Welcome to CIBSE Journal’s editorial newsletter. This week, the UK government revealed its AI Opportunities Action Plan and promised to ‘unleash AI across the UK to deliver a decade of national renewal’. The announcement included plans for dedicated AI Growth Zones, as well as an investment of £14bn by major tech firms in AI infrastructure. Engineers will be tasked with delivering the next generation of sustainable data centres. It will be a monumental challenge, with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates saying AI could account for 6% of all electricity use. The ‘unleashing’ of AI in our sector will be done with great care, according to analysis in our upcoming salary survey. While 64% of building services engineers are willing to train and adopt AI skills, 74% of employers are currently not recommending its use. For insight into AI’s potential, read our article below – one of our most read from 2024 – which we’ve listed along with popular CPDs from the past 12 months.

Read the latest CIBSE Journal

How AI is reshaping building services design

Artificial intelligence is set to take off across the industry, but its integration brings challenges. Molly Tooher-Rudd speaks to four experts

Essential lessons from electric schools

Too many all-electric schools are being designed for peak loads that will never be met, says Cundall’s Peter Hazzard, who has been analysing data from previous designs to slash electrical demand

Revisiting retrofits 10 years on: key lessons for the future of retrofit

CIBSE, Studio PDP and 10 Design have investigated how 10 housing projects are performing 10 years after they were retrofitted. The study highlights successes and uncovers crucial lessons for the future of housing retrofits

Visualising whole life carbon: HVAC performance assessment tool

Hoare Lea’s early-stage selection tool calculates whole life carbon for HVAC systems, while providing 3D visualisations for each specification. Esam Elsarrag demonstrates the software by assessing the performance of seven different systems

Home advantage: Everton Football Club’s new stadium

Everton Football Club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is nearing completion, showcasing cutting-edge digital design and modern construction methods. Andy Pearson reports

AI Growth Zones to fast-track data-centre infrastructure

Government plans include an AI Energy Council to explore more sustainable data centres

Strengthening building services engineering ties in Hong Kong and China

CIBSE President Elect Vince Arnold was among those who met industry and government leaders

Consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime

The proposed reforms aim to provide homeowners and tenants with accurate information about the energy performance of their homes

Evomax 2 in cascade – all hydraulic separation

Ideal Heating Commercial shows how quick and easy it is to build a three-boiler cascade on low-height frames with header kit

Emergency lighting – UPS or static inverter/CBS? The tale of a penitent man

When disaster strikes, reliable emergency lighting is crucial for safety and evacuation. Therefore, it’s vital that the correct electrical back-up solution is in place

Module 228: Contributing to fire safety in buildings with suitably specified cables

This module explores the safety issues around fire performance in cables and the implications of the Building Safety Act on installations

Module 231: Foundations for successful heat pump installations in non-domestic buildings

This module explores the early-stage assessment process for non-domestic heat pump applications

Module 230: Chemical-free water treatment

This module considers chemical-free water treatment in closed-loop water systems in building applications such as heating and cooling

Module 232: Assessing the realistic performance of new homes and systems

This module explores the benefits of a properly matched energy system for residential applications

Module 233: Variable geometry chilled beams for efficient variable air volume (VAV) systems

This module explores the opportunities offered by the new generation of VAV beams