The installation of PV panels means more UK homes are moving from AC to DC generation. This makes electrical distribution more efficient, says Ian Billington, since most electricity demand in households – such as LEDs, digital devices and, in future, electric cars – are DC loads
Author: rfelix
Tesla’s power shift is a smart move
The announcement that Tesla has developed a domestic battery gives smart grid technology a high-profile boost, says ECA’s Bill Wright, who calculates payback rates of about 8-10 years
Florence Nightingale: nurse and building engineer
The Lady with the Lamp was one of the first to recognise the importance of air quality in the treatment of hospital patients, and her recommendations on ventilation rates are similar to today’s CIBSE guidance, says SE Controls’ Chris Iddon
Urban reality
Passive design for new London homes is being thwarted by external noise and the desire for glazing. Ashley Bateson says MVHR and shading are the most viable solutions
Wimbledon ace
Mansel Court in south-west London is an exemplar office refurbishment that delivers comfort and energy savings for tenants, and potentially higher yields for investors. Alex Smith discovers that early input from building services engineer Skelly & Couch was key to its success
From ‘could do’ to ‘must do’ standards
A new heat networks code of practice – to be published this summer – will ensure district heating schemes achieve best-practice standards, says CIBSE CHP Group chair Phil Jones
Leading man – the environmental strategy at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre
Four ventilation chimneys named John, Paul, George and Ringo are central to the environmental strategy at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, which wowed critics at the Stirling Prize. Andy Pearson reports from the front row
Cooling the corridors
Designers can help control overheating in corridors by making use of smoke control systems, says Colt’s Paul Compton
Understanding the risk
Fire suppression can be used as an alternative to fire protection, says Craig English who took the risk-based approach on
the four-storey podium structure of the Beetham Tower
Driving home fire safety
Jet fans have long been the go-to technology for effective car park ventilation, but developing safe and reliable systems
is often challenging. James Allen discusses the need for greater understanding of smoke control in car park design