Energy Manager Magazine April 2017

April 2017

www.energymanagermagazine.co.uk

15 How to Achieve Energy Efficient Office Lighting and Improve Employee Health INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

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Academy Achieves Significant Energy Savings

SMART Lighting Takes LED Lighting to a New Level

RINNAI Creates ‘System Efficiency’ Solution for Longer Life

And all because Estate Managers love... ...complex refurbishment projects being made more manageable by scheduling work for optimum convenience!

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Accommodation refurbs are usually scheduled for when rooms are vacant, but this can cause ‘trades congestion’. PrefectDirect has honed its service so that they are in and out of rooms swiftly, at any time, leaving most students unaware any work has been carried out - meaning refurbishment work that does require empty rooms, such as decorating, can be scheduled, uninterrupted, for the summer months.

Through the crack team at PrefectDirect, Estate Managers enjoy;

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Heating - local control

Cooker control

Heating, lighting and hot water - central control

to find out more about PrefectDirect visit www.prefectcontrols.com or call 01787 320 604

FRONT COVER STORY:

April 2017

www.energymanagermagazine.co.uk

How to Achieve Energy Efficient Office Lighting and Improve Employee Health 15

See Page 15

April 2017

How to Achieve Energy Efficient Office Lighting and Improve Employee Health INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

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Academy achieves significant energy savings

SMART lighting takes LED lighting to a new level

RINNAI creates ‘system efficiency’ solution for longer life

INSIDE:

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Scarborough Hospital Looks Forward to Low Carbon Future

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World Class British Radio-Telemetric Monitoring Technology Chosen by Leading Medical Facility

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New Remeha Gas 220 Ace Exceeds Expectation in Field Test

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Energy Champions Awards Winner - Education - Schools

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Stokvis Solar at Birmingham International

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Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

News

Academy achieves significant energy savings Cumbrian Academy secures

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s schools and academies across the country find ways to save money due to budget cuts, a Cumbrian Academy has achieved staggering savings on its energy bills.

West Lakes Academy in Egremont, Cumbria, which opened in 2008, provides education to children from 11 to 18 years old. In 2012 they moved to brand new purpose-built facilities, but have since faced

a near £100k refund from

years battling with their energy supplier, who was charging them for energy on demolished outbuildings.

Orchard Energy, was called in to negotiate with the supplier. They conducted an initial desktop analysis, checking bills for any allowances due, benchmarking consumption against industry averages, as well as checking if surface water was connected and if the area banding was correct.

Orchard Energy’s water experts identified a possible surface water non-connection at the site. During a visit, they lifted lids to confirm the direction surface water was travelling, looked at a watercourse nearby and surrounding areas to ascertain where the surface water discharged to, and confirmed the findings.

The team also gathered further information such as drainage plans, planning applications and rateable value data, then collated the data to submit to the supplier.

energy overcharges Following various on-site meetings with the supplier and an initial rejection, Orchard Energy was also able to clarify that the demolished outbuildings on the new academy site were not the responsibility of the client.

Once processed, the claim saved the academy a staggering £21,091 per annum. It also received a healthy refund of £93,734.52.

Stephen Lester, business manager from West Lakes Academy, said: “Using Orchard Energy’s negotiating expertise and knowledge of the market, meant that areas where we were haemorrhaging money with water were identified. www.orchardenergy.co.uk

The UK must embrace heat networks to deliver 81,000 new jobs a year and unlock £22 billion investment

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new report by IPPR, the progressive policy think tank, finds that heat networks could radically change the way we heat our homes and businesses.

Heat networks supply lots of building from one local ‘heat generation’ site. This is a very different approach to the individual gas boilers that most people have in their homes at present.

They are already common across many parts of the world, for example, in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe.

Importantly they can be fed by a number of different heat sources, providing flexibility in the transition towards decarbonising the heat sector and moving away from a system that still heavily relies on imported gas.

In the UK, low-carbon heating for our buildings has fallen well behind decarbonisation of our electricity system.

IPPR argues that heat networks are an important part of the puzzle, could serve at least 10 per cent of total heat demand by 2030, and provide up to 81,000 jobs a year

Central and Local Government action needed to deliver infrastructure revolution and kick-start heat decarbonisation and £22 billion of private investment in the UK economy in the process.

To unlock this potential IPPR are calling on the government to add specific commitments for action to the UK’s proposed Industrial Strategy: • Expand the resources of the Heat Networks Delivery Unit; • Guarantee the current funding until 2030 for the Heat Networks Investment Programme to give certainty to other investors; • Provide Ofgem style frameworks for the pricing of heat through the networks; • Work with local and regional governments to develop heat plans.

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

Josh Emden, IPPR research fellow said: “If the UK is going to reduce carbon emissions from heating, then heat networks will need to be an important part of the mix of technologies we use in future.

“Coordinated action between Central and Local Governments could go a long way in supporting this sector’s development.

“With up to 81,000 jobs at stake, this is exactly the kind of opportunity that should align with what the government’s industrial strategy is trying to achieve.”

R.Malone@ippr.org

News

Sustainable Energy for All Forum calls for more urgent action on progress towards global energy goals •

New Global Tracking Framework report on latest progress towards global energy goals shows world not on track to achieve 2030 target

•

Other announcements made at the Forum include a new initiative to unlock private capital for energy access and Government of Chile reveal energy strategy to tackle air pollution

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he Sustainable Energy for All Forum kicked off with global leaders from government, business and civil society uniting to push for greater urgency and action in achieving universal access to clean, affordable energy - and the historic economic opportunity closing this energy access gap offers.

This renewed call came after the launch of the latest Global Tracking Framework during the opening day of the Forum.

Data showing the latest progress to three global energy goals – access to electricity, renewable energy and efficiency – shows we are not moving fast enough to reach our 2030 targets.

The report, led by the World Bank Group and the International Energy Agency as part of the Sustainable Energy for All Knowledge Hub, showed that the current rate of increase in people getting access to electricity started to slow down during its reporting period, and if this trend is not reversed, projections are that the world will only reach 92% electrification by 2030, still short of the universal access target, part of Sustainable Development Goal 7.

To allow progress to move at the speed and scale we need, the Global Tracking Framework estimates that renewable energy investment would need to increase by a factor of 2-3, energy efficiency by a factor of 3-6 and a five-fold investment increase is needed to reach universal access by 2030.

Opening the event, Rachel Kyte, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), said: “The energy transition underway offers us the greatest economic opportunity of our lifetime, but this evidence brings home the need for a much greater sense of urgency. While we can point to successes - with countries,

cities, communities and companies changing course all around the world the collective rate of progress is not yet fast enough. The missing ingredient in many parts of the world is political leadership.

The good news is that this new helps direct us to data where we need to act to have the greatest impact. If we do, we can turn the steady progress we’re seeing today to the transformative progress we need tomorrow.”

As well as political leadership, businesses remain a critical sector in accelerating progress and action towards sustainable energy. Enel, the multinational energy company, revealed plans around a new SEforALL Electrification Accelerator – an initiative which will actively work towards driving electrification efforts that support global access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

Speaking at the event, Francesco Starace, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager at Enel, said: “I am very proud to announce today’s signing of our partnership agreement with Sustainable Energy for All through which we will work to support the UN Secretary General and SEforALL in enhancing efforts to enable further electrification and ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. This partnership will lay the ground for the creation of a SEforALL Electrification Accelerator in which Enel will contribute its expertise and drive the development of mini-grids, e-mobility and the digitization of the networks.

“We have made significant progress since committing to contribute to four of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals set in 2015, carrying out projects that have transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Some of these projects have seen the

creation of off-grid systems using hybrid solutions, the setting up of IT hubs in remote and poor areas to promote access to education and recycling initiatives that offer consumers electricity bill discounts, not to mention the work we have carried out to fight fuel poverty. We are strongly committed to continuing on this path and enabling the inclusion of these people, in order to facilitate access to electricity - a fundamental right.”

The Microgrid Investment Accelerator (MIA), a new initiative from a consortium of partners to support unlocking private capital for energy access, was also launched during the Forum opening day. This first of its kind financing facility seeks to mobilize ~$50 million via public-private partnerships between 2018 and 2020 to expand energy access to communities that currently lack reliable access to modern energy services in India, Indonesia and East Africa.

A new district energy strategy to tackle air pollution and improve air quality from the Government of Chile, following close collaboration with UN Environment’s public-private partnership, “District Energy in Cities Initiative”, was also launched with the support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Government of Denmark and the Danfoss Foundation.

Members of the EP100 campaign - that works with the world’s most influential businesses on increasing energy productivity - also announced that the South African retail store chain, Woolworths, has joined the campaign and committed to double their energy productivity by 2020.

Now in its third edition, the Forum welcomed over 1,500 delegates from 110 countries to Brooklyn, New York. Over 75 sessions and 10 announcements will be made throughout the three-days.

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

News

Re-using Carbon Dioxide Could Boost Scottish Economy Says New Study •

4.3 million tonnes of CO2 could be captured in Scotland • Grangemouth region most suited to become carbon dioxide utilisation hub • Scotland has key advantages and opportunity to explore and develop its carbon dioxide resources A new report published by the University of Sheffield outlines how the re-use of carbon dioxide (CO2) could help Scotland shift to a more sustainable and circular economy.

The report titled ‘Actions required to develop a roadmap towards a Carbon Dioxide Utilisation Strategy for Scotland (2016)’, was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise to provide an overview of whether the re-use of CO2 could hold potential for Scotland and to recommend a number of actions to develop the sector.

The CO2 emissions from Scotland are predominantly from the use of fossil fuels from industrial sectors such as Oil and Gas, Paper and Wood and energy from waste.

In previous years these large emitters produced 10 million tonnes per year, of which 4.3 million tonnes were identified in the report as having potential for capture.

Interest also lies with significant levels of biogenic CO2 which is released as a by-product of the fermentation of malted barley in the Scotch Whisky sector -

estimated to be in the region of 500,000 tonnes each year.

The study suggests that the Grangemouth region is the location most suited to create a CO2 utilisation hub on a large industrial scale. It is the largest manufacturing region in Scotland and host to ten of the largest CO2 emitters. However, the report makes clear that the development of the CO2 re-use sector should not be seen as a substitute for the development of a Carbon Capture and Storage sector.

The principal author of the study Dr Grant Wilson from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield commented; “For most countries and policy makers around the world, carbon dioxide is viewed only as a problem that needs to be controlled. However, with the ongoing development of novel technologies and processes for the re-use of CO2 it is also starting to be viewed as a potential resource that could be exploited.”

“This report identifies that Scotland has a unique combination of key advantages and a real opportunity to explore and develop its carbon dioxide resources. It is also important to note that it is one of the first countries in the world to even consider the creation of a roadmap for the re-use of its

carbon dioxide, in essence to view CO2 as a resource.”

“This provides a very powerful message in terms of Scotland’s belief in considering all available options to decouple its future economic activity from emissions.”

The report presented a case study with a potential to be scaled up to a £500m market, sustaining 600 new jobs and a new Scottish export by utilising innovative UK technology to convert the estimated 500,000 tonnes of distillery sector (biogenic CO2) into inorganic fertiliser.

The development of this technology could be of interest to Scotland as a way to help decarbonise part of the agricultural sector through the introduction of inorganic fertiliser that is not derived from fossil fuels. The Scottish Government recently published their latest Climate Change Plan and Energy Strategy for consultation, which mentions carbon dioxide re-use and carbon capture and storage as areas of potential development.

Although the University of Sheffield report found that Scotland holds a number of key advantages to develop a carbon dioxide re-use sector, there are several areas of uncertainty that would benefit from more detailed analysis. p.strafford@sheffield.ac.uk

£290 million boost for clean energy in Britain R enewable energy developers will compete for £290m worth of contracts to support the growth of clean energy in Britain, as the second Contracts for Difference auction launched on 4 April 2017.

Contracts for Difference are won through a competitive process which drives down energy costs for consumers and guarantees companies a certain price for the low-carbon electricity they produce over 15 years. This gives them the support and certainty they need to attract investment and get projects off the ground.

The contracts made available today represent the first part of the Government’s commitment to provide up to £730m of

annual support for renewable electricity projects over the course of this parliament.

They support a key pillar of the Industrial Strategy by ensuring a cleaner, more f lexible energy supply.

Energy Minister Jesse Norman said: “This auction underlines that Britain is open for business to companies seeking to invest in low carbon energy.

“It is designed to deliver clean power to a million homes, create jobs in the energy industry and provide new supply chain opportunities, while reducing carbon emissions by some 2.5 million tonnes per year.”

The scheme is funded through a levy which forms a part of energy bills and only

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

projects that offer the best value for money will win contracts. There is no cost on energy bills until projects are up and running and generating low-carbon energy.

The auction process starts today and will continue over the coming months. It is expected to draw to a close by the autumn, when the winners of the auction and final clearing prices will be announced.

There has been £52bn of investment in renewable energy in the UK since 2010, and for the first time ever exactly half of the UK’s electricity came from low carbon sources in the third quarter of 2016. The latest contracts will help the UK build on this success.

News

COMPLIANCE CONSULTANCY URGES BUSINESSES TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF AWARD WINNING GREEN ENERGY SCHEME

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n innovative energy saving scheme aimed at students has been recognised for its efforts at the recent South Wales Business Growth Awards.

The Student Energy Project (TSEP) from amber energy won the Green Business Award which recognises the commitment that is made to developing and sustaining environmentally friendly business practices.

Speaking of the award, amber energy CEO Nick Proctor said: “What an honour.

This award recognises all the hard work that universities, students and accommodation providers are doing to change perceptions around energy use in the university setting. It is important for us all to inspire the next generation to lead a more sustainable life and develop the right habits to take with them into the future. We managed to beat some strong finalists; well done to all the team that made it possible!”

Penarth Management, a Cardiff-based compliance consultancy, sponsored the

award and director Jodie Read said: “TSEP won the award because they clearly explained how the scheme has influenced behaviour and set about changing culture within the student population. Achieving and sustaining the right attitude towards having a minimal environmental footprint is one of the hardest things to achieve within business. From the submission alone, it was clear that sustainability is a way of life for TSEP.” Mrs Read explained how TSEP and amber energy had set an example to other businesses and highlighted the importance of having projects and processes in place which encourage sustainability: “Organisations like amber energy that aim to enable others to minimise their impact on the environment will almost certainly help organisations to save money compared to those that lack efficient systems. Put simply, it equates to greater profits.

“Aside from the financial aspect, it sends

a positive impression to customers who may be having to decide which new supplier to engage. Having an environmental management system (such as ISO14001) assessed by a United Kingdom Accreditation Service(UKAS) accredited certification body sends a strong message to prospective new customers that your business takes its environmental commitment seriously.”

On the South Wales Business Growth Awards, Mrs Read said: “This is the second year the awards have taken place. The calibre of applicants has been consistently high. Penarth Management will certainly look to continue its close affinity with the awards in the coming years.”

Penarth Management was established in 1975 and serves to make businesses better, greener and safer by implementing and sustaining quality, environmental and health and safety standards. info@penarth.co.uk

Emerging Disruptive Trends and Technologies Top UK Energy Agenda

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new survey highlights shifting priorities in the energy sector with an increasing impetus towards a lower carbon future. Disruptive technologies including renewable energies and energy efficiency are impacting top action priorities for energy leaders globally in 2017.

Renewables ranked high in impact within every region identified in a survey of more than 1,200 energy leaders in 95 countries. Solar has seen immense growth in installed capacity reaching 227GW by the end of 2015, while global wind power generation capacity increased at a rate of 17.2% in 2015.

The UK’s commitment to decarbonisation, aided by one of the best wind resource and tidal potential in Europe, has led to a substantial growth in renewable energy. In 2015 the UK’s GHG emissions fell below 500 million tonnes for the first time as renewables hit a record 25% of electricity generation due to increased renewable capacity.

In its eighth year, World Energy Issues Monitor 2017: ‘Exposing the New Energy Realities’ published by the World Energy

Council, provides a snapshot of the current priorities, facing global energy leaders.

Dr Christoph Frei, Secretary General of the Council said: “Our survey shows that energy leaders face and acknowledge disruptive change. The Issues Monitor illustrates that innovation issues such as digitalisation, decentralisation, innovative market design or electric storage rapidly gain traction, while a more difficult growth context and new physical and digital risks are posing ever greater threats to the energy sector. Today defining the energy agenda globally, five years ago these issues were far from being a priority.”

Other findings in 2017 include: • New physical and virtual risks – Cyber-attacks are posing ever greater threats to the energy sector. If a critical attack was to occur on the electricity distribution network of London and the South and East of England between 9 million and 13 million electricity consumers could be affected with economic losses ranging from £11.6 billion to £85.5 billion • Commodity price volatility remains number one critical uncertainty.

Compared to 2015 the issue of commodity prices in 2016 and 2017 is seen as less uncertain but higher in impact, by UK energy leaders Since the Council’s 2016 World Issues Monitor report, the UK’s decision to leave the European Union has created ambiguity surrounding the UK’s future participation in schemes such as the Energy Union project.

Uncertainty concerning continued funding from the European Investment Bank and around regulation such as EU State aid rules, the 15% interconnection target by 2030, the Renewable Energy Directive as well as the EU Industrial Emissions Directive 2010.

The report will be officially launched in Washington and Japan on 6 April, followed by further presentations at regional events being held. It will also be sent to government ministries in more than 90 countries and will be previewed at the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Forum in New York on 4 April. www.worldenergy.org/publications/ 2017/2017-world-energy-issues-monitor/

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

Opinion

European buildings can save the day

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t’s time to wake up a sleeping giant.

A new study shows that buildings in Europe hold an enormous potential, when it comes to energy savings. We can unlock the opportunities hidden behind concrete, glass and steel – and create massive savings, jobs and better places to live.

The buildings where you sleep, eat, shop, learn and work hold a huge opportunity: EUR 67 billion savings on energy bills for EU citizens annually in 2030, and a reduction in emissions of 156 Mt. CO2 - equivalent to those of 82 million cars.

These groundbreaking results are presented in a new study, just released by energy consultancy Ecofys. The report, initiated by Danfoss, provides proof of the huge energy savings potential that can be obtained from better management of energy flows inside European buildings.

A potential that has been insufficiently exploited.

We spend most of our time in buildings. It is, therefore, no surprise that buildings consume a large amount of energy. But 75% of our housing stock is energy-inefficient. Most of the vast amounts of energy is used to maintain the right temperature and air quality in heating, cooling and ventilation systems– collectively known as a technical building system.

When these systems are not working optimally, energy goes to waste, they cost money and cause damage to the health and the environment. But we have the technologies to prevent this. Consistent improvements could help reduce energy waste, cut costs and make our buildings better places to be. The report assesses a scenario where buildings are renovated in the period until 2030. The energy consumption in these buildings could be reduced by around 30% through upgrades to heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and hot water systems. ”We have all the technologies at hand to make our buildings smart. Taking the findings of the new Ecofys study into account, we see that optimizing the control of energy flows inside buildings and leveraging new technologies, like digitalization, could deliver around 15% of the EU 2030 energy efficiency target.

Political support is needed to remove barriers and accelerate the speed and scale of the investments. This will send the right market signals for innovation, jobs and sustainable growth,” says Andre Borouchaki, Senior Vice President and CTO, Danfoss.

According to calculations based on the World Resources Institute’s report, Accelerating Building Efficiency, from 2016, reaching 15% of the EU 2030 energy

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efficiency target will create 300,000 new jobs.

The only way to significantly improve building energy efficiency is to focus on existing buildings. Nine out of ten of existing buildings in the EU will be occupied by 2050. Renovation of our building stock is more affordable than many currently believe. The investment cost for basic improvements of controls of energy flows inside buildings is low, and the payback time is two years to get the basics right. The energy costs we can save annually, mostly from not importing gas from third countries, could be invested in Europe instead, providing additional comfort and well-being for EU citizens.

“The consistent optimization of the energy use of technical building systems in existing buildings across Europe should start now,” says Dr. Andreas Hermelink, Associate Director at Ecofys, a Navigant Company. “We are talking about no-regret measures that can quickly deliver very significant reductions of energy consumption, energy bills and CO2 emissions. The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive should give a strong and effective push for unleashing the full cost-effective savings potential of technical building systems.”

Opinion

Five issues to look for in the energy market in 2017

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here’s no doubt that things are changing in the energy market.

There has been a continuation of market changes, as well as uncertainty following the EU referendum. Now that 2017 has started, it’s time to look ahead at what may be in store for the energy market for the next 12 months and beyond.

Paul Akrill, Business Development Director at IMServ, one of the UK’s largest independent energy data management providers, thinks that 2017 may be one of the most exciting years in the energy market and discusses what he believes will

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disrupt the market this year.

“The concepts that underpin the energy market have remained unchanged for the last 100 years or so,” commented Paul.

“We are seeing a fundamental shift from a centrally provided and controlled operating model where generators produce energy and consumers use it, to a much more flexible and dynamic model that will see massive change and innovation in the next 10 years. Business users are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to their energy usage and their role within the energy market. We have increasingly seen that they are not solely the end users

Tariffs will become more innovative The implementation of mandatory half-hourly settlement to a new segment of the business market brings savings for larger businesses through more accurate settlement. As businesses get a better handle on their energy usage, energy suppliers will start adjusting their tariffs to align with this type of measurement. “Peak” and “Off-Peak” will become much more granular in nature and allow businesses to balance their usage against working hours and energy cost. The industry is working on removing the barriers to half-hourly settlement to be cost effective for even smaller sites and is considering whether it should be mandatory for all sites in time.

Homes and businesses will become more connected As the technology for connected smart buildings and homes improves, it becomes more available and accessible to everyone. Smart metering rollout, demand side response, lower cost control technology and energy storage are all enabling mechanisms and technologies to make this happen.

New energy suppliers will enter the market As the Ofgem Retail Energy Markets in 2016 report highlighted, the big six (British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Npower, ScottishPower and SSE), have continued to lose market share to new suppliers entering the market. Although they still dominate this area (with their market share an average of 86% of the domestic market, and 68% of the non-domestic market), there is every reason to think that this trend will continue. New innovative suppliers are entering the market, bringing demand-side response, digital service models, half-hourly settlement, greater choice and better tariffs to the end-user.

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anymore, but also are taking a greater role in the capacity market and supplying energy back to the national grid.”

He continues, “The energy market is undergoing unprecedented levels of change and we will see that continue for some time to come. There have been new services entering the market, new ways of generating power, new business models, and this is just the start.”

Paul believes that these are the main factors to disrupt the energy marketing over the coming years:

The capacity market and services around it will continue to grow Launched in 2014, the Capacity Market is one of the main mechanisms used to ensure that electricity remains available during times of high demand, such as on cold winter evenings. It has presented a commercial opportunity for businesses by allowing them to receive revenue for a commitment to reduce their power demands from the grid during times of system stress.

Faster switching The industry is committed to improving supplier switching for both domestic and business customers making it reliable, faster and cost effective. Whilst full delivery of such a programme is still several years away, the options are getting very detailed and consultation on the proposed design is underway.

“Whilst many of these areas are significant changes when viewed alone, when looked at as a whole, we can see that the energy market of the future will be a very different place to the energy market today.

There are more people employed and engaged in changing the industry than ever before, and there isn’t any sign of this slowing down. Smart metering will lead to better engagement across the board, but the technology and services around it are still innovating and this is where the real gems that will change the consumer experience lie. End users should be encouraged to use energy at the right times, and in the right way, to move us all to a more sustainable future.”

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

Energy Management

Major losses with a simple solution to improving energy efficiency

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n a world where Energy isn’t getting any cheaper and where its generation and use is subject to ever increasing environmental scrutiny and legislative requirement, the pressure on us to not only use it efficiently, but also to not waste it, is growing year on year.

insulation may reduce the overall efficiency from source to end by up to 50%, with an additional 10% to 20% in flue losses. On a positive note, the US Department of Energy estimates that following up on the findings of an energy audit of a building’s envelope saves most facilities at least 15% on energy bills.

Reports by the Carbon Trust have shown that up to 20% of a business’s energy costs are due to wasted energy caused by inefficient equipment. So, there are likely to be huge opportunities to save money, especially for larger organisations.

Apart from being motivated to find these losses and fix them, by the obvious financial savings, large businesses need to comply with the statutory regulation “The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)”. In this case a large business is defined as one that employs 250 or more people or has an annual turnover in excess of £39m and an annual balance sheet total in excess of £33.5m.

In addition to that, British Gas Smart Meter data analysis from over 6000 SMEs showed that small businesses use 46% of total electricity between 6pm and 8am.

Typical examples of items left on overnight and through the weekend include, vending machines and hot water dispensers, car park and office lighting, display lights in retail units, and office IT equipment, to name just a few.

Additional to electrical inefficiency, significant energy loss in a facility can be attributed to the HVAC systems and the “building envelope”. The building envelope is basically what separates the outside environment from the inside; walls, roof, windows, doorways, etc. Carbon Trust data reveals around 60% of office heat is lost through the building fabric.

Compliance was required by 5 December 2015 and this was then extended to 30 June 2016. According to the Carbon Trust there are a few thousand companies that haven’t complied and they potentially face “being slapped with tens of thousands of pounds of potential fines, alongside reputational risks in situations where they are obliged to disclose environmental enforcement notices.”

Fortunately, identifying electrical usage over time in areas of a facility, or specifically monitoring consumption of a particular

Research in the USA and Canada, similarly developed nations to our own, identified that heat loss due to poor or missing pipe

item, has been significantly simplified nowadays with the availability of Power and Energy Loggers (PEL’s).

The best Power and Energy Loggers are extremely simple to use and can be installed in distribution panels or around the facility without difficulty, and removed as easily without the need to shut down the installation or office building first. They are capable of storing tens of thousands to several million readings, and the results can be retrieved later or transmitted locally or remotely via Bluetooth, WiFi, or LAN. PEL’s can also show any phase imbalances on 3-phase systems along with any power factor issues that would cause unnecessary high billing. Additionally, they can identify harmonics that could cause operational issues in a facility, and result in power loss and heating in power supply equipment, such as supply transformers.

Add a thermal imaging camera, showing losses within the buildings and associated HVAC systems, and most energy inefficiency issues within the facility can be simply identified and corrective action taken. A thermal camera will also show overheating equipment, which apart from risk of failure or maybe even fire, must be consuming excessive energy by virtue of the fact that it is generating excess heat.

Today it is possible to source a complete energy efficiency kit, containing simple to use PEL’s and thermal imaging cameras, with associated reporting software, that allow any facility manager or maintenance electrician to perform energy surveys on their infrastructure and make significant savings.

In a world where Energy isn’t getting any cheaper, there has never been a better time to put in place measures to reduce consumption and save money, whether you’re looking for a solution to improve the energy efficiency of your business, or looking to get into the business of measuring and improving energy efficiency for other organisations.

Julian Grant – General Manager, Chauvin-Arnoux UK Limited

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Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

CHP

PUTTING CHP AFTERCARE FRONT OF MIND

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HP systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their cost and fuel efficiency, as well as their ability to help heat networks meet legislation such as, the Building Regulation’s Part L and exceed CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRCEES) targets. However, as a relatively new technology, there remains a knowledge gap among many users regarding its proper maintenance and servicing requirements.

CHP straddles two disciplines, bridging the gap between traditional space and water heating and electrical generation.

As such, its implementation is often left in the hands of the manufacturers which can lead to many users feeling daunted by the concept of maintaining it.

Paying servicing more than lip-service Correct design and sizing during the planning stage is vital if a CHP system is to hit peak performance, however, Facilities Managers should not underestimate the importance of aftercare and regular maintenance too. CHP systems operate at their most efficient when they are kept running, due in part to the payback period often outlined at installation. It may sound simple enough, but as with any engine a CHP system needs to be regularly maintained to guard against breakdown.

In much the same way as the engine of a car is serviced year after year, it is crucial for any size CHP system to be regularly inspected. Oil should be monitored in order to prevent contamination or low oil levels causing long-term damage. Over time the oil will congeal and thicken as it picks up metal and dirt and will embed into the

While Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems continue to grow in popularity, aftercare all too often remains an afterthought.

Carl Main, Business Development Manager – Commercial and Industrial After Sales at Bosch Commercial and Industrial, explains the importance of servicing and maintenance in order to protect what often is a sizable investment. unit, labouring the engine. A simple service involving a drain and refill can avoid both the unit’s performance being affected and expensive repairs.

It is not only the oil quality that needs observation, service schedules should also include repeated spark plug changes and gas and air filter checks. With use, gas filter and air filters get clogged up and dirty resulting in the engine not pulling in enough air. Similarly, the Lambda probe, which measures CO2, needs to be replaced occasionally in order ensure that the correct levels are being met for the engine to fire. Without these relatively straightforward checks the CHP system may operate inefficiently, unsafely or not at all.

All hail the overhaul While general servicing check-ups can help extend the life of the engine, a good and considered CHP service plan will also include some engine overhauls. With such a hard working engine, running 6,000 to 8,000 hours a year at an average of 1,500 RPM, the concept of an engine overhaul should not be alarming, and is in fact just part of the lifecycle of the system. For example, our Bosch service schedules see a cylinder head change after 22,000 run hours and then a complete engine rebuild at 44,000 run hours. This approach injects new life into the unit and can keep it running as a long term investment.

Plantroom practices As well as protecting the technology from breakdown, maintenance and servicing is also necessary in order to

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Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

maximise the efficiency of the system.

Although the larger servicing operations are often best carried out by the manufacturer or servicing provider, there are plenty of ways Facilities Managers can ensure a system is running at its most efficient – many of which can be worked into the general maintenance of the building.

Like any heating system, water quality will go a long way towards determining the efficiency of a CHP system. Contamination of system water causes restrictions through the plate heat exchanger, which will subsequently cause reduced heat transfer and increased internal temperatures, eventually preventing the CHP from staying on for long periods. On-site water quality management helps to promote a long lasting system and where necessary, daily checks should be made to avoid dirty water entering the system and damaging it.

It is also important to consider whether the return temperatures are too high. This can sometimes be rectified by ensuring other heat sources, such as boilers, are allowing the CHP to take the lead in the controls strategy.

A CHP prioritised control system will keep gas costs down, and will help keep CHP systems running for as long as possible allowing the returns that cogeneration is designed for. To that end, facilities staff should have a good general knowledge of the basic controls and functions of the CHP installed. Most service provider technicians will be happy to give training on the fundamentals of CHP so service and maintenance can be at the forefront of any CHP planning. www.bosch-industrial.co.uk

CHP

Scarborough Hospital Looks Forward to Low Carbon Future

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ork Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have chosen NHS Sustainability day to celebrate the opening of their new low-carbon energy centre at Scarborough Hospital.

The energy centre, which was delivered in partnership with Vital Energi will deliver in excess of £9.1m in guaranteed financial savings and almost 32,000 tonnes of carbon reduction over the course of a 15 year energy performance contract.

The upgrade at Scarborough includes improved boiler control and the installation of a combined heat and power (CHP) unit which will make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions, as well as significant savings to the hospital’s energy costs. Carbon emissions are projected to be cut by 2,130 tonnes a year, a reduction of around 38 per cent.

The unit will supply all of the hospital’s night time electricity, over 70% of its day time electricity and make a substantial contribution to the heating and hot water supply.

The energy centre will be officially opened by the Trust’s Chief Executive, Patrick Crowley. Patrick will be joined by Brian Golding, Director of Estates and Facilities, members of the Scarborough Hospital Estates team and representatives from Vital Energi, including Joint Managing Director, Ian Whitelock.

Patrick Crowley said: “On behalf of the Trust I am delighted to officially open the

York Teaching Hospital Trust’s Chief Executive, Patrick Crowley (Right) performs the Ribbon Cutting for the Energy Centre, joined by Vital Energi’s Joint Managing Director, Ian Whitelock (Left)

refurbished energy centre at Scarborough Hospital. By reducing energy costs, we can reinvest savings into front line services and patient care.”

Brian Golding, Director of Estates and Facilities, continued: “As an organisation, we are very much aware of sustainability issues and are committed to reducing our environmental impact. Our sustainable development group ensures that we are consistently addressing energy consumption across all our hospitals, looking at everything from light bulbs through to the design of new buildings.

“In 2014 we completed a major energy saving and carbon reduction project at York Hospital using a Carbon and Energy Fund Framework with Vital Energi, and last year we completed a major reduction project at Bridlington Hospital. Including the refurbishment here at Scarborough Hospital, the overall project will offer over £26.5M guaranteed saving for the Trust

– money which will be reinvested into patient care. Across the three sites, carbon emissions are projected to be cut by 5,800 tonnes a year, a reduction of around 27.6 per cent.”

Ashley Malin, Project Development Director for Vital Energi explained, “York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was one of the first in the UK to embrace this type of energy infrastructure upgrade with guaranteed returns. Their commitment to reducing their emissions and producing value for money has seen them revolutionise the way they generate and use energy and NHS Sustainability Day is the perfect opportunity to congratulate them on their fantastic achievements.”

Gordon.coates@vitalenergi.co.uk

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

13

Lighting

Making the switch to LEDs

By Nick Farraway, Vice President and

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nergy prices are on the rise in the UK, and even further hikes may be on the horizon.

Both the public sector and private businesses have been hit hard by surging energy prices and decision-makers are constantly on the lookout for new ways of cutting costs without compromising on local services and the safety of residents and workers.

With lighting representing such a huge expense for companies and local authorities, it has been the target of drastic - and in some cases dangerous – cost-cutting measures, such as night-time blackouts.

But there are better ways to keep energy expenditure in check.

While outdated lighting infrastructure unnecessarily inflates energy bills, quality LED technology slashes electricity and maintenance costs while reducing CO2 emissions and improving surroundings with a beautiful, clear light.

Maximising cost-saving LED lighting systems can provide unprecedented, long-term energy savings.

High-quality LED lighting can require up to 70% less energy than traditional lighting solutions, making them much less costly to run. Although a number of businesses and local councils are yet to adopt the technology, a number already have already invested in LEDs and have already begun to see the long-term energy saving benefits.

In 2015, global shipping company Hermes Europe installed an indoor LED system at its UK shipping warehouse. The new LED system generates annual energy savings of 83% and the long lifetimes and high reliability of the new lights also significantly reduce maintenance costs. Hermes Europe now enjoys yearly maintenance savings of 95% and sudden outages and eco-unfriendly mercury clean-ups due to bulb breakage are a thing of the past.

In 2009, the London Borough of Hackney also made the switch to LEDs as part of its plan to improve Shoreditch Park.

Fifty-four LED luminaires were installed in Shoreditch Park to illuminate the park’s

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General Manager for Cree Lighting EMEA

pathways at night. It is estimated that over the next twenty years, the council will save £66,000 in maintenance costs alone, while keeping the park beautifully lit and a safe place after dark.

Eco-friendly energy The benefits of LEDs are not only limited to cost-cutting – they also contribute to reducing carbon emissions. By 2025 for instance, the Borough of Hackney will have drastically reduced local CO2 emissions and saved the equivalent of 8,000 trees simply by installing LEDs in one of its parks.

What’s more, while traditional outdoor lights require re-lamping every two years or so, this is not the case with LEDs. No re-lamping means no waste, which over time will have a hugely positive impact on the environment and waste management in the UK. And, since LED control systems are based on software that can be updated as technology advances, LEDs are designed to be fully sustainable and future-ready from the moment they are installed.

A good lighting system also delivers optimal energy efficiency through the use of its lighting controls, which allow users to automatically switch lights on and off, and control brightness levels to suit the industrial, working or urban environment.

Combined with well-designed fixtures, high quality LEDs are also equipped with an optic system which directs the light only where it is needed, which means that just the right amount of light is emitted without wasting any energy.

Custom-made lighting for every use As lighting controls become more and more sophisticated, LED manufacturers are creating more bespoke solutions. When UK satellite communications company Paradigm Communication Systems relocated to new offices in Hampshire, the business installed LED lighting with a control-system which adapted the level of luminance and energy used based upon the building occupancy and various requirements throughout the day. The project recorded annual energy savings of over 75%, and a rapid return on investment.

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

But it doesn’t stop there. Lighting manufacturers are now designing custom-made solutions using 3D digital models which can predict how the light will behave in different settings and at different times of day. It is estimated that tailored lighting solutions have improved levels of efficiency up to 85% more than conventional lights.

Energy-efficient employees Energy-efficiency is not just about cutting back on the electricity we use, it is also about keeping the people who experience lighting everyday motivated and full of energy.

Studies have shown that lighting can also affect quality of life in the workplace, as it affects personal safety, the use of space and the freedom of movement of both staff and machinery. Poor lighting can have a disastrous effect on workers’ morale, and has also been shown to cause eye strain and a host of other issues that can threaten productivity.

Warehouses, factories, stores, goods loading bays are all subject to intense use - often round the clock. So to keep attention levels and motivation high, it is important to start with good lighting. A well-lit and comfortable workplace can really help uplift employees’ moods, reduce fatigue and drive productivity.

From cost-savings to improving workplace ergonomics for happier and more effective employees, the halo effect of LEDs is clear and the technology is only getting better.

Lighting

How to achieve energy efficient office lighting and improve employee Kevin Cox, Managing Director, health ByEnergys Group

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any of us are aware of the energy saving benefits of upgrading office lighting to the latest LED technology.

But the story less told surrounds how a lighting upgrade can also deliver increased comfort for staff. Less glare, better lighting controls and more considered zoning and spacing should all be achieved within a lighting retrofit.

The human benefits are numerous: better concentration, happier, more productive staff and variable light levels to suit the seasons.

LED; a telling opportunity for both light and comfort The Carbon Trust advises lighting typically consumes 20% of the electricity used in commercial and industrial buildings, offices included.

‘In these times of high energy prices, finding cost-effective ways to reduce levels of electricity consumed by lighting can deliver appreciable long-term reductions on business electricity bills,’ it argues.

LED lighting is quick, easy to install, pays back fast, and creates minimal installation disruption. But when considering LED upgrades, it’s vitally important to also think about it will affect staff wellbeing. Here are some of the top elements to consider.

Giving staff control over their lighting will also help: by allowing them to turn the lighting up, down or off in their workspace, and providing desk lamps to use as a substitute for overhead lighting.

Daylight harvesting alongside LEDs The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) cites a recent study by neuroscientists, which suggests office workers with windows received 173% more white light exposure during work hours, and slept an average of 46 minutes more per night.

‘Light is also vital for maintaining our circadian rhythm. Overall, the evidence is unequivocal; office occupants prefer access to windows and daylight, which bring consistent benefits in terms of satisfaction and health,’ says UKGBC. While the facts point towards the benefits of natural light, artificial light has a crucial role to play in keeping up light levels on cloudy days and when daylight hours are short.

Daylight harvesting products (such as our Ultra Slim Panel Light with iDim Active+) provide an efficient solution: they automatically respond to the level of natural light in the room and turn the artificial lighting up, down or off accordingly.

The end game; more productive, healthier light When firms think about how to save energy in offices, all too often the human benefits become swamped by concerns on payback or ROI. But a happier employee represents not only a vital part of today’s humanistic business, but a more profitable worker too.

For these reasons, developing LED solutions as part of strategic options to bring comfort and humanity into every office must be the watchword for 2017. www.energysgroup.com

Health issues associated with glare ‘Bright lights and glare, especially if flickering, can induce migraines,’ writes the NHS. ‘This is because bright and flickering lights boost the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, which then activate the migraine centre.’

Modern LEDs eliminate the problem of flicker traditionally found in fluorescents, but some LED products are prone to glare. This can be a big problem in offices, especially as most activity is confined to looking at PC screens.

LED product quality can vary widely, so it’s important to specify LEDs with a ‘low glare index’; this means that light is spread evenly over a large surface area.

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

15

Lighting

SMART lighting takes LED lighting to a new level

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ince 2006, we have seen great shifts in LED technology, delivering huge improvements in light output, colour rendering, reliability of electronic control gear and of course, vast difference in purchase prices.

Whilst these improvements will doubtless continue, other exciting developments are taking place in parallel.

Manufacturers are exploiting the inherent controllability of LED technology by integrating LED lamps and luminaires into smart buildings technology. An obvious first step is to link lighting with sensors – either built-in or connected.

Integrating motion sensors into lighting directly massively reduces the complexity compared with the traditional approach of using external occupancy sensors. Thermal sensors can also be added to improve detection of personnel in specific areas.

Simplicity brings the rewards of enhanced reliability as well as performance – not to mention the savings in cost. Older solutions quickly earned notoriety amongst users, who frequently had to wave their arms or walk around the building in order to bring the lights back on. Siting position and thermal sensors with the lighting makes this a thing of the past.

Sensors that measure ambient light level similarly offer improvements over traditional timed switch-on/switch-off arrangements. Why turn the lights out at 7pm, just because it’s assumed that everyone has gone home by that time?

Why wait until 7am to turn them on?

A further advantage of integrated sensors is that it removes the need for separate installation of PIR detectors and the like. Improvements in control and automation can be added step-by-step, instead of involving multiple contractors and projects. This expands the potential for including lighting into building-wide automation.

Smart technology starts learning for itself

This would allow lighting to be driven by users’ habits. For example, lighting units can be grouped together and communicate with each other so that they perform functions in harmony. Lights can be programmed to dim up and down according, not only to current but also to anticipated occupancy levels. Another possibility is to switch lights on ahead of occupants moving through a long corridor, then dimmed or switched off behind. LED lighting is well suited to these applications, having many significant advantages over more conventional technologies.

LEDs are flicker-free, combatting the common problem with fluorescent lighting.

They present no issues with being turned on and off.

Another example is using central automation to control lighting in response to emergencies. For example, all lights in a building be switched on full in the event of an evacuation, with the building automation system switching-in backup power as required. These smart luminaires can also be grouped together so that banks of units can be controlled to the same parameters.

A pre-set level of lighting can be maintained across the whole area if required.

Systems like the new Goodlight architectural lighting range of modular LED luminaires can be attached to intelligent controls that learn how the areas in an office are used, and adjust the lighting accordingly.

In the smart building, control of lighting now goes hand-in-hand with some level of monitoring to deliver the necessary energy saving benefits. Major energy users are - or will be - finding ways to monitor their lighting usage not only to reveal patterns which will help reduce consumption, but also to have a better understanding of how their buildings are being used, which can help to identify all sorts of user-related efficiencies.

What is the ROI? Measuring return on investment is not a simple calculation. Estimating the ROI of a future installation project is especially challenging, because every building is individual. Potential adopters should look first at the returns enjoyed by organisations that have already made the switch to LED technology. Evaluation of Goodlight

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Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

retrofit LED lamps and luminaires has demonstrated energy savings up to 85%. In addition to this, maintenance savings of up to 100% can be made, and typical return on investment calculations show full payback within three to 36 months. To refine their estimates, new installers will typically calibrate their early estimates with real data from a pilot installation.

Naturally, there is some resistance to adopting this relatively new technology.

In the past, lighting controls have been standalone systems, which are deemed to be quite expensive, delivering payback over decades. Conventional wisdom is that such an approach is more pertinent for fancy new builds than retrofits into existing buildings.

But integrating the control system within the light itself dramatically changes this model. Smart LED lamps are already relatively inexpensive, making automated lighting highly accessible. In the future, as integrated smart moves from an added extra for a lamp to a standard feature, making energy efficient lighting even more attractive not only to cost-conscious landlords, owner occupiers and facilities managers but also to users, who ultimately will gain control of the lighting in their surroundings.

Such appeal should be viewed through the prism of external regulation. Whilst lighting itself is not governed by any specific regulatory framework, here it is possible that legislation will emerge mandating smart lighting. One area of concern – and a possible subject of regulation - is the issue of security. In connected buildings, security is only as strong as its weakest link. This is particularly true if lighting automation relies on connectivity, such as to the Internet of Things. Consider, for example, a smart building in which a security breach allows hackers to turn lights on or off: on to highlight a target for physical attack; off to provide dark cover for intruders. Worse, poor security in a lighting installation could provide entry points into other systems, such as power utilities or customer records.

Despite these gloomy prognostications, the overriding advantages of connectivity and intelligence will continue to drive down the cost of intelligent lighting, with benefits right across the building automation sector.

Saima Shafi - Sales & Marketing Director, LED Eco Lights www.goodlight.co.uk

Monitoring/Metering

Al Ain Fertility Center

World class British radio-telemetric monitoring technology chosen by leading medical facility

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he Al Ain Fertility Center (AAFC) provides a wide range of fertility services and treatments in UAE to the highest European and American approved quality standards and offers the most advanced techniques of assisted reproduction.. And AAFC’s buildings energy management personnel are tasked with ensuring world-class energy efficiency for the Center’s buildings and facilities.

AAFC’s is nationally and internationally recognized as leading experts in delivering new life, offering a distinguished health care service in UAE and worldwide. The Center’s focus is to achieve the highest results comparable to the very best centers in the world.

The Center’s energy management personnel contacted The IMC Group’s UAE distributor, Ideal Technology Services, to work through the challenges they faced. Regular heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems did not offer the ability to maintain conditions to a level required by a medical center and room temperature and humidity were unstable, with the HVAC system offering very poor control.

The Center required a monitoring system of the highest quality, accuracy and reliability, which is why they investigated and eventually chose IMC’s Hanwell wireless range. The system is well-known for providing a multitude of solutions in one system specifically for measurement and control of temperature and humidity of laboratories, cleanrooms and pharmacies; ideal since the Centre needed measurement and control of pressure in cleanrooms and laboratories, measurement of UV leakage in clean rooms, and measurement of dust accumulation in laboratory areas.

The UK-technology solutions demonstrated extensive international experience of sensitive monitoring and control in challenging environments such as operating theatres, blood storage, medical ‘fridges and more, using one non-intrusive system, and due to the needs of the Center a radio-telemetric Hanwell system was selected.

“Before the installation of a monitoring solution we were using handheld devices and manually logging the data. But the handheld devices were having unstable readings and there’s no software for these

devices, so staff were required to spend valuable time manually logging all data on paper – and of course this introduces human error, especially during busy periods when manual logging can be forgotten and data missed,” explained Dr. Nizar Sharara, head of the pharmacy.

“We now have reliable and accurate monitoring of pressure in our clean rooms to avoid contamination and the system also allows us to maintain proper automated records for auditing purposes.”

AAFC was seeking a fast, easy and safe solution to the medical team’s requirements – something that would give them accurate data to control HVAC systems and ensure that temperature of refrigerators/freezers were properly monitored and controlled. Measurement of accumulation of dust in lab areas was also important.

“We also wanted simple and accurate measurement of any UV leaks during the sanitization process to protect staff from any harmful exposures,” explained Dr. Sharara. “The Hanwell equipment was installed and working quickly and the service provided was good, with excellent

responses and support from Ideal Technology Services. By introducing this technology to our business we now avoid damage of medication and items in our genetic labs and pharmacy.

“Now the Hanwell monitoring and control technology is installed, feedback to HVAC has improved, our temperature, humidity, pressure, UV and dust controls are enhanced, plus we’re no longer reliant on time-consuming manual record-keeping.” sales@the-imcgroup.com

Situation

Solution

World-class medical center with a variety of monitoring and data logging requirements The Center’s need to monitor and control ‘fridge and freezer temperatures, laboratory, cleanrooms and pharmacy humidity and temperature, cleanroom and lab pressure, UV leakage and dust accumulation was hampered by unstable HVAC controls.

A radio-telemetric Hanwell system comprising: Radio transmitters for temperature, humidity, differential pressure, Lux and UV. Plus a DustBug transmitter.

Additionally, medical staff were using handheld measurement devices and manually logging the data, and suffering unstable readings as a consequence.

Client Profile The Al Ain Fertility Center (AAFC) provides a wide range of world-class fertility services and treatments.

The Center has two laboratories, and a pharmacy with refrigerators and freezers in the same room.

Results Hanwell technology is providing controls and data to enable this prestigious medical center to monitor a wide variety of conditions, maintain the correct conditions and provide accurate automated records for auditing purposes, while being as energy efficient as possible.

The Hanwell installation marked an end to the Center’s reliance on manually downloaded standalone loggers and spot readers.

“By introducing this technology to our business we now avoid damage to medication and items in our genetic labs and pharmacy, plus we’re no longer reliant on time consuming manual record-keeping ”

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

17

District Heating

How to comply with Heat Network Regulations

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an Allan, Head of R&D for community heating specialist Switch2 Energy, explains the latest legislative changes affecting the UK’s communal energy and district heating schemes and what they mean for heat suppliers.

The UK Government introduced The Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations in 2014, which covers every community and district heating system across the country. Important updates to the regulations were announced by the new Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) towards the end of 2016.

With relatively few exemptions and criminal/civil penalties for non-compliance enforced robustly by BEIS, it’s crucial that those responsible for heat networks understand the obligations and potential benefits

Legislation at a glance

It is also mandatory to install final customer meters on new builds and most buildings undergoing major renovation. If these meters are not feasible, the viability of heat cost allocators must be considered.

The meters require scheduled servicing alongside periodic recalibration of heat cost allocators.

The latest major change to the legislation is a postponement of the original December 2016 deadline to fit final customer meters to existing unmetered properties. This is due to withdrawal of the original feasibility tool, that is intended to indicate the viability of retrofitting meters to existing district heating schemes. The original feasibility tool was considered not fit for purpose and is expected to be revised in 2017 following consultation, with the deadline for retrofitting final customer meters being extended to late 2017 or early 2018.

The UK regulations relate to the distribution of thermal energy from a central source to more than one end user, building or location for the purposes of heating, cooling or hot water supply. The ‘heat supplier’, which is the person or body ultimately responsible for supplying and charging the ‘final customer’ (who consumes the heat), is obligated to meet three key stipulations:

If the feasibility tool is used by a heat supplier to opt-out of installing meters, the ‘grace period’ is only likely to be temporary.

That’s because the regulations demand that the feasibility test should be repeated every four years and it is expected that all heat networks will need to be fully metered over time.

1. Notification

End customers must be billed using actual meter readings (rather than estimates) at least once a year. However, customers using electronic billing should be invoiced quarterly. Bills must contain current energy prices, details of total consumption (compared to the previous year, if applicable) and general information on how to improve energy efficiency. This is subject to feasibility, however, the bar has been set reasonably high so the rulings will apply in all but a few cases.

Heat suppliers must inform BEIS about the location of any district heat network or communal heating scheme - as well as its capacity and supply figures.

Each building forming part of the network has to be identified, along with the number of customers using it and how they receive information from billing partners. Registrations must be updated within four years of the initial registration, which was the end of 2015, and every four years after that.

2. Metering It is mandatory to install point of entry, or ‘bulk’ meters (which record the amount of heat delivered into the property) for

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buildings with one or more customers connected to a district heat network.

3. Billing

The legislation imposes duties on the heat supplier, but BEIS has issued guidance on how these responsibilities may be shared between billing managers and network managers or owners. Internal discussions will be required to establish who is best placed to undertake the billing duties imposed by the legislation.

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

The impact of Brexit?

Although the regulations stemmed from the EU Energy Efficiency directive, the UK remains committed to carbon reduction and energy efficiency and the role of heat networks in achieving that aim, irrespective of Brexit. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement on climate action and due to the UK’s commitment to global energy reduction, it is unlikely that the Heat Network Regulations would be withdrawn.

Benefits of smart metering Smart metering strategies are crucial to reducing energy waste since heat customers can see exactly how much energy they are consuming and paying for and, hence, are able to make informed decisions about reducing their consumption. In our experience, where we have installed smart metering and pay-as-you-go billing, heat usage has been reduced by up to 50%, compared to unmetered dwellings.

Switch2’s smart metering partnership with Sheffield City Council is dramatically reducing energy consumption across 6,000 homes connected to its heat network. This is predicted to reduce customers’ total annual bill by £1.4 million.

The regulations for metering also offer benefits for heat suppliers. Closer monitoring of district heat networks will provide more opportunities to identify heat loss throughout the network, which could improve operating efficiency. More detailed bills will reduce the volume of customer enquiries about costs and charges, and establish greater trust between suppliers and end users. www.switch2.co.uk

WATER TIME TO SWITCH District Heating System District Heating

Charley Maher, managing director of water2business, explains how businesses across England will soon be able to choose their water and sewerage retailer.

Network Optimisation

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witching energy suppliers and here are currently around 60 shopping around foracross the best deal million people Europe is a given these days businesses who receive hotfor water and heat via district schemes seeking to drive downheating costs and become (DHS). more efficient in the way they operate.

you opt for one that truly understands your

properties, minimise environmental a fully welded, all plastic, corrosion-free business. impact through its sustainable credentials solution, which can deliver optimum flow andAll deliver a better return on investment temperatures of 70 degrees centigrade for will be aiming to attract new customers based on whole-life analysis. an estimated 98 years! and while price will play a part it is unlikely Recent amendments to Part L of the Flexenergy’s products are the deciding many environmentally-friendly and energy-saving to beRegulations This equates to around 12% of the Building makefactor plasticfor pipe Andtotal now there’s about to be choice businesses switching. population, but Flexenergy, one ofwhen the even more advantageous for That’s DHS, because the and perfectly in tune with 21st century it comes to water, withforbusinesses of any because margins set by the regulator Ofwat UK’s leading partners district heating the material can industry be a contributor requirements for secure, low maintenance, installations, estimates withand to the for design lowor carbon, sustainable and energy efficient sizenetwork being able to choose their that water areminimum slim - anstandards averageset of 2.5% net margin the collective efforts makers, construction to the conservation district heating and community heating sewerage retailer.

It’s of allpolicy part of Open Water, and6% gross forlinked retailers. designers, suppliers, installers, of fuel and power. Part L has, in fact, networks. which has been introduced byoperators the Therefore it’s likely to be thethe quality of theUsing plastic pipe at the temperatures and users, there is potential for this to become instrumental in furthering government and Ofwat. customer service, investment in innovation, increase to 250 million (50%) by 2050. journey towards near-zero carbon specified by Part L Regulations will improve The company has a 30-year heritage buildings by 2020. whole-life network cost considerably, and the value added services offered to So what does this mean? of working alongside consulting engineers, Flexenergy’s Flexalen 600 system helps particularly when coupled to the very your business which will set the retailers Well from 1 April 2017 any large or small energy managers and contractors to meet Part L regulation requirements low maintenance requirement of plastic from each other. business, council, hospital, school or even on aapart to optimise the performance of DHS number of counts. It is made up of systems. So whether you’re looking for help on charity can choose their and reducing water consumption – which in Atbasic water2business leading networks through the usewater of eco-friendly three components: we highoffer impact www.flexenergy.co.uk sewerage retailer.

Whilepre-insulated the water supplied HDPE and thermallyefficient outer casing, unique PE foam turn could reduce energy costs too – or customer service andClass tailored water and willplastic still be provided your local water pipe in place by of conventional insulation and PB-1 carrier pipes, giving flexible, consolidated billing for multiple wastewater management that will help to steel materials. advantages over other plastic company and still travel to your premises it unique sites, we can help. improve efficiency and deliver savings.

Flexenergy is the sole distributor insulated pipe systems. Networks can along the same pipes, most of yourin the Unlike others, we’re not a newcomer to UK and Ireland of Flexalen pre-insulated be pre-fabricated for ease of installation You can find out more about our interaction will be with your retailer. instead we’re a company with pipe technology, manufactured by andthe the market, material is extremely lightweight, other added value services by calling us extensive industry knowledge Thermaflex in the – a will be highly flexible and can incorporate a that has a While a number of Netherlands water retailers today on 0345 850 0714 or visiting proven record already material proven to enhance DHS system unique valvetrack system to aid and network zonalprovides offering this service, it’s really important www.water2business.co.uk performance through its thermal control, expansion and maintenance. It is business services.

April 2017

Switch your water and wastewater services to water2business.

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Boilers/Burners

NEW REMEHA GAS 220 ACE EXCEEDS EXPECTATION IN FIELD TEST AT SAMUEL WHITBREAD ACADEMY, SHEFFORD

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ollowing best practice asset management, the school has replaced an existing 13-yearold Remeha Gas 210 Eco Pro with Remeha’s new, highefficiency floor-standing condensing boiler, the Gas 220 Ace. Currently operating alongside a Gas 210 Eco Pro, it serves the Arts & Drama block that houses the school’s Main Hall, Theatre and Activities Hall.

The Gas 220 Ace builds on proven technology to offer an even higher output to physical size ratio, optimum design simplicity and flexibility, and outstanding performance.

The ease of installation certainly impressed heating engineer Ashleigh Jones of Spa Gas. “A lot of thought has obviously gone into the packaging and pallet design to simplify and speed up installation,” he said.

“Disconnecting the old Gas 210 Eco Pro, unpacking the new Gas 220 Ace and then positioning it in the plant room took just an hour and a half.”

The new Remeha Gas 220 Ace floor-standing boiler has been installed at Samuel Whitbread Academy, Shefford, in a field test prior to its UK Key to the Gas 220 Ace’s small dimensions is its innovative new monobloc heat exchanger with an exceptionally high output to physical size ratio.

The reduced footprint and lighter weight are winning features for Ashleigh. He commented: “The Gas 220 Ace is a nice size – it’s light and extra-compact which makes it easy to handle as well as providing more working space. I also like the integrated wheels which make it easier to manoeuvre the boiler into final position.”

CASE STUDY The Gas 220 Ace features a new ‘Click and Go’ condensate drain positioned underneath, rather than inside, the boiler.

“This is really easy to connect and access,” commented Ashleigh, “which means there’s no need to dismantle the boiler to get to it when servicing.”

The heart of the Gas 220 Ace is its pioneering control platform with time and temperature controls supplied as standard. The enhanced, back-lit panel simplifies input and control for end-users while new parameter codes provide heating engineers with access to greater technical detail for rapid, straightforward servicing and diagnostics.

management provider for Samuel Whitbread Academy PFI. “The smaller footprint gives us greater accessibility within our plant rooms and we also like the enhanced control platform as the new interface allows for faster, clearer and simpler user control. Small, simple and accessible – can’t go wrong. We have already instructed our installer to proceed with the Gas 220 Ace for the remaining four boilers to be installed this year.”

Tristan continued: “We always use Remeha for our heating equipment as we can virtually guarantee the quality and reliability of the product and that it will match and often outperform our lifecycle expectations. The excellent service and availability of parts has been consistent since we have been working with Remeha over the last 15 years.”

The successor to the Gas 210 Eco Pro, the new Class 6 NOx Gas 220 Ace range is available in 160, 200, 250 and 300kW models with outputs from 34.7kW to 310kW. All connections and pipework are at the top of the Gas 220 Ace, enabling side-by-side or back-to-back positioning and flexible modular configuration options.

With ultra-low NOx emissions at or below 40mg/kWh, the new Gas 220 Ace is future proofed for emissions regulations.

“First impressions? It’s so compact!” commented Tristan Mitchell, Facilities Manager at Galliford Try, facilities

“The Gas 220 Ace is a nice size – it’s light and extra-compact which makes it easy to handle as well as providing more working space.”

- Ashleigh Jones 20

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

Water Management

THE WATER OPEN MARKET: THINK BEFORE YOU DIVE IN

F

rom April 2017, commercial and other non-residential water users in England have the opportunity to choose where to buy water and wastewater services from. This freedom of choice is most welcome but, with choice, comes complexity. With multiple service providers and procurement routes available, careful consideration of the options is a prerequisite for making the most of the open market opportunity and optimising service levels and best value for your organisation.

Claire Yeates, Director at Waterscan commented: “We understand that, because businesses in England have not had to concern themselves with water supply before, diving into a whole new area can be daunting. All organisations will have their own approach. Many will wish to buy and manage their own water and waste water supply internally having robust procurement processes and procedures in place. Some will take a proactive approach and leap head-first into the pioneering concept of self-supply or seek support by outsourcing water procurement.

Many more however will take the potentially costly route of taking no action because water isn’t currently seen as an organisational priority. Whatever your start point, experience demonstrates the need for a strategic, well informed approach.

This is why there’s now a variety of services to support organisations in optimising the benefits and opportunities that the open water market offers.”

So, which is the right option for your business? Here’s our guide to navigating the water market. www.waterscan.com

OPTION 1: IN-HOUSE PROCUREMENT

OPTION 2: OUTSOURCED WATER PROCUREMENT

BEST FOR:

BEST FOR:

Organisations that have a low water spend or lack the resource to play

Organisations that want to utilise expert advice and knowledge when choosing the right retailer

an active role in the new open market could consider conducting their

in line with their existing procurement systems, operational needs and sustainability goals.

own tender process.

Every organisation with a higher water spend should benefit from this approach which offers independent analysis and a fully managed tailored tender process to maximise best value.

ADVICE: Key to achieving best value from this route is accurate data on which to

ADVICE:

base negotiations with potential water suppliers. Focus resource on this

Seek a supplier who has extensive knowledge of previous water company and new retailer

prior to contacting retailers. Waterscan’s Water Check service is designed

charging structures, the new legislation and considerable expertise. This will ensure you avoid

to help industrial and commercial organisations with a higher spend by

unnecessary costs and select the right water retailer. With this support, a complete water

reviewing a recent water bill for each site in your property portfolio and

consumption data-set is usually created as a start-point for retailer comparison. A tender

creating a clear report detailing opportunities for improvement that are

process incorporating preparation, Request for Quotation (RFQ), shortlisting and analysis,

specific to your organisation. Following this procurement option means

contract negotiation and supplier transition then follows.

you will rely on in-house experience and may lack the industry knowledge and expertise to fully maximise the opportunity.

BENEFITS: •

A cleansed portfolio and validated data set on current and historical water use.

BENEFITS:

•

Comprehensive end-to-end approach for informed, objective decision making.

•

Control the procurement process in-house.

•

Cost reductions and improved payment terms through optimised contracts.

•

Simple approach that requires little financial investment.

•

Consolidated billing and reduced administration time.

•

Follows existing procurement systems so minimal management

•

Hassle-free managed supplier transition.

buy-in required.

TIMEFRAME: TIMEFRAME:

6 weeks from tender preparation to service transition.

Dependent on internal procurement practices, can be almost immediate by negotiating with your existing supplier

COSTS: Check with your chosen supplier. For example, Waterscan takes no margin or commission

COSTS:

to ensure transparency and to guarantee best value for clients in line with their long term

Minimal. There is no charge for Waterscan’s Water Check service.

strategic goals. Instead, a one-off fee is charged dependent on the level of service required.

OPTION 3: SELF-SUPPLY

and the whole process with MOSL and Ofwat is

BEST FOR : Organisations that want ultimate control

granted, you will be in control of your water supply but

over their water consumption and greater cost savings by dealing directly with wholesalers. It is suitable for large multi-site customers or high consuming organisations that will benefit from billing accuracy and the ability to directly influence the English water market.

ADVICE: Allow more time if you plan to take this route and ensure your chosen partner has direct experience of the licence application process due to its complex nature. It’s worth noting that there will be a requirement for active participation, including senior management, in the process. By working with a partner to obtain a self-supply licence you will be guided through all relevant licence application information

•

managed on your behalf. Once a licence has been

time.

•

with the full support of a managing agent to ensure licence compliance, billing validation, early resolution of wholesaler issues or emergencies and maximised

Consolidated billing and reduced administration Self-defined meter reading and reporting frequencies.

•

Opportunity to influence the market and drive down costs across the industry.

efficiency savings.

TIMEFRAME : 2-3 months from preparation through to BENEFITS: • • • •

licence application decision.

Total support in obtaining and maintaining a water self-supply licence.

COSTS: Currently a unique service offered by

Complete control of your organisation’s water

Waterscan. The company takes no margin or

consumption and costs.

commission to ensure transparency and to guarantee

Direct access to the Central Market Operating

best value for clients in line with their long term

System and wholesale prices.

strategic goals. Instead, a simple charge per transaction

Enhanced service delivery via direct relationships

is levied.

with wholesalers.

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

21

Procurement

Is procurement missing Taylor, Account Manager at IMServ a trick? Jason gives his insights into energy procurement

W

ith so much change taking place within the energy market, it is important that those working in procurement understand the challenges that the energy market is facing. For energy procurement managers pressure to find the best deal is a key factor.

Having a clearer picture of an organisation’s energy requirements puts procurers in a better position to make informed decisions and meet cost reduction and sustainability targets.

The energy market is undergoing change at an alarming rate due to increased competition and updates to industry legislation, and often the procurement team is responsible for

1.

2.

3.

Site List Although it might sound like a basic piece of advice, the first thing a procurer needs to have is a firm grasp of their site list. It is important to understand the individual energy requirements of the different types of buildings and sites in your portfolio so you can obtain precise volumes of energy, minimising wastage.

4.

AMR Metering Across All Sites Understanding your energy needs can be achieved through the installation of automatic meter reading (AMR) technology across all of your managed sites. This will automatically collect consumption, diagnostic and status data and transfer it to a centralised database where it can be analysed and interrogated. By having this insight, informed decisions can be made.

5.

Understand the Contract and What it Requires An energy procurement manager will need an understanding of what the business needs, when and in what volume. This will allow the

Jason continues: “Those working in procurement are often under many disparate pressures and can be involved in an array of different areas, including: purchasing, IT, managing inventory, vendor

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keeping up to date. These teams have to work with energy buyers and account managers within the energy companies, stay abreast of industry amendments and understand the risks and opportunities that these changes bring. All whilst maintaining an effective procurement strategy which is flexible to take advantage of any fluctuations of energy costs.

Jason Taylor, Account Manager at IMServ, thinks these risks can be mitigated through the combination of a proactive approach to buying energy, an understanding of the shifts within the energy market and full understanding of an organisation’s energy usage. He believes such tactics can prevent poor procurement decisions turning into expensive mistakes.

selection and holding process reviews.

This often means that they find themselves without the time to interrogate their energy data properly. This is where mistakes can start to come into the equation. By

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

“The energy market can seem daunting, particularly in light of ongoing legislation changes such as P272 and the Capacity Market evolution. The landscape of the energy market has also changed significantly, with new suppliers entering the market and a wider range of solar, renewable and local generation options available. Taylor states “By having a greater understanding of their energy portfolio, companies are able to implement a robust procurement strategy and able to improve their billing.”

Taylor believes there are 5 key areas procurers need to understand in order to provide an effective service:

manager to accurately forecast what will be needed in the future, and obtain the best rates to reflect the needs of business at different times of the day, week, month and year.

Energy Spend It is important to retain a view on your overall energy budget whilst understanding the energy spend across all utilities. Having a robust data solution in place, your organisation can gain a better understanding of energy demands over time. This will help to benchmark any future savings across your portfolio.

Drill Down into Your Energy Data for Further Opportunities There are a huge variety of energy solutions available to organisations on the market such as; Sub-Metering, bespoke energy reporting packages and energy efficiency offerings. Being aware of and utilising a wide range of solutions can open doors to energy improvements, by providing actionable usage insights at more localised levels.

taking the time to understand the energy usage data, and how this will affect such strategies, procurers will be able to improve their energy billing, often saving money at the same time.”

Energy Champions Awards Winner

NHS

Dartford & Gravesham BACKGROUND: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust are leading the way for sustainability through the Green Watch project which brings strategic technological advancements together with wider engagement on sustainability, committing the Trust to reducing its carbon emissions by 47.9% over the next 10 years.

The Trust has adopted a number of mechanisms to monitor sustainability improvements via its Estates Strategy, Sustainability Policy, new governance arrangements and board-level reporting, all delivered by the Trusts Sustainability Lead supported by the Sustainability Group.

As part of its new Estates Strategy and in line with the 2012 Carbon Management Plan, the Trust developed the Green Watch project in early 2015 in order to detail the action required to meet the Trusts annual target.

The Green Watch identified the need for a Combined Heat and Power unit (CHP) to be installed on site and this was achieved in December 2015, which delivered an immediate 25% reduction in carbon emissions.

The CHP project was supplemented with additional work on Air Handling systems, by adding variable speed drives (VSD) to control the amount of airflow and reduce energy consumption in October 2015. In addition various energy saving improvements were completed across site in 2015, for example within our new capital build projects and in total the Trust reduced its carbon emissions by approximately 29% in a single year.

The Green Watch recognises the importance of ensuring a systematic staff engagement programme, to deliver sustainability and improved health outcomes. In response to this a Staff

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Engagement programme was developed in 2015 and launched in early 2016 that aims to involve staff at all levels across the organisation to implement sustainability ensuring the necessary change is delivered.

The programme conveys the slogan ‘Time for Change’. Green Watch members were encouraged to sign-up to champion the programme and a series of planned workshops aims to identify, prioritise and galvanise sustainable action whilst mobilising the workforce towards more sustainable healthy lifestyles.

The year of staff action began with the Green Ward competition. The goal of the competition was to encourage clinical staff to take part in reducing energy, waste and improving care, as part of the Trust sustainable development activity. The winner was announced at the annual NHS Sustainability Day event on 24th March 2016.

APPROACH: We decided that we needed to draw upon independent external experience of managing and minimising the increasing burden of costs and legislative compliance.

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

We wanted to develop and implement sustainable cost saving strategies & solutions, together with a core focus of waste, energy and water efficiency solutions.

So we appointed Carbon Architecture as our consultants, to advise us and to act as our sustainability managers, due to their experience with advising high-energy users, and with NHS Trusts particularly.

We had already used the Carbon Architecture team – in fact it was they who originally proposed a CHP for the Trust, did the feasibility study and then helped us procure and implement it.

Carbon Architecture did the concept design, procurement and raised loan finance for project to implement variable speed drives on their air handling units.

SOLUTION: We analysed our current setup and we had our consultants provide comparatives of where additional efficiency savings could be made and how the system could be optimised further.

Energy Champions Awards Winner

ravesham NHS Trust This led Carbon Architecture to study our needs holistically and after discussions with ourselves they wrote and implemented a Sustainability Policy for the Trust.

already highlighted the potential for improvements to patients and clinical care to ensure sustainable care pathways and achieve significant financial savings. Wards participating in the competition range from Cardiology, Oncology and Pathology, and the Sustainability Group will ensure the benefits of the project are promoted, and applied systematically across the Trust.

One of our initiatives is a Cycle-to-Work scheme with videos – made by carbon Architecture – to explain what was on offer and demonstrate how staff could park offsite venue and cycle to work.

We also worked with our consultants to implement a number of other projects relating to air handling and lighting.

•

We installed variable speed drives on air handling units – this saved £20,000 a year.

•

•

And we finally procured our CHP unit, commissioned a few months ago and on target to make us savings of £225,000 a year!

•

This provides 30-40% improved efficiency, compared with grid electricity and a boiler.

•

The new CHP has provided financial savings since day one, with electricity consumption halved in its first month of operation. The project can be considered as an exemplar project by integrating a CHP into an operational PFI building.

•

•

The addition of Variable Speed Drives to Air Handling Units has enabled a 3% reduction in carbon emissions, by allowing control of air flow to reduce energy consumption.

This project brings additional co-benefits to patient care by ensuring air flow and providing a comfortable health-promoting environment.

The Staff Engagement programme holds a target of 1.5% reduction in its first year, and initial activity via the Green Ward competition has

•

The staff engagement programme will also continue into a 2nd year with the aim of improving both sustainability and patient care outcomes through simple everyday actions and so reducing carbon emissions at our hospital. We believe by continuing the programme this will develop an engaged team of ‘Green Watch’ champions to keep the pressure on all our staff and provide the required motivation for change.

•

In addition we will continue to work with the local community and supply partners raising awareness of sustainability and effects of climate change. We have also planned additional work streams that enhance sustainability.

•

Simultaneously, renewable energy such as solar panels and off-site wind projects will be explored, with a view to establishing a longer term community energy project.

•

The Strategy recognises the success of small scale renewable energy projects, however to achieve the necessary return on investment, any renewable technologies will be required to deliver benefits to the whole site.

MORE SUCCESS:

Our project has demonstrated environmental, financial and health impacts.

The new CHP Energy Centre provided a 25% carbon reduction and allowed the Trust to generate its own electricity and utilise the waste heat to generate hot water.

right at our hospital is important for the energy efficiency of the building and the well-being of our patients and staff. This upgrade is estimated at delivering a further 5% carbon emission savings over 2 years.

•

In a single year the Trust reduced its Carbon emissions by approximately 29%. This equates to a reduction of approximately 2,812 tCO2.

•

The guaranteed cost savings for the CHP is £240,000 a year and for the VDS project is £20,000 a year, therefore over the 10 year project the estimated cost savings will be in the region of £2,600,000 alone for these projects.

Further cost savings and carbon reductions will be made with future planned projects within the 10 year strategy period: •

The Estates Strategy and Green Watch programme provides a clear route for delivery of sustainability enhancements in both the operational and wider context.

•

In 2016/17 the Trust has planned to continue its upgrading light project to energy efficient LED lights throughout the hospital. Getting the lighting

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

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Energy Champions Awards Winner

Education – Schools

Chalgrove Primary School INNOVATION AND PRODUCT SELECTION/DIVERSITY Chalgrove Primary School were made aware by Barnet Council that a bulge reception class would be joining them for the 2015/2016 academic year, so approached UK Energy Partners to address their upcoming bulge class. The school briefed the project designers at UK Energy Partners about their needs, from which a layout was developed, and so the school turned to Schoolhaus for their solution; increasing their capacity, and allowing energy savings.

UK Energy Partners design and develop Schoolhaus projects – the UK’s most energy efficient school buildings; our mission is “the net zero building”. And to date our 30 Schoolhaus projects have all been ultra-efficient net zero buildings, and comfortably A+ within their EPC ratings.

The Schoolhaus at Chalgrove Primary School is a 100m² Schoolhaus building with classroom area, toilets, meeting room, and covered outdoor area. We’re proud

to announce that this is the most energy efficient school building in the UK. The energy efficient technologies within this Schoolhaus building create a system which is carbon neutral, verified by an exceptional EPC rating of A+ -83, and the building’s status as the UK’s most energy efficient school building.

At the heart of Schoolhaus is our energy first, sustainable design philosophy which translated into an affordable and ultra-efficient built environment for Chalgrove Primary School, without compromising the performance of the building; it is a new philosophy with values and design components which we believe will become, in time, de facto.

This Schoolhaus was built off-site in our factory, and erected on-site at Chalgrove Primary School in just one day.

Project by project, our design and delivery of Schoolhaus improves, we expected the Schoolhaus at Chalgrove Primary School to be highly energy efficient (A+), but we didn’t assume that it would be more energy efficient than our Schoolhaus at Palatine Primary School (A+ -77, the UK’s former most energy efficient school building).

What various methods/projects have you adopted to make your organisation more energy efficient?

The Chalgrove Schoolhaus is aesthetically impressive (with its cedar-clad exterior walls and roof perfectly covered with integrated solar PV), but the real power of the concept are the intelligent technologies concealed within: • • • •

Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) LED lighting Occupancy and motion sensors controlling both lighting and heating Lighting, heating, and cooling systems all powered by the roof’s solar PV panels.

Why did you choose this route?

Schoolhaus gave Chalgrove Primary School a rapid solution to solve their capacity issues, as well as the opportunity to generate clean energy and revenue for the school.

RESULTS AND BENEFITS What benefits have you gained?

The Schoolhaus at Chalgrove is the UK’s most energy efficient school building.

“We know we love the new classroom.”

– Jen Gaffney, Headteacher, Chalgrove Primary School 26

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

Energy Champions Awards Winner By how much have you reduced your carbon footprint?

Now that net zero building is recognised as an achievable, affordable reality rather than just an aspirational concept, it’s not logical to specify anything else for new building projects. Those that do are locking in a lifetime of avoidable carbon dioxide emissions and a lifetime of unnecessary energy expenditure.

These outcomes are excusable in the absence of viable alternatives, but hard to defend now that the net zero energy building is a reality. Over the 60-year design life of this building, even projects built to current energy performance best practice would lock in 3.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions and over £4,000 of energy spend per m2.

Whereas this building costs nothing to power, and has net neutral CO2 emissions.

Additionally, this building was built off-site and assembled at the school, which certainly had its carbon reducing advantages: waste was almost completely eliminated and wood offcuts were used as biomass fuel to provide space heating.

Deliveries were minimised because products arrived in bulk, rather than individually to disparate sites. Materials were received without packaging which saved time and waste. And a local labour pool travelled a short distance to one site.

Are you offering value for money as well as a cleaner environment?

Typically, a new Schoolhaus can be as much as 20% cheaper than competitors’ products before any allowance for the revenue generated from energy and subsidies in the form of Feed-in Tariffs from the fully-integrated solar PV roof.

This building is not only sustainable, it generates clean energy, and revenue for the school: • • •

Annual solar PV yield: 16,128 kWh Annual Feed-in Tariff Income: £1,888 Annual energy generation revenue and saved fuel costs: £3,166.

COMMUNICATION/ PARTNERSHIPS The school kept its stakeholders informed about their new build through their fortnightly newsletter and they announced that they ‘loved their new classroom’ through it.

Do you try to involve them in influencing and participating in your energy projects?

Although the following quote comes from a headteacher at a different school, it emphasises the legacy that a Schoolhaus building can create: “It is no exaggeration to say that our new Schoolhaus building has transformed our school. The building was designed with our needs at the forefront and UK Energy Partners did not deviate once from that principle. As Head Teacher I particularly appreciated the honest interactions between myself and the company, interactions that resulted in a fantastic school building.

The building itself is a tremendous source of new learning for the children and families at the school; energy efficiency, creation and conservation have become regular conversation topics amongst our Infants.” – Jack Newton, Headteacher, Grasvenor Avenue Infant School, and Underhill Infants School and Children’s Centre Have you involved other key stakeholders, energy organisations and the public in general?

The Schoolhaus on-site erection began during term time, which gave the children a chance to watch their new classroom being built.

“As a client I can confirm that UK Energy Partners are fully competent in what they do. A great level of professional approach, timely delivery, very high quality, within budget, and with easy communication.

It’s a real pleasure to deal with UK Energy Partners, I highly recommend them for any similar involvement. And I will use them for my future proposals.” – Miladin Stevanovic, Building & Compliance Surveyor at London Borough of Barnet Council.

EXTRA INFORMATION We’re committed to designing, manufacturing, and installing new buildings that surpass the “net zero” standard.

Chalgrove is the latest recipient of Schoolhaus; with a new building that’s truly A+, top of its class.

Key stats: • • • • •

Total surface area: 100m² Annual solar PV yield: 16,128 kWh Annual Feed-In Tariff Income: £1,888 Annual energy generation revenue and saved fuel costs: £3,166 Schoolhaus EPC rating: A+ (-83)

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

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Energy Champions Awards Winner

Government

NIBSC Solar PV Project Environment and Energy Manager Jude Hughes, has over the last seven years, achieved the following headline figures at the National Institute Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC); a large and energy intensive Government Research Institute: • • • •

Electricity consumption reduced by 14% Gas consumption reduced by 20% Cost savings on utilities £963k Carbon Footprint reduced by 21%

About NIBSC NIBSC is a global leader in the characterization, standardization and control of biological medicines. NIBSC plays a major role in assuring the quality of such medicines worldwide through the provision of biological reference materials, by testing products and carrying out research. Expert scientists also provide advice on a routine basis and also in response to emergencies for the Government.

As such NIBSC, a highly specialized Institute with predominately laboratory

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environments, is an energy intensive organization; but led by Jude, staff have worked hard to reduce its impact on the environment through numerous energy saving projects. A priority has been to tackle older inefficient equipment from the 1980s built site.

of the best potentials for investment and it represented NIBSC’s first stride into renewable technology. The Environment and Energy Manager put together the business case details for the proposal and presented the option to the SMT; gaining their endorsement for the project.

Business Case

Project Challenges

Jude has brought numerous ideas to the table and managed many site energy projects (see examples in supplementary information). The project management process, following PRINCE 2 methodology, involves “selling” business cases to the Senior Management Team (SMT). Projects are judged on criteria such as: budget and savings in energy, carbon and overall payback. The Institutes approach to sustainability and energy savings is all down to Jude’s endeavors and her ability to get staff onboard and present a robust business case.

The NIBSC Solar PV Project hit the UK solar industry at a very turbulent time; as several Government consultations commenced that were likely to have far reaching effects on the industry. This included the Government removing the option for preliminary accreditation where organizations could essentially hold the Feed in Tariff (FIT) rate prior to solar projects commencing. And secondly a Government consultation was proposed to reduce the FITs by 87% which would have a significant impact on solar projects payback as well as the overall UK solar industry.

Jude instigated a Specific Opportunities Assessment to investigate longer term investment opportunities for the Institute in order to continue the momentum for energy saving.

As a result of these uncertainties in the Solar Industry the Environment and Energy Manager decided to adapt the initial project proposals in two main ways. Firstly seeking to gain an increased budget, to purchase a greater number of panels in order to maximize the investment opportunity due to the changing market and it was likely to

From the different areas assessed the Solar PV Project was identified as one

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

Energy Champions Awards Winner

overnment – NIBSC be a one off opportunity. And secondly, Jude saw the roof space as an asset, and sought to change the panel specification to essentially double the potential output from 150 kW to 300 kW panel size.

Nick Carpenter, Business Development Manager, 5D Group: “The installation of the Solar PV arrays at NIBSC faced differing challenges due to the delicate nature of the site and its unique requirements.

These were overcome by liaison with the relevant departments and working together with the principal contractor and site project management team with a series of meetings prior to the start of the project.

Further challenges include the consultation process for the Feed-in-tariff brought about by the Government prior to the start of the project. The consultation proposed cuts to Government support for Solar PV. This affected the supply chain and the time available to complete the project.

More than ever we required a great deal of communication, facilitation from the client and extended hours on site. Potential issues with the Solar PV and Generators were highlighted. Following meetings with the site engineers we installed relay switches to ensure the PV shuts down and stays off when the generators are working.

Compliance for this was also required by UK Power Networks. The installation ran smoothly due to the communications between the parties involved.”

Complexities of the Project The project commenced late FY15/16 and incorporated work on seven different buildings across the site as well as internally in the relevant plant rooms.

The project had its own complexities.

Due to the importance of continuous electrical supply to the site and the specialist nature of scientific work carried out there; power supply and its security was crucial. It was essential that the project provided both grid resilience and full integration with site wide emergency backup generators.

The site has a complex layered system of power; including interface with two concurrent connections to the National Grid including alternative external mains supply as well as the site wide internal backup generators.

This added difficulty to the project, and a robust strategy had to be developed to cope with this arrangement and give confidence to those managing the power supply. As well as give confidence and reassurance to SMT along with scientific staff that the project would not disrupt working practices.

Project Specifics The Solar PV Project involved installation of a 447 kW array across seven south facing roof spaces. And in total some 1,490 roof mounted solar panels were installed. Larger 300 kW output panels were used, to maximize the potential to generate electricity.

Calculations carried out by the Solar Company prior to installation were used to produce the estimated output of 441,000 kWh per annum based on the number and size of solar panels installed.

This amount of energy generation equates up to 10 % of the sites annual electricity requirement.

Energy Savings The estimated achievable output was profiled, using project specifics as well as local area and weather conditions, to give projections across a typical year.

A total saving of £2.7 million was estimated across the 20 year project lifecycle, with a 7 year payback.

These savings will be realized from three main sources over the 20 year period. Firstly off-setting grid electricity which will give estimated savings of £1,959k; this takes into account electricity price increases of approximately 8 % which is exactly what has been experienced at NIBSC in the last 5 years.

Another financial benefit will be the FIT payments, held by preliminary accreditation, during the project to ensure the most favorable rate for the Institute.

These are index linked to inflation at 3% per annum and will bring £705k over the 20 year period.

Plus savings from carbon tax abatement, including 3% increase which we have seen from the Government over just the last year and will save £93k.

Reductions in carbon emissions have also been a key incentive to adopting this project and are estimated as 204 TCO2 saved per annum.

This first step into renewable energy has been very well received by NIBSC staff and has not only generated a lot of energy but also generated a lot of interest!

NIBSCs Commitment NIBSC was conscious of its responsibilities to reduce energy and carbon, and made a brilliant appointment in Jude. Jude was immediately able to get both SMT and staff buy-in to a raft of low and minimal cost improvements.

Subsequently Jude developed business cases for a series of capital projects, also being highly successful, leading to a reduction of £963k and making significant reductions to the Institute’s operating costs at a time of austerity. The credibility and confidence built was key to obtaining buy-in for significant investments.

A prime example is the Solar PV Project which we expect to generate £2.7 million savings by end of its lifecycle. An additional less tangible benefit has been the considerable staff goodwill that our energy projects have generated which has enhanced the Institute’s reputation for corporate responsibility, and helped with recruitment.

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

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Product Showcase

VENTURE LIGHTING EUROPE LAUNCHES PROFESSIONAL FLOODLIGHT

E

uropean lighting manufacturers and specialists, Venture Lighting Europe, has launched VFLOOD, a new professional LED Floodlight range designed for low maintenance in corrosive environments.

Venture Lighting has launched the VFLOOD to offer a longer performance life and the design is perfect for use in high corrosive environments including swimming pools, coastal areas and

offshore environments. The design is low profile and features a variety of usage benefits, including high energy saving capability.

As part of Venture’s OEM product range, the Professional VFLOOD Floodlight is manufactured from a galvanized steel body with extruded aluminium side panels, which are spray plastic coated to a thickness of 60-80um. The modules incorporate individual aluminium heatsinks offering thermal benefits and improved corrosion resistance.

VFLOOD comes in a range of wattages from 55W to 190W. The floodlight has a rated life of 60,000 hours and colour temperature of 4,000K, with a colour rendering of 80 (Ra).

The long life of the LED floodlights ensures that the installation requires minimal maintenance and eliminates the need for regular replacements. As with

many of Venture’s LED products, VFLOOD is also IP67 rated with impact resistance of IK08.

Paul Mettham, Product & Marketing Director at Venture Lighting Europe, commented, “Our new VFLOOD has been developed to provide customers with new and improved benefits for professional flood lighting. VFLOOD has already become a sought after product by our customers and we are confident its energy saving benefits will provide an improved environmental performance from floodlighting fixtures”.

Venture has developed the VFLOOD range to deliver significantly higher performance levels using the latest in LED technology. VFLOOD has been designed for use in tough weather environments and also includes a 5 year warranty. www.venturelightingeurope.com

Stokvis Solar at Birmingham International

T

he installation of a ten panel Solar array featuring Stokvis Energy Systems solar collectors, to serve existing facilities at Birmingham International Rail Station, is being assessed as a potential pilot for a wider roll out of renewable energy across the facilities operated by Network Rail and Virgin Trains nationally.

The project at Birmingham International - a station which serves both the NEC and the adjoining airport - was jointly commissioned by Network Rail and

Virgin Trains, with renewables specialist ECO2SOLAR Ltd carrying out the installation of the Stokvis solar equipment.

In addition to the 10 Stokvis DF100-6 Evacuated Tube Collectors - offering a net absorber area 10.69m - the manufacturer also supplied a Stokvis Solar Bloc Maxi pump-station, and a Stokvis Resol BX Plus differential temperature controller, providing up to eight sensor inputs.

Richard Davis, the engineer in charge of the project for Virgin Trains, commented: “We chose to use Stokvis equipment because I was already aware of the company’s reputation for offering high quality products to the health sector and hotel chains; and have previously attended a seminar on their systems and products.

This was always going to be a challenging retrofit, and although there have been some initial teething issues, Stokvis UK Sales Director, Keith Howard has been really proactive in resolving them. I believe we are going to see real savings.”

The solar fluid contained within the solar collectors is circulated by the solar bloc pump station to a large surface area coil contained within a 1000 litre stainless

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Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

steel thermal storage vessel which provides a ‘pre-heat’ for the domestic hot water, serving the station’s toilets and various shops and eateries around the main concourse linking to the airport and NEC. This solar preheat system raises the temperature of the incoming mains water from a typical 10 degrees to around 35 degrees centigrade, although it is expected to reach a figure of 55C to 60C in high summer.

The pre-heated cold water feed water then serves two existing gas fired water heaters which then increase the DHWS to 60C. This arrangement results in the gas fired water heaters not firing as regularly or having to raise the cold water supply from 10C to 60C as was previously the case.

The installation also features a heat meter to measure the output from the panels in kilowatt hours to enable the client to assess not just the benefit of the system, but also the level of payment possible under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). www.stokvisboilers.com

Product Showcase

RINNAI creates ‘system efficiency’ solution for longer life

L

imescale can be a major contributor to a loss of efficiencies for water heating systems of any type, so leading continuous flow water heater manufacturer Rinnai has taken steps to maintain superior efficiencies throughout the life of the system by incorporating a proven limescale inhibitor that will significantly reduce the impact of limescale, thereby maximising efficiency over the product’s lifetime.

Rinnai has teamed up with electrolytic in line inhibitors, pioneers in limescale inhibitor technology, to maximise system efficiency on its range of A rated commercial water heaters.

This electrolytic scale inhibitor kit is for commercial hot water systems.

Independently tested, it is a low-maintenance way to protect against the damaging and expensive impact of limescale on hot water systems.

Not only does it offer long lasting protection against the formation of hard limescale it also ensures bacteria has fewer places to hide as a result of cleaner surfaces, so in a secondary return DHW system the problem of Legionella is also heavily reduced. The independently tested and proven technology protects capital investment and occupier health.

The electrolytic zinc anode technology used in this solution is mentioned in the Part L Building Services Compliance Guide, whereas “external to pipe” water conditioning techniques are not.

The system’s low level zinc additions change the water chemistry to inhibit the formation of limescale by transforming calcite in such a way that they do not stick to the interior of the unit or pipework.

The system delivers value engineering as it does not decay after dosing and its effectiveness is not impacted by water storage or agitation caused by passing through a booster set.

Rinnai has recently supplied its system efficiency systems for London-based SGA Consulting, a specialist in low energy buildings, after liaising with the practice’s mechanical engineer Vivek Devan on two restaurant projects. Devan says “The Rinnai units are compact and their smaller footprint both physically and environmentally made them a good choice

here. The scale inhibitor technology was also a factor.” Devan spoke with Rinnai technical experts before specifying the units and heard that Rinnai is actively promoting and selling scale inhibitor solutions following the successful results obtained from various trial sites.

The electrolytic unit may be installed in the rising main, before the water heater and booster set. Capex cost savings are probable because the rising main pipe size is often a smaller diameter than the hot and cold water distribution pipe sizes.

Therefore, just one inhibitor system will treat the whole location, also offering an attractive value engineering opportunity.

The inhibitor is widely specified and installed in a range of sectors such as manufacturing, hotels, retail and supermarkets, healthcare and education as well as public authorities.

For buildings using BMS systems, a Pulse Splitter is an option that provides water flow rate or water usage data directly to the BMS from the water meter in the system.

The inclusion of the electrolytic system in Rinnai’s A-rated continuous flow water heating systems delivers peace of mind to installers and end users as performance is maintained throughout the lifetime of the appliances.

The scale protection units are available in a variety of pipe sizes – large 67,76 and 108mm; medium 28,35,42 and 54mm; and small 22mm.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com

Energy Manager Magazine • April 2017

31

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