SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
The requirement was for a proposal for a new community that would be a model for the 21st century - zero carbon dioxide emission, low waste, non-polluting, low energy consumption, and low in demand on water resources. At the same time the buildings and surroundings had to be familiar in style and construction. The aim was to establish a community that would be in the forefront of sustainable development.
This report proposed that the new village has its own combined power and heat generation plant. The village would be fuelled by energy crops from surrounding farmland. The proposal would regenerate the rural economy both by the harvesting of crops for the new village and by establishing a precedent for further farming of energy crops.
Houses and other buildings would approach the energy targets of the guidance through careful design to Best Practice standards, by maximising solar benefit, and by using construction methods that anticipate future Building Regulations energy amendments. Solar or photovoltaic collectors on homes are proposed, increasing in number through the decade. Below ground district heating pipes convey heat from the power plant to homes and other buildings. Low water demand targets would be met by incorporating rainwater-harvesting tanks with every dwelling and by grey water systems.
Occupants would find a place with comfort, social contact, a sense of ownership, and a unique identity.
In order to display a recognised energy and environmental standard, the report proposed that housing would be designed to an EcoHomes rating in the range Very Good to Excellent.
An assessment of the EcoHomes rating of the development. The report finds that, with minor revisions throughout the documents and verification of information, an assessment could show an EcoHomes rating of "....." (deleted for confidentiality - ratings range from Good to Excellent)
The report also indicated actions that could raise the rating to "........" (ditto)
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES (Return to top of page)
Survey of 120 households, public relations, successful applications for grants based on environmental and community criteria, design of project, implementation, feedback
Swimming pools - energy investigation and implementation of improvements - Burnham on Sea, Clifton High School, Sidcot School (design of new centre).
|
Customer |
Nature of Work |
Contract Size |
|
District Council |
Site Energy Assessments; Entertainment Centre, Swimming Pool, Leisure Centre |
£61,000 current energy spend savings identified about 20% |
|
City Council |
Energy Monitoring Project for Council properties Energy surveys, Printing & Stationery Department, Training Centre. |
33 sub-100kW sites in progress Capital contracts about £110,000 |
|
Bristol University, University of Bath, St Justin Jewellery Ltd, Community Centre, Vutrix Ltd, and others |
Design Advice Reports Exercise & Health Centre, Jewellery Factory, Electronics factory, Chemistry department, student residences, Community Resource Centre, Surgery |
Typical £40,00 to £20,000 pa energy spend. Cost & emissions reduced by 30-35%. |
|
Vehicle Inspectorate Agency |
3 Energy surveys Vehicle Test Centres |
About £15,000 energy spend. Cost & emissions reduced by 20-25%. |
|
Local Authority |
Town Hall - Replacement of Control Panel, Specification of improvements to heating and ventilation systems for improved efficiency and comfort |
Total capital contracts about £30,000 |
|
MOD |
BEMS & M&T Report on options for reduction of energy/water use by BEMS and M&T at Military Sites |
Energy spend £M3.5 Capital contract £280,000. Savings 2.5% |
|
NHS Trust |
Energy Surveys - hospitals/centres, Pathology Department,Mental health Centre,Acute Mental Illness Unit |
Energy spend £125,000 Cost/emissions reduced by 20-35%. |
|
Royal Mail |
Energy surveys, - Sorting Offices, Workshops, Automatic parcels sorting office, Technology Centre, Laboratories |
Energy spend about £600,000 Cost/emissions reduced typically by 25%. |
|
High School, City Council, District Council |
Swimming Pools - Energy reports/ surveys, design of improvements |
Capital costs £20,000 to £100,000 |
See summaries of energy survey reports
BUILDING SERVICES DESIGN AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT (Return to top of page)
Design of 10 schools/extension to DES energy standards