Entries for January 2008

The new format for Display Energy Certificates has been unveiled. Simon Napper explains.

While green buildings are increasingly popular with business, the majority of the UK property industry is failing to take action necessary to prepare for introduction of Energy Performance Certificates required under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive by 6 April, 2008 for buildings over 1,000m².

Ben Kochan looks at the ins and outs of a proposed ecotown.

In the 2007 Energy White Paper, the Government said it wanted to improve the performance of energy-using products. Its latest consultation focuses on domestic heating and hot water systems. Simon Napper looks at the proposals.

A US survey has found that up to three quarters of American architects agree that climate change is a global, human-induced problem, and that a majority are in favour of taking mitigation measures. Dr Paul K Hatchwell reports on the considerable momentum in the US market, in many ways paralleling UK developments. 

A vacuum waste to energy system, linked to CHP is central to the new scheme. Ben Kochan explains.

The launch of what is described as Britian's first major consultancy focussed solely on sustainable construction brings together a number of key names in the field. So why do they feel is missing from conventional offerings? Simon Napper talked to Inbuilt Consulting’s chief executive, Dr David Strong.

The European Commission set out, on 23 January, detailed proposals on how it believes the member states can, together, achieve the carbon reductions agreed at the European Heads of Government Council meeting last March. It relies on what used to be called ‘burden-sharing’ and is now more positively referred to as ‘effort-sharing’.

An initial assessment of the National Energy Efficiency Actions Plans prepared by European Union Member States shows that few have taken the opportunity to promote innovative and imaginative projects to reduce energy consumption.

Zog Brownfield Ventures, a syndicate including Dorset-based eco-developer Cornhill Estates, has concluded a deal to buy from the UK Atomic Energy Authority a site including the science and technology park adjacent to the nuclear site at Winfrith in Dorset, which is in the process of being decommissioned.

The Government-sponsored Technology Strategy Board is backing R&D into more energy efficient lighting, lasers, high brightness LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes)and displays with a new £10 million investment programme opened up for competition just before Christmas.

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers has received DCLG approval to provide an accredited energy assessors scheme which will continue its work to produce a register of low-carbon consultants. It already has 700 such consultants and it expects a large proportion to become low carbon energy assessors who will produce display energy certificates for non-domestic, publicly accessed buildings, energy performance certificates for non-domestic and domestic buildings and air conditioning assessments for complex systems. They should be qualified and registered by the April start date.

The London Sustainability Exchange’s Energise London is to create a network for consumers and businesses to share best practice.

Work has begun on a testing site for innovative renewable energy and fuel cell energy storage facilities at Methil in Fife. It will form part of Fife’s energy park and is funded by Scottish Enterprise, Alsherra Investments and the European Regional Development Fund. “We are confident that the Hydrogen Office and Demonstration Centre will not only offer a potential solution to  the challenge of power storage facing the renewables sector but will provide an environment conducive to further research and development in the field,” said Willie Johnston, director at Scottish Enterprise in Fife.

A selective finance grant from One North East has enabled OGI Groundwater Specialists of Meadowfield in County Durham to expand into larger premises warmed by ground source heating and to create 13 new jobs. The firm designs and constructs groundwater management schemes and geothermal heating systems. “Geothermal heating is used throughout Scandinavia but is quite a new concept in the UK,” said business manager Suzanne Pickering. “By using it on our own premises we are able to fully demonstrate the system and its workings to potential clients.”