20.06.2008
The building sector accounts for 40% of the EU's energy requirements. It therefore offers the largest single potential for energy efficiency. Voltimum's James Hunt examines sustainability and sustainable homes. This VoltiTECH also covers so-called ‘intelligent homes’, where the ‘intelligent’ equipment installed also helps save energy, as well as other electrically related sustainability and energy saving topics. Such topics include smart metering and the interoperability of units using renewable equipment. Also covered will be the installation of equipment for assisted living:
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| A solar pack by Dimplex - saves lots of energy. |
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Climate change, driven mainly by the sheer huge numbers of human beings in the world and their high and wasteful consumption of fossil fuels for energy, is almost certainly the greatest problem that has ever been faced by mankind. Indeed, Sir David King, the UK Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, has stated that Climate Change is the most severe problem that we are facing today-more serious even than the threat of terrorism. The recent Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) leaves us in no doubt that human activity is the primary driver of the observed changes in climate.
Even so, the Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992), and its first Protocol, the Kyoto Protocol (negotiated in 1997 and brought into force in 2005), will make little difference to future rates of warming, even if implemented in full*.
Unless huge reductions in carbon emissions (primarily carbon dioxide or CO2) are made throughout that world within the next decade (perhaps 20 years at the outside), very serious and long-lasting harm will be done to our global environment at the least. Far worse scenarios are possible - nobody really knows what will happen, the global scientific community has an increasingly good idea - more and more born out by observations and measurements - what could happen, and it's not good.
Research has shown that over 20% of the present energy consumption (and up to 30 - 45 million tonnes of CO2/year) could be saved by 2010 by applying more ambitious standards to both new and refurbished buildings in Europe. This is the background to the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). This, implemented in January 2006, should have far-reaching consequences for owners, operators and developers of all buildings in Europe. The Directive itself makes no distinction between homes and commercial buildings. However, the EPBD, which is mainly aimed at playing a vital role in delivering significant improvements in building-related energy efficiency, has serious practical implementation problems, as early experience has indicated.
For Ireland, climate change may mean - probably at a minimum - hotter, drier summers (more heat waves), milder wetter winters, higher sea levels and an increased flood risk to coastal areas. While the industrial consumption of energy has fallen, the energy consumption in the service sector has risen sharply and now consumes 80% more gas and electricity than it did in 1980. Indeed, Governments have set onerous targets in terms of their Kyoto Protocol obligations. These now seem difficult to meet, even though the Kyoto Protocol itself clearly goes nowhere near far enough, and despite the fact that the Government has set itself new CO2 reduction targets that are among the most stringent in the world. This is especially important bearing in mind that the fact that around 40% of all UK CO2 emissions derive from buildings, especially in the light of another salient fact: that EU emissions figures to the end of 2004 show that the UK's emissions actually rose by 1.3%.
Firms 'throw away' hundreds of millions of Euros - typically around 15% of their total energy spend. Moreover, on average, commercial buildings are consuming around 35% more energy than they were designed to, more often than not because their building services were never properly commissioned.
The situation with homes in really no better. Currently, they are responsible for about 30% of all CO2 emissions (in the UK), yet towns and cities will see a massive increase in CO2 emissions unless thousands of new homes planned for the next 20 years are built to high environmental standards, much higher than they currently are.
However, recent WWF research has shown that if all future homes are built to high environmental standards, and using existing good practice, such high CO2 emissions could be reduced by around 30%. If Governments are serious about tackling climate change, all new housing must enable householders to reduce CO2 emissions. Although money will be involved, it is absolutely essential that housing CO2 emissions are significantly reduced, but it should be remembered that there is a positive payback - this will also reduce consumer's energy bills. Clearly, cutting emissions is the first priority, but if it can be clearly shown that this will - at the same time - save money too, then real progress may start to be made.
This is amplified and placed into true perspective by the Stern report, published last year. This shows in horrifying detail, over 700 pages, just where global warming will probably lead. Economist Sir Nicholas Stern suggests that global warming could shrink the global economy by 20%, but taking action now could cost just 1% of global GDP the study says. Stern also argues that global warming will cost more than two world wars and the Great Depression together. Worse, large parts of our planet may become uninhabitable. Governments, business and individuals alike have to act NOW - globally.
There's another positive trade off too - increasing use of sustainable technologies will inevitably lead to far more work for electrical contractors and installers.
Sustainable technologies for homes:
Homes built to a good modern standard will typically have a lower energy demand because of better insulation, A-rated fridges, freezers and washing machines etc, plus condensing boilers, although there are now available a number of modern technologies that will reduce CO2 emissions considerably further. These include decentralised energy (which will also help reduce energy dependency) various sustainable technologies as well as advanced control systems, such as those increasingly found in so-called 'smart homes'.
It is also important to note that, as oil and gas supplies start to become ever more expensive to get out of the ground (this is already occurring), and as security of energy supply becomes ever more of an issue (as it is), most Sustainable (renewable) energy options also have the significant benefit of providing distributed electricity supply. Householders can, for example, use microCHP to generate enough relatively clean electricity for domestic use and sell any excess back to the National Grid.
Assuming that new and modern homes are properly insulated, and are at least double-glazed (not always the case), then adoption of sustainable power technologies will, if properly done, result in a further significant fall in energy consumption. Because most UK electricity is still generated by burning fossil fuels, a reduction in energy consumption automatically results in a roughly equivalent fall in CO2 emissions.
The big advantages of renewable energy are that it is FREE - apart from capital, maintenance and end-of-life costs - and it is relatively clean.
There are various technologies. The main ones are:
- Solar cells (solar photovoltaics, known as 'solar PV' - many in Germany but very few in the UK).
- Solar thermal (solar heating of air or water or other medium).
- MicroCHP (alternative to domestic heating boiler, which also generates electricity - only just becoming available).
- Heat pumps (take heat from the ground, usually from streams etc - available now).
- Fuel cells (batteries in reverse - efficient with negligible emissions, but not yet ready).
- Wind turbines (work well, but only where there is sufficient wind).
- Various hydrogen power technologies (great potential, but need substantial infrastructure).
There is also low energy lighting - not renewable as such because all lighting consumes electricity. However, lighting accounts for such a large part of the overall energy consumed that energy saving lighting can play a very significant role. Energy saving lamps are also important bearing in mind the fact that various organisations and governments across the world have stated their intention to start replacing the highly inefficient incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving types (such as compact fluorescents and LEDs, as well as modern electronic controlgear). Success would significantly benefit the fight to slow climate change.
'Smart meters':
Smart meters will also play a significant role in making electric storage heating and hot water a sustainable energy success story in the future. Such meters provide innovative displays in homes and also provide far more informative billing that allows homeowners to realise their potential to reduce energy bills. The information provided by such relatively simple devices may revolutionise the way households consume energy, and can reduce demand by up to 10%. However, the really 'smart' functionality of these meters is that they can switch the load away from appliances that do not need continuous supply.
In brief, smart meters will:
- Read remotely - Manual reading is no longer necessary, as all meter information is sent automatically to the energy supplier, either via cable or using short-range radio link. This means that there is no longer any necessity for estimated bills.
- Provide easy-to-understand displays - Smart meters display energy consumption in monetary terms, rather than kilowatt hours. This makes them much more relevant to people. Moreover, the display can be placed where the homeowner can see it more easily.
- Have web meters - These allow people to closely monitor where energy is being consumed in their homes, and where it is being wasted. All of this data can be accessed over the Internet. Indeed, in many homes where they have already been fitted, family members, including children, often compete to see who can save the most money (energy).
Turn it off!
Saving energy is not just about renewable energy; it can literally be that - saving energy by careful and selective use of it. Energy using equipment in homes and offices includes heating/hot water and air-conditioning, lighting, computer equipment (servers, PCs, peripherals, appliances etc), all other electrical loads from telephones to home TV, video/DVD players & recorders, HiFi etc, and, finally, the fuel used by your vehicle(s). The sources of energy required to power all these myriad items are primarily electricity, fuel oil and gas. Your wasted energy may accumulate from any of these and are the areas to concentrate on when looking to conserve energy. Take electricity. This is used to power most things and it is therefore critical that electrical equipment is considered not only for its technical features but also for its working efficiency. If the casing of the equipment feels hot, it's wasting energy.
Especially noteworthy are modern LCD and plasma screen TVs and computers. The former typically use twice as much energy as conventional cathode ray types; the latter three times as much (or more depending on size)! Always check the specification for electrical consumption. Most importantly, TURN IT OFF when not in use. It will save you money too.
Related articles include:
To read more about energy monitoring to save energy in commercial buildings, go to the following:
'Today's energy monitoring and metering maximises profitability and helps the environment' - The L2 Building Regulations are now upon us. These cover the conservation of fuel and power, and the monitoring and metering of power consumption is, therefore, even more important than ever today. While building regulations are notoriously complex, L2 could present big opportunities for electrical contractors, as well as saving money for building owners, and maximising a building's value. This is an overview of energy monitoring and metering techniques.
Low carbon all-electric with Dimplex solar thermal water heating - Dimplex claims that it is shaping up as 'the number one choice for low carbon heating and hot water' following the introduction of its solar thermal hot water system.
http://www.voltimum.ie/news/8004/consult.experts_hottopics.renewables/Low-carbon-all-electric-with-Dimplex-solar-thermal-water-heating.html
Rotary radio frequency control of heating appliances - A rotary radio frequency controller and receiver makes it simple to add controllability to electric heating appliances all around the home, for minimal energy waste and close control over fuel costs.
http://www.voltimum.ie/news/8005/consult.experts_hottopics.renewables/Rotary-radio-frequency-control-of-heating-appliances.html
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Related contacts
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Contact: James Hunt
Managing Editor
Voltimum UK & Ireland Ltd.,
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 732125
Email: james.hunt@voltimum.co.uk
Web: www.voltimum.co.uk |
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Source: James Hunt |
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