facilities, and a two-storey basement. With gyms, club rooms, a panoramic viewing walkway and roof gardens for residents, as well as public amenities including an art gallery, a cafe, artists’ studios and an incubator hub for local businesses, the new development is as high spec as it is ground-breaking and high profile. Mechanical and electrical design contractor, Red Electric, was responsible for designing and installing a combined heat and power (CHP) system of exceptional quality and reliability, with the best possible efficiency and environmental credentials. Having specified Viessmann on other large projects, Red Electric was confident to select gas condensing boilers and a CHP unit from the German manufacturer this time too, due to the equipment exceeding the specification from other suppliers. 101 George Street’s 546 desirable apartments will be connected to a communal heating system which integrates six Viessmann Vitocrossal 200 CM2620 gas condensing boilers and a single Viessmann Vitobloc EM70 CHP unit. These are housed in a plant room two storeys below ground, but to accurately regulate heating provision at the upper levels,

101 George Street’s communal heating is powered by a CHP unit backed with condensing boilers

some equipment is also located in a mini plantroom on the roof.

Double peak heat demand Overall, the system is capable of providing double the forecast peak heat demand, so that if one set of equipment should ever have to go offline to fix a fault, an identical set can immediately take over. Each apartment will draw what it needs from the communal heating system via a heat interface unit (HIU). Plate heat exchangers based on 10 bar of pressure separate the static pressure of the very tall construction from the heat and power system.

The NOx emission of the Vitocrossal condensing boilers is less than 24mg/kWh, which is equivalent to two credit points, in line with the BREEAM UK New Construction standards. The Vitocrossal also boasts a MatriX radiant burner for particularly quiet and environmentally friendly operation, with a modulating range of 33 to 100 per cent. The Vitobloc’s combined heat and power modules are compact energy generation units that provide a de-centralised (local) supply of heat and power with an overall efficiency of around 90 per cent. Compared with a separate energy supply with power from a condensing power plant and heat from a boiler, it provides primary energy savings of well over 30 per cent. “The highlight of the heating system is the integration of the two technologies,” according to Viessmann technical director, Christian Engelke. “Installing almost 4MW of heat generators and ‘only’ 115kW of thermal heat output from the CHP involves careful planning.”

The boilers are sequenced by Viessmann’s Vitotronic 300 cascade controller, which ensures the system meets its target temperature. The CHP is designed as the lead generator providing the base load heat; the boilers are then enabled when the building requires it. It is envisaged that the CHP with its standard fitted three-way catalytic converter, will generate very low NOx emissions and contribute to a further reduction in carbon by providing efficient, locally-generated electricity, without losses. According to Engelke the modular construction of 101 George Street did not present any particular challenges for the installation of the CHP system. “As far as we are concerned, this was very much in keeping with the sort of systems we provide all the time. However, it’s always exciting to be part of something that is breaking a record and pushing things forward. It’s a testament to the reliability, efficiency, quality and environmental credentials of our products that Red Electric chose Viessmann.” 

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Tom Murray is specification director at Baxi Heating

For further information on Baxi Heating visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 129

It pays to be flexible Co-working spaces are on the rise resulting in an increase in the use of shared facilities. Tom Murray explores some of the most important factors relating to water heater specification

o-working, where offices and other workspaces are shared by self-employed individuals and small teams, is on the rise. A report from Cushman & Wakefield in 2018 entitled “Flexible Office Space”, has claimed that in the UK co-working spaces host on average around 121 individuals – up 81 per cent from 20161. Additionally, investment management company JLL predicts that 30 per cent of all commercial office space will be shared by 20302. This means that, operators of co-working spaces will need to ensure that there is a continuous supply of hot water to wash basins, showers, catering and toilet facilities. Specifying a hot water generating appliance for this type of property is not without its challenges. Unlike a traditional office block, the number of users will continuously fluctuate, resulting in a subsequent shift in hot water demand. Further, the owners of the property will want to ensure that the property is as energy efficient as possible to reduce operating costs with particular attention paid to energy bills in order to maximise competitiveness. While a condensing boiler might have been the traditional choice for some specifiers in this situation, this is arguably not the most energyefficient choice. A condensing boiler efficiency would typically be above 90 per cent and might seem suitable, but it is worth remembering that a heating boiler cannot operate in condensing mode when generating domestic hot water. As such, when these appliances are generating hot water, they do so at a rate up to 10 per cent less efficient than when it operates in condensing mode. A boiler coupled with a calorifier might not be the most appropriate source of hot water generation for buildings with varying requirements. Arguably, specifiers should look to specify separate systems with dedicated plant for each use,

The rise of co-working spaces is going to pose an additional challenge for building operators

meaning each plant item can be sized much more closely to meet the specific requirements of the building. Therefore, they would be much better suited to the subsequent demands of office workers.

No loss of efficiency For example, the MAXXflo EVO, a condensing water heater which has an efficiency of up to 98 per cent, will not lose efficiency during the generation and supply of hot water. It will provide water at the required temperature (typically 60-65oC) yet still operate in condensing mode. This protects the reputation of the specifier by ensuring that the operators of the co-working spaces are not left out of pocket by unexpected energy bills as a result of

lower-than-expected efficiency. Space is at a premium in any office, and with co-working areas particularly so, as a reduction in usable floor space results in fewer desks and ultimately, fewer customers. Specifiers should be mindful of this when making a decision about which hot water generating appliance to specify. Using an indirect calorifier and including its associated pumps, valves and controls would require more floorspace, compared to that required for a direct gas fired water heater. This would allow the owners of the property to invest in opening up more front of house floorspace to potential customers – boosting commercial returns, all the while maintaining a

continuous supply of hot water. For those building owners who are not willing to compromise on internal floorspace, specifiers could look to the roof of the property for a solution. Specifying water heating appliances at roof level comes also with its own challenges. For example, specifiers will need to check that the roof can cope with the weight of the water – in this instance a direct gas fired water heater having much less storage would weigh considerably less than a boiler and a calorifier meaning that they can be specified on rooftops in a greater number of properties. Specifiers can help businesses to stop counting the cost of hot water provision by ensuring that the water heater specified is not larger than that required. A larger than necessary appliance could result in higher energy costs due to heating more water than needed by the end-users. It’s important therefore for the specifier to get to know the requirements of the business. Ask questions such as: does the coworking space have shower facilities? Are there any kitchen facilities? What are the peak working times and operating hours? This can ensure that the provision of hot water doesn’t end up putting the business out of pocket in the short term and facing rising costs in the future. Specifiers are in a unique position in making sure that a co-working space has an adequate – and continuous – supply of hot water, without which the business could suffer reputational harm. When specifying a water heater, “savings” are a key part. Whether the business is interested in saving energy, space or cost, direct, gas-fired water heating appliances have a leading role to play. Specifiers with an eye to the future can get ahead of the curve by specifying an energy-efficient, space-saving water heater – keeping emissions and costs low, efficiencies high, and customer satisfaction levels at an optimum level. 

References 1) https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/ fp/business/north-of-scotland/1722749/ new-trend-in-modern-business-co-workingis-on-the-rise/ 2) https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/articledetails/why-co-working-spaces-are-onthe-rise

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

Shell enters the UK domestic heating market with hybrid heating system

Shell UK and PassivSystems have teamed up to launch B-Snug, a smart hybrid heating system for British homeowners. Wholly owned by Shell, the B-Snug system uses advanced technology to manage a combination of an air source heat pump and a traditional boiler. The intelligent controls continuously monitor the temperature in the home and analyse weather forecasts to automatically switch between two heat sources: a newly fitted Samsung air source heat pump and the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing boiler. The systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s controls use machine learning to select the most appropriate heat source to deliver warmth and comfort, favouring use of the heat pump whenever possible. With the majority of heat for the home being provided by the air source heat pump, the system reduces heating bills. And, by providing homeowners with a way to use electricity to heat their homes, this initiative enables consumers to reduce their use of oil or LPG thereby helping to reduce carbon emissions from domestic properties. B-Snugâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smart hybrid approach offers a viable solution particularly for larger and hard-to-insulate homes where fitting an all-electric heat pump in isolation may be too expensive. It is currently aimed

at homes that use oil or LPG for heating. B-Snug uses PassivSystemsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; technology platform and will be delivered as one of its Advanced Smart Control Services. The company a leading provider of residential solar PV asset management solutions. The company is developing the platform technology, products and partnerships to deliver low-carbon hybrid heating solutions for residential markets. It manages home energy assets by using controls to optimise energy use across multiple domestic applications, while enabling demand response for consumers. Its platform technology also controls and optimises the performance of solar PV systems, batteries and electric vehicle charging. This helps consumers, asset owners and businesses get better value for money whilst reducing emissions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has given a clear message that we need to decarbonise homes to achieve the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s net-zero emissions target by 2050,â&#x20AC;? said Colin Calder, chief executive officer at PassivSystems. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The B-Snug smart hybrid heating system offers an affordable, cost effective and easy-to-install option, moving households towards a more sustainable, low-carbon energy source without having to make any changes

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to their existing heating system. PassivSystems is delighted to be a key supplier and technology provider in this new product launch, which directly contributes to meeting the CCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal of deploying 10m hybrids by 2035.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;In PassivSystems, we found a great partner to launch B-Snug â&#x20AC;&#x201C; our first smart hybrid heating system,â&#x20AC;? says Brian Davis, vice president energy solutions at Shell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By leveraging Passivâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology and experience we can now offer a more cost effective and cleaner heating solution to our customers.â&#x20AC;? Â&#x201E; ONLINE ENQUIRY 134

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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 17 | MODULE 06 | BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

The Blockchain revolution by Mark Hobbins CEng, FEI

illions of transactions take place every minute around the world. We transfer money, sign contracts, sell houses and cars. Each time we look to a middleman who we entrust to ensure these transactions happen. For example: a bank guarantees you have sent money; a lawyer will verify a contract or the land registry confirms you bought a house. We also use these middlemen to keep a record of the transactions which also allows us to trust the person or organisation on the other side. This comes at a cost, or they may make mistakes, or not always competent, or trustworthy, or ledgers used to track these transactions can be tampered with. So, what if we get rid of the middleman and automate the transaction instead? This is essentially where Blockchain would come in.

Ledger of transactions Blockchain is a huge ledger of transactions made out of computer code that is stored online. Just like those held by middlemen, the Blockchain ledger can hold a record of different transactions as well. On a Blockchain, transactions are stored in batches called ‘blocks’ that are linked together in chronological order. The information in each block is encrypted, time-stamped and given a unique identifier that is known as a hash. Because the hash of one block is determined by the hash of the previous block, the blocks are linked together

in a chain forever. In principle, they cannot be changed, edited or deleted. If you need to make a change you have to add another transaction block onto the chain. Leaving behind a tamper-proof record of all past transactions. But how can you guarantee that the person managing the blockchain does not manipulate the data? Well, while a middleman has full control over the ledger they manage, Blockchain ledgers are not under the control of any one individual or institution. They are a distributed ledger, which means they are held across a whole network of computers. No one person can add to the chain without the approval of every other Blockchain host. When a new record is added, every participant must verify the input before it is accepted. This is known as the consensus protocol. Once the record has been added to the blockchain, every participant gets a full copy. This is a key

benefit. If data is stored across hundreds of locations then there is not a centralised ledger that a hacker can corrupt or change. A corrupt middleman might edit a record, but any record entered onto a Blockchain is verified by all participants, hosted in many locations, encrypted and linked chronological to all other existing records. This makes it very difficult to forge records.

Less vulnerable Middlemen allow us to trust the transaction that we are conducting. But their records can be vulnerable and potentially tampered with. Blockchain is less vulnerable. It is a decentralised, secure and distributed way to store data and supports claim that it is more reliable than our middlemen. Therefore, Blockchain is a technology that can be used to automate a whole range of transactions from signing contracts to tracking products

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SERIES 17 | MODULE 06 | BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

to buying energy; and possibly more. So that is a quick overview of Blockchain. Now let us think of applications for this that will impact on the energy sector. Commodity markets are one area that Blockchain technology might have an impact in the near future. Therefore, the energy will be no different.

Near-term use of blockchain First, lets introduce smart contracts. Smart contracts are seen as the near-term use of Blockchain and are effectively programmes which are loaded into, and sit alongside traditional transactions utilising a Blockchain. They can automatically execute predefined code when called to. For example, automatically executing the terms of a contract when trigger events occur. Think of a digital confirmation containing embedded if-then statements that could automatically be executed if certain price or volume conditions are met. The impact on transacting cost will be significant. The important thing about smart contracts is they reside in a decentralised system accessible to anyone that doesn’t require any intermediary party. This is seen as a cost-saving measure that increases transparency, improves reporting, and speeds up the transactions. Furthermore, the elimination of inefficient, error-prone and costly back-office processes such as confirmations, actualisation of volumes and numerous forms of reconciliations. But Blockchain technologies will not simply make the current markets more efficient. They have the potential to disrupt and open up the energy markets in ways people have not yet even considered (again highlighting this is at the start of the maturity curve). Boundaries between asset classes will blur as cash, energy products and other commodities, could all become digital assets trading inter-operably. If more value can be derived by not

restricting activity to a single asset class, then that is where the market will go. Blockchain will provide the platform to do that. This may see new entrants to the energy trading environment but also energy traders being able to enter other markets.

Disruption by adoption Other things to consider are: • intermediaries such as brokers, exchanges, and clearing houses entire business models could be disrupted by widespread adoption of Blockchain applications; • the cost and nature of fee-based transacting will be impacted. An obvious advantage with that is a lowering of the entry barriers for new entrants; • the issue of anonymity and payments will need to be addressed, as will the ultimate link between the digital conveyance of value over the Blockchain and the actual conveyance of value through an acceptable means of payment (i.e. currency); • the role of regulators and ability

for market participants to meet compliance obligations will need to be thoroughly considered and understood. In some cases regulation may ultimately evolve in alignment with new ways of working; • if certain regulatory hurdles can be overcome (which shall need time and ingenuity), access to markets will open up significantly; • marketplaces will consolidate, and accessibility will expand, significantly compressing margins at the transactional level; • trading activity may increasingly involve direct transactions with members of the public, or public consortia; • the role of the trader itself may disappear as end users transact (organisations and/or individuals, and possibly consortia) directly with suppliers; and • what is the role of an energy trader in a world where a smart home hub can connect to a global energy market and continuously balance your home’s energy use in real time by sourcing electricity or

natural gas at market rates from a source supplier? This is just a hint of the potential disruptive power of widespread adoption of Blockchain technologies. Smart grids and smart grid technology is thought also to utilise Blockchain in some ways going forward. For now, I shall say only that smart grids are a more complex way of electrical generation, transmission/ distribution system; and brings about a greater interconnectivity though. It is seen as a more modern way for the electrical and power markets and is the way we are anticipating most cities going. It requires, not just with the further introduction of renewable energy, fine-tuning and development. With many Smart Grid Technologies and the Internet of Things, requiring technology that turns things on and off, prioritising and that monitors usage correctly. Blockchain is an ideal candidate to do this. It can authorise access, verify identities, use, durations

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SERIES 17 | MODULE 06 | BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

and undertake automatic reconciliations. It can record and store transactions in permanent records and make data exchanges between distributed gadgets seamless and cost effective. It can also provide the security that will keep a smart city in business and reassure the public on security too. Individual consumers shall also be actors as things develop more so that now. One such way is, whilst we move toward alternative energy sources. Stored energy can be bought and sold like any other commodities. The key will be to have the security in place to ensure that those transactions are legitimate and permanently recorded and the value of them realised by the consumer. Security will be key for consumer confidence. We are starting to see common themes in the application of Blockchain at this point: security, legitimate, recording, efficient.

This is what Blockchain allows to happen. Furthermore, energy networks are thought to become more robust with the inclusion of Internet of Things and Blockchain platforms, as every node and asset in the smart grid will be helping to keep the grid stable. Blockchain in smart grids ensures the reliability of electricity supply to consumers and the forecasting of major system failures of power systems thereby preventing catastrophic consequences. They can manage electric networks at all levels of energy resource distribution and automation of electricity consumption through the Internet. Decentralising the energy market and the implementation of optimal energy distribution systems by alternative energy expansion are key to our decarbonisation and meeting our future energy needs. Electric Vehicle charging points

are already growing fast, and more are needed if we really are to take combustion engines off the road in the numbers we are looking for to meet targets. Charging points typically operate in a centralised fashion. However, Blockchain could offer decentralisation which would bring us back to individual consumers to install, own and earn revenue by letting other vehicle owners use their charging point in a peer-to-peer fashion.

Role of the utility company The role of the utility company becomes a facilitator, a provider of charging posts, a creator of a vehicle charging app, of smart Blockchain contracts, of a smooth user experience, of energy metering and charging/billing for energy usage. It is likely that we will see other players enter this market. With a good example being Tesla, as an EV manufacturer

that is also installing charging posts. Energy companies are and can participate in valid peer-topeer energy transactions by using a data platform to bridge the gap between normal payment systems and Blockchain transactions. We will see that this application cannot be solved only using blockchain technology, nor can it be solved elegantly without blockchain technology. Blockchain technology exhibits a significant potential in the energy industry, offering a new, tamper-proof mechanisms for authentication, authorisation and multiple data exchanges. While the industry remains rigid in terms of regulation or perhaps slow we should still expect a certain degree of Blockchain-based innovation in the near future, but greater innovations in the medium term. We already have examples of Blockchain being used in energy trading, smart grids and electric vehicles; but we will see it come into energy management, building automation (not just for exporting and importing energy but load shedding and such if you like), as well as working alongside diagnostic tools for more effective use of our energy assets. Blockchain will become an enabling technology of the future and it is also likely to add some complexity in areas we would probably not want it. Overall though it is a change that is coming. The questions I would pose to other energy professionals is: with energy storage in our homes and more people turning to electric vehicles, will this be the two-fold market change to allow it to happen at consumer levels? Would Blockchain allow us to become self-organising in our energy use as individual consumers? It really would be an exciting prospect; and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure with our targets around electric vehicles and decarbonising this could be the step change we need for both to fully be realised.

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ENTRY FORM BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY Please mark your answers below by placing a cross in the box. Don't forget that some questions might have more than one correct answer. You may find it helpful to mark the answers in pencil first before filling in the final answers in ink. Once you have completed the answer sheet, return it to the address below. Photocopies are acceptable.

QUESTIONS 1. Having an intermediary for our transactions is required because ■ We do not necessarily trust each other ■ We need to formulise our transactions ■ We need a ledger of our transactions ■ All of the above 2. Each encrypted block is called

■ Unknown 6. It is anticipated that current marketplaces will ■ Expand ■ Explode ■ Consolidate ■ Stay the same 7. Blockchain Technology will make smart grids

■ Mash ■ Sash

■ More complicated

■ Tash ■ Hash

■ Slower to develop

3. Each block cannot be changed without the acceptance of the other blocks? ■ True ■ False 4. Smart contracts using Blockchain are already used for ■ Automation of Transactions ■ Hiding transactions from central Government ■ Reducing mistakes ■ Reducing hours traders need to work 5. Blockchain technology will reduce costs in transactions going forward? ■ True ■ False

How to obtain a CPD accreditation from the Energy Institute Energy in Buildings and Industry and the Energy Institute are delighted to have teamed up to bring you this Continuing Professional Development initiative. This is the sixth module in the seventeenth series and focuses on Blockchain Technology. It is accompanied by a set of multiple-choice questions. To qualify for a CPD certificate readers must submit at least eight of the ten sets of questions from this series of modules to EiBI for the Energy Institute to mark. Anyone achieving at least eight out of ten correct answers on eight separate articles qualifies for an Energy Institute CPD certificate. This can be obtained, on successful completion of the course and notification by the Energy Institute, free of charge for both Energy Institute members and non-members. The articles, written by a qualified member of the Energy Institute, will appeal to those new to energy management and those with more experience of the subject. Modules from the past 16 series can be obtained free of charge. Send your request to editor@eibi.co.uk. Alternatively, they can be downloaded from the EiBI website: www.eibi.co.uk

■ More secure ■ Make them greener 8. The role of the utility provider shall be as a ■ Regulator ■ Controller of assets ■ Pay Energy Generators ■ Facilitators 9. What areas have we not see Blockchain to date ■ Energy Trading ■ Smart Grids ■ Electric Vehicle Charging ■ Load Shedding 10. Blockchain shall not enable us to have a more decentralised energy market ■ True ■ False

Please complete your details below in block capitals Name ......................................................................................................................................................................... (Mr. Mrs, Ms) ....................................

SERIES 16

SERIES 17

MAY 2018 - APR 2019

MAY 2019 - APR 2020

1 BEMS 2 Refrigeration 3 LED Technology 4 District Heating 5 Air Conditioning 6 Behaviour Change 7 Thermal Imaging 8 Solar Thermal 9 Smart Buildings 10 Biomass Boilers

1 Batteries & Storage 2 Energy as a Service 3 Water Management 4 Demand Side Response 5 Drives & Motors 6 Blockchain Technology 7 Compressed Air* 8 Energy Purchasing* 9 Space Heating* 10 Data Centre Management*

* ONLY available to download from the website after publication date

Terms: in submitting your completed answers you are indicating consent to EiBI’s holding and processing the personal data you have provided to us, in accordance with legal bases set out under data protection law. Further to this, EiBI will share your details with the Energy Institute (EI) with whom this CPD series is run in contractual partnership. The EI will process your details for the purposes of marking your answers and issuing your CPD certificate. Your details will be kept securely at all times and in a manner complaint with all relevant data protection laws. For full details on the EI’s privacy policy please visit www.energyinst.org/privacy. • To hear more from the EI subscribe to our mailing list: visit https://myprofile. energyinst.org/EmailPreferences/Subscribe

Business .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Business Address ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ .................................................................................................................................. Post Code .............................................................................................. email address ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Tel No. .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Completed answers should be mailed to: The Education Department, Energy in Buildings & Industry, P.O. Box 825, GUILDFORD, GU4 8WQ. Or scan and e-mail to editor@eibi.co.uk. All modules will then be supplied to the Energy Institute for marking

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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

Low-energy commercial extract fans

Non-invasive flow measurement Accurate flow measurement can offer multiple benefits in various types of pipework systems, but retrofitting conventional meters has the disadvantage of an interruption to supply during installation. Rather than being an in-line unit or requiring a borehole, the new U1000 V2 model from GF Piping Systems utilises ultrasound technology to achieve accurate, contactless data readings. The easily installed and compact metering devices are not only nondisruptive and cost effective, but also support digital interfaces. The information provided is valuable for billing and auditing as well as for process control purposes: including dosing of additives, batching, blending and safety. The U1000 V2 is therefore suitable for use in potable water or sewage treatment works, heating, swimming pools, and multiple branches of manufacturing. “Across many sectors, oversized flow meters are still used frequently: requiring installation by specialists and the costly interruption of production for retrofitting,” commented Yannic Baeuchle, product manager for Automation at GF Piping Systems. “This not only causes unnecessary costs, but also increases demands on the workforce. Additionally, invasive sensors can encounter aggressive conditions and therefore often prove to be less durable. Fitted in as little as two minutes onto pipe diameters from 22-180mm, and positioned ‘without’ rather than within the flow, U1000 V2 meters eliminate contamination and ensure a long low maintenance life is ONLINE ENQUIRY 106 guaranteed.”

Design upgrade for hotel room controller Panasonic has upgraded its wired-in Touch Hotel Controls with a sleek design to complement stylish, premium hotel rooms. The new look includes a touch screen digital display interface, new fascia design and NFC communication for easy commissioning - even without connected power - and setup with Android, improving functionality for installers, the hotel and guests. As part of its design upgrade, The Touch Hotel Controller is now available in black or white or can be finished with a bespoke fascia to match the interior design scheme of any room. Furthermore, the design boasts a slim depth of just 8.5mm and therefore can be discretely integrated and installed within the design. The Controller has a smooth, flush front finish, with a simple touch display button arrangement to make it easy for guests to use. The Hotel Touch Controller range has been simplified to include just two model options. For premium hotels, the ‘Room Touch’ boasts additional features to maximise the comfort of guests and hotel efficiencies. This 2-in-1 model includes an integrated Modbus controller for direct communication with the hotel’s building management system (BMS), helping to monitor the hotel’s overall energy usage and identify cost saving opportunities. The ‘Room Touch’ also includes a total of four digital inputs and four digital outputs. The second model available has a ‘Touch Display’ and is a more cost-effective solution with just two digital inputs. The key difference is that this model doesn’t include integrated connection with Modbus and does ONLINE ENQUIRY 110 not connect with any outputs.

A new range of ultra-low energy commercial extract fans, which combine rugged construction with proven long-life reliability, is now available from Dunham-Bush. All fans in the range are ERP compliant and are manufactured from galvanised sheet steel fitted with acoustic non-hygroscopic foam and non-overloading ‘100,000’ hour long life, ultra-low energy EC fans. Designed for applications requiring continuity of supply, such as public buildings, the eTF series of ducted twin inline extract fans offer duty shared up to 900 l/s and come as standard with a combined auto-changeover and speed controller with fault output (ECO-TF). For roof top applications the eRTF series of fans offer duty shared up to 900 l/s. They are available with weather proofed casings suitable for both flat and pitched roofs. Completing this comprehensive new line up and designed for smaller applications, the eDF series of ducted single extract fans offers duties up to 900 l/s. Ideal for use in small offices, where the occupant requires manual control over air flow, this fan requires a separate ECO-SPEED controller, which enables manual variable local speed control with an off position. The eDF Plus comes as standard with the Eco-SF controller, which allows trickle and boost options with speed adjustment. This controller can be enabled/disabled via a BMS/VFC time switch with an off position. The eDF series also includes an ONLINE ENQUIRY 108 external weather proofed version.

Air humidification for industrial settings The new pressure steam system DDS from HygroMatik is an energy-efficient air humidification option for industrial settings. Pressurised steam networks are often used for standard process and procedures in facilities and production areas. DDS can be connected to these networks to allow the steam to be used for humidification as well. DDS variant C will meet the requirements for integration into an overall system. However if you require stringent hygiene regulations, for example with hospitals or laboratories, pure steam is necessary which DDS variant A will deliver. For many similar systems, excess condensate reduces efficiency. However, the HygroMatik pressure steam system DDS is equipped with steam lance heating piping which keeps condensate to a minimum. By locating the heating system at the lowest point of the steam lance, any excess condensate is immediately drained via a thermal steam trap. The DDS is designed for simple installation in any existing pressurised steam network, facilitated by components that have a low net weight, compact dimensions and standard flanged connections. Additionally, its internal heating system and 90o angled mounting option means space can be saved for other things. It’s important for users to have control over their humidity, which is why the DDS is designed to grant as much control as possible. It has a bus-capable actuator, granting optimum automatic control through direct connection without an adaptor. Likewise, the system comes with a special HygroMatik control valve which gives the user maximum control over steam levels.

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Pump maker to distribute conditioning systems Spirotech has forged a partnership with Grundfos that will enable the pump manufacturer to offer a bespoke range of fluid conditioning systems specially developed for larger commercial projects. In particular, the new offering includes a SpiroPress atmospheric spill expansion range with a Category 5 break tank. This means that specifiers and facilities managers no longer need to rely on RPZ valves for backflow prevention. Spirotech has re-engineered the SpiroPress to offer six advanced pressurisation units, brought to market by Grundfos as the PHP A series. The series combines a balanced pressure system with an effective pressure step deaerator function and an inter-link to a top-up pressurisation unit. It is being promoted as ‘an ideal solution for large or tall installations where standard diaphragm expansion equipment is limited’. Spirotech UK business unit director Kevan Peaker (above), said: “This is an exciting partnership that brings two great brands together, the result of which is the development of this exclusive, enhanced product range that is already gaining attention in the market.” The PHP A1 is a narrow format floor standing pressurisation unit suitable for large residential and commercial applications, while PHP A4 to A9, also floor standing, is a top-up pressurisation unit for use in commercial and industrial systems. Both series have an 18-litre break tank. Introduction of a Category 5 break tank makes the units better suited for the UK market. The break tank ensures a ‘more than adequate’ backflow prevention is achieved, while avoiding costs associated with the alternative solution of an RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) valve.

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Multi sensor measurement devices Manufacturer of field control devices, Sontay, has launched a new generation of devices for air quality, CO2, CO, relative humidity and temperature sensing and measurement. The new Multi-Sensor has been enhanced to ensure fast and simple installation. Large pluggable terminal blocks with push-in spring connection allow for toolless installation and also provide LED indication to confirm the device is powered up correctly with output mode assigned. Sontay has improved the PCB layout to make it more intuitive while the test button will override the outputs to allow simple identification of the output connection. Installers can switch quickly to select between 3 wire or 2 wire, looped power connection and additional auto detection of the controller signal between 4-20mA or 0-10Vdc is also provided. A full testing algorithm has been incorporated into the manufacturing programming sequence to give reliable and accurate measurement. Sontay has also invested in new manufacturing equipment and processes at its Edenbridge facility to allow for faster turnaround on orders.

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Data Centre Management

Bobby Collinson is managing director of Noveus Energy

For further information on Noveus Energy visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 138

It’s more than just the price How should mission critical sites optimise their energy risk management strategy? Initially, the focus must be on energy procurement, says Bobby Collinson

uring the last 12-18 months the volatility in the energy markets has increased considerably and is set to continue. This, coupled with the continual increases and changes to the value and the structure of non-energy charges, means that data centre developers and operators need to consider more than just the price when negotiating an energy contract. The first decision faced by many is whether to opt for a fixed or flexible price contract. There is no right answer to this question but with increased volatility and the uncertain nature of load growth in data centres the flexible contract approach mitigates risk of buying at the wrong time and offers the greatest flexibility of increasing load without penalties. The decision on which type of contract to opt for is material in ensuring the optimum energy price is obtained. In commodity markets, the general rule of the price being cheaper the closer to delivery does not always hold true for gas and electricity. Having analysed the markets over the last 20 years there is no real trend or time of the year that is better than any other. With that in mind, if you have chosen to buy through a flexible contract there are three disciplines that are essential in optimising a risk management strategy.

Combination of considerations First, the strategy should be dictated through a combination of budget considerations, market conditions, risk appetite and future tenant requirements and ideally explored and set through a workshop with key stakeholders. Understanding what is most important to you as a business when evaluating a flexible contract is key as only three elements of the contract can be evaluated quantitatively. The remainder of the terms are qualitative and will be bespoke to what is most important to the data centre. A scoring matrix can help to analyse these elements.

With the uncertain nature of load growth in data centres the flexible contract approach mitigates the risk of buying at the wrong time

Forecast load projections as accurately as possible for flexible contracts. Inclusion of a volume re-forecasting mechanism in the supply agreement is critical as it will help with managing consumption changes during the lifetime of the contract. When actively managed, volume re-forecasting will allow upward adjustments to the contracted consumption when tenant load increases while equally providing flexibility when usage is likely to outturn below expectations. Second, if adopting a flexible contract approach, it is essential that any strategy is dynamic and changes with market conditions rather than being fixed at the outset and remaining in place for the duration of the contract – markets change and so should the strategy. Strategies will perform differently in rising, falling or stable market conditions so consideration should be given to the prevailing and expected market environment when selecting the strategy to be employed. Regular strategy reviews are a must in order to assess prevailing market trends, to review the performance and continued appropriateness of the current strategy and to decide on

potential strategy adjustments. Finally, when approaching risk management dynamically, it can be a good idea to keep a close eye on how an alternative purchasing strategy is performing. Having permanent visibility of how ‘Plan B’ is shaping up can help inform the case for a potential strategy switch should it be deemed appropriate at any time.

Supplier participation There are of course other important considerations outside of strategy deployment that if managed correctly will encourage supplier participation and present additional options that may appeal to tenants: While credit is not directly part of the risk management strategy it can be a major problem for early stage data centres and will often dictate how DCs can buy energy. Credit as with price can be negotiated altogether. It is essential to produce a coherent story around tenants, data centre growth, procurement strategy, debt and financing and to engage with suppliers openly and early in the process. Non-energy charges now make up more than 50 per cent of the energy bill and are still treated as though

they are non-negotiable and not part of the risk management strategy, this is nonsense and they should be. It is true that if your contract starts on 1 April and is for 12 months duration the scope to negotiate these charges through a full tender is limited as most charges are published. However, 75 per cent of the market negotiates contracts in October and each supplier forecasts these charges and takes different views on them for 12/24/36-month durations. This presents an opportunity to negotiate and fix some or all of these charges regardless of whether opting for a fixed or flexible contract. This should be treated as an active part of the risk management strategy in the same way as commodity price. In addition, it is worthwhile speaking to specialist suppliers in the renewable space where some energy exposure can be hedged directly with producers or through a private wire directly to a renewables provider if there is one nearby. A clearly defined and dynamic energy risk management strategy enables mission critical sites to deal with the uncertainties of the energy market price fluctuations with greater confidence and foresight. 

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Data Centre Management For further information on Cressall Resistors visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 139

What’s fuelling our dependence on data? Caption xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxx

With global data traffic more than doubling every four years, it’s no surprise the impact of data centres is under scrutiny. Simone Bruckner investigates the efficiency of our data centres

ata technology is usually perceived as positive for the environment — think smart metres, predictive analytics and autonomous vehicles. In fact, even the notion of ‘The Cloud’ invites thoughts of crispness and clean air. However, the reality is that data centres consume a lot of energy. As the uptake of cloud computing continues to increase at a rapid pace, more companies are relying on dedicated facilities to collect, store, process and distribute data. If data is going to continue to act as the powerhouse of the information revolution, evaluating its inefficiencies is crucial. In 2018, Chinese data centres produced 99m tonnes of carbon dioxide — generating the equivalent environmental

footprint of around 21m cars. China’s data centre sector makes up eight per cent of the global market and is the second largest in the world. There are data centres everywhere, whirring away unseen across the globe. The biggest, covering over 1m square feet, can consume as much power as a city of as many people.

Supporting infrastructure The energy required to run a data centre can be broken down broadly into the power consumed by computing resources and that of supporting infrastructure, such as cooling systems. Typically, server rooms in data centres are cooled using classic ambient air-cooling with cold water-recirculation coolers. For high power applications, water-cooled racks are also used. Businesses are working to address the efficiency issue.

In fact, there are a number of companies jostling for the title of greenest technology company. Both Apple and Google claim to run on 100 per cent renewable energy, while Microsoft announced that it is ahead of schedule to hit its target of 60 per cent renewable energy in its data centres by 2020. Renewables of choice for data centres include rooftop solar, wind, geothermal and waste heat reclamation. The technology to improve data centre efficiency already exists. We’ve been harnessing the benefits of renewable

‘We cannot deny that the rise of big data presents a big energy challenge’

Simone Bruckner is managing director of Cressall Resistors

technologies in a number of industries for decades, so there is no reason why data centres cannot benefit from the likes of solar power. However, the sheer mass of energy that a data centre requires means that ensuring the efficiency and continuity of renewable energy is crucial — data simply doesn’t have time for a cloudy day or broken panel. When installing renewable energy systems onto data centres, operators will also need to put technology to avert potential inefficiencies into place. For example, when connecting new solar panels or disconnecting existing installations from the grid for maintenance, the panels continue generating electricity. This excess energy could damage equipment, so it must be safely dispersed. To achieve this, load banks or dummy loads like those offered by Cressall should be added onto the solar panels to dissipate excess energy to help safely increase and maintain the renewable energy sources installed on a data centre. Load banks also help test a data centre’s air conditioning system — which is vital for keeping servers cool and functioning — to make sure it is working properly before the data centre is put into action. While we cannot deny that the rise of big data presents a big energy challenge, they are the engines of the digital economy and it would be almost impossible for modern businesses to function without them. The vast amount of energy that data centres require doesn’t mean that the Cloud must return back to Earth with a bump. By making sure that renewable resources have the technology in place to provide more sustainable energy generation, we can continue to benefit from the wealth of data we create while minimising its impact on the environment. 

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Transformer Technology For further information on Wilson Power solutions visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 137

Europe’s most efficient transformer For over 70 years, Wilson Power Solutions have focused their family-based business on developing responsible engineering solutions fter pioneering amorphous technology in the UK, the company has gone on to gain nationwide recognition for its innovative amorphous low loss transformer range and received the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Sustainability Impact Award. Wilson Power successfully installed over 1,000 super low loss amorphous transformers over the last decade helping many sectors reduce their energy waste, operating costs and CO2 emission output. Annually, the 1,000 installed low loss transformers save 12.8GWh of energy and help organisations avoid emitting 3,600 tons of CO2. This is equivalent to installing 12MWp of solar PV (in the UK) or driving 510 times around the world in a diesel car. Individuals, organisations and businesses alike are all working hard towards Net Zero targets. However, delivering on energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability are

causing a real ‘trilemma’ for many different sectors. The new generation Wilson e3 Ultra Low Loss amorphous transformer has now eclipsed the Wilson e2 and far exceeds the EU Eco Design Directive for transformer losses specifications that are due to come into force in 2021. Through the Freedom of Information (FOI), we made a request to Ofgem enquiring about the average age of transformers in the UK. The response was surprising that the average is 64 years. There are transformers that were installed in the fifties and are still up and running but unnoticeably, are silent energy guzzlers. Wilson e3 Ultra Low Loss transformer is believed to be Europe’s most energy efficient transformer. It offers a new level of energy and carbon savings. Replacing old transformers could help organisations meet their carbon reduction targets and as a result, help the UK achieve Net-Zero. • wilsonpowersolutions.co.uk | 3

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Data Centre Management For further information on Aermec UK visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 140

A bespoke cooling strategy in London A London data centre is saving £200,000 per year thanks to an innovative cooling solution centred around four chillers

ith the help of super- efficient compressors, a London-based tech company is managing to reduce its energy bills by £200,000 per annum. Reliable cooling is a critical and an essential part of any data centre’s infrastructure but a welldesigned cooling strategy can reap dividends and one of the company’s mission critical customers is taking advantage of super-efficient compressor technologies, that is helping to reduce their carbon footprint, has boosted EER ratings and enabled the annual energy bill to be reduced significantly so that over the next 10 years they can expect to save up to £2m. The carrier neutral co-location site offers tailored solutions from office space to suites with cages, rack cabinets, dedicated servers, virtual servers as well as the hosting of individual servers and had used their existing cooling system for over 20 years.

A well-designed cooling strategy can reap dividends

Creative approach needed

‘The energy bill has been reduced to give savings of £2m over the next ten years ’

Chillers unequal in size Following a detailed analysis, it became apparent that the chillers were not capable of delivering the energy efficiencies, they were unequal in size, making sequencing for N+1 resilience difficult to achieve. The criticality of the site also required fast re-start. Simple enough, but logistics and restricted access posed a number of significant problems and it became apparent that standard chillers would not be suitable nor would they deliver the required energy savings. By working collaboratively, the customer and its partners developed a bespoke cooling strategy that would take advantage of advances in technology, improve the data centre’s overall efficiency and EER ratings, reduce emissions

The chillers were rigorously performance tested before being shipped to site and re-tested once in situ. The tests results were impressive and met the predicted EER ratings. Each of the chillers achieved on average between 6.68 and 7.43 EER under normal use and the savings calculated showed a £67,000 saving per annum on a single chiller and £200,000 per annum collectively during sequenced deployment at contracted cooling load, compared to the previous chillers. A phased approach was adopted for the installation with one chiller installed at a time. The project presented a number of challenges. Working in a ‘live’ data centre meant that installation and commissioning had to be carried out sensitively so that the client’s customers were not impacted by the replacement. The existing chillers were sited in a basement plantroom, residing in the vaults.

and offer an attractive ROI. Legacy systems present their own unique challenges and require innovative solutions. The

criticality of the site, logistical issues, redundancy and fast re-start requirements often require a customised approach which not all manufacturers can provide. The solution comprised four equally sized 1.1MW chillers using the latest multi-Turbocor oil free compressor technology, and an off load and duty assist configuration would ensure the best possible energy savings.

De-commissioning and reducing the legacy units into small sections for removal was straightforward, but installing the replacement units required a creative approach. Aermec engineers ensured that not only were the customers’ exacting requirements addressed but also designs were engineered to enable easy access. To achieve a smooth replacement, right from the outset, engineers designed a bespoke chiller frame assembly, arranging the evaporator and condenser shells as a single component and to dimensions that enabled their transfer through the plantroom doors and below the installation pipework, leaving a 5mm tolerance. The new sections and frame were then passed through a space limited to a headroom of only 1,435mm. The chillers were transported in component form and re-built on site. The project took place over a 10-month period and to facilitate the replacement, cryogenics were also used to freeze the pipework. “This was a very challenging project. Aermec custom designed a solution to meet exacting requirements that delivered measurable energy savings and a good ROI,” said Paul Lawrence, Aermec’s managing director. 

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Data Centre Management For further information on Humideco visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 142

Drive down your PUE with ultrasonic humidifiers Significant energy savings and improvements to the PUE of a data centre can be achieved by adopting a low-energy humidifier system, says Gareth French of Humideco n today’s data centres, where IT equipment operates at ever higher temperatures, it is especially important to recognise the significance of air humidity within the conditioned space. By maintaining a minimum level of relative humidity, the potentially damaging effects of ESD (electro static discharge) and the associated data loss within equipment can be eliminated. Most higher tier data centres therefore include some form of humidification system to improve their overall resilience. Traditionally, the control of relative humidity was often achieved with steam generating units, fitted either within

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Savings at a Manchester data centre thanks to a low-energy humidifier

CRAC / CRAH air conditioning units, or to ventilation systems that introduce fresh air to the data halls. This is, however, a very inefficient use of energy, as well as being maintenance intensive. Steam is expensive to produce and simply adds to the heat load, in an environment that is being cooled 24/7. An alternative approach would be to consider a low energy ultrasonic humidifier system. This type of humidifier consumes only 7 per cent of the electrical energy of an equivalently sized steam system, while providing “free cooling”, to reduce the cooling load, rather than adding to it. The suitability of an ultrasonic humidifier system requires a specialist survey, to first analyse the facility’s existing humidification system, and prepare an assessment of the energy consumption for that system. The return on investment (ROI) can then be calculated. Generally, a low energy humidifier system will pay for itself on energy savings alone, within two years, and bring further savings through reduced maintenance costs. These savings can be visualised using a graph, such as the one on the left, using figures from a recent project at a Manchester data centre.

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| ENERGY IN BUILDINGS & INDUSTRY | 4

Data Centre Management For further information on ebm papst visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 141

Remove the burden of harmonics Current harmonics are a burden for the power grid and data centres. Instead of reducing them, it would be better to avoid them altogether, believes Bernhard Siedler

he need for data centres is growing worldwide, just like the quantities of data being processed and the power density of the individual components. Despite this trend, the average annual power consumption for air conditioning in data centres has fallen by 11 percent in the past ten years, mainly due to the increased use of adjustable and efficient EC technology in fans. To be able to obtain variable speed adjustment, three-phase asynchronous motors operate with variable frequency drives. This leads to a non-sinusoidal current curve, which can be represented as a sum of sinusoidal curves with frequencies that are an exact multiple h of the fundamental frequency. These exact multiples are referred to as harmonics. The total current harmonic content, or distortion factor, is expressed by the quantity THDI (Total Harmonic Distortion). This value indicates the extent of the distortion of the current and is defined as the root sum square value of all harmonic contents referenced to the fundamental, expressed in per cent. A THDI of 33 per cent means that in addition to the 100 per cent total active current, a 33 per

Work it out: the formula for calculating current harmonics

cent distortion reactive current is lost. Current harmonics can have serious consequences. They generally result in system losses and standard limit values being exceeded. In conjunction with the system impedance they also give rise to voltage distortion, which can cause interference in other electric loads, a deterioration in system quality, and the exceeding

of limit values. To date, the standard method of reducing the THDI value has been to fit line or DC-link chokes which act as passive filters. This solution makes it possible to achieve THDI values of between 35 and 45 per cent. However, as more than this is often required, additional methods of harmonic minimization are also employed.

Bernhard Siedler is team leader, air conditioning, ebm papst Mulfingen

From an economic point of view, excessive current harmonics and the associated additional load on the individual components result in higher maintenance and replacement costs. The consequences are a shorter service life and more expensive upkeep. In addition, disturbances in the system network and power cuts may give rise to expenditure on account of interruption and failure, which can even threaten the existence of many businesses. If the power supply has to be overdimensioned to counteract harmonics, this involves greater investments and poorer utilization of the system capacity. All this highlights the need to minimise or completely avoid harmonics as far as possible. ebm-papst developed the integrated active PFC solution as a way of reducing current harmonics to a minimum, whilst avoiding the disadvantages associated with conventional methods. “Active rectification” causes the input current to be sinusoidal instead of pulsed, with the current curve shifted so that the current level and voltage are in phase. The power factor is an important parameter, describing the ratio between effective power and apparent power. A value of λ = 1 is considered optimum. By filtering the harmonics, the 3-phase electronics with active PFC in the RadiCal and RadiPac series of EC centrifugal fans reach λ = 0.99, reduce current peaks by up to 50 per cent, and attain THDI values of less than 5 per cent over a broad power range. On account of the importance of safeguarding data centres against failure, particularly high standards are required - which can be satisfied with active PFC technology. Compared with the industry standard, active PFC technology reduces the costs for the required energy supply of components by about 38 per cent.  • For further information, download our White Paper here: https://vac.ebmpapst. com/de/en/vac/campaign/ActivPFC-Whitepaper.html

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Comprehensive design and installation service, with full BMS integration Meet your relative humidity SLAs and reduce energy consumption by over 90%

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VIEW FROM THE TOP

Mark Rose is director of major business, Total Gas & Power

Stability through choppy waters As the UK energy market makes it way through uncertain times, Mark Rose is ensuring that Total Gas & Power is staying on course by concentrating on being a trusted, dependable supplier.

hen the economic outlook is for choppy waters ahead, many organisations take stock of what they are offering their customers and make absolutely sure that they first of all retain the business they do have, and then selectively target the right new business. Total Gas & Power is no exception. Around 18 months into his role of director of major business, Mark Rose is determined to see Total Gas & Power concentrate on its core business whilst developing a proposition of solutions with a strong pedigree for delivery. “We are ultimately focussing on delivering the best possible customer experience for the supply of gas and power whereas some of our competitors have developed an extremely broad remit to their customers. I want to be 100 per cent sure we deliver what we promise and will develop the proposition on this basis.” It’s difficult to argue against the strategy as Total’s core business is moving along very nicely. “We were the number two supplier of gas by volume, but a recent large contract win should take us back to number one,” Rose states. “As for power, we have progressed to being number four by volume in the I &C market. It has been consistent and steady growth.” Rose believes that at a time when some suppliers are struggling, those healthy positions in the market will give certainty to both existing and potential customers. “At the moment, across Europe, Total has 1m business-to-business sites and we want to grow this to 2m by 2023. We have some very large customers within our portfolio and will work tirelessly to look after each and every one.”

Transparency part of commitment Transparency is also a part of Total’s commitment to its customers. “This is a key thing for us because we don’t offer traditional residual products as they provide too much ambiguity for the customer,” says Rose. “We want to share how calculations are made to enable customers to understand how the costs

Rose: 'I want to be 100 per cent sure we deliver what we promise '

Total has also recently partnered with ChargePoint, a world-leading supplier of networked electric vehicle charging technology to take advantage of the almost-certain boom in electric vehicle use in the coming years. However, Rose admits that the market has been slow to take off. “It’s not just a question of sticking a couple of posts in a car park, there are a lot of considerations. There is certainly limited knowledge out there when it comes to the infrastructure. The cost of the posts themselves is one thing but digging up your car park and laying cables is something you only want to do once and needs to be carefully planned. One of the unique things about our proposition is how we can help customers find the funding which could be ultimately paid for via the electricity or gas invoice.” However, there are signs that the market will now accelerate. “There are some significant drivers, such as changes to benefit in kind on EVs that lead us to believe there will be significant growth in 2020.”

Options around flexibility

‘We are looking to provide better forecasts and market understanding' are arrived at. It’s important as a lot of customers have been with us for a long time.” Total prides itself on its retention rate, which is well over 90 per cent. Another key part of customer retention has been Total’s introduction of its own code of conduct to make up for the lack of any standard in the TPI community. “We are passionate that the customer gets a good service either from us or the TPIs”, Rose adds. It’s also Rose’s plan to offer customers regular updates on the market. “The thing we are looking to do is to provide better forecasts, better market understanding and better education so they don’t get too many surprises. For example, we can’t change that new nuclear generation capacity in the UK will have an impact on the Contracts for Difference charge to our customers, but we can help them see it coming.” As the Total proposition develops, solar is very much back on the radar offering a proposition installing SunPower’s panels for customers through partners. Total acquired a 60 per cent stake in SunPower in 2011.

In addition, Rose reveals that the company is also considering options in flexibility. “You want to have it in your proposition, but our customers aren’t going to use it if they don’t get a return from it.” Rose believes that energy efficiency is very difficult to do well as a supplier. “You can invest a lot of money on a big acquisition but there is no guarantee that it is going to be a success. And there is the age-old argument that you’re selling a service to a customer to make them use less of what is your core business.” Rose’s philosophy stems from establishing a strong core product base that customers will need irrespective of price changes and possible political upheaval in the coming months. “The UK energy markets are always sensitive to the economic environment, not just domestically but also internationally. With so many unknowns on the horizon for customers, it is vital that they can rely on their supplier.” 

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ESTA VIEWPOINT

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

Accelerating the transition Gone are the days of a one-off technology upgrade, believes Nick Keegan. Now, building efficiency will need to continually adapt to changing usage requirements

t the recent ESTA Conference shadow energy minister Alan Whitehead MP and Mike Thompson from the Committee on Climate Change made it clear that our sights should now be locked on net zero emissions by 2050. Consequently, there is an urgent need to make significant progress as soon as possible to have any hope of the UK playing its part in limiting global heating to 1.5°C. To achieve this target they outlined the considerable upheaval required to our energy systems. Let’s put this into context. Around 30 per cent of the UK’s emissions come from heating. Decarbonising will require a paradigm shift from our fossil fuel sources to heat pumps, green gas and hydrogen. Transitioning to electric vehicles, expected to take around 100Mt off our current 500Mt annual emissions, will also have a profound impact, with recharging becoming an inherent part of what our buildings should cater for. Alongside this, considerable emissions reductions must come from building energy efficiency. Unlike the other examples, which are focussed around permanent technology shifts, building efficiency will need to continually adapt to changing usage requirements and take a holistic approach. Gone are the days when technology upgrades will cut it by themselves. Such a fundamental transition will lead to a constantly changing landscape of regulation, incentives, taxes and technology. To react to these evolving conditions, organisations will need to bolster their energy management teams and/or find effective ways of working with external service providers. There are existing examples of the latter that have proven to be highly beneficial when implemented with a firm focus on verified performance. At EEVS, for instance, we work in an external assurance role for two FTSE 100 companies, which are achieving multi-million-pound energy savings by engaging their FM provider to optimise control settings, incentivising them to drive continual improvement in energy use through a performance contracting commercial structure.

However, the market is not yet fully embracing these opportunities. In a recent energy efficiency services survey, conducted as part of the Horizon 2020 funded QualitEE project, only 45 per cent of UK respondents reported growth in their Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) orders, and the majority of those indicated that growth was slow.

Complexity and lack of information The 2019 results – published in November at https://qualitee.eu/market-research/ allow for comparison across 15 European countries and evaluation of market trends against similar surveys conducted in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Over the years, UK respondents have consistently reported that “complexity/lack of information” is one of the main factors constraining market growth. ESTA’s Energy Services Contracting group (ESCg) is taking steps to address this. Recently, the group launched its energy services contracting guide (https://estaenergy.org.uk/groups/escg/) that offers a concise introduction to the concepts and success factors, alongside a directory of experienced service providers among ESTA’s membership. In the survey, “complexity/lack of information” is only topped by “high costs of project development” in terms of perceived barriers. Both barriers link to low standardisation in energy services contracting and no institutionalised

scheme for recognising quality. Consumers can exert huge amounts of time, cost and effort giving decision makers sufficient comfort to approve projects as they struggle to find independent information to prove performance, and they often find themselves reinventing the wheel in the project development process. The latter has been resolved to some extent for the public sector which now benefits from standardised procurement processes for EPC through frameworks such as RE:FIT, CEF, Essentia and NDEEF in Scotland. For our part, the ESCg has been engaging with the QualitEE project, which has published a draft set of quality criteria for the assessment of Energy Efficiency Services (https://qualitee.eu/publications/ draft-guidelines-of-european-qualitycriteria/). ESTA is looking to build these into a quality assurance scheme for EPC. The current proposal is to offer a register of accredited service providers assessed on capability and an audit of one project every two years. This is currently under consultation with potential users, and the criteria are being refined through testing Nick Keegan is chair in pilot projects. Proposals are being of the ESTA Energy developed for how this scheme could Services Contracting work in conjunction with the Investor Group and Director at Confidence Project (ICP), which the group EEVS Insight has also been engaging with. The ICP has developed a standardised documentation process for energy efficiency projects, and its established Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certification offers assurance that this has been satisfactorily followed at the underwriting stage. As EPCs are one delivery mechanism for energy efficiency, part of the criteria can be justified to have been satisfied where a project carries IREE certification, reducing auditing burden and associated fees. The proposed scheme would also complement IREE by offering a verification point for projects in operation. We hope these activities will contribute to increasing uptake and effectiveness of energy services contracting as a tool to accelerate the energy transition. From the tone of our conference speakers it sounds like we will need all the tools in the box to hit our 2050 target.  NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 | ENERGY IN BUILDINGS & INDUSTRY | 45

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EMEX Show Preview For further information on EMEX visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 136

Make the most of the potential The Energy Management Exhibition (EMEX) is the UK’s leading event for professionals looking to create a low-carbon, energy-efficient and sustainable future for their organisation

or most organisations energy is a cost that has grown significantly in recent years. And yet, there is considerable potential within most organisations to make large energy cost and carbon emission savings through the installation of energy efficiency measures. On the 27th and 28th November, EMEX will bring together 130 exhibitors and 100 speakers. There will be over 80 seminars with experts offering advice and sharing experiences across five topical seminar theatres: • Theatre 1: Best practice, career and training; • Theatre 2: Sustainability and climate change; • Theatre 3: Built environment, technology and innovation; • Theatre 4: Strategy, regulation and compliance; and • FPZ: The Flexible Power Zone covering demand-side response and demand-side flexibility. The sustainability and climate change theatre, in partnership with IEMA, is providing learning about effective techniques and opportunities for change from leading professionals creating our low carbon sustainable future. It will explore a range of common challenges, work themes, opportunities visions and strategies, from company reporting to climate change adaptation. Speakers on sustainability and climate change include: Nick Molho, executive director of Aldersgate Group; Simon Bimpson, managing director - water, energy and utilities of Arcadis; James Dixon, head of sustainability for Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Jason Light, strategy lead – environment for Eastleigh Borough Council; and Sarah Handley, carbon neutral programme manager of Siemens plc. The strategy, regulation and compliance theatre will be considering renewable technologies, energy storage, simplified taxes and security of supply. Speakers will explore the challenges of balancing energy demand with supply while reducing costs and meeting carbon

targets. Grid modernisation is required to meet energy supply while disruptive technologies are empowering users to monitor and manage demand. The theatre will also bring together energy managers who will discuss the challenges and solutions to a successful implementation of an energy management strategy. Speakers include: Kathryn Dapre, head of energy and sustainability for NHS National Services Scotland; Mike Denbigh, senior technical advisor for the Environment Agency; Gary Shanahan, head of business and industrial energy efficiency, tax and reporting at BEIS; Jennifer Guest, project director - FRC Taxonomies, Financial Reporting Council; Martin Bilton, engineering manager (utilities) of Gatwick Airport; Parthena Exizidou, energy

& carbon reduction manager of British Antarctic Survey; and Scott Armstrong, group head of energy and sustainability of Bourne Leisure Ltd.

Future of heat networks In the built environment, technology and innovation theatre, speakers will be examining the future of heat networks; lighting energy and the environment; battery storage and the rise of the ‘prosumer’. All of these are very hot topics for energy managers as we move into 2020. Case studies can also be heard as experts such as Michael Nagle, utilities manager for London Luton Airport, who will explain how London Luton Airport achieved significant energy savings through optimising their HVAC systems. In addition, visitors can hear how the retail sector is embracing real-time intelligent control with the deployment of Internet of

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Things (IoT) across thousands of sensors and hundreds of locations. Dave Armstrong of Great Minds Property Group will review the issues of building with low and zero carbon technologies and highlight the benefits over the last six years, indicating lessons learnt from the UK’s first zero energy cost business park, called Armstrong Point. For visitors seeking answers about the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulations and ESOS compliance, EMEX offers numerous experts and government representatives who will be on hand to offer advice. We are now in Phase 2 of the ESOS compliance scheme. Large organisations in the UK must undertake assessments of energy use and energy efficiency opportunities once every four years. SECR came into force on April 2019. Although over 10,000 companies will need to start collecting data and reporting on their energy, emissions and energy efficiency measures, there has been little publicity on the regulations. If you have undertaken CRC reporting then the emission element is broadly similar, however around 7,000 companies will not have reported before. Energy managers with responsibility for large fleets may also be considering a switch to electric vehicles. UK Power Networks and UPS will present a case study about how they have deployed a radical new charging technology in London that overcomes the challenge of simultaneously recharging an entire fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) without the need for the expensive upgrade to the power supply grid. Battery storage is another exciting development which is being accelerated by improving technology. Lord Redesdale will update the delegates with the recent changes in the regulation of battery storage and discuss the opportunities to generate revenue from hosting batteries on-site. • It is free to register for EMEX via the website: www.emexlondon.com • EiBI will be on Stand D18. Members of the editorial and advertising teams will be available on both days of the show

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Get the best advice from the experts

During the two days of EMEX 2019 over 80 top specialists will give their knowledge and expertise to visitors

THEATRE 1 Best Practice, Career and Training

THEATRE 2 Sustainability & Climate Change

WEDNESDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2019

10:20 - 10:50 Redefining Business Engagement with Energy to Accelerate Sustainable Development • Vincent de Rul, Director of Energy Solutions, EDF Energy

11:55 - 12:40 Challenges and Opportunities for Cutting Carbon at Universities • Dan Fernbank, Energy & Sustainability Manager, University of Reading • Dewi Day, Sustainability Advisor, Aberystwyth University

12:50 - 13:20 Lessons Learnt from the TfL’s Palestra Project

10:30 - 11:15 Communicating Climate Change

• Quinten Babcock, Environmental Manager, Transport for London

• Tom Richardson, Account Director, Futerra

13:30 - 14:15 Career Path in Energy Management: Lessons Learnt • Joanna Marshall-Cook, Senior Sustainability Manager, University College London • Joel Kirby, Energy and Environmental Manager, The Celtic Manor Resort

• Elliot Jones, Energy Manager, Keele University

• Mohammad Rafique, Energy and Environment Officer, Surrey Police

• Gillian Brown, Energy Manager, University of Glasgow

• Rhea Campbell-Smith, Sustainability Coordinator, Bourne Leisure

11:00 - 11:45 Delivering Energy Efficiency in the Public Sector

• Suki Gilliland, Networks Energy Manager, Vodafone

• Dr Lowell Lewis, SHEQ Manager, Coventry City Council

14:30 - 15:30 Energy Auditing – All you want to know to make a lasting impact

• Julia Blackwell, Energy Officer, Huntingdonshire District Council

• Ben Burggraaf, Head of Energy, Dr Cymru Welsh Water

• Lord Rupert Redesdale, CEO, Energy Managers Association • Wendi Wheeler, Energy & Carbon Strategy Manager, Network Rail

15:40 - 17:00 EMA Energy Management Awards 2019 • Lord Rupert Redesdale, CEO, Energy Managers Association

THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2019 10:20 - 10:50 Proving the Business Case for Implementing Energy Saving Improvements

12:30 - 13:30 Energy Management Trends 2020: What to Expect Next Year

• Jes Rutter, Managing Director, JRP Solutions

• David Mason, Environment Technical Director, Skanska

11:40 - 12:20 Energy Management in the NHS: From Strategy to Implementation

• Julia Blackwell, Energy Officer, Huntingdonshire District Council

• Fiona Daly, Sustainability and EFM Workforce Lead, NHS Improvement • Kathryn Dapré, Head of Energy and Sustainability, NHS National Services Scotland • Lord Rupert Redesdale, CEO, Energy Managers Association

• Lord Rupert Redesdale, CEO, Energy Managers Association • Robert Williams, General Manager – Procurement, BT

13:40 - 14:10 Can you Teach an old Energy Manager New Tricks? • Chris Mayhew, Operations Improvement Manager – Energy, British Sugar

• Richard Smith, Sustainability Manager, BBC

11:30 - 12:15 Climate Change Adaptation – New International Standard ISO14090 and an ISO/ BSi adaptation and resilience standards update • Doogie Black, Director, Climate Sense • Lesley Wilson, Lead Programme Manager, BSI

13:00 - 13:30 The case for zero carbon / or achieving zero carbon • Richard Sulley, Senior Energy & Sustainability Manager, ENGIE

13:45 - 14:30 Future trends and challenges in Cooling

• ClimateWorks Foundation • Prof Toby Peters, Professor in Cold Economy, University of Birmingham

14:45 - 15:30 Counting the carbon – Are international standards always your best practice? • Dr Matthew Brander, Senior Lecturer in Carbon Accounting, University of Edinburgh • Lucy Candlin, Carbon Accounting, University of Edinburgh

15:45 - 16:30 Sustainable finance – key developments in this field. New guidance from IEMA and new developing British Standards • Greg Chant-Hall, COO, Carbon Free Group • Louise Pryor, Chair, London Climate Change Partnership • Dr Paul Pritchard, IEMA Fellow

• Dan Hamza-Goodacre, Executive Director, K-CEP

THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2019 10:30 - 11:15 Climate Neutrality and driving transitions – Visionary international practice and developments in International standards

14:00 - 14:45 The Future of the UK’s Environmental Governance

• Emmy Tollin, Head of partner and sustainability development, GodEl

• Nick Molho, Executive Director, Aldersgate Group

• Nick Blyth, Policy & Engagement Lead, IEMA

11:30 - 12:15 Your Emergency Briefing – Declaring a Climate Emergency and driving transformative change • James Dixon, Head of Sustainability, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust • Jason Light, Strategy Lead – Environment, Eastleigh Borough Council

• Martin Baxter, Chief Policy Advisor, IEMA

• Simon Evans, Deputy Editor and Policy Editor, Carbon Brief

14:45 - 15:45 Climate Change: Corporate Outlook • Lord Rupert Redesdale, CEO, Energy Managers Association • Dr Manfred Rudhart, CEO, Arriva Group • Simon Bimpson, Managing Director - Water, Energy and Utilities, Arcadis

13:00 - 13:30 The road to Carbon Zero – A customer journey • Graham Oxley, Managing Director of Energy with Services, ENGIE • Kevin Fisher, Service Manager, Wakefield Council

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Get the best advice from the experts

During the two days of EMEX 2019 over 80 top specialists will give their knowledge and expertise to visitors

THEATRE 3 Built Environment, Technology & Innovation WEDNESDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2019 10:00 - 10:40 The Future of Heat Networks

13:40 - 14:10 Using Data to Create an Energy Efficient Estate

• Charlotte Owen, Policy Officer, Association for Decentralised Energy • Francis Ugboma, Head of Energy Services, Islington Council • Sam Moore, Business Development Manager, Pinnacle Power • Simon Taylor, Operations Director, Redrow Homes Ltd

• Colin Wills, CEO, 4D Monitoring • Frankie Bryon, Senior Sustainability Surveyor, Lambert Smith Hampton

10:50 - 11:20 Lighting, Energy and the Environment • Richard Caple, Lighting Applications Director, Thorlux Lighting

11:30 - 12:00 Batteries Need Batteries: the Case for Energy Storage in EV Charging Infrastructure • Danny Jones, Managing Director, Off Grid Energy Ltd

12:10 - 12:50 Riding Sunbeams – Powering The Railways With Solar PV • Leo Murray, Director, Riding Sunbeams Ltd • Oliver Pendered, Director, Riding Sunbeams Ltd • Wendi Wheeler, Energy & Carbon Strategy Manager, Network Rail

13:00 - 13:30 The Rise of the Prosumer • Luke Osborne, Energy and Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor, ECA

14:20 - 14:50 Enabling Energy Efficient Lighting Through Intelligent Finance and Turnkey Solutions • Nick Clark, Global Strategic Development Director, Sylvania Lighting Europe

15:00 - 15:40 Corporate PPAs -The Risks, Issues and Opportunities • Dr Mike Pedley, Independent Consultant • Mark Westwood, Head of UK Commodity Solution Sales, Ørsted • Matteo Deidda, Networks Energy Manager, Vodafone • Zosia Riesner, Head of Corporate PPA, Lightsource BP

15:50 - 16:05 Giving Buildings A Heartbeat – IoT At Scale In Retail • Jordan Appleson, CEO, Hark

16:10 - 16:25 Closing The Heating & Cooling Performance Gap Through HVAC System Optimisation • Chris Davis, UK Manager, Hysopt

THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2019 10:00 - 10:30 Energy Saving with VSDs in a Digital Age • Steve Hughes, Digital Lead – Motion, ABB Ltd

10:40 - 11:20 Battery Storage: Getting Ready For Mass Roll Out • Guy Bartlett, Sales Director, SMS Plc • Lord Rupert Redesdale, CEO, Energy Managers Association • Stuart O’Neil, Head of New Portfolio Development – Community Energy, Siemens Managed Services

11:30 - 12:00 The Role of EVs in the Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Mix • Phil Valarino, EV Lead, EDF Energy

12:10 - 12:40 Flow Informs – A new approach to system upgrades • Tunji Asiwaju, Global Performance Management Services Manager, Armstrong Fluid Technology

12:50 - 13:20 Smart Lighting – Unlocking the Potential of Light Sources for Beyond Lighting Applications • Pierre Taing, Director Smart & Beyond Lighting Solutions, Sylvania Lighting Europe

13:30 - 14:00 Smart Electric Urban Logistics (SEUL) • Claire Thompson-Sage, Sustainable Development Co-ordinator, UPS Ltd • Jonathan Bassett, Technology & Innovation Consultant. UK Power Networks Services

THEATRE 4 Strategy, Regulation & Compliance WEDNESDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2019 10:00 - 10:50 Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting – Compliance Update • Gary Shanahan, Head of Business and Industrial Energy Efficiency, Tax and Reporting, BEIS • Gemma Birley, Director, Green Finch Environmental Consulting • Jennifer Guest, Project Director - FRC Taxonomies, Financial Reporting Council • Naomi Rigby, Non-Financial Assurance Specialist, PwC UK

11:00 - 12:00 SECR Compliance – The Basics • Gemma Birley, Director, Green Finch Environmental Consulting • Dr Vassia Paloumbi, Sustainability and Energy Management Expert, threeG Sustainability

• Gordon Walker, Environmental Manager, Northern Powergrid

14:30 - 15:00 Changes in Regulation Around Battery Storage • Lord Rupert Redesdale, CEO, Energy Managers Association

15:10 - 15:40 The Benefits and Pitfalls of ISO 50001 Certification

• Martin Bilton, Engineering Manager (Utilities), Gatwick Airport • Parthena Exizidou, Energy & Carbon Reduction Manager, British Antarctic Survey • Scott Armstrong, Group Head of Energy and Sustainability, Bourne Leisure Ltd • Victoria Limbrick, Energy Manager, Royal National Lifeboat Institution

• Kirit Patel, Environment Manager, DHL Supply Chain – Mainland Europe, Middle-East & Africa • Terry Coyle, UK Product Manager for Energy Management Systems, SGS United Kingdom Ltd

13:00 - 13:40 What Really is SMART?

15:50 - 16:20 From Compliance to Leadership: RBS’s energy management journey • Lesley Holloway, Energy & Environment Manager, The Royal Bank of Scotland • Lindsay Ventress, Service Line Lead – Energy, EcoAct

THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2019 10:00 - 10:50 SECR Compliance – What To Look Out For! • Andy Creamer, Energy Manager, M apeley Estates Ltd • Chris Bowness, Senior Energy Manager, FES Limited • Jessica Harris, Senior Energy and Carbon Consultant, Envantage Ltd • Keith Maloney, Managing Director, Maloney Associates Ltd • Dr Vassia Paloumbi, Sustainability and Energy Management Expert, threeG Sustainability

11:00 - 11:40 Key Considerations to Effectively Manage Transport Energy Usage

• Michael Nagle, Utilities Manager, London Luton Airport • Tony Wright, Divisional Director of Upgrade, ebm-papst UK Ltd

11:50 - 12:30 The Impact of ESOS

• Dave Armstrong, Managing Director, Great Minds Property Group

13:50 - 14:20 Organisational Waste Management: what to consider

12:10 - 12:50 Energy Management Strategy: from policy to implementation

14:10 - 14:40 Energy Reducing Strategies: How London Luton Airport achieved energy savings through optimising their HVAC systems

14:50 - 15:20 The UK’s First Zero Energy Cost Business Park – Six Years On

• Gillian Brown, Energy Manager. University of Glasgow • Mark Davenport, CEO, Smart Buildings Ltd (part of the ENGIE group) • Richard Caple, Lighting Applications Director, Thorlux Lighting

• Rob Anderson, Senior Fleet Specialist, Cenex

• Daniel Shanley, Low Carbon Consultant, Stopford Energy and Environment • Mike Denbigh, Senior Technical Advisor, Environment Agency • Paul Redding, Director, Redding Associates Ltd • Sam Arje, Group Energy and Sustainability Manager, Bourne Leisure

12:40 - 13:20 Beyond Compliance – how do we deliver high performance? • Chris Mayhew, Operations Improvement Manager – Energy, British Sugar • Dr Andy Lewry, Senior Technical Associate, Focus FM • Julie Hogarth, Head of Sustainability, Regent Street Management Direct – JLL • Michael Nagle, Utilities Manager, Luton Airport

13:30 - 14:10 Strategic Partnerships That Lead To Savings – How Important Is Data? • Daniel Harvey, Building Technology Specialist, Intech Controls Ltd • Derek Martin, Divisional Director, Focus FM • Jonathon Candy, Energy Manager, Mitie Sustainability • Tom Parrott, Head of Energy & Sustainability, University of Surrey

14:20 - 14:50 Implementing Energy Performance Contracts: Successes and Pitfalls • Kathryn Dapré, Head of Energy and Sustainability, NHS National Services Scotland

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Vincent De Rul is director of Energy Solutions, EDF Energy

Energy Flexibility For further information on EDF Energy visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 125

The uptake of electric vehicles will place new demands on the grid

Balancing our power We are the generation of businesses who must tackle climate change. How? Flexibility represents an huge opportunity to match demand and generation, believes Vincent De Rul

limate change is the most important topic of our generation - and those to come. A majority of people in the UK say the climate crisis will influence how they vote in the December general election, according to a recent opinion poll.1 It’s an exciting time to be working in energy on the solutions and policy around Net Zero in response to climate awareness. We’ve achieved great things so far, but there is much more to do. The UK’s energy system is undergoing significant changes to prepare for Net Zero. The integration of renewable and nuclear generation to the traditional energy mix, and the decentralisation and digitalisation of the energy market, so far, are some of the most notable shifts in the sector that are helping this future become a reality. Critical to balancing these three elements is flexibility. Flexibility represents a range of simple energy solutions (for example, Demand Side Response and storage) that ensure the power we generate and deliver always matches the amount we consume. In other words, it is the point at which a decentralised, decarbonised and digitalised future

becomes a practical solution that can deliver real benefits not only to those who contribute to it, but also to the wider economy. Digitalisation is already improving the efficiency and sustainability of our current energy system. Through monitoring systems like our PowerNow platform, businesses are now better able to understand what they consume down to a single asset level, therefore highlighting new energy saving opportunities. But digital technologies are set to make energy systems around the world even more intelligent and reliable; identifying who needs energy and delivering it at the lowest cost – the system otherwise known as demand side response (DSR). Energy usage data has already enabled the grid and its fluctuating energy demands to be supported by businesses that are able to be flexible with their consumption. With a better forecasting of the total amount of energy that will be demanded from the grid at any one point, as well as better understanding of the amount of energy demand which is flexible, businesses that are able to shift or reduce their consumption during

times of peak demand are rewarded, either in payment or a reduced energy bill. But if we are to meet the expected increase in global electricity demand over the next decade, while increasing the share of energy from renewable sources, then flexibility needs to become a priority for more businesses and consumers. Globally, electricity demand is expected to grow by over 20 per cent, with renewable sources expected to make up more than half of the global capacity2. If this is the case, the ability of the power system to adapt and flex to the fluctuations in demand will become an integral part of our energy future.

Intermittent sources Flexibility is especially important as we move towards a low-carbon future, where intermittent sources such as wind and solar may place a greater stress on the grid’s capacity to match supply to demand. One area of flexibility that has often been discussed in recent years is the rise of electric vehicles. The uptake of electric vehicles will increasingly place new demands on the grid, difficult to forecast in terms of location and volume –

something that will only grow if the government’s target for at least 50 percent of new cars and 40 percent of new vans being electric by 20303 is realised. Yet we already have the technology in place to ease the stress placed on the grid. Energy solutions such as vehicle to grid (V2G) technology, which enables power to be drawn from car batteries and fed back into the grid when not in use, will be vital to support demand. Given consumers and businesses are playing a more active role in the energy market – shifting from centralised generation towards a decentralised future – flexibility has also had an impact on the traditional relationship between energy providers and consumers. We expect energy providers to deliver an end-to-end approach to energy management; a world in which asset engineering, energy management technologies, and access to wholesale markets are all offered under one roof. That is why we have engaged in a partnership with UK-based energy technology provider, Upside Energy, and have acquired engineering services firm Imtech, enabling us to carry out this kind of end-to-end proposition to optimise the energy consumption of our customers and partners. It’s undeniable that we are at a very exciting time in the energy sector, where collaboration is providing fantastic opportunities to transform our future relationship with energy for the better. Focusing solely on the cost-saving potential of flexibility fails to recognise its greatest potential; it is our gateway to a sustainable, circular economy, where income is generated by turning waste into resource. • Come and see us at Stand E20 at EMEX at Excel London this year to speak to myself and my colleagues about how your business or organisation can benefit from flexible energy solutions. 

References 1) https://www.theguardian.com/ environment/2019/oct/30/climate-crisis-affectshow-majority-will-vote-in-uk-election-poll 2) https://www.iea.org/weo2018/scenarios/ 3) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ government-launches-road-to-zero-strategy-tolead-the-world-in-zero-emission-vehicle-technology

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DEMANDING BY NATURE

THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION DESERVES YOUR CONFIDENCE The labels, logos or ÂŤ certificate of excellence Âť are abundant, but they are not all equal. When a manufacturer starts the process of Third-Party certification, they enter a process of quality for the benefit of all: end users, prescribers, insurers, investors and authorities. The reliability of advertised performance, the readability and transparency of information, the regulatory compliance, the product energy efficiency, are some of the benefits resulting from Third-Party certification. Our certification process is robust, rigorous and demanding: continuous testing, product sampling, factory audits, independent testing by accredited agencies and laboratories, selection software control as well as independent evaluation. Since 1994 EUROVENT CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION certifies the performance ratings of HVAC-R products for residential home and industrial facilities. Visit our website available 24/7. Getty Images ÂŠThomasVogel

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Dene Kent is sales director, ventilation at Swegon

Well-being in Buildings For further information on Swegon visit www.eibi.co.uk/enquiries and enter ENQUIRY No. 135

Well-being transforms design Energy efficiency tends to be a measure of building performance, but the impact of our workplace on health and well-being should be subject to equal, if not greater scrutiny, according to Dene Kent

he building engineering sector has tended to measure its success in terms of energy performance, which is, of course, a crucial metric for our work. However, growing concern around links between poor ventilation and rising cases of respiratory disease as well as the impact of poor indoor environment on mental health and productivity means we should be looking more widely at how building services affects quality of life. A report from the global management consultancy McKinsey identified human ‘wellness’ as the next “trillion dollar industry”. It is clear that building engineering sits at the heart of this booming market, but we have been looking at it from the wrong end of the telescope by focussing heavily on energy at the expense of wider performance indicators. The World Green Building Council (WGBC) estimates that, on average, improving energy efficiency delivers annual savings of around £6 per m2 to the average commercial building owner. Water efficiency gives them back about £1. Yet, if a building contributes to staff retention – because they find it a healthy, invigorating and rewarding place to work – that can deliver savings in the order of £18 per m2. Reducing the absence and poor performance linked to sickness contributes another £26 per m2. However, the biggest win is in productivity. Even a modest 5 per cent improvement brought about by working in a better-ventilated, cooled and lit space could be worth a significant £307 per m2 per annum, according to the WGBC. As well as the obvious economic argument, there is also a strong social and moral element to this. Poor housing costs the NHS more than £2bn a year in treating people suffering from a wide range of illnesses linked directly to living in cold and damp homes. Many of these conditions are respiratory. There are also

Improving energy efficiency delivers annual savings of around £6 per m²

more than 3,000 new cases of occupational asthma diagnosed each year at a cost of over £1bn to health services, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). One in 10 cases of adult onset asthma relate directly to their workplace conditions. Poor quality building environments are causing wellbeing problems for people at home and at work.

Well thought-out approach To make a building healthier requires a well thought-out approach from the outset including how to measure the key indicators such as levels of CO2, temperature and relative humidity, and the amount of VOCs from internal sources. Being able to accurately monitor the conditions allows the services designer to use innovations like demand control ventilation (DCV) to deliver the best environment for maximum occupant productivity and well-being. The availability of connected systems makes it easier for property owners and operators to put wellbeing strategies in place as building services designers can more closely match the performance of heating, cooling and ventilation systems to patterns of demand and room usage.

The availability of wireless networks means systems can be more easily configured, commissioned and controlled. It also gives engineers a route to tackling the individual pieces of equipment that consume the most energy, such as fans and chillers. The strategy will vary from building to building, taking account of location, age and type, and the usage patterns of the occupiers. The first step towards developing a positive and proactive strategy will be to understand the demands and goals of the building and then use the latest technology to configure a system that can be directly adapted to produce the required conditions without driving up operating costs.

Increasingly popular This is why DCV is proving increasingly popular. It can reduce the amount of fan energy used by up to 80 per cent - and deliver an overall energy saving for cooling and heating of more than 40 per cent compared with constant air volume (CAV) systems. This is because air, cooling and heating are supplied in just the right amounts, at the right places and at the right time based on the user’s demand patterns, which also ensures the best comfort and air

quality conditions for people when they are in the occupied space. The design approach that led to the development of variable air volume (VAV) systems was refined to produce the modern DCV systems that not only control temperature (and humidity), but also optimise the supply air volumes – particularly outdoor air – to improve the indoor environment while also minimising energy costs. Swegon’s WISE system is an example of how cutting edge DCV technology is being applied in UK buildings. It uses a self-healing mesh network that ensures a wireless system cannot be undermined by any interruption or reduction in the strength of the signal it uses to communicate between different products installed throughout the building. Growing awareness of the need to target well-being as a design driver will quickly accelerate demand for this type of ‘smart’ solution that enables building services designers to improve indoor conditions while simultaneously cutting operating costs. Meaning health and wellbeing goals can be achieved while, at the same time, energy costs continue to do down. 

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Transformation of Coventry city centre

London school slashes energy use Leytonstone School is on track to significantly reduce its annual energy use following the final part of its LED lighting upgrade – as financed by the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s Salix Fund. The project is estimated to achieve annual savings in the region of £8,700 against a project cost of £69,639. This is estimated to lead to carbon reduction savings of 24.61 tonnes of CO2/pa with a lifetime carbon savings of 615 tonnes. Return on investment is predicted to be within 7.3 years. Since Leytonstone School first opened there has been ongoing development of the site. The latest refurbishment took place just four years ago when the lighting in the main building was upgraded to LED. However, the lighting in the Practical block and Music and Drama building was not upgraded at that time. As such Sean Goffin, site manager at the school, became increasingly concerned about the maintenance costs and levels of lighting failures, particularly relating to the emergency lighting. When he contacted Nimish Shah, energy manager at London Borough of Waltham Forest, he was confident that they would be keen to assist. The London Borough of Waltham Forest supports schools in the borough to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon emissions through its Salix Fund. Waltham Forest match-funds the Salix grant to provide loans to schools within the borough. Raj Gunasekaren, business development manager at Energys Group proposed a solution to which could be delivered with minimum disruption. Self-learning Intelligent Wireless Control LED lights were installed, which use iDim Active+ sensor technology. This is an intelligent wireless automatic control which provides daylight harvesting and presence detection without need for re-wiring or modification to existing circuits.

The area around Coventry mainline train station is undergoing an impressive transformation as regeneration comes back to Coventry. And Wilo UK has had a major role to play in the stand-out building in the new development providing all the pumps for the new home of Coventry City Council. The stand-out building in the new development is No.1 Friargate, which features grade A offices and public spaces, and is the new headquarters for Coventry City Council. This impressive new multi-storey office building has been handed over to its new owners. No.1 Friargate was the first building in the Friargate masterplan to be constructed. Coventry City Council has occupied nine floors and the Financial Ombudsman Service is occupying the remaining two. The building offers some of the region’s most modern office space. The project featured a wide range of Wilo pumps providing primary and secondary heating, chilled water and cooling water pumps as well as a domestic cold water booster set. “This has been a major project for us and its extremely rewarding to see a plant room that is so impressive at the base of this impressive new building,” says Wilo’s Gary Wheatley. “It’s a perfect case study for us, highlighting so many of the pumps we produce working closely together in a single plant ONLINE ENQUIRY 104 room, in a major project like this one.”

ONLINE ENQUIRY 101

Room by room air conditioning control The occupier of new offices in Hatfield inherited background air conditioning but through the dividing up of the floor plate of the second floor at Titan Court into smaller offices and meeting rooms, needed additional air conditioning that could be controlled room by room. The solution was an LG 3 pipe Heat recovery Multi V 5 VRF system connected to twelve indoor ceiling mounted cassette units. ENGIE is a leading energy and services company focused on three key activities – production and supply of energy, facilities management and regeneration. 17,000 employees combine these capabilities for the benefit of individuals, businesses and communities throughout the UK and Ireland. The LG equipment was supplied by M3R Climate and installed by office fitting company Woodhouse. LG used its advanced LATS CAD software to display the concept of the installation to the client prior to the decision to select LG equipment for the task. LG Air Conditioner Technical Solutions (LATS) CAD 2.0 is a fast and effective way to create drawing plans for LG Air Conditioning Technologies systems. There are separate tabs for LATS on the Autodesk AutoCAD ribbon bar and this tab takes you to two menus for easily navigating various features of LATS. In addition, the system selected included the specification of an LG AC Smart 5 central controller as well as wireless controls for each room.

ONLINE ENQUIRY 102

ECA status for building management system Prefect Controls says its PrefectIrus system has been listed on the Energy Technology List (ETL), this entitles buyers to claim an Enhanced Capital Allowance. The ECA scheme means that a business can invest in energy-saving plant or machinery that might otherwise be too expensive. The Energy Technology List is one of the world’s largest databases of top performing energy-efficient products. The first-year allowances let businesses set 100 per cent of the cost of the assets against taxable profits in a single tax year. This means the company can write off the cost of the new plant or machinery against the business’s taxable profits in the financial year the purchase was made. This is equivalent to approximately 5.5 times the benefit of standard tax relief in the year of purchase. An ECA is claimed through a business’ income or corporation tax return in the same way as any other capital allowance. PrefectIrus is a building management system specifically designed for multioccupancy properties such as student accommodation or hotels – and controls rooms individually. Along with temperature, PrefectIrus also controls and monitors humidity, light, CO2 and decibel levels as well as hot water – even alerting management if leaks are detected.

ONLINE ENQUIRY 103

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Air Conditioning

Energy control high in the Swiss mountains The construction of the new Scharmoin Mountain Restaurant high in the Arosa Lenzerheide area of Switzerland presented several challenges to the planning engineers, operators and construction companies. In addition to the narrow time frame of only eight months, another demanding condition was to erect the new building on the foundation and building shell of the existing mountain restaurant. One challenge for the heat supply was that the entire heat energy supply was to be housed in the restaurant, but should also supply the adjacent cableway operations building. To ensure optimum operation, the building technology was incorporated into the management system of the Lenzerheide Bergbahnen AG. The integration was implemented by the building automation experts AZ systems AG with open and closed loop control components from WAGO Kontakttechnik GmbH. In addition to the ventilation and heating regulation with a separately developed software to forecast the weather from AZ systems AG, the lighting, blind and shading regulation, which are controlled via the position of the sun, were also integrated into the management system. Various characterised control valves and globe valves from Belimo are installed in the heating distribution system and integrated into the management system via an MP bus. A Belimo Energy ValveTM is installed in the district heating pipeline to the cableway operations building (middle station). This allows the current energy data to be recorded and the output for the cableway operations building to be regulated and, if necessary, limited. Another Belimo Energy ValveTM is installed in the supply line from the boiler to the distribution bar and measures the heating output and energy consumption of the heating system. Due to this continuous power evaluation, the pellet boiler is controlled according to requirements. The boiler therefore only produces as much energy as is actually needed. The two reservoirs installed, each with a capacity of 3,000m3, are used as a buffer. At the beginning of the heating season, there were concerns that the pellet stock, with a capacity of 150 tonnes would be too small. However, only 10 tonnes were consumed per month. In this way, an initial potential for savings through installation of the energy valve was recognized and the system thus optimised. The absolute data transparency of the Belimo Energy Valves also demonstrated that the energy-oriented engineering and energy-efficient operation resulted in very low volumetric flows. These can be recorded and visualised precisely by the Belimo Energy Valve, which considerably simplifies control and operation of the system.

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Boilers

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TALKING HEADS Stephen Wilson

Stephen Wilson is managing director of AIC Heating UK

From little acorns AIC is just beginning to get a foothold in the UK market. Stephen Wilson explained to EiBI how an emphasis on product quality will help the supplier of boilers flourish in a tough market

he saying goes that mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Stephen Wilson will be hoping exactly this as he nurtures the first roots of a new player in the UK boiler market. The managing director of AIC Heating UK may be overseeing a fledgling operation in the UK at present with just eight members of staff but the parent company, based in Poland has a turnover of over €60m and is a sizeable player in the European and US markets. The European headquarters and R&D facility are in the Netherlands. “The UK is the next stage of the journey for the group,” Wilson told EiBI. “When we started we had a piece of paper and no offices. We met in a café and got it up and running.” Based in Inverkeithing, just north of Edinburgh, the group is investing heavily in new offices and training facility. Wilson, formerly managing director with another boiler and tank manufacturer, expects a steady growth in the size of the workforce from the current eight. “We have the technology and the knowledge. Our first product for the UK is the Nesta Chrome wall-mounted range that is available in five sizes from 60 to 150kW. We are looking at the light commercial market, leisure centres, hotels, and office blocks, care homes and hospitals. That will be the core of our business.” Wilson acknowledges that the boiler market is a tough place to be but is being realistic in AIC’s place in the crowded forest of UK boiler suppliers. “With the product range we currently offer from 60-840kW we are looking to capture around 3-4 per cent of the UK market, which I think is achievable.” Already the first boilers

Wilson: 'we are looking at the light commercial market. That will be the core of our business '

are in operation. “We have installed units in schools, leisure centres, as well as a couple of prestigious hotels.”

Sales through wholesalers Wilson says that the company’s preferred route to market will be by the wholesalers although he admits it seems easier dealing with the independent wholesalers. However, he is adamant that all training and commissioning will be carried out by AIC or AIC-trained engineers. So how will AIC make inroads into a market dominated by some big names? “We don’t want to be the cheapest,” he said. “We want to be somewhere in the middle but offering top-end quality. We’ll leave the cheap stuff to others. But there is no such thing as a bad boiler any more so we have to add something. I’m confident that we can with both added value products and customer back up.” Wilson believes that the key to offering extra quality lies in the use

‘There is no such thing as a bad boiler any more so we have to add something’

of stainless steel – not just in the heat exchanger but also in other parts of the boiler including the low loss header and the manifolds. “It’s a more stable product, gives long life and is 100 per cent recyclable.” This emphasis on delivering a quality heat exchanger is in the company’s DNA. Established in 2001 as design business, AIC introduced in 2004 the firetube downfiring heat exchanger that gets rid of corrosive substances. But the big turning point came in 2011 when the group expanded into North America. “Seven manufacturers got on board and use the heat exchangers to this day,” stated Wilson. “The US now accounts for a large percentage of the company’s OEM business.” Closer to home AIC supplies heat exchangers that can be found already in the UK market. With over 500,000 already installed, this is a tried and tested product in the UK. The group’s success is built on design and engineering, believes Wilson. “There are over 200 design engineers in the business enhancing existing products and developing new products; that’s around 35 per cent of the staff. The management team have engineering backgrounds as they want the products and development method done in a particular way to get the best designs to the market.” The company insists, for example, that all welders joining the company, however well trained they might be, go through its own AIC training academy so they carry out the process in just the way the company wants.” Further into the future Wilson can see that there will be a threat to the traditional boiler from electric energy heat pumps and boilers and other lower-carbon technologies. “Our preparations are well underway to have products in this market”. 

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