The Passivhaus Handbook: A practical guide to constructing and retrofitting buildings for ultra-low-energy performance

Posted on: 20 November 2012
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This book aims to provide knowledge of both the methodology and skills needed to achieve genuinely low-energy buildings, whether new or retrofit, that perform as intended.

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Knock on wood: is biomass the answer to 2020?

Posted on: 20 November 2012
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Biomass could provide cheap, sustainable, reliable energy for the UK and help the country achieve its 2020 renewable energy targets, according to business advisory firm Deloitte.

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Delivering good homes: Defining, planning, designing, managing and financing. London, 25 October 2012

Posted on: 20 November 2012
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The conference took participants through the process of achieving good homes. Presentations were given on why building performance in new homes matters, including for energy performance and health and well being and how to deliver this with innovation and quality assurance processes. Other topics covered include housing and community management; management plans for the Bicester Eco town; and new financing models and solutions for good homes. Presentations are available online.

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Cities and regions explore smart grids and smart solutions. Freiburg, Germany, 25-26 October 2012

Posted on: 20 November 2012
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At the Local Renewables 2012 Conference policy makers, technicians, energy suppliers, city strategy developers and researchers explored the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and energy storage in smart grids, thus getting maximum benefit from renewable resources. Presentations are available online.

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Renewable energy and biodiversity impacts. Cardiff, 7-8 November 2012

Posted on: 20 November 2012
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Considers how the siting, design and operation of renewable energy developments can conflict with biodiversity conservation objectives. Presentations are available online.

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UK Passivhaus Conference 2012. Nottingham, 7-8 November 2012

Posted on: 20 November 2012
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This conference exists to spread learning between those who are interested in the field of low energy building design in the UK. The first day covered policy, regulations and projects, while the second day included technical workshops and seminars covering costs, procurement, design, supply chain and other relevant issues. Presentations are available online.

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Energy and climate change: Bending the technological trajectory

Posted on: 19 November 2012
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This publication brings together recent work undertaken at the OECD Environment Directorate with respect to innovation in energy and climate change mitigation technologies (CCMTs) and the role played by public policy. It presents data on innovation across OECD countries over the last three decades. We also present work on the international transfer of CCMTs, as well as evidence on the extent of international research co-operation.

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Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency

Posted on: 16 November 2012
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This Directive, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 14 November 2012, brings forward legally binding measures to step up Member States’ efforts to use energy more efficiently at all stages of the energy chain, from the transformation of energy and its distribution to its final consumption. Measures include the legal obligation to establish energy efficiency obligations schemes or policy measures in all Member States. These will drive energy efficiency improvements in households, industries and transport sectors. Other measures include an exemplary role to be played by the public sector and a right for consumers to know how much energy they consume.

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Energy Efficiency Strategy

Posted on: 16 November 2012
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The strategy, which is the first output of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s Energy Efficiency Deployment Office (EEDO) outlines actions to support the financing market, encourage innovations in energy efficiency, strengthen the evidence base and promote the use of controls and education.

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Making use of carbon emissions in the built environment

Posted on: 16 November 2012
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The need to reduce global anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in order to tackle climate change has led to much attention on carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a potential method to mitigate the CO2 emissions from the continued use of fossil fuels. An alternative and complementary approach is carbon capture and use (CCU), where captured CO2 is converted into commercially useful products and materials rather than being stored underground. There is increasing commercial interest in CCU and a number of potential applications have been piloted, some of which are showing promise for widespread use within the built environment. These include uses in cementitious materials, aggregates, fill materials, soil enhancers, contaminated soil treatment, polymers and fuels. The aim of this Information Paper is to provide a brief overview of some CCU technologies and to highlight their potential applications and uses within the built environment. The paper is intended for any reader with a general interest in the built environment, but will be of particular significance to policy makers, construction material manufacturers, energy companies and those specifying products and materials for the built environment. [Price £9.50]

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