Energy savings and carbon emission reduction aims result from career-long focus

Behfar Abedinia explains his long-term commitment to assisting clients reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions through the application of modern technology and equipment

While the UK government has received criticism for its lack of support for UK industry following the signing of its pledge to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, its actions have nevertheless helped to raise interest in how to meet the requirements and reduce outlay on energy.

Another advantage within this is the focus that these developments are placing on the skills and expertise of industry professionals, including those of Taconova UK general manager Behfar Abedinia.

His long experience in assisting clients to reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions is continuing to prove invaluable in the current drive to assist the UK to reach its 2050 legally-binding commitment.

A start in energy

After starting work in the energy sector in 2003, Mr Abedinia then began working for Npower. “I’ve worked in the energy industry for 21 years now, advising customers on how to use energy-efficient products,” he states.

His career has ranged from consultancy to providing advice on the best means to reduce energy and has involved him working with many of the largest energy providers in Europe. His work has brought him into contact with local councils, housing associations managing thousands of properties and individual contractors, providing advice and assistance to achieve greater levels of energy efficiency.

In 2012 Mr Abedinia joined BillSaveUK as its business development manager, then in November 2018 became the UK specification manager for the Secure Meters organisation, providing in-depth experience within the manufacturing sector.

“Much of my work has focused on helping clients improve the energy efficiency of their projects and buildings. We help clients save money by gathering effective data and use it to monitor their energy performance, enabling us to make the best adjustments,” he continues.

Having joined Taconova UK last year as its general manager, Mr Abedinia describes his responsibilities as ensuring “our product portfolio provides the best solutions to our clients and gives them the best energy efficiency options, comfort and reliability, in terms of heating system performance, and also servicing”. The aim is to provide a complete solution – rather than just a product – to provide end users with the most cost effective and efficient outcome.

“We always look to reduce energy consumption, which has a direct impact on the environment, as well,” he continues. “Whenever we introduce new products, this is only after we’ve looked at how it will sit in the market and how it will impact the energy efficiency and comfort of the users.”

His description explains the three main requirements of the company’s products in reducing carbon emissions while delivering efficiencies, without impacting the comfort levels of end users.

“We also look after daily billing and metering services, which are typically provided to local councils, housing associations, developers and managing agents,” he continues. After generating the invoices, the company is also responsible for collecting payments and passing these to the end client.

Another of the company’s areas of focus includes the provision of essential products for district heating systems, which is assisting heat network operators to increase the number of systems in place and reduce carbon emissions on a massive scale. “The use of data shows that district heating is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions, while providing affordable heating to residents,” says Mr Abedinia.

The company has been involved in both district heating and communal heat networks, which can apply to smaller areas and even single buildings, typically where the plant room is designed to serve all the apartments and avoid the expense of individual heating systems for each one. This is combined with the gathering and analysis of data to ensure that all systems work as expected and that accurate bills are delivered in a timely manner.

“As well as using the data to show the levels of efficiency the system is delivering, we use remote diagnostics to identify any faults and make sure that each system is performing at the optimal level,” he says.

Mr Abedinia states that he believes that an effective district heating strategy will be good for the UK and that the government needs to devote its efforts to educate end users on the benefits they will receive. “Ultimately this means they will receive a cleaner, greener and more cost-effective heat form for all residents and occupiers of the buildings where the system is installed,” he explains.

“From my point of view, if we can help to achieve that goal and provide higher levels of efficiency and data to analyse and use to improve performance levels further, we will certainly be proud to be involved,” he continues.

The discussion on the increased use of district heating systems then moves to the topic of using renewable energy sources to power them, including the use of heat pumps. He states that it is essential to understand how the system works and that all data is shared, particularly with designers, which will assist each project to achieve or even exceed its objectives in future.

“The use of data also shows the clients that they are getting return on their investments. That’s very important and that will help to persuade more people to get involved and continue to invest in district heating in the future,” he continues.

He further states that the use of larger heat pumps as the central elements within communal and district heating systems is increasing. This opinion is supported by reports last year of increased demand for the larger heat pumps of around 1MW in size.

“Although it seems initially that district heating systems require higher capital levels of capital costs, in terms of operational life they are far more efficient. And that’s where local councils and authorities can help by including them in the planning permission process,” he continues.

Leaving fossil fuels behind

The use of renewable energy to power district heating systems is essential to move away from the use of fossil fuels. “We’re also looking at renewable energy to provide lower cost and greater efficiencies,” he says.

“We’re seeing that lower primary temperatures can be used in these systems, which saves a lot of energy while also seeing no reduction in comfort levels for the end users. We’re also seeing certain cities actively promoting district heating systems through their planning process, which will also see growth in the UK heat network industry,” he says.

The sharing of knowledge and expertise is also essential to ensure that the growth of district heating in the UK is delivered in the most effective way. Mr Abedinia states that Taconova has worked across Europe for the last 60 years and is ideally placed to share its expertise with UK clients.

“We’re very keen to share our knowledge and partner with UK industry to make sure that all projects result in reductions to carbon emissions and support the commitment to net zero carbon emissions, as well as helping the residents to achieve the level of comfort they’re looking for,” he says.

Mr Abedinia also explains the importance of working with Ofgem and its forthcoming legislation, which is designed to see the industry work to minimum standards.

“The heat network industry has not been regulated and we’re very keen to provide the products and solutions that will comply with the new legislation and help our clients and end users get to where they need to be. We expect to be working with all industry stakeholders, including the large energy companies, as well as within ESCO contracts, to deliver the best results within these projects, which we all benefit from,” he states.

Having established its UK operation, Taconova is now in the process of establishing meaningful partnerships with the aim of further extending its collaborative working practices. “We’ve always been about providing complete solutions, rather than just a product.”

One of the issues the company is seeking to overcome is placing too much focus on initial capital outlay, which is perceived as saving money but often proves more expensive in the long run. Placing more emphasis on value is needed, he continues, which will help everyone enjoy the benefits of correctly designed and installed district heating systems.

He believes that the forthcoming Ofgem regulations will help with this, as everyone will need to comply and work to the best standards. This will help to avoid the situation where systems are installed at the cheapest price, but then prove more expensive to run and can then prove more costly to the end user.

“The problem is often that contractors have to finish the project on time and on budget,” he continues. “When legislation specifies that minimum standards have to be delivered, that helps everyone to raise their standards.

“It’s important to realise that we’re not talking about big differences in the cost, but you can still see cost being prioritised over performance and efficiency, and that’s the sad part.

“You can even see where small components have been omitted which are actually essential for the district heating system, and then affect the performance levels of the entire system,” he says.

Mr Abedinia is additionally keen to stress that for the UK to achieve its net zero carbon emissions target by 2050, there has to be a detailed strategy in place that will see government bodies, industry and all areas of the UK working collaboratively. More efficient houses and heating systems are an essential part of this, he states, while also emphasising the need for all systems to be designed, installed and commissioned correctly.

“It’s essential that once these buildings and systems have been handed over, they continue to monitor the efficiency of these networks, using the data to analyse their performance. It’s all about using the technology and data in the best way to drive forward and deliver the best results,” Mr Abedinia concludes.