NEWS IN BRIEF BRENT CROSS SUBSTATION LIGHTS WAY TO ELECTRIC FUTURE Bristol set for 424m green infrastructure boost A new electrical substation for Brent Cross Town has been wrapped in a public artwork by artist Lakwena and architects IF_DO. Arup, which led the construction and design of the structure, specified structural steel salvaged from unused oil pipelines and cementfree concrete to minimise embodied carbon emissions. The new 21m landmark is lit by Michael Grubb Studio. The mixed-use Brent Cross Town scheme will include 6,700 new homes and is a JV between Related Argent and Barnet Council. It designed to be net zero by 2030. Bristol Council has signed a joint venture with international company Ameresco to set up an energy partnership for the city, with energy company Vattenfall as essential subcontractor. Bristol City Leap is expected to deliver at least 424m for a range of large, green infrastructure projects designed to reduce the citys carbon footprint by 140,000 tonnes. These include a major expansion of Bristols heat network, the installation of solar panels and low carbon heating systems at local schools, and energy efficiency improvements to council housing. Bristol City Leap is expected to install more than 182MW of low carbon energy generation across the city during the first five years of operation. Deloitte turns down thermostats by two degrees Net zero review proposes phasing out gas boilers by 2033 Minimum EPC rating of C for all homes also recommended by former minister The government should bring forward its proposed date for phasing out gas boilers by two years to 2033, and ensure that all homes meet at least Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C, a former energy ministers review of net zero has recommended. The Independent review of net zero, carried out by Conservative Chris Skidmore and published on 13 January, has a wide-ranging set of recommendations, including phasing out gas boilers and appliances by 2033, two years ahead of the governments proposed target date of 2035. This legislation should be passed by next year to provide certainty and boost industry and investor confidence, according to the review. It also recommends that the government should legislate that all homes sold by 2033 should have an EPC rating of C or above, with exclusions for certain types of properties, such as listed buildings. The review adds that EPCs should be updated on a regular basis to better reflect cutting emissions to net zero. In addition, it recommends that the government support the establishment of retrofit hubs by 2025, which could enable installers to seek training and impartial advice while connecting households with suitable Deloitte has reduced the temperature in its UK offices in a bid to cut costs and carbon emissions. The thermostat is being lowered by 2C across 22 sites, including those temporarily closed over Christmas, to reduce energy consumption. Deloitte has told its 23,000 UK staff that its offices will now be heated to between 19C and 22C higher than the 16C minimum recommended by the Health and Safety Executive as part of its energy-saving plans. The temperature cut was expected to result in savings of about 75,000 during December, which will be donated to disability charity Scope. tradespeople to carry out works. Landlords should also be mandated to include an average bill cost alongside an EPC rating when letting out their properties, to put a bigger premium on energy-efficient homes. Industry was broadly supportive of the review. Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive at the UK Green Building Council, welcomed the recommendations but thought the government could go further. Many of our members would support going further in several areas, including legislating for net zero alignment through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, requiring solar power on new homes, and an end date for new fossil fuel boilers in homes by 2028, she said. Shareholders cash in on Grid shares Other key recommendations in the Skidmore review include: Setting up the new Future System Operator as quickly as possible Updating Ofgems remit to incorporate the governments net zero target Reform of the local planning system and the National Planning Policy Framework as soon as possible to align with the statutory 2050 net zero target Introduction of a test for all developments to be net zero compliant Increasing solar panel generation to 70GW four times current levels by 2035 National Grid plc has paid 8.9bn through dividends and buyback schemes to its international shareholders over the past five years, according to analysis carried out by a left-wing think-tank. The figures from Common Wealth show that the privatised grid operators payouts included a 3.2bn special dividend following the sale of a majority stake in its gas business in 2017. The National Grids operating profit margins in 2021/22 were 36% for gas and 19% for its electricity transmission and system operator business, according to the analysis. www.cibsejournal.com February 2023 7