2018 March

district heating, data centres, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, Energy Performance Certificate

Engineered solutions

08 March, 2018

In the March issue we are looking at a number of solutions to familiar problems – how to ensure that homes and businesses have affordable, reliable heat with minimal impact on the environment. Or how to keep temperatures in data centres within tight margins in the face of rising energy costs and planning requirements.

In our continuing Top Tips series, we offer an infographic of insights from experts who have written for MBS or taken part in our round table. This is a quick summary of some of the advice that leading engineers and consultants have offered in the run up to the introduction of MEES. 

Arbnco, MEES

Leading energy consultant Arbnco has revealed that 20% of the 3,620 commercial properties it has surveyed have fallen into a lower EPC category when tested against the latest EPC standards. Extrapolated to the whole UK commercial market, that puts over £130 billions of commercial property at risk of being unlettable due to low EPC ratings.

Unite, CITB, training, BESA, Tony Howard, skill gap

The UK’s largest trade union, Unite, has said that a decision by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to end all direct training services by 2020 will “create a skills black hole”.

Smart homes, Institute of Mechanical Engineers, IMechE

The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) says that smart technology will play a crucial role in helping the elderly remain in their own homes – reducing pressure on NHS resources.

LETI, London Plan, zero carbon

The London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) has responded to the London Plan consultation, stating that it believes the current energy policy relating to carbon emissions in London buildings will not deliver net zero carbon by 2050.

BPMA, EURIS

Following the British Pump Manufacturers Association’s (BPMA) statement on Brexit (see MBS February 2018, News) the Association has joined EURIS – the European Union Relationship and Industrial Strategy advisory body.

Michael Phelan, Endeco Technologies, capacity auction, grid, demand response, balancing services, energy optimisation

UK energy in balance

07 March, 2018

Michael Phelan, CEO of Endeco Technologies, has commented on the latest T-4 capacity auction results in February, saying: “It’s no longer about capacity, it’s now about flexibility. Following the results of both T-1 and T-4 auctions, as well as grid trends, we may see grid stability turned on its head in a few years’ time with less stability in summer than in the winter.”

ESOS Phase 2, Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, ESOS

Since January 2018, firms which have to comply with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) have been able to measure their energy use for ESOS Phase 2. Compliance has to be complete by 5th December 2019.

A new report from BRE explores how blockchain technology can help to address the particular challenges of the built environment sector.

BCIA Awards 2018

The Building Controls Industry Association has announced the finalists for its 2018 Awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony and gala dinner on Thursday 10th May at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

Wieland. Facebook, Metalynx2

Wieland’s Metalynx2 structured wiring system has been used for the connection of power supply throughout the new London HQ for social media company Facebook at the One Rathbone Square development near Tottenham Court Road in Fitzrovia.

Viessmann, Walpole

Walpole, which houses 87 students in cluster flats and self-contained studios, uses award-winning Viessmann gas-fired condensing boilers and a Viessmann combined heat and power (CHP) unit to generate warmth and electricity for its flats, common room, study area and outdoor spaces. The technology was selected for its high performance and compact design and the building achieved BREEAM Excellent.

Oventrop, Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre

Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre is a modern facility in Sheffield, offering a range of activities including tennis. The centre uses a huge amount of hot water and clients requested a mixture of renewable energy systems to help meet the demand and cut carbon emissions.

Micronics, University Hospital in Ayr

It is crucial to calculate how much hot water is being used in a public building like a hospital to assist with calculation of heating demand. University Hospital in Ayr wanted to do just that.

MHG Gassero, Exeter College

MHG Gassero has supplied three Superbox gas-fired condensing boilers to Exeter College to provide space heating and hot water at the college’s Laurence Building. The 2 x 1MW and 1 x 500kW Superbox boilers, were installed in a packaged plant room that was delivered to site in two halves.

Dunham-Bush, Louvre Abu Dhabi

Dunham-Bush has supplied United Arab Emirates-based Intercool Central Air Conditioning with 247 of its Panther and 207 Puma fan coil units to provide heating and cooling at the magnificent new Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum. Designed by Paris-based architect Jean Nouvel, the museum is organised like a traditional Arab city with separate galleries connected by walkways.

CIAT UK, Bristol Airport

CIAT UK supplied four large capacity air handling units (AHUs) for Bristol Airport’s upgraded West Terminal. The air processing system within the CIAT Airtech air handling units has active carbon filters to maintain the highest air quality.

Shaun Mansbridge, Dudley Council, Holloway Court,HIU, Bosch Commercial and Industrial

Wise council

07 March, 2018

Shaun Mansbridge explains how a West Midlands council used a district heating system to greatly improve comfort levels for its residents, while also bringing a number of other benefits.

Mark Ferris, energy trilemma, HIU, Elco Heating Solutions

Mark Ferris, discusses the benefits of district heating systems and how to effectively incorporate CHP and HIUs to provide an affordable, environmental and diverse heat source.

4G heat networks, heat networks, Katerina Nika, fuel poverty, Block heat networks, SAV Systems

Fourth generation heat networks have a key role to play in reducing fuel poverty in the UK,as well as cutting overall carbon emissions, says Katerina Nika

CHP, Mike Hefford, heat network, district heating network, Remeha CHP

Adding CHP to the mix

07 March, 2018

Mike Hefford examines the benefits of using combined heat and power as the source for heat networks, and how they can be optimised for efficiency and sustainability.

BESA, Chris Davis, Evinox Energy, heat interface unit, HIU, keep warm, VWART, Weighted average return temperature

Keep your standards high

07 March, 2018

Chris Davis highlights the importance of HIU performance and sizing for heat networks, and looks at standards for ensuring that specifiers and end users know what they’re getting.

District Heating for Rehau, Alexandra Ivanchuk, district heating, fuel poverty, CHP, water source, heat pump

Design for performance

07 March, 2018

Good design is at the heart of good performance when it comes to district heating schemes. Alexandra Ivanchuk highlights the key points to bear in mind to get the most out of this form of heating.

BSRIA

BSRIA North is running a wide range of training courses from its Preston, Lancashire office. Supported by BSRIA’s industry renowned technical guides, the courses range from introductions for non-engineers or those new to the industry through to specialist training for practitioners.

Data Centre World, Mitsubishi electric

Mitsubishi Electric is once again exhibiting at the Data Centre World exhibition on the 21st and 22nd March at London ExCel, promoting its advanced range of IT Cooling products and solutions.

ErP, Reznor

Our ErP compliant range includes, rooftop units (RTUs) which are available in cooling and heat pump modes. Both are available with active or passive energy recovery functions as an option. They are fitted with EC plug fan technology and free cooling fitted as standard. Thanks to the width of the RTU line, the flexible configurability and its record nominal COP and EER, spaces with a variable occupancy rate and changing conditions during the day, such as shopping centres, retail parks, can benefit from energy savings up to 30%

SAV Systems, David Bradbury, Coanda effect

When designing ventilation systems for schools and commercial spaces, specifiers need to place more emphasis on preventing the common problem of draughts associated with old ventilation designs, warns SAV Systems’ David Bradbury..

KNX UK

The UK KNX Association is offering a new entry level of membership: KNX UK professionals. Forwardthinking electrical installers are invited to apply to join the association, which is the national voice and ‘support network’ for anyone involved in installing, stocking or producing devices for smart networks based on the KNX global open system.

Rinnai

The Rinnai range of energy efficient A rated, electronically controlled continuous flow gas fired units and systems. The products deliver energy saving performance and low greenhouse emissions through new low NOx burner technology.

SWEP, B320, plate heat exchanger

SWEP, the world’s leading supplier of compact brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs) for HVAC and industrial applications, has launched its new B320 model.

Swegon, AHUs

The latest addition to the renowned Swegon GOLD air handling unit is the RX/HC – a fully integrated reverse cycle heat pump, developed to complement energy recovery from the unique thermal wheel and provide tempered fresh air to the ventilation system.

Grundfos Pumps

Grundfos Pumps offers a range of diagnostic tools to help reduce CO2 and energy use, including Energy Check that helps to establish current pump system performance. We recently worked with a range of clients to see how we could help them. This included a brewery where we delivered an energy saving of 75% simply by identifying and changing key pumps; a chassis manufacturer that benefitted from a pump upgrade and saved 51%; while a power plant saw a saving of 50% from taking Grundfos’ advice.

Grundfos Pumps

The Grundfos Product Center (GPC) is an online selection support hub that will give anyone who has a requirement to design or replace a pump or pump system, straightforward access to a wide range of information.

Grundfos Pumps, submersible pumps

The SB and SBA are submersible booster pumps from Grundfos that have been designed specifically for the pumping of clean water. They are especially suitable for pumping from private wells and for supporting a wide range of rainwater applications such as watering plants and gardens, toilet flushing and car washing. This pump family is available in two versions:

Evinox, BESA, Heat Interface Units, HIUs

Evinox Energy has launched a new CIBSE-accredited CPD seminar following the introduction of the first UK test standard for Heat Interface Units (HIUs) from BESA (Building Engineering Services Association).

Transtherm Cooling Industries, Tim Bound, ambient, date centre, adiabatic cooler

Change is in the air

07 March, 2018

Is there a shift in cooling preferences for data centres? Tim Bound looks at the ambient cooling option and its growingpopularity in the face of rising energy costs.

Thermozone, Trevor Dann, retrofit, chiller

System reboot

07 March, 2018

Trevor Dann considers the retrofit option for older cooling systems in ageing data centres that can keep them performing in a robust, reliable and energy efficient way.

Frese, PICV, pressure independent, small flow paths, Stephen Hart, two port control, Variable Flow

Small but smart

07 March, 2018

Stephen Hart explains that while small flow paths in two port control valves can be unavoidable, the risks can be mitigated by smart system design and product selection.

Commercial Flue Cleaning and Maintenance Services (CFCM), flue, chimney systems, chimney, John Hammett, British Standard 4076:1989

A clean sweep

07 March, 2018

Flue and chimney systems need inspecting and cleaning at regular intervals. John Hamnett looks at some of the key issues around maintenance programmes.

Jason Tinsley, Mitsubishi Electric, MEES, ErP, EPC, Lot21, F-Gas, R22, Energy related Products, chiller

With MEES, ErP, EPC, Lot21 and F-Gas now a stark reality for building operators, 2018 may be the best time to look at upgrading your old chiller system. Jason Tinsley explains more.

Ambirad, Airbloc, Benson, Reznor, Nortek Global, Simon Parker

Ambirad, Airbloc, Benson and Reznor are now operating under a single brand name: Reznor. Each of these brands belongs to Nortek Global HVAC UK, and this move coincides with a number of new product developments that ensure the entire portfolio is ErP-compliant.

Stelrad UK, radiator, Chris Harvey

Radiating success

07 March, 2018

With heating on the agenda, Chris Harvey considers the most popular form of heat delivery in homes – radiators. They have come a long way from simple designs, and now offer a wide range of choice for installers working with clients in the private and public sectors.

MEES, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, EPCs

MBS looks at the latest research that shows EPC ratings look set to fall at an alarming rate, even in properties that are relatively well-managed. Computer modelling results make for difficult reading as the likely impact of MEES on property values becomes clear. 

data centre, ‘Data centres: An introduction to concepts and design’

Karen Fletcher considers the UK data centre market and highlights some key areas for consideration in terms of technology, design and building services in these challenging environments.

Simon Woodward, UK District Energy Association, district energy, decarbonise, Heat Network Investment Project, HNIP, energy networks, CHP, biomass, geothermal, solar

Simon Woodward of the UK District Energy Association argues that, with support from government, district energy can play an important part in achieving the UK’s long-term energy, affordability and sustainability goals for heating homes and buildings.

Chris Caton, Ideal Commercial, replacement, boiler, cascade, open vented, sealed

Plan for performance

07 March, 2018

Chris Caton shows that with careful planning, a replacement install can ensure longevity and reliability in heating and hot water systems that have reached the end of their life.

Entry to the Commissioning Specialists Association (CSA) Awards is open until the 27th March. Any company or individual involved in the commissioning sector is eligible - and entry is free. Full details can be found at the link below.




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New Sustainability Director for Wates Group

Wates Group, a family-owned development, building and property maintenance company, has appointed Cressida Curtis as its new Group Sustainability Director.

Domus Ventilation appoints new contractor sales managers

Ventilation systems manufacturer Domus Ventilation has announced the arrival of three new Contractor Sales Managers.