NEWS | DIGEST Welsh retrofit wins three CIBSE Performance Awards Method proposed for converting operational energy to carbon LETI has proposed a methodology for the conversion of operational energy into operational carbon, for the purpose of making design decisions. It suggests that a decarbonised carbon factor is applied to electricity consumption below a LETI energy use intensity (EUI) target, and a nondecarbonised carbon factor is applied to electricity above the EUI target. LETI said this methodology accounts for buildings not benefiting from a decarbonised grid beyond their fair share. The methodology has been developed by a workstream of around 50 built environment professionals, and aims to provide a basis for further analysis and discussion. LETI has also launched a whole life carbon webinar series for this year. For details of the methodology and webinar series, visit www.leti.uk Cardiff University project targets net zero improvements for existing homes A housing retrofit project in Wales has been named overall Building Performance Champion at CIBSEs annual awards, held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on 1 March. The Low Carbon Built Environment Team, at the Welsh School of Architecture (WSA), Cardiff University, also won Collaboration of the Year and Project of the Year for Towards Net Zero: Evidence from six whole-house energy retrofits. Six homes off mains gas were selected for the retrofit, and WSA worked with Swansea Council to install efficient, replicable, solutions while the occupants were living there. Measures taken included installing external wall insulation, ground source heat pumps, and PV panels and batteries, and reducing glazing. The award judges called it an exemplar scheme that demonstrated true collaboration. Fifteen awards were given out on the night. Arup associate director Stephen Hill was named Engineer of the year. He leads on carbon strategy and operational performance for major Arup projects and has contributed to publications on net zero. Arup also won the CIBSE Embodied Carbon Award for Consultants. Cundall won the award for Building Performance Consultancy of the Year (over 300 employees), while XCO2 and Carbon Intelligence won the awards for consultancies with up to 50 employees and 51-300 employees respectively. For details of all the winners from this years awards, see page 22. The Building Performance Awards took place as CIBSE Journal went to press. Pictures from the ceremony are available at www.cibse.org/bpa Launch Event April 27th London C OM PL ETE REGISTER NOW E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N T S O L U T I O N S F O R A N Y VA LV E R E Q U I R E M E N T For more than a century we have designed market leading solutions. Our variable flow valves, with outstanding hysteresis performance, can help reduce energy consumption by up to 27% based on a 10% improvement in the controlled flow rate. So, why not take comfort in our efficiencies and learn more at our Dominator Eco & Future of Variable Volume Solutions event in London on April 27th. Scan QR code to find out more. 22204_CRANE_VARIABLE_FLOW_VALVES_AD_133X186.indd 1 10 March 2023 www.cibsejournal.com 13/01/2023 13:42