Network - The free AECB newsletter - November 2011
Network - The free AECB newsletter - November 2011 |
|
|
Network the free newsletter from AECB, is sent to AECB members, former members, and those who independently subscribe to it. If you are not already an AECB member we hope you will consider joining us -- find out about the benefits of membership, and join or rejoin the AECB here. If information is passed on or reused, acknowledgment for items of AECB news should be credited to AECB (www.aecb.net). For other items please credit the original source. Information contained in this mailing does not necessarily represent the views or policy of the AECB or the Network 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. |
Building Design And Construction Magazine - Unsolicited Cold CallingWe are aware that representatives of Building Design and Construction Magazine have been telephone and emailing some of our members with regard to an editorial and photographic piece in a forthcoming issue of Building Design and Construction magazine. We are very concerned that the AECB name, and even AECB staff names, have been used by this publisher without our consent in their approach to AECB members. We have raised the issue with the publisher. It would be helpful if you could email sally@aecb.net if you have been contacted by this company, either by telephone or by email. We have requested a complete list of those members who have been contacted and requested that a letter of apology be sent confirming that the AECB has not entered into any such arrangements with Building Design and Construction magazine. However, to date the magazine has not responded. For information there is a clear note on the 'find members' section of the website which states 'The use of data from the membership search and database for commercial purposes of any sort is not permitted.' |
Low Energy Buildings DatabaseThe Low Energy Buildings Database is a unique source of real-world information about building energy performance including retrofits as well as new buildings. All kinds of projects are actively welcomed and AECB members can add their project at any time. The emphasis is on sharing information rather than competing. The database shows the performance of each building, in both figures and clearly presented graphs. Design intention can easily be compared with built reality, and projects can easily be compared with each other. For each project you can see detailed design strategies, descriptions and illustrations of the building type, the measures taken and technologies employed. In order to ensure that your project is preferentially viewed we would encourage you to provide full details on our Low Energy Buildings Database with a full year's data against your project. Go to: http://www.aecb.net/carbonlite/lowenergybuildings.php |
Enhanced Member ListingPromote your
business through your online member profile. The Member Profile is divided
up into sections which can be completed individually. You do not have
to complete all the questions in each section before publishing your Member
Profile (e.g., you may wish to only answer a few questions within each
section). However, to publish your profile and make it visible to everyone
you must complete any required fields. This ensures a minimum amount of
information is available to users reading your profile. During searches
profiled member entries are listed above non profiled members. The following link http://www.aecb.net/myaccount will guide you through the step by step process to adding your member profile to the website. |
Soapbox: Without SMEs, The National Refurb Just Isn't Going To HappenThis month's soapbox is by a guest author, Catrin Maby of Severn Wye Energy Agency, with a plea to ensure SMEs are at the heart of the Green Deal and the funding and subsidy structures that will support it. She argues that the national energy retrofit can't possibly work separately from the mainstream work people are already doing on buildings. But to integrate energy upgrades into building work, we have to integrate the construction sector into the Green Deal, and into all the advice and funding support out there. Catrin has first-hand experience of a model where that integration has been successfully achieved, and she sees no reason it shouldn't work everywhere. To read more visit http://aecb.net/news/category/soapbox/. |
Water Industry AwardThe AECB water standards have won a water industry award. More soon! |
Board Of Trustees For The Year 2011/2012The AECB Annual General Meeting was held on 17th September 2011t the 2011 Conference. The Board of Trustees for the year 2011/2012 are:
A profile of each Trustee appears on the AECB website http://aecb.net/committee.php. |
2011 Annual Conference: FeedbackA synopsis of the feedback from this year's conference is now available on the AECB website. The feedback has been edited, mostly removing specific names from comments and correcting a mountain of spelling mistakes! We know you are busy! As always happens many of the points will contradict each other but we will be looking at all of them when planning next year's event. A couple of points do crop up each year and below are our thoughts:- Food As always with any event the feedback on the food varies a lot but we hope to have answered a couple of specific points.
Workshops
If you would like to make any further comments about the 2011 Conference please either contact our Business Operations Manager, Gill Rivers on gill@aecb.net or leave your feedback on the discussion Forum which has been set up on the AECB website. CPD Certificates CPD Certificates relating to the Conference workshops are to be issued to those who have requested them. If anyone else who attended the Conference requires a certificate please contact Neill Lewis on neill.lewis@aecb.net. Conference Photographs About 30 photographs from the 2011 Conference have been posted on the AECB Facebook page. |
Renewal Of MembershipA reminder to all AECB members that you are able to quickly and easily renew your annual membership on line. To renew online simply log into www.aecb.net using your user name/email and password. Then go to the members' area/my account where you will be prompted through the renewal process. If you need your password resetting or if there are any problems please email Emma Furniss on emma@aecb.net. Payment can be made by either debit or credit card. Tax relief can be claimed by businesses. |
Apply For Membership OnlineThe AECB relies on membership subscriptions to fund the core work of the AECB. Our financial independence means that we can be an entirely independent voice when lobbying Government and trying to influence the agenda for sustainable construction in the UK. Membership subscriptions help us to continue our essential work and we offer an attractive range of benefits and discounts in return. If you are not already an AECB member and would like to join full details of the membership categories together with benefits and discounts available to AECB members can be found at http://aecb.net/benefits.php. If you would like to discuss ways in which your organisation can work with the AECB please contact Gill Rivers on gill@aecb.net or telephone 0845 456 9773. Please also consider encouraging others to join the Association. |
Consultations Open On FiTs, Renewables And BiofuelsThe 2011 consultation season is under way with a vengeance! First on the list should have been the Green Deal consultation - long awaited details on how the Government expects the Green Deal, as associated Energy Company Obligation subsidies, to work on the ground. But the document, like Alice in Wonderland's jam, is still expected 'in a few weeks' as Network goes to press. Keep an eye on Network and the AECB news pages http://aecb.net/news/ for more information. In the meantime what IS available is the consultation on the review of feed-in tariffs for solar PV http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/fits_comp_rev1/fits_comp_rev1.aspx. The consultation is open until December 23rd. It covers not only the proposed new levels of FiT for PV, but also proposals for tying the level of FiT support to standards of fabric efficiency in the building to which the PVs are attached. A discussion thread has also been started on the AECB forum (http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php/topic,3424.0.html) where members can share their opinions. This week is the very last chance to contribute to an 'informal call for evidence' on the UK Bioenergy Strategy - of interest not only to the renewables sector, but also those with views about the potential competition between construction timber and 'big biomass'. See http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/bioenergy/strategy/strategy.aspx. Although the web page asks for contributions to be in by the end of October, a DECC representative has confirmed to AECB that submissions will be accepted until the end of the week (Nov 11). The invitation to contribute states that DECC are considering "the potential impacts (economic and carbon) of using biomass in the energy sector against other uses", and explicitly raises questions of sustainability of supply and the wider impacts of land use change. Those concerned about the "dash to biomass" or other wider issues of renewables deployment might also want to respond to Energy Secretary Chris Huhne's stated intention to "maximise deployment of the cheapest renewable technologies, such as coal-to-biomass conversions and co-firing" via adjustments to the Renewables Obligation system http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/cons_ro_review/cons_ro_review.aspx. The whole gamut of 'big renewables' is addressed in some detail in this consultation, which runs till January 12th, including on- and offshore wind, tidal and "energy from waste" There's no obligation to comment on the whole thing, but anyone with evidence they want taken into account is invited by DECC to submit it. |
AECB CarbonLite Passivhaus Courses2012 Course Dates:
Birmingham:
27th February 2012
Birmingham:
28th and 29th February 2012
Birmingham:
1st March 2012
Birmingham:
2nd March 2012
Birmingham:
12th and 13th March 2012 The two day course 'Using PHPP to Design Low Energy Buildings' practical hands-on course will provide purchasers of PHPP with the skills necessary to design low energy and CO2 buildings to the AECB standards. The course is £499 plus VAT for AECB members and £599 plus VAT for non members.
Birmingham:
14th and 15th March 2012 Further information on CarbonLite courses and Certified Passivhaus Designer assessment is available at www.carbonlite.org.uk/carbonlite/courses.php or contact Dawn Padley at dawn@peterwarm.co.uk. |
Better Building Breakfast - Wednesday 16 November 2011The very latest in Sustainable Construction & Legislation - BOOK NOW! Two major speakers have been secured for the final session of Series 1 in Hayward's Heath in the Better Building Breakfast seminars providing thought provoking and informative talks over a light breakfast before the working day starts.
The Green Deal framework is a key element of the Energy Bill due to be implemented in the first session of this parliament. Anticipated to be launched in autumn 2012 what does it mean to us as an average consumer?
Nicolas Pople is a major award winning architect and long standing AECB member. He has been specialising in sustainable construction for many years and is author of several books including 'Small houses' and 'Experimental houses' Venue: Haywards Heath Town Hall, 40 Boltro Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1BA. Time and Date: 8.00am Wednesday 16th November 2011 A joint venture and promoted by AECB Sustainable Building Association, Mid Sussex Sustainability Partnership, Haywards Heath Town Council and Haywards Heath and District Business Association. Bookings can be made Ecotecture offices as follows: RSVP jo@ecotecture.co.uk. Ecotecture, 31 Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 4DZ Tel: 0845 026 4636 or 01444 416745: www.ecotecure.co.uk |
News from the GroupsThe North West (Cumbria) Group held their first meeting in early October 2011. The Group is being organised by Christine Armstrong, a former Trustee of the AECB and founder of Second Nature, famous for its British wool insulation, Thermafleece. As well as great opportunity to network with other AECB members, the meeting reviewed the AECB Conference and Cumbria Green Build Festival. Despite short notice and a number of competing events there was a good turnout of the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire/Herefordshire Group members and Passivhaus Trust members for an informal but inspiring evening at Architype's Hereford office, affectionately known as 'the Barn'. Mark Lumley and Nick Grant skipped through their presentation, previously given at the UK Passivhaus Conference held in London, on two recently completed Passivhaus schools (presentation available at http://ukpassivhausconference.org.uk/day-one-1600-breakout-session). This was followed by Bjørn Kierulf's excellent presentation on his cost effective Passivhaus projects in Slovakia. Bjørn also showed some photographs of his structural straw bale dome office and a new straw panel system suitable for Passivhaus buildings. Some of the images can be seen in his slides from the London conference http://ukpassivhausconference.org.uk/day-two-1400-breakout-sessions-and-1330-site-visits. Architype provided wine and nibbles and a lot of members were reluctant to leave! A small group of members from the North Scotland Group recently visited the garrison fortress of Fort George. Oliver Pugh, from Historic Scotland, led the visit and his enthusiasm for green tourism and sustainable building was as keen as any of the AECB members. The garrison fortress of Fort George, which covers 42 acres of a peninsula that juts out into the Moray Firth, was built following the Battle of Culloden (1746) nearby. It took over 20 years to complete and has never seen military action. Members were told of plans to replace the lighting systems with more energy efficient technologies, and of training courses in various building skills being attended by Historic Scotland staff (mainly at Elgin). However, all those on the visit believe the site offers much scope for the installation of ground source, or even water source, heat pumps, and solar thermal and PV panels. These could be installed without impact upon the Grade 1 status of the site. And, given the number of people on site, there may exist potential for anaerobic digestion of human and food waste to produce methane, as a fuel suitable for boilers or transport purposes. Full details of the events listed below and forthcoming events can be found on the website Forum (follow the blue link to Local Groups), AECB News Platform or email debbie@aecb.net to request that your name be added to a Local Group mailing list.Events: Tina Holt has invited the Nottingham and East Midlands Group to the fifth event in Transition West Bridgford's series 'Eco Houses Under Construction'. Gil Schalom, leader of the Local Group, encouraged you to take advantage of this rare opportunity to visit a Zero Carbon Barn Conversion. Date: Saturday 12th November 2011 - 2.00pm to 5.00pm Venue: East Leake To book your free place and receive location details, email info@wbecohouses.co.uk. 'Straw Cottage' presentation by AECB member Carol Atkinson of Sam Atkinson LLP - straw bale builder, trainer and consultant whose projects include garden offices, holiday homes and 'caravans', family homes, offices and community buildings. Date: Thursday 17th November 2011 - 6.30pm for 7.00pm start Venue: Straw Bale Cottage, Goole, East Yorkshire DN14 7LA RSVP to: debbie@aecb.net Peter Ward has kindly agreed to host the next meeting of the North West (Cumbria) Group and share the details of the refurbishment of his home - is this now an airtight property? Diane has also agreed to come along and carry out a pressure test. Date: Wednesday 30th November 2011 - 6.30pm Venue: "Applegarth", Penrith To book your place and receive full address details please contact the Group Leader Christine Armstrong at Second Nature (Thermafleece) christine@secondnatureuk.com or debbie@aecb.net. Peter has kindly offered to provide wine, beer, tea, coffee, etc - this will enable timings to be flexible and the Group will decant to the pub later if appropriate. RSVP essential. Mayville Centre, Islington - a community centre refurbished and redesigned by award winning Bere Architects to Passivhaus standards. Justin Bere will give the London Local Group his own story about this beautifully re-imagined Community Centre (see http://www.bere.co.uk/tags/mayville-community-centre) Date: Wednesday 30th November 2011 - 7.00pm Venue: Mayville Centre, Islington RSVP to debbie@aecb.net. Local Group Leaders Julia Bennett, Alison Parfitt and Charlie McKinnon Little have organised a Winter Social meal at the fabulous Nepalese restaurant at The Roadmaker Inn, Gorsley, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7SW (just off the M50 on the Newent Road) http://www.theroadmakerinn.co.uk/restaurant.html. Date: Wednesday 30th November 2011 - 6.3pm Venue: The Roadmaker Inn, Gorsley, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire Booking essential - RSVP to debbie@aecb.net. |
Down To Earth Newsletter.AECB members Down to Earth Solutions is a Community Interest Company, based in Moray, Scotland working towards enabling the building of innovative, low cost, ecological homes using local, renewable and recycled materials. Go to http://www.downtoearthsolutions.org/downloads/September%20Newsletter.pdf to view their latest edition, and you can find out more or join at http://www.downtoearthsolutions.org/ |
Feed In Tariff Review For Pvs Throws Solar Industry Into TurmoilSolar PV advocates have launched an online petition against the government's proposals to cut the solar Feed-in Tariff by 50%. A reduction in the FiT has been expected for some time, due to the popularity of the current scheme and the rapidly falling cost of solar installations. The debate rests on how much the FiT should be reduced by. But the industry is warning that such a rapid and drastic cut will put the growth in solar installations at risk, along with around 25,000 jobs, there is likely to be a complete hiatus in demand between the date the reduced rates come in and the results of the consultation process are known, and many companies are likely to go to the wall. The FiT makes solar installations more economical by providing guaranteed long-term prices for the electricity they produce. However, the government significantly underestimated the popularity of the current FiT, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has admitted. A flood of solar installations followed its introduction with over 100,000 put in place, around three times more than the government projected. In the meantime, the plummeting cost of solar panels has helped to reduce the cost of installations by around 30%. As a result, the government says that solar installations would still be economical even with a reduced FiT. Many companies are reporting a shortage of equipment as they try to install as many systems as possible prior to the 12th December cut off date. Debate rages about how the government can introduce a consultation process with the end set at the 23rd December, and the results being expected in February next year and yet the new rates are being introduced from the 12th December. Legal challenges, debates in the House and also within the EU Commission are expected as the industry tries to get this decision overthrown or at least the rate reduction deferred to the expected review date of the 31st March 2012. To sign the online petition, visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20912. DECC is also holding a public consultation which can be found at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/fits_comp_rev1/fits_comp_rev1.aspx A discussion thread has also been started on the AECB forum (http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php/topic,3424.0.html) where members can share their opinions. |
Drinking Our Rivers DryAs shown on "Drinking Our Rivers Dry?" (Panorama's investigation into the water industry) the McRobie family reduced their water consumption by almost 50%, from 443 litres to 227 litres a day. What the programme didn't show was how they did it. In fact, none of the talking heads on the programme actually mentioned the important role that behaviour change can have on reducing water stress in the UK and yet it is free, empowers the individual, and crucially reduces CO2 emissions produced when heating domestic water as most savings from behaviour change result in shorter showers or shallower baths. Go to www.ech2o.co.uk to see yearly water, CO2 and monetary savings, and an analysis of how their water consumption changed. |
The Green Awards Announces Global Shortlist Of Nominees.Following an overwhelming response this year, the International Green Awards and CCTNE are delighted to announce shortlists across all 20 categories for 2011. Covering a range of global and local sustainability issues across every continent, this year's applications showcased innovation and forward thinking to inspire and motivate others. This year's shortlist includes entries from the developed and developing world, bringing the world together to set a sustainability agenda focused on innovation. The applicants encompass regions such as the Middle East, UK, USA, Netherlands, China, Indonesia, India, Peru and Pakistan, amongst others. The International Green Awards team and jury would like to congratulate the nominees, who have made it this far owing to their stellar effort. To find out who makes the winning grade, join us at our 'green tie' gala ceremony at the National History Museum, London on the 24th of November. Find out who's on the shortlist go to http://www.greenawards.com/winners/shortlists-2011 |
London Energy Efficiency FundA New Source of Finance for Energy Efficiency Projects in Greater London. The £100m London Energy Efficiency Fund (LEEF) is a new source of funding for energy efficiency retrofit on public sector buildings in the capital. Established with monies from the Mayor's London Green Fund, itself part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (through the JESSICA initiative), LEEF provides affordable, flexible, repayable loans for public sector organisations wishing to reduce the energy consumption of their assets by at least 20%. Key Facts:
Go to www.leef.co.uk |
Iran, China & Burma Top New List Of Oppressive RegimesIran, China and Burma are the three most oppressive regimes in the world according to a new survey published by Ethical Consumer magazine. The survey examined a wide range of human rights abuses in 196 countries. These included corruption, the use of the death penalty, press freedom, torture and workers' rights. Some 39 countries are now judged by Ethical Consumer to be an oppressive regime. The results of the survey are now being used by Ethical Consumer when a company's ethical and environmental record is surveyed. Companies who operate in an oppressive regime are penalised under Ethical Consumer's ethical rating system. Companies dealing with oppressive regimes expose themselves to a very high reputational risk which can ultimately impact on a company's bottom line. Go to http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/CommentAnalysis/Features/OppressiveRegimes.aspx |
Energy Recovery From Residual Waste In Scotland - 7th Annual Conference - 22 November 2011Dynamic Earth Centre, Edinburgh SITA have been giving planning permission for a new gasification plant on the Binn Eco Innovation Park, near Glenfarg, in Scotland, which demonstrates Scotland's commitment to its Zero Waste policy and its renewable energy targets. This is encouraging news for the waste and energy sector in Scotland. Join industry experts at Energy recovery from residual waste as they explore the technologies available for optimum energy recovery and resource efficiency. Dr Chris Manson-Whitton will be speaking about the opportunities, pathways and practicalities that current technologies offer; their resources and energy outputs. John Birchmore of SHREWS will be speaking about gasification and Adam Baddeley of Eunomia will be focusing on AD; overcoming constraints to deliver new infrastructure. The conference will also include in-depth sessions on EfW within the Zero Waste policy, how EfW can help industry manage their carbon footprint and project financing. It will also include an assessment of the renewable heat incentive scheme and how this will influence the development of this sector. With all this, plus plenty of opportunities for questions and debate, Energy recovery from residual waste in Scotland brings you a full day of essential information, animated discussion and valuable networking that promises to be of critical importance to your business. See http://www.recyclingwasteworld.co.uk/conferences/ for full booking details; email events@markallengroup.co.uk or call 01722 717033 |
Schumacher Certificate In Natural BuildThe South West has long been a hotbed for green building, with local experts in everything from cob, straw bale and timber building, to eco-design and low-carbon planning regulations. So perhaps it's no surprise that the first national qualification should start here, bringing together a full spectrum of expertise in traditional craft skills that use local and sustainable materials. This certificate consists of seven week-long modules which can be taken together or as stand-alone courses. The fees are £425 per module, including food, and if you book all seven, you get one free. For booking see www.schumachercollege.org.uk or contact Lou.Rainbow@schumachercollege.org.uk; 01803 847238 |
New From HIS BRE Press
ISBN: 978-1-84806-224-5 This series of Information Papers provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to various low-impact building materials. The information has been sourced from extensive research by the University of Bath and the expertise of industry professionals with commercial experience of the materials' application. Detailed sections and construction sequences are provided where necessary alongside objective descriptions of the advantages, limitations and typical properties of the various materials. To complement these Information Papers, a series of five case studies has also been produced to capture the experience of those that have used the materials in high-profile projects. The Papers are also available separately:
ISBN: 978-1-84806-195-8 This report reviews how floor finishes have been assessed within The Green Guide to Specification, including the application of the Environmental Profiles methodology which underlies The Green Guide data. The way in which floor finishes are addressed within building-level environmental assessment schemes such as BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes is also explained. The final section gives detailed The Green Guide ratings for more than 180 floor finish specifications. The report will give manufacturers and specifiers a general understanding of the significant benefits and impacts of floor finish products over their whole life cycle and help to identify opportunities for improvements to their environmental performance. It is part of a series that provides comparable information on cladding, floor finishes, insulation, masonry and concrete, metals, timber and windows to assess the environmental impact of specific construction materials.
ISBN: 978-1-84806-188-0 This design guide from Habinteg Housing Association describes the design requirements for homes that will meet the differing and changing needs of households. It gives guidance on how to incorporate the Lifetime Homes Standard's design criteria, encompassing the principles of inclusivity, accessibility, adaptability, sustainability and good value. Use of the guide will result in design solutions that cater for the broadest range of needs, and will also enable simple and cost-saving adaptations in the future.
ISBN: 978-1-84806-222-1 This Information
Paper looks at the processes associated with converting the BRE Victorian
Terrace from a disused stable block into a number of energy-efficient
spaces, including a terraced house, two flats and a presentation room,
using the latest processes and materials for building refurbishment. It
focuses on the development of the specification for the refurbishment
and the monitoring programme, which aims to measure the changes in the
performance of the building after the refurbishment. The building has
been modelled using SAP 2009 and its sustainability assessed using BREEAM.
ISBN: 978-1-84806-219-1 This Information
Paper covers the development of new tracer gases and techniques for measuring
ventilation rates in buildings. Effective ventilation of buildings is
essential to ensure compliance with regulations relating to energy efficiency,
good indoor air quality and the health and well-being of the occupants.
Ventilation rate measurements in buildings are Go to www.brebookshop.com/ |
Director Of Business Development, UK Green Building CouncilUK Green Building Council is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Our mission is to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment by transforming the way it is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated. The Director of Business Development's role is to lead the effective development and implementation of strategies to increase and diversify income, and leverage additional support in ways that significantly increase the organisation's impact. For full details go to http://www.building4jobs.com/job/318286/director-of-business-development |
|
You will need a PDF reader, which you can download (free) by clicking on the link below. |
Click
here