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Energy Efficient 
Buildings

Closing the Performance Gap

Our buildings are not performing as designed, typically having a much greater energy consumption.

Achieving Net Zero therefore starts by closing the energy performance gap of our buildings. Indeed, the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) “Be Seen” initiative requires building owners to explain their energy performance gaps.

A key characteristic of an energy efficient building is a heating system return temperature of less than 40°C. In general, the lower the return temperature, the better the building is performing. The volume weighted average return temperature (VWART) is a measurable key performance indicator that building operators must monitor closely. Indeed, a low return temperature is a prerequisite for connection to a heat network and to the efficient exploitation of renewable technologies, such as heat pumps. High return temperatures can compromise these systems.

Closing the performance gap will cut fuel bills and carbon generation, requiring good energy management and accounting.

The Net Zero Process

The social and financial implications of energy has made managing an organisation’s energy and carbon footprint a senior management challenge.

The energy challenge that we are now facing in the UK is one that the Danes have been grappling with for decades.

Indeed, Denmark’s 2045 Net Zero plan concludes that aside from minimising the energy performance gap, buildings need to reduce their energy consumption by 37% to cost effectively allow for the decarbonisation of sectors such as transport and industry.

 

The Net Zero Process

Step Zero

Ongoing Monitoring

An Energy Monitoring System is required to continuously monitor and minimise a building portfolios actual energy consumption versus budget.

Closing our buildings’ energy performance gap is essential to achieving Net Zero.

We have chosen EnergiData, Denmark as our “Be Seen” energy accounting partner. Their unique, C-level executive approach is helping over 8,000 commercial buildings globally cut energy waste.

Net Zero Voyage - Energy Efficiency

Step 1

Energy Saving

The cheapest energy is the energy we do not use. Energy savings can easily be made with little to no investment by changing user habits, ensuring proper management of heating systems, and identifying and eliminating sources of energy wastage. A further step, with appropriate investment, is reducing heat loss by taking a fabric first approach to building renovation.

Net Zero Voyage - Energy Monitoring

Step 2

Energy Efficiency

Building services need to achieve a satisfactory indoor climate with the minimum of energy waste. A building portfolio’s Energy Monitoring System should be organised to continuously monitor energy performance indicators against budget and immediately raise alarms when waste is detected.  

Ongoing Monitoring - Net Zero Voyage

Step 3

Decarbonise Energy Sources

Decarbonising the building’s energy source is the last step of the Net Zero process. Often, renewable technologies will not be cost-effective or perform as intended if the previous steps have not been addressed. By reducing the energy consumption of our buildings, the UK’s need for generational capacity will diminish, bringing Net Zero closer to reality.

Net Zero Voyage - Decarbonise Energy Sources

Attribution

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