Network - The free AECB newsletter - February 2010
Network - The free AECB newsletter - February 2010 |
|
|
Network is free and distributed to members of the AECB and those who have subscribed to it. If it is passed on or reused, acknowledgment should be given to the information sources directly (newspaper and periodical titles, web site owners, events organisers etc.). Information contained in this mailing does not represent the views or policy of the AECB or the editor, nor does any reference contained herein imply any form of endorsement. |
|
If you have any news, events or courses you would like to publicise in Network then please email details to network@aecb.net, or post to Chris Lord-Smith, y Graig, Llidiart-y-Waen, Llanidloes, SY18 6JT. |
AECB Local Group News And InformationHappy New Year to you all! This is the first of many updates we aim for the network with regard the local group initiative which is gathering pace following our launch at Conference. News wise two group meetings were temporarily postponed as a result of the snow but new dates have been reconvened. Since the conference in Oxford 2009, we have twelve local groups running. If you haven't attended one yet please can I encourage you to do so as they are an amazing opportunity to network as well as at the same time receive support for the work that you do in the ever expanding land of green wash. We have also found that meeting fellow members can help with finding work or services you need. I am sure as the year progresses and the groups strengthen we will be planning additional trips and social events which will be worth attending so keep your eyes peeled on news in Network. I do try and get to all local groups at least once within the year so if we haven't met yet I look forward to meeting you in the future. Group details and contacts. Please look at www.aecb.net for further information - click on the button 'regional groups - what's happening near you' and register your interest preferably on the forum or by e mailing the leader direct. Thank you! Jo Saady - AECB board Regional group co-ordinator. Contact 0845 0264636, or email jo@ecotecture.co.uk Oxfordshire Group Thursday 11th Feb - B Regs update Part L & F The first AECB Oxfordshire regional group event for the new year, Thursday
11th Feb from 6pm to 8pm. Please confirm your attendance in advance of the meeting by return of email. This will allow us to plan the event for seating etc. Go to www.aecb.net/forum/index.php?topic=2293.0 Hoare Lea, Old Iron Works, 35A Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6AT, United Kingdom. 01865 339908. go to www.hoarelea.com Nottingham Group Contact Gil Schalom - 0115 9455787 or email gil@msarch.co.uk There have been two meetings, the latest was a visit to the Green Man eco house as featured in Winter 09 version of BFF. The date and venue for the next meeting has yet to be set. |
AECB Is Now On TwitterAECB has set up a Twitter account at http://twitter.com/AECBnet
(no need to have a Twitter account yourself in order to view it). There are articles and papers from elsewhere on the internet, spotted and shared by AECB members and the wider sustainable building community. There are also some direct personal reports and observations. AECBnet filters this wealth of information and tries to select the most worthwhile! If you have (or create) a Twitter account (it's free), and then opt to
follow AECBnet, you will receive the updates automatically. You will also
be able to share information you come across yourself, and join in some
ongoing conversations about sustainable building. This is new for us, and we want to know if it's useful -- so please do feel free to feed back on this service on the forum (you can use the general public board) - or of course, direct to the Twitter account. |
The Retrofit For The Future Design CompetitionThe Retrofit for the Future design competition seeks to address the Governments challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050. Ably assisted by Devereux Architects and Alan Clarke, the Sunderland based property business Gentoo have been commissioned by the Technology Strategy Board to retrofit three different pairs of semi-detached houses. Each pair of houses was constructed using a range of different building technologies. The construction technologies that provide the baseline for each project include traditional (cavity walls) and non-traditional construction (Laing Easiform, a cavity wall derivative, and Wimpey No-fines, effectively a variant of solid wall construction). In order to achieve the targeted reduction in carbon emissions the six houses are to be upgraded using super insulation, airtightness, heat recovery ventilation and stringent quality assurance systems. If it were possible to apply this retrofit strategy to the 23 million homes that the team has identified (including cavity wall and solid wall) it would save 126.52 Million metric tonnes CO2 per annum. To phrase this slightly differently we could reduce UK emission by about 20%. Go to www.innovateuk.org/_assets/pdf/competition-documents/sbri-retrofit-8pp_v1.pdf |
The Future For MicrogenerationThe amount of householders and commercial organisations who are installing renewable energy systems into their properties are expected to increase dramatically in the next 5 to 10 years. There are currently over 100,000 microgeneration installations in the UK - generating heat and/or electricity. Small-scale onsite low carbon and renewable energy technologies offer cost-effective and efficient ways of producing energy from renewable, low carbon and carbon-neutral sources. They range from ways to harness solar energy, to capturing geothermal heat from underground sources. Clearly, microgeneration provides a wide range of opportunities for installers
to diversify into Environmental Technology Installations. Installers can also gain access to a wide range of NICEIC training on environmental technologies such as Solar Thermal Hot Water, Heat Pumps and Solar Photovoltaic (PV). Creating a one-stop-shop for energy and environment services, NICEIC Group also offers the MCS Product Scheme. For more information about the MCS Schemes or any of our other services, please contact our friendly team on 0800 519 5190 or email mcs@niceic.com |
UK Government Could Face Legal Action Over Energy PolicyEnvironmental group Friends of the Earth has warned the UK Government that it could face legal action over its draft planning policies for major energy infrastructure policies. The Government released draft National Policy Statements (NPSs) on energy infrastructure projects for consultation last November. NPSs will set the framework for planning decisions on major energy projects like new power stations that will be made by the newly formed Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). The environmental group, which has written to Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband, claims that the NPSs tell the IPC not to consider the carbon impacts of applications and that all energy projects, regardless of their carbon footprint, are 'needed'. The drawing up of the NPSs has also not followed European legal requirements on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), claims Friends of the Earth. The NPSs should require the IPC and Committee on Climate Change to work together to drive forward decarbonisation of the UK's electricity sector, says a statement from Friends of the Earth. The consultation period on the energy NSPs is open until February 22, 2010. For further information go to www.foe.co.uk and www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn130/pn130.aspx Source: Energy Efficiency News, 26 January 2010 |
UK Cold Snap Cost An Extra £1.2 Billion In Wasted HeatThe cold snap in the UK earlier this month may cost an extra £1.2 billion in wasted heat compared to a normal winter, according to figures from consultants Faithful+Gould. The estimate of the extra energy required to maintain an inside temperature of 20°C in the UK's two million offices and 26 million homes is a very conservative one, says energy management expert Ellie Horwitch-Smith. The calculations by Faithful+Gould, part of the Atkins engineering design group, indicate that an average poorly-insulated three bedroom semi-detached house will see energy costs up around £37 higher for the cold snap. Even an energy efficient home will see energy costs go up £23 for the same period. The country's offices, meanwhile, could be facing an extra £284 million to maintain inside temperatures during the cold weather, based on a typical 1500 m2 building. But a poorly insulated office could be facing an extra £149 in heating costs. The coming year will present businesses with a new opportunity to improve energy performance with the introduction of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency scheme. For more information go to www.atkinsglobal.com/ Source: Energy Efficiency News, 26 January 2010 |
UK On Course To Over-Achieve Carbon TargetsMake of this what you will (Ed) The UK is on course to over-achieve on its carbon reduction target of 34% and cut emissions by 36% on 1990 levels by 2020, according to the Government. In its response to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC)'s annual report published last October, the Government said it will not rely on emission reductions arising from the recession to meet its targets. The CCC report called on the Government to make a "step change" in the pace of emissions reduction to a rate of 2-3% per year. The Government's response argues that progress is being made. No new coal power stations will now go ahead in the UK with carbon capture and storage, investment is being made in the electricity grid to bring online new renewable energy sources and the Government's draft National Policy Statements covering a low carbon energy infrastructure have been published. Shortly, the Government says it will publish a 'Household Energy Management Strategy' setting out strategies to reduce household emissions by nearly a third on 2008 levels by 2020. The coming months will also see more details of the Government's 'clean energy cash-back' scheme or feed-in tariff for microgeneration and new policies aimed at reducing emissions in small businesses. The Government also highlighted its plans to introduce incentives of £2000-5000 for purchasers of ultralow carbon vehicles next year. Conspicuous by its absence, however, is any mention of emissions from aviation, which the CCC have repeatedly called on the Government to get a grip of. The response also details the Government's own efforts to reduce its emissions, which should exceed the target of a 12.5% cut in emissions from central offices by 2011. As well as cutting emissions by an extra 5%, the Government says it expects to make savings of £300 million through energy saving measures. For further information go to www.decc.gov.uk/ Source Energy Efficiency News, 19th January |
Carbon Trust To Help Businesses Cut Energy Use With A Single ClickThe UK government-backed Carbon Trust has launched an online advice service for small businesses to help them cut energy use and costs. SMEs that spend less than £50,000 a year on energy could cut bills by up to 20% by following the advice, says the Carbon Trust. The new Cut Carbon, Cut Costs online advice service includes an easy-to-follow video tutorial with tips on how to cut energy use out of hours, techniques for saving energy from office and IT equipment and how energy monitoring and management can reduce waste. The service also offers advice on improving insulation and heating, upgrading lighting to more energy efficient systems and tackling energy wasted by compressed air. The average small business could save around £7000 annually by implementing simple energy efficiency measures, says the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). For larger businesses with energy bills over £50,000, the Carbon Trust offer free on-site energy surveys and advice on how to cut wastage. For further information go to www.carbontrust.co.uk/onlinetraining |
UK Communities Compete In British Gas' Energy ChallengeFourteen communities around the UK are competing in British Gas' Green Streets challenge that launched yesterday. British Gas will be providing £2 million worth of energy efficiency and microgeneration measures to help the communities cut consumption and generate their own energy. The community that proves the most successful will receive £100,000 to put towards a local environmental project.
Richmond Council, meanwhile, plans to turn Ham and Petersham into a model village showcasing renewable technologies in action. Casterton, Cumbria aims to tackle 'hard to treat' homes with solid wall insulation, as well as installing a biomass system for a local school, and Bradford upon Avon wants to turn a range of local homes into 'demonstration' projects for insulation and green energy. British Gas engineers will provide energy assessments of all the projects and make recommendations of the most suitable technologies. The independent think-tank, the Institute of Public Policy Research (ippr), will monitor the projects and set the communities challenges. For further information go to www.britishgas.co.uk/greenstreets |
Invasive Alien Species Measured For The First TimeLevels to which non-native invasive species have spread themselves around the world have been measured for the first time. Invasive alien species are, according to a new report by the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP), are one of the three biggest threats to the planet. The report Global indicators of biological invasion: species numbers, biodiversity impact and policy responses. Looking at 57 countries the report found, on average, there are 50 non-indigenous species in each country which have a negative impact on biodiversity. The number of invasive alien species ranged from nine in Equatorial Guinea to 222 in New Zealand. According to the report if left uncontrolled, invasive alien species can have a serious impact on native species. The Yellowhead, a bird endemic to New Zealand, has suffered considerably in recent years due to a surge in the number of rats. Two populations of the Yellowhead are now extinct and three more are significantly falling in number, leading to the species to move up from vulnerable to endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Similarly, the pathogenic chytrid fungus, which was entirely unknown until 1998, is thought to be the cause of the decline and extinction of many amphibian populations around the globe. The disease, caused by the fungus, can be spread by humans and a host of other species, ranging from exotic fish to African Clawed Frogs. However, it's not all bad news with the Black-vented Shearwater, a seabird native to Natividad Island off the Pacific coast of Mexico, was under threat from cats, goats and sheep. But since they've been eradicated, the status of the bird has been reduced from vulnerable to near threatened on the red list. Source: www.edie.net
|
The Road To Zero Carbon - A Major One Day Conference On Low And Zero Carbon Buildings, 9 February 2010.The Watershed, Bristol. £180 plus VAT (£211.50 incl VAT) All new buildings will need to be zero carbon within a decade, starting with a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions next October, while CO2 emissions from existing buildings need to be approaching zero by 2050. We are now seeing a move from demonstration projects to an increasing number of real world low and zero carbon buildings being built. The conference will showcase some of the best of these real world projects, with a strong focus on the steps and measures taken and the impact it had on the construction process, providing delegates with a unique opportunity to learn from those at the leading edge of compliance with this fast approaching standard. There will be presentations on low and zero carbon homes, offices, retail and schools, as well as the latest on zero carbon policy. Speakers include Paul King, Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and Chairman of the Zero Carbon Hub, and architect Bill Dunster. The conference is supported by the UK Green Building Council, the Zero Carbon Hub, the SW Regional Development Agency, SW Councils (formerly the SW Regional Assembly), the Chartered Institute of Building and Future Foundations, the region's sustainable construction partnership. For more details visit www.ecostrust.org.uk or to book, email corina@ecostrust.org.uk ring 01458 254349 This conference is one of a series of events organised by Ecos Trust with Devon Sustainable Building Initiative. |
Camden Passivhaus Conference, Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 (Camden Town Hall, Judd Street)Councillor Alexis Rowell of Camden Council, the Liberal Democrat 'Eco Councillor' and very active chair of the Camden Sustainability Task Force has organized what will arguably be the first dedicated Passivhaus conference in the UK (The AECB could also arguably claim this). The decision to organize the conference came after a period of broad but intensive research by Alexis and the Camden Council Sustainability Taskforce on cutting carbon emissions in UK buildings. This research was carried out in the UK (inviting a wide range of experts to present to the Sustainability committee) and abroad (research visits) by Alexis and other Liberal Democrat councilors. One of the most convincing research visits included a trip to Frankfurt to meet the leader of the passivhaus schools programme there, Axel Bretzke, and to visit the successful RiedbergSchool, now famous throughout Europe for its proven success in cutting energy consumption to amazingly low levels. Axel explained that the Frankfurt school was developed after energy and air quality monitoring of traditionally designed schools. Apart from the high energy demand of contemporary traditionally designed schools, they found, in practice, appalling winter air quality in schools that relied on only natural ventilation. By combining natural (summer) and active (winter) heat recovery ventilation, the Riedberg passivhaus school is now famous throughout Europe for achieving extremely low heat energy and electrical demand, whilst at the same time achieving extremely good summer and winter air quality. The Camden Sustainability Task Force also received enlightening presentations from numerous experts, including one from Bill Bordass, referred to by Phil Clark as "one of the key figures behind the Usable Buildings initiative … spoken of in hushed tones by most in sustainability circles." He also knows Axel Bretzke through his own research on the Frankfurt Schools Programme and shared the platform recently with Axel at the AECB Passivhaus Schools Conference. Camden Council is now under pressure from its Liberal Democrat councilors to lead the way by requiring more than the minimum standards set by the government. The Camden conference will be attended by UK and overseas experts and politicians and should be a great event. The conference will also include visits to two of London's first Passivhaus developments, both presently under construction, including our own at Ranulf Road in the London Borough of Camden. Contact Justin Bereon 020 7424 5566 or email jbere@bere.co.uk |
Achieving 'Zero Carbon'? - Implications for Sustainable Building Products & Technologies - 16th February 201008.00 - 10.30. Blake Lapthorn, Eastleigh, Hampshire A free event organised by Hampshire Sustainable Construction Network
& The Centre for Sustainable Design
The need to build and retrofit in a lower carbon manner is becoming an imperative despite a lack of agreement on C02 reduction targets at COP15 in Copenhagen in December 2009. In parallel, there is a growing need to develop building solutions that incorporate reduced materials and water use, and increase recycling. Standards have emerged worldwide, however actually achieving 'zero carbon' and 'energy positive' buildings remains a challenging task. Moving towards 'zero carbon' buildings will require a more holistic approach which will mean new thinking, approaches and the likely use of new products/technologies. However, avoiding greenwash and accessing reliable information on how to design and develop 'zero carbon' buildings as well as sourcing more sustainable products/and technologies to incorporate into housing continues to be a difficult exercise. The workshop will provide an update on standards, provide an overview of design, development and sourcing issues with examples from new build and retrofit 'zero carbon' buildings. Finally, there will be a discussion on key issues associated with product/technology development related to 'zero carbon' buildings. The event is primarily targeted at the needs of companies with less than 250 employees based in the Hampshire and the South-East of England. It will be appropriate for product/technology suppliers, builders, developers, architects, planners, sub-contractors, procurers of buildings and building services and many others associated both directly and indirectly with the built environment. Please contact Ros Carruthers on rcarruthers.t1@ucreative.ac.uk or ring 01252 892772 |
ECOBUILD - Tuesday 2nd - Thursday 4th March 2010, Earls Court, LondonEcobuild is the biggest event in the world for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and features 1,000 exhibitors, more than 100 free conference and seminar sessions, and dozens of attractions and special events. Visit www.ecobuild.co.uk for your free invitation |
North Norfolk Coast Earth Day - 22nd AprilOn Earth Day 2010, Thursday 22nd April, Deepdale Backpackers & Camping and Deepdale Farm will be hosting a whole range of eco friendly organisations for an Earth Day exhibition about the environment, including environmental technology installers, advisors, pressure groups and other related organisations. Deepdale Backpackers & Camping at Deepdale Farm on the beautiful north Norfolk coast is an eco friendly backpackers hostel and campsite. Whether you are looking for solar panels, wood chip boiler, LED lights, ground source heat pump, wind turbine, need some advice about how to green up your home or business, want to know more about organics or just fancy a look around Deepdale's eco-friendly facilities, you are more than welcome. Businesses and the general public are welcome to visit Deepdale for FREE to meet installers, advisors and to look around the facilities at Deepdale Farm. It doesn't matter if you are already interested in the environment, want to become more eco friendly or you're a sceptic. Lunch will be available onsite, plus various places in the village. For more information on the event, for an up to date program or if you wish to exhibit, visit: www.burnhamdeepdale.co.uk. |
AECB 2010 Anniversary Conference - Celebrating 21 Years Of The AECB, 10-11 June 2010From New Towns to Ecotowns, Milton Keynes - 10-11th June 2010, Optional tours 12th June 2010, and incorporating the 1st Passivhaus Buildings Conference on the 11th June 2010 The 2010 AECB conference will celebrate the 21st anniversary of the organisation and will recognise the contribution of more than two decades of being the leading voice in sustainable building. In addition to a number of building technology workshop sessions reviewing the latest developments in specific areas of sustainable building, the conference will explore the wider picture of how to deliver a sustainable built environment. Starting with an exploration of how the Milton Keynes planners addressed sustainability issues, speakers will review the progress of national agencies and policy with regard to areas such as biodiversity, waste, water and transport in the context of the built environment and of eco-towns in particular. Delegates will hear from representatives from some of the eco-towns and discuss what has to happen next to further promote sustainable living in the UK. Day two of the conference offers delegates additional building technology workshop sessions and also the opportunity to attend the 1st Passivhaus Buildings Conference which is co-located with the AECB Annual General Meeting. This one day meeting will review progress in adopting the passivhaus standard in the UK. Organised by the newly formed Passivhaus Buildings, the conference will look at what this organisation aims to achieve and identify the way forward. As with all AECB conferences, plenty of time is allocated for discussion and a variety of tours will be arranged for the Saturday following the conference sessions. Programme information will be available shortly, please check www.aecb.net for up to date information. If you have ideas of workshops you would like to see please contact Geoff Stow (geoff.biy@homecall.co.uk). Sponsor a Student At last years AECB conference we were sponsored to offer 10 students low price admission to the annual conference. This was very successful with excellent feed back. We believe strongly that we must invest in the next generation of architects, engineers and builders and would very much like to offer this again. If your company is interested in supporting one or more students at the rate of £150 per place, please contact Karen Purvis at conference@aecb.net. Your company details will appear on the conference materials as a Bursary Sponsor. |
Forthcoming CarbonLite Training Course DatesPlease find below dates for our first training courses in 2010. These courses frequently sell out and early booking is advised. For further information and to book please contact sally@aecb.net
This practical hands-on course will provide energy consultants, technical building designers and architects with the skills necessary to design low energy and CO2 buildings to AECB standards using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP). Delegates will need to bring a laptop pre-loaded with a copy of the PHPP software for this course.
Find out how to minimise the effect of thermal bridging when designing low energy and CO2 buildings to AECB standards. This course shows attendees how to use free numerical modelling software on a number of practical examples.
This course is aimed at the design team who are working towards AECB or Passivhaus Design Standards and providing low energy buildings. It introduces the principles behind the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) so that designers understand how this low energy design software will analyse their designs to a more stringent level that is currently done in the UK. For further information and to book contact sally@aecb.net or visit www.carbonlite.org.uk/carbonlite/training.php |
Courses at Ty Mawr This Spring.
Details of these and other courses run by Ty Mawr are at www.lime.org.uk,
email Mike.Scruby@lime.org.uk
or ring Mike on 01874 658005 |
Courses from The Green Register
Visit www.greenregister.org.uk
for full details and to book online. |
Cambrian Archaeological Projects & The Wilderness Trust, Ancient Arts - Creative Futures, Courses And Workshops During 2010
Further details on each course will be posted on www.cambarch.co.uk and www.oldchapelfarm.org, along with booking forms. Contact Kevin Blockley (kevin@cambarch.co.uk) for further information. Workshop fees include two days food and one night's accommodation in shared rooms. Course fees do not include food or accommodation. Two days food and two night's accommodation in shared yurts will be charged at a total of £70. No VAT will be applicable. |
Sustainable Buildings in Practice By George Baird. ISBN: 978-0-415-39932-6Current assessment methods of sustainable buildings do not adequately account for the users' needs. Given that over the life of a building, total salary costs far outweigh both operating costs and combined capital and rental costs, the occupants' needs are not something which should be sensibly ignored. This book presents an unbiased evaluation of 30 of the most cutting-edge, sustainable buildings in the world, in terms of the users' perceived comfort, health and productivity. The author has visited the buildings, interviewed the design teams and examined the findings of a 60-question standardised user questionnaire. The book provides: " 30 case studies covering mixed-mode, passive and environmentally
sustainable commercial and institutional buildings; This important book will be of great benefit to architects and engineers, facility managers of commercial and institutional buildings, as well as developers and researchers, academics and students in these fields. For more information go to www.routledge.com/books/Sustainable-Buildings-in-Practice-isbn9780415399326 |
|
You will need a PDF reader, which you can download (free) by clicking on the link below. |
Click
here