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Futurefit report Part one: A groundbreaking project which provides an insight into how the Green Deal could work in social housing
Posted on: 3 October 2011
By: mackene
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Affinity Sutton’s FutureFit project provides the social housing sector with a much needed insight into how wide-scale retrofit, and the Green Deal in particular, could work in practice. The project suggests that while the proposed Green Deal will work, in the social housing sector it is likely to deliver only limited carbon savings, falling far short of the commitments made by the UK government. This report identifies a series of ways to increase these savings and ensure cost effectiveness, whilst providing a better deal for residents. A follow-up report will also be released in summer 2012 demonstrating the actual energy savings achieved for the investment and the impact of lifestyle advice on energy use in the home, both when delivered independently and in conjunction with retrofit.
FutureFit is Affinity Sutton’s response to exploring the challenge of greening the 56,000 homes it owns and manages. Rather than undertaking a pilot project led by the 80% carbon reduction target, Affinity Sutton aims to investigate the practicalities involved and what energy savings can actually be achieved at three different price points. In this way, it is hoped that FutureFit will provide an insight into how the Green Deal might work in reality. FutureFit aims to: understand the practical implications of delivering large scale programmes of retrofit; identify actual costs and actual energy savings through a robust monitoring and evaluation process; develop best practice and guidance on the delivery and funding of carbon reduction in existing homes; and engage residents and stakeholders in the design, evaluation and prioritisation of retrofit solutions.
Energy planning: GLA guidance on preparing energy assessments
Posted on: 30 September 2011
By: mackene
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This document provides guidance on addressing the London Plan’s energy hierarchy through the provision of an energy assessment to accompany strategic planning applications. It was updated in September 2011 to reflect the policies in the London Plan, July 2011. The purpose of an energy assessment is to demonstrate that climate change mitigation measures are integral to the scheme’s design and evolution, and that they are appropriate to the context of the development.
Changing the energy system to renewable energy self-sufficiency. Freiburg, 15-16 September 2011
Posted on: 15 September 2011
By: mackene
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This conference aimed to attract scientists (Master students, PhD students, post-docs, senior researchers) and academically interested practitioners from a wide variety of disciplines who are working towards comprehensive strategies to increase the proportion of renewable energies in energy systems or find new ways to save energy in energy systems. The general ambition was to stimulate discussion within different disciplinary fields about the transformation of the energy system and go beyond disciplinary boundaries for the facilitation of an inter- and trans-disciplinary approach to renewable energy self-sufficiency. A special issue of the journal Sustainability publishes selected papers from the RESS Conference.
District heating: Good practice
Posted on: 9 August 2011
By: mackene
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A Homes and Communities Agency programme to evaluate the effectiveness of district heating systems has concluded they can offer a range of benefits. A report on the low carbon infrastructure fund has found it can benefit communities, residents and developers when used in the right way. The low carbon infrastructure fund was a joint initiative from the HCA and the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Launched in 2009, it initially allocated £21 million to 13 projects to allow them to connect homes to district heating networks. A further £5 million was allocated to three more projects later in the year. The evaluation published today examines lessons from the initial 13 schemes. It finds district heating can cut carbon emissions, and reduce fuel and maintenance costs. It also finds communities benefit from a sense of belonging to a shared network. The report sets out lessons for future schemes, such as the importance of linking carbon reduction targets to stages in the planning process, and the need for greater understanding between commercial energy companies and local authorities.
Guide to installation of renewable energy systems on roofs of residential buildings
Posted on: 8 August 2011
By: mackene
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Homes could be severely damaged if roof mounted renewable technologies are not installed effectively, according to a new guide from the NHBC Foundation. The guide explains how, in the absence of specific UK or European standards, there is confusion over best practice in installation, and in some cases leading to failures and significant damage to homes. The guide provides installers, housebuilders and homeowners with a number of appropriate methods for installing renewable energy systems safely and effectively to avoid any compromise the built fabric of the house.
Green streets, Strong communities
Posted on: 8 July 2011
By: mackene
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Communities working together are more likely to encourage reduced domestic energy use and increase the popularity of renewable energy technologies than individual green pioneers or even government campaigns. The finding comes from IPPR’s independent assessment of the British Gas Green Streets community challenge, an initiative which saw 14 communities receive funding and expertise to install micro-generation and energy efficiency measures in households and community buildings.
Warmer Bath: a guide to improving the energy efficiency of traditional homes in the city of Bath
Posted on: 6 July 2011
By: mackene
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The city of Bath, which is a world heritage site, hopes to show preserving heritage and tackling climate change are not mutually exclusive and could be used in other cities. The guide is the final product of the Low Carbon Bath project, a collaboration between the Bath Preservation Trust and Bristol’s Centre for Sustainable Energy, funded by the government’s Department for Communities and Local Government. It aims to make Bath’s historic buildings more energy efficient.
Allowable solutions for tomorrow’s new homes: Towards a workable framework
Posted on: 6 July 2011
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Zero Carbon Hub has launched proposals for a delivery framework for Allowable Solutions. The proposed framework shows how developers will be able to reach the zero carbon standard set for 2016 and is a direct response to the Housing Minister’s call in February this year for a workable approach to Allowable Solutions, the third and final part of the Zero Carbon Homes Policy hierarchy. The proposed framework, which has been developed in close collaboration with a range of collaborators representing housebuilding, planning, financial and government interests, proposes a system that will meet key working principles, including flexibility, simplicity and transparency in delivery. At present the Government has yet to define what will constitute an Allowable Solution, however on-site, near-site and off-site carbon-saving projects are expected to be available. The framework sets out the mechanism by which affordable, verifiable carbon savings projects might be funded and how they might be delivered in a way that encourages additional investment, limits the impact on those who are making. The aim of the report now published is to provide a consolidated proposal for Government policy development. Any comments on the proposals are welcomed.
CarbonAction2050
Posted on: 5 July 2011
By: mackene
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CarbonAction2050.com is an online action plan designed to inform those working and operating in the built environment on how to reduce carbon emissions, created by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) as part of its commitment to meeting the carbon reduction targets set out in the UK Climate Change Act 2008. The portal has been developed over the last twelve months by CIOB members who work in design, building control, education, project management, facilities management, conservation and sustainability. The overall aim is to focus on innovation and best practice that will make an immediate difference on the ground. Issues covered include: design; construction; operations and maintenance; refurbishment and retrofit; skills and education; and leadership.
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