Incorporating solar energy arrays in district energy networks powered by heat pumps has the potential to reduce carbon emissions, but by how much and at what cost? FairHeat’s Mark Reynolds crunches the numbers and considers the options
Author: Alex Smith
Class monitors: assessing school indoor air quality
A project assessing the risk of airborne Covid-19 transmission in schools has released four videos about the importance of monitoring air quality. The project’s co-investigator, Dr Henry Burridge, explains
Eyes on energy: Carbon Intelligence’s award-winning data analysis platform
Building Performance Awards winner Carbon Intelligence has helped its clients save more than 17,000 tonnes CO2e from 2019 to 2010, while readying buildings for safe reoccupation following the pandemic lockdowns. Andy Pearson finds out how its data platform uses non-invasive technology to monitor and manage building energy use
Breathing space: managing and assessing indoor air quality
New guidance designed to assess and improve indoor air quality has been published by the Institute of Air Quality Management, with input from CIBSE. Co-authors Emma Gibbons and Chris Rush explain how a new assessment approach aims to identify issues affecting air quality
We need to focus on ‘short-term’ emissions
Aiming for net zero carbon in new homes means rethinking the upfront carbon in building services engineering. Ilke Homes’ Nigel Banks looks at what this means for engineering design if targets are to be met
Building Performance Awards 2022 shortlists revealed
With the CIBSE Building Performance Awards returning to London in 2022, the cream of the building services industry will again be able to celebrate in front of their peers. Alex Smith reports from the judging process that, last month, selected shortlists for the 14 awards
Black to the future: BDP’s ‘hygge’ office lighting design
There has been a shift to lower light levels and use of darkness in the workplace, according to BDP’s Colin Ball, who cites the refurbished London office building LDN-W as a prime example
Charging forward
Hard on the heels of COP26, the government is set to make a flurry of announcements about energy and buildings, to press ahead with decarbonising our homes and offices. Hywel Davies sets out what can be expected
How the Orkney Islands transitioned to heat pumps
Orkney Islands Council has been installing heat pumps in schools and public buildings for more than 15 years in a bid to decarbonise heating and end reliance on oil. Andy Pearson looks at the lessons learnt and how a smart electric grid could soon take advantage of the relentless winds that batter the Islands
Podcast: The challenge and opportunities associated with delivering heat networks
Glen Miller and Kim Hansen from Grundfos Pumps look at best practice in the design of district energy networks and the role pumps can play in ensuring system efficiency