Energy Efficiency Key in Tate Modern Extension

In just eight years Tate Modern has changed London and revitalised the South Bank of the Thames.

Tate Modern has transformed a previously underdeveloped area of London and has helped give the city a new image as a leading centre of contemporary culture. It has become a key landmark for London, while its programme and architecture have won international acclaim.

Since 2000, more than 30 million people have visited Tate Modern – it was designed for 1.8 million visitors annually, but has reached an average of 4.6 million visitors over recent years. Understandably, there is huge pressure on public facilities; and more space is needed.

As well as displaying works of modern art, a proposed extension to the Tate Modern will also be a testament to energy saving design.

Plans for the new extension, which will resemble a brick pyramid and will be taller than the existing tower on the power station, will see it emit 44 per cent less carbon dioxide than is required by building regulations.

Due for completion by 2012, the £215 million building will use 54 per cent less energy than regulations require, despite glowing at night.

Architects Herzog and de Meuron have included passive design principles and the building will use heat from nearby electricity transformers.

Earlier this month London mayor Boris Johnson announced plans to retrain unemployed people as energy efficiency advisors to help retrofit buildings.

Retrofitting refers to the practice of making an existing building more energy efficient through measures such as installing insulation, double glazing or better boilers.

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What's the Best Way to Green With Your Green?

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors have released a guide for consumers which offers impartial expert advice regarding the costs, potential energy savings, payback period and disruptiveness of green improvements to a property. The Greener Homes Price Guide was developed by RICS’ Building Cost Information Service to help consumers through the green jargon, and manufacture claims.

Homeowners rocked by the latest rises in energy bills are turning to green solutions to save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

By using the guide, homeowners will be able to target the areas in their homes where green upgrades would have the most impact.

This will enable them to make informed choices on how best to improve their homes, whether this is with a view to solely reduce their carbon footprint or reduce their energy bills.

Often caught between wanting to be more environmentally friendly and needing value for money many consumers are left confused over which green upgrades offer the best energy savings for the best price.

In addition to offering cost advice The Greener Homes Price Guide also includes practical advice on:

• what grants are available and how to apply for them
• when you need to apply for planning permission
• how to obtain builders or specialist contractors

“We all have a role to play in helping to reduce our carbon footprint, be it through changes to our behaviour or by choosing greener alternatives. The reality is, however, that most people struggle with the cost, time, and effort it takes to make these changes. The Greener Homes Price Guide gives consumers a comprehensive heads-up about the costs and effectiveness of green upgrades, whilst protecting them from being duped into changes that won’t save them money or do little to reduce their carbon footprint. Consumers need innovation and enhanced technology to help in the fight against climate change, not just a guilt trip about living in the world we have created. We encourage governments and companies not just here in the UK, but all over the world to continue to invest more in the research and development of green technologies.”
Joe Martin, BCIS, Executive Director

Unfortunately the RICS are out for their green too, and the guide is not available for free, the Greener Homes Price Guide: Organising and Budgeting for Energy Efficiency and Reducing Your Carbon Footprint, is priced £17.99 and can be ordered online or by calling T +44 (0)870 333 1600 (select option 2 for BCIS sales and quote item code 17012). Also available in all good bookshops. Publication date: August 2008. ISBN: 978 1 904829 67 6


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Tesco Ireland Opening First Eco Store Next Month

Tesco Ireland will be opening its first environmental store ("eco store") in Tramore next month. When completed the 30,000 sq ft retail outlet will use 45% less energy than a supermarket of a similar size. Setting a new benchmark for green technology and construction in retail in Ireland, Tesco Tramore will save 420 tonnes of CO2, a 30% annual saving. It's all part of a number of steps that Tesco is taking to reduce the environmental impact of its business operations.

Features of the eco store include;

• Timber frame shop floor instead of traditional steel
• Enhanced insulation to minimize heat loss
• Trigeneration Combined Heat and Power Plant producing the majority of all central heating and hot water for the store whilst also contributing to the electricity generation
• Double glazing sections in the roof to maximise natural light
• Photovoltaic roof cells that generate electricity for use instore
• Roof-top rainwater collection for use in toilets
• Cold air recycling system which takes cold air from chilled areas to warmer areas - reducing the need for air conditioning
• CO2 based refrigeration replacing the more traditional HFC refrigerants.
• Energy-saving LED lighting in all fridges with below shelving lips in dairy and milk cabinets to reduce cool air loss
• Bakery ovens that are 50% more efficient than similar installations
• Photocell lights in loading areas which are triggered by low external light
• Light movement sensors to ensure lights in offices and other staff areas are only on when this space is in use
• The building as designed will receive an A1 Building Energy Rating (BER) the highest energy efficient rating

Tesco Ireland is taking a number of practical steps to reduce its environmental impact and to help consumers make informed greener choices based on good science. The company is measuring the carbon footprint of 30 Tesco own brand products, measuring the overall CO2 emissions throughout their life cycle.

Since announcing its Strategy for the Environment and Carbon Reduction last year Tesco Ireland has been investing and trialling new technologies throughout its store network, and as a result has developed a more sustainable blueprint for its new buildings. This includes an extensive energy management programme with energy managers appointed locally to all stores. The company commissioned its first Combined Heat and Power unit at Tesco Nutgrove store last year, saving 25% in energy costs. A bio diesel mix has been introduced to the distribution truck fleet along with double deck trailers which will save on road miles.

Pictured is the 50,000sq ft Tesco in Wick, in the north of Scotland. It was designed to be the most environmentally-friendly of its kind in the UK, and it is expected to have a 50 percent smaller carbon footprint than similar sized traditionally built stores. Not only is the building envelope designed to have minimum impact on the environment but construction methods were also as low-carbon as possible, while road freight was replaced with shipping to reduce both emissions and road congestion.

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Transport Minister Opens New Bus Centre

Transport Minister, Conor Murphy, today opened the new £2.8million Lisburn Bus Centre. During his visit he also launched Translink’s new Passenger Charter.

“This investment in a new bus centre is a major asset for public transport in Lisburn and local passengers will benefit from a modern fully accessible station which provides better and more comfortable facilities for all. I am committed to improving public transport and my key objective in investing in bus services is to encourage more commuters and other travellers out of the car. Substantial investment in bus services between 2003-2007 has resulted in nearly 940 new Translink buses, making it one of the most modern, comfortable and reliable fleets in Europe. In addition between 2008-2011 a further £36million will be invested in buses to ensure these high standards are maintained. I would also like to acknowledge the support of the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme which part funded this new facility for the travelling public.”
Conor Murphy, Transport Minister

The site is close to the city centre and offers quick access to Bow Street Mall and the surrounding commercial area. A bus lane adjoining the station will increase access and shorten journey times.

The Minister also launched the new Translink Passenger’s Charter. The new Passenger’s Charter sets out standards and targets for punctuality and reliability, waiting times, standing on buses and trains, complaints procedures and what passengers can expect from Translink staff.

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Chimney Balloon

I just had my head up my chimney today, and when I told people I was inflating a balloon up my chimney earlier, they thought it was some kind of euphemism. Usually not one to get my hands dirty, I was right in the action with soot everywhere. I had ordered a Chimney Balloon from Flusystems on Sunday and it arrived today. I had tried to order one last year just before Christmas when I wrote Winter Warmer Ideas, you have to practice what you preach, but the company was just featured in a national newspaper (the Guardian, I believe) and they were struggling to cope with the orders they were receiving.

The device was designed in 1990 to stop chimney draughts, and has some bold claims on their website, including;

"A room with a blocked chimney needs only about half the heat compared with rooms with open chimneys, so it makes sense to fit a chimney balloon in every chimney which is not in everyday use."

The chimney balloon is made in a special laminate of three plastics to make it airtight, tear-resistant and long-lasting. It also has a special shape that allows a little ventilation on two corners to keep your chimney dry. Using a chimney balloon is completely safe, if it is accidentally heated, it shrivels and deflates.

I was slightly skeptical about the claim that it requires only 50% the energy to heat a room with one installed, so I did the non-scientific hand infront of the flue, outside there was a small breeze, and this could be felt entering the room slowly and consistently.

I placed my chimney balloon into the flue and started blowing, gently making sure that it was postitioned well as it inflated, it took a few tries as I was dubious that my inflation, angle and postitioning was, well not good.

After completion I repeated the non-scientific hand infront of the flue, no breeze, good job. Just to make sure it is functioning properly you should check it after 24 hrs to make sure that it hasn't reduced in size due to cooling of the air in the balloon, and again every month or so.

The chimney balloon is effective mainly because of one single principle, warm air rises and cold air sinks. With the chimney balloon we can stop both at once, keeping cold air from entering the room, and warm air from escaping up the chimney. Chimneys act as a funnel and pump to take warm air away. This is a good thing when your fire is lit and the warm air is full of smoke.

It did make the room feel warmer, but then again I am a nieve person that when taking placebos thinks they are working. I believe it works, and works effectively, it's a small difference, that will save some energy without even having to try, and with global energy prices still high it could pay for itself in less than one winter.

As well as ordering a chimney balloon, I ordered radiator reflector panels, which hopefully will arrive soon (I'm going to try a more scientific test with them), and will be installing solar thermal water heating this October which we hope will reduce our energy consumption by providing the equivalent of 1500kWh of hot water heating a year, for an energy efficiency dork like me it's mighty exciting.

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What Does a Display Energy Certificate Look Like?

Click on images for a more detailed view.



A This provides information about the building that the DEC applies to.

B Every DEC has a unique number. This number can be used to locate and get a copy of the certificate from the national register and to verify the validity of a DEC.

C The energy used by the building is converted into an amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). Different types of fuel emit different amounts of CO2. This shows how the energy use has changed over the last three years. The smaller the bar, the better the performance. This building has improved its performance over the last three years. Below the zero line show CO2 savings from Low and Zero Carbon energy sources. The benchmark is the average energy performance for a building of this type. A number below the line indicates the building is below average energy performance. A number above the line indicates the building is above average performance.

D This section of the DEC shows Operational Ratings from previous years. This building has improved its Operational Rating i.e. is using less energy and emitting less CO2 than in previous reports.

E This shows key information about how the certificate was prepared.

• Assessment software
  This shows which energy assessment method was used to produce the certificate.
• Property reference
  This is a unique reference number which identifies the building.
• Assessor Name and Number Accreditation scheme
  This identifies the assessor who produced the certificate with details of their accreditation scheme and their membership number.
• Issue and nominated date
  This shows the date of issues of the certificate and the date from which the DEC is valid (i.e. the nominated date).

F This provides technical information about energy use. Further details are available in a full technical table.

G This shows the relevant elements of technical information used to produce the certificate.

• Main Heating Fuel
  This indicates the main type of fuel used to heat the building.
• Building Environment
  This indicates how the internal environment of the building is conditioned.
• Total useful floor area
  This is the total area of all enclosed spaces measured to the internal face of the external walls (in accordance with the definition in the Building Regulations).
• Asset Rating: The asset rating of a building reflects the energy performance of that building in terms of the way it is built rather than the way it is used (standard use is assumed). It will appear here if the building has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Asset ratings are on a scale of 0-150, where 0 is the most energy efficient building and 150 is the least energy efficient building.

H This is the Operational Rating for this building. The rating shows the energy performance of the building as it is being used by the occupants. A building with performance equal to one typical of its type would therefore have an Operational Rating of 100. A building that resulted in zero CO2 emissions would have an OR of zero, and a building that resulted in twice the typical CO2 emissions would have an OR of 200. This rating indicates the building is being operated below average performance for a building of this type.



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