| Eco towns update Housing Minister Caroline Flint has announced a progress report on the government's eco town proposals. She claimed that standards had been tightened up, and only the best quality schemes with very high sustainability specifications would qualify for eco-town status. Green space is increased, car dependency decreased and public transport enhanced, amongst a range of improvements: http://www.newbuilder.co.uk/news/NewsFullStory.asp?ID=2573 | 25 7 08 | Green Building |
| Public sector green grants on offer:
Grants of up to 1 million per site are available for managers of public sector buildings adopting renewable energy technology.
The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform BERR and Building Research Establishment BRE are to host regional events to promote the grants available under phase two of the low carbon buildings programme (LCBP2).
The first of these events start at BRE's headquarters in Watford on April 29.
Schools, hospitals, housing associations, local authorities and charitable bodies can benefit from the LCBP2 grants. The funding can be used for the supply and installation of any combination of the following microgeneration technologies:
solar photovoltaics, solar thermal hot water, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps, automated wood pellet stoves, wood fuelled boiler systems, From April 1st, 2008, grant caps were increased to 50% across all technologies, bringing them in line with the funding available for solar PV funding. In total, seven regional events will take place in May and June. Speakers from programme funder BERR, and BRE, which is managing the scheme, will explain the application process, the microgeneration technologies involved, installation, energy output and the potential for reducing carbon emissions and energy bills. To attend the LCBP2 event, for further information on the grants, or to check your organisation's eligibility go to lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk/ lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk/ |
14 4 08 | h&v |
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From 6th April 2008, it is UK law to provide an On Construction (or As Built) Energy Performance Certificate (OCEPC) for all new build homes that are completed after this date. The OCEPC will form part of the Home Inspection Pack (HIP) for the new owner.
An OCEPC gives information on the buildings energy efficiency, and is displayed similar to the A-G ratings found on electrical appliances. OCEPC's have to be issued once a property has been constructed, and informs owners and potential buyers about the energy efficiency of a home, and how it can be improved. All OCEPCs have an integrated "Recommendation Report" which includes advice and suggestions on improvements which could be made to reduce the carbon emissions of the property, and also save the owner money. Predicted Energy Assessments (PEAs) are produced at Design Stage for submission to the Building Control Body to show the expected energy efficiency when a dwelling is to be marketed before it is built. The need for On Construction EPCs is a requirement of the Building Regulations, and not the HIP regulations, but have to be included in the HIP. Guidance to ascertain whether a PEA and / or EPC is required: Pre 2006 Building Regulations • ALL properties will require an OCEPC at As Built Stage if completed post 6th April 2008 • 4 Bed + Homes - PEA Required at Design Stage if marketed after 1/8/07 • 3 Bed Homes - PEA Required at Design Stage if marketed after 10/9/07 • All other Homes - PEA Required at Design Stage if marketed after 14/12/07 Post 2006 Building Regulations • ALL properties require an OCEPC at As Built Stage if completed post 6th April 2008 • ALL properties require a PEA at Design Stage if marketed post 6th April 2008 COPY URL |
11 4 08 | - |
| An EU report recommends limiting Nitrous Oxide (NOx) emitted by boilers to 20ppm or 40ppm if renewable energy equipment is also installed, by end of 2008. UK oil boiler manufacturers say this would be impossible in the UK market where most oil boilers are in kitchens, unlike the rest of Europe where they are in outside stores etc. Nox is a greenhouse gas, though only 6% of UK's total. t - | 5 2 08 | - |
| EU climate and energy plans were announced today but have a number of flaws, according to FoE:
The target for cutting emissions is too weak. The EU target of a 20% cut in greenhouse gases by 2020 violates the UN Climate agreement signed in Bali last month. This recognised that developed countries are required to reduce emissions by 25-40% by 2020 in order to avoid dangerous climate change.
It allows Member States to buy in “green credits” from projects outside the EU as a way of meeting their greenhouse gas emissions targets. EU member states should be required develop domestic low-carbon economies, rather than buying their way out of taking action. It encourages a huge expansion in biofuels as part of the EU drive for an increase in renewables. The EU says that 10 per cent of traffic fuel should come from biofuels by 2020. But there are increasing warnings about the social and environmental impacts of biofuels and their climate benefits are uncertain. The UK has to make sure that 15% of energy and 10% of road fuels come from renewables. The UK has also been set a target of a 16 pct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from sectors not covered by the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme by 2020 from 2005 levels. - |
24 1 08 | - |
| UK Government backs privately financed nuclear power. "Thursday's announcement does not therefore ensure that a new generation of reactors will materialise. But it does make new nukes distinctly more likely". For an analysis see this BBC report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7180641.stm | 10 1 08 | bbc |
| UK Government may allow first coal fired power station in 30 years. Although better than the old plant it replaces, if allowed it may be the first of about 8 plant being considered and will be completely contrary to all the rhetoric on preventing global warming. - | 3 1 08 | bbc |
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The Prime Minister is considering a call from his own advisers to build up to eight new coal-fired power plants over the coming decade. "The strange thing is that in the countries that talk the greenest, like Germany and Britain, the policymakers just don't yet get it. In Germany, they are replacing nuclear power plants with coal-fired plants that don't capture and sequester CO2. (CCS). That's a recipe for disaster," said Dr Hansen of NASA who has written to the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
CCS technology is not yet available or envisaged in the near future.
http://environment.independent.co.uk/climate_change/article3258007.ece http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/mar/13/energy.business http://environment.independent.co.uk/climate_change/article3258007.ece There are at least 30 coal plants under construction or planned in EU - mainly in Germany, also in Netherlands and UK http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKL1073510020070514 |
2 1 08 | independent, guardian |
| One of the first large cargo ships in 100 years to cross the Atlantic with the help of the wind will set off from European shores this month. The 10,000-tonne Beluga Skysail will launch a giant kite, which wind tunnel tests and sea trials suggest will tug it along and save 10-15% of the heavy fuel oil it would normally burn. If the journey from Bremen in Germany to Venezuela and back proves successful, it could become common to see some of the largest ships in the world towed by kites the size of football fields. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/02/travelandtransport.energyefficiency | 2 1 08 | guardian |
| Brussels, 19 December 2007.
European Commission proposal to limit the CO2 emissions from cars to help fight climate change, reduce fuel costs and increase European competitiveness
The European Commission today proposed legislation to reduce the average CO2 emissions of new passenger cars to 120 grams per kilometre by 2012. The
proposed legislation is the cornerstone of the EU's strategy to improve the fuel economy of cars, which account for about 12% of the European
Union's carbon emissions. The proposal will be a major step in lowering CO2 emissions in the EU. It will reduce the average emissions of CO2 from new passenger cars in the EU from around 160 grams per kilometre to 130 grams per kilometre in 2012 as part of the EU's integrated approach to achieve overall 120 grams per kilometre. The commission says this will translate into a 19% reduction of CO2 emissions and will place the EU among the world leaders of fuel efficient cars. UK cars average emissions in 2005 was 175gm/km(SK) - |
19 12 07 | - |
| BALI, Indonesia - World leaders agreed to reach a new deal on fighting global warming by 2009, turning a corner in mankind's race to stave off environmental disaster caused by rising temperatures. U.N. climate conference set an agenda and schedule for negotiators to find ways to reduce pollution and help poor countries adapt to environmental changes by speeding up the transfer of technology and financial assistance. Despite an aggressive EU-led campaign to include specific emissions reduction targets for industrial nations — by 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 — the final road map has none. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071215/ap_on_sc/bali_climate_conference | 17 12 07 | yahoo |
| text url | date | ack |
| Federation of Masterbuilders has commissioned a study by Gavin Killip, author of The 40 per cent House and Dr Nick Eyre, of the Oxford University Environmental Change Institute on how to motivate consumers to make household energy savings through measures such as more efficient appliances, insulation and microgeneration. Homes are responsible for 27 per cent of the UKs total carbon emissions - | 6 12 07 | fmb |
| Indonesia is putting 30 times the CO2 into atmosphere as it saves in biofuel production. If destruction of peat beds continues it will in 10 years cause as much global warming as 5 years of the entire world's emissions. [So, reducing the current window of opportunity from 10 years to 5 - This appears to be a consequence of manipulation of Kyoto rules - SK] | 29 11 07 | New Scientist |
| The UK government's planning bill has been published, receiving criticism from environmentalists and citizen's rights groups. According to communities secretary, Hazel Blears, the bill is designed to reform the planning system for major infrastructure projects, such as motorway extensions, new power stations and airport expansion. The proposed planning bill would also free councils to set their own environmental standards before granting planning permission and would affect the 240,000 homes a year the government says are needed to meet the target of three million new homes by 2020s But campaigners, including Friends of the Earth fear that the bill will be used to push through major projects despite public opposition, regardless of environmental concerns or climate change, and say the government is giving mixed messages. Tony Juniper, director of FOE is quoted as saying "Gordon Brown's plans for tackling climate change are confusing and deeply worrying. Last week he talked about making Britain a world leader in developing a low-carbon economy. But allowing airports, for example, to expand will seriously threaten our targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions" Green Building News http://www. newbuilder.co.uk/news .html | 29 11 07 | Green Building Group |
| New Statesman - Climate change - we've got 10 years - extracts: The Green Party's Caroline Lucas argues that a UN report brings shame upon world leaders and attacks Gordon Brown's "monumental failure of vision" This year's UN Human Development Report 2007/2008 Human Development Report 2007/2008 is a rousing call to arms, which firmly positions climate challenge as the most pressing moral issue of our time. ……………. The report is critical of all developed countries for their performance so far on cutting emissions. It singles out the UK government for particularly scathing attack, criticising its failure to adopt ambitious emission reduction targets and its lack of progress in developing renewable sources of energy. Britain produces more CO2 emissions than Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan and Vietnam combined…………… The quotation from Martin Luther King at the front of the report reminds us: "there is such a thing as being too late". The world has less than a decade to change course. No issue merits more urgent attention - or more immediate action. http://www. newstatesman.com/200711290051 | 29 11 07 | New Statesman |
| New Australia PM Kevin Rudd to sign Kyoto | 28 11 07 | - |
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80% homes CO2 drop possible but government has to increase commitment
Carbon emissions from existing UK homes could fall by 80 per cent by 2050 but only if the government makes a massive commitment by creating incentives and investing in green technology. A report from Oxford University Environmental Change Institute said that currently government policy will lead to only half of the 30 per cent cut in CO2 emissions needed by 2020. To achieve the change the report urges the use of photovoltaic cells and improved insulation, the uptake of which could be spurred on by government incentives such as tax breaks. The report, commissioned by Friends of the Earth and the Co-operative Bank, states: "These cuts are achievable but will require a quantum leap in commitment from the government and a radical new approach," With housing contributing a quarter of the UKs CO2 emissions, the report makes several suggestions to cut down the consumption of the residential sector. Among the recommendations are stricter regulations on appliances and consumer electronics, making a lighting switchover to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and guaranteeing a premium price for householders whose microgeneration devices such as solar panels create enough electricity to sell back to the grid.
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Environment/documents/2007/11/27/HomeTruthsfinal.pdf |
28 11 07 | foe |
| Micro-combined heat and power (CHP) systems can help make energy savings and cut carbon emissions for large and small businesses as well as homes, according to new research by the Carbon Trust. The study showed that in buildings where the heating is on for extended periods, such as leisure centres and care homes, installing micro-CHP units could cut emissions by 15 per cent to 20 per cent and reduce heating bills. Large and old homes can also benefit from the micro-CHPs, though small houses will derive more limited benefits. | 27 11 07 | - |
| Energy saving technology could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nine per cent say BusinessEurope, which represents 20 million European businesses in Brussels. The study says making use of available energy saving technology could lower energy demand by over 20 per cent by 2020, in accordance with the European target. The EU's main business lobby commissioned the study and claimed that instead of focusing on renewable energy, regulators should focus on energy efficiency. Its study, conducted in Germany by McKinsey and Co, concluded that while energy saving technologies are available, profit and cost-effective, companies rarely apply them because of a lack of expertise or information. Small and medium-sized businesses were particularly slow in the uptake. But the report praised the EU, which it claimed trails only Japan in the energy efficiency of its firms. | 27 11 074 | - | Zero Carbon homes using microgeneration to meet their energy needs instead of relying on large offsite generation could create a £2.3 billion renewable energy supply market by 2016, reports the Renewable Advisory Board (RAB). Instead of relying on centralised system of a few mega-generators, the report urges small changes to the Sustainable Building Code to boost the domestic microgeneration industry. It argues that microgeneration, while more expensive for development projects and homes than buying in energy, is more reliable and makes overall energy savings. In case the large scale generators are affected, the zero-carbon homes using microgeneration devices will continue to have a supply of electricity. RAB claims that with a few changes to the building code nine out of ten new build homes could attain the zero carbon status through on site generation. It urges the installation of solar photovoltaic cells on 70 per cent of new homes starting in 2016, leading to a total of two million solar systems installed by 2025. The Renewable Energy Association said that the development of the onsite renewables industry will not only help with new build developments but also help produce the volumes and economies of scale necessary to make renewable technologies a more attractive option for existing housing. | 26 11 07 | - |
| Architectural engineering professor Sue Roaf, who installed photovoltaic cells at her home as well as energy saving methods has managed to cut her electricity bill to £5 a year. Prof Roaf of Heriot Watt University built her six-bedroom Oxford house as a model eco-home. She has managed to keep her electricity bill so low, due largely to the solar panels on the roof of her house that convert sunlight into electricity. So much electricity is generated that she even sells some back to the national grid. The cost of these microgeneration devices has fallen to around £5,000 for a panel, with government subsidies of up to 50 per cent available. She said she installed the first solar electric roof in the UK and it is the best thing she did in terms of a sensible investment and every year it generates more electricity - because the summer appears to be getting longer - which she can then sell. She made other cuts to her bill by efficient insulation, reducing draughts, and replacing appliances with energy saving versions. [But how does she travel between home in Oxford and work in Edinburgh ? cycling would be OK , -the next best - coach - would emit 1T per year from weekly trips, rail 2.6T .A typical large house might be 6T so perhaps she's still in credit so long as she doesn't fly SK ] | 26 11 07 | - |
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Aviation.
The European Parliament today adopted a legislative proposal to include airlines in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme - the first concrete climate-related proposal to be voted on since Heads of State committed to reducing the EU's CO2 emissions by 20-30% by 2020.
The proposals appear to be a long way short of what scientists say is needed to contain global warming within 2 degrees C (SK) - |
13 11 07 | - |
| The houses of parliament could get a £20 million green refurbishment with some microgeneration projects harnessed to make energy savings. A report by engineering and architectural consultancy BDP Sustainability includes installing miniature power stations in the buildings cellars. Making the Palace of Westminster less dependent on the National Grid would be a 35 metre wind turbine which would be installed in the Victoria Gardens rated at 1.65 megawatts, saving 787 tonnes of CO2 a year. The £20 million plan, includes combined hydro and windpower turbines installed in the Thames, also includes fitting double glazing. To cut the number of bottles of water bought, last year 18,720, the plans would see a 120 metre borehole dug into London's chalk aquifer. | 12 11 07 | cibse |
| Making sure windows comply with Part L of Building Regulations is now more important to end users than their ergonomic function and aesthetics, according to the Building Cost Information Service. New legislation on energy saving is affecting the way in which the window market operates, with designer and manufacturer efforts taking sustainability, performance and maintenance influencing specification. | 25 10 07e | - |
| Construction Products Association says the Uk government needs to do more to encourage sustainable living, including securing the completion of a revised Standard Assessment Procedure before new Part L building regulations in 2010. Following Alastair Darlings pre-Budget report, the CPA criticised the fact that the chancellor of the exchequer had not moved to provide incentives to improve the energy performance of existing housing stock. CPA have suggested that proposed that households undertaking improvements which raise the energy performance of their home by one or two bands should be entitled to either a partial stamp duty rebate or a three year discount on their council tax. The CPA has also said that not enough resources are being devoted to developing compliance tools for low and zero carbon buildings and urged for the SAP to be revised by the time the new Part L building regulations come into effect on 2010. | 15 10 07 | - |
| The new Code for Sustainable Homes says homes which get energy from the national grid, even if it is renewable, will not be eligible for the zero-carbon label, All new homes built after 2016 will have to be zero-carbon according to government regulations, using onsite or local electricity sources | 5 1 07 | - |
| Abbreviations |
|
|
| Building Services and Environmental Engineer |
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bsee |
| Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers |
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CIBSE |
| Energy and Environmental Management, DEFRA |
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eemg |
| Electrical Review |
|
er |
| energy in buildings and industry |
|
eibi |
| Heating and Plumbing Monthly |
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hpm |