The Reality of Low Carbon Emissions
The Green Home Of The Future
By 2020, 80% of the UK’s gas requirements will need to be imported and over half the world’s gas reserves are concentrated in just three countries, Russia, Iran and Qatar.
When the electricity bill lands at the house of the future, the envelope could well contain a pleasant surprise. Rather than showing how much the family owes, it may well contain a cheque to pay for the energy it has generated for the national grid!
The government’s recently published energy and planning white papers combine to sketch a rosy future for householders generating small amounts of electricity on–site, which is then used to power a home’s Lighting, Heating and electrical appliances. Any excess power generated can be exported back to the grid.
The energy white paper ’Meeting the Energy Challenge (PDF: 744 KB)‘ ushers in a potentially bright future for electricity with detailed proposals pointing to how electric heating and hot water will be integral to reducing carbon emissions and improving energy security.
To meet the government’s target of reducing carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 (based on 1990 levels) requires a radical shift in energy policy, especially as power stations in the UK are responsible for generating over half of them.
This is given even greater emphasis by the fact that by 2020, 80% of the UK’s gas requirements will need to be imported and over half the world’s gas reserves are concentrated in just three countries, Russia, Iran and Qatar.
The white paper pushes for investment in increasingly low carbon electricity, principally large–scale renewables, clean coal and nuclear power.
Illustration of a ‘greener’ home
Microgeneration
…by 2016 all new build will be zero carbon — achieved by a combination of improved air-tightness and thermal efficiency together with the use of microgeneration technologies…
This will be utilised by low carbon homes — by 2016 all new build will be zero carbon — achieved by a combination of improved air–tightness and thermal efficiency together with the use of microgeneration technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, biomass boilers and heat pumps as well as heat recovery ventilation systems.
Solar panels or photovoltaic cells are used to generate power from the sun and changes to the planning rules, due autumn 2007, mean that these should be much easier to install. According to the white paper, only 1,300 eco–pioneers have installed panels on their homes while solar water heaters are much more widespread — the Department of Trade and Industry estimates there are about 80,000 in use — as they are much cheaper to install.
Mini wind turbines have also taken off in recent years, with more than 20,000 in use by householders or small businesses around the UK. They are only viable in some areas where average wind speeds are high enough and there is little wind turbulence from neighbouring buildings.
Ground and air source heat pumps are also set to see a massive growth in demand as on average for every 1kW of electricity they consume they produce around 2 to 3kW of heat.
Generating electricity locally avoids transmission losses and enables waste heat to be exploited for both heating and cooling. This applies as equally to commercial developments as much as individual homes.
In London, where 75% of the city’s carbon emissions come from buildings, the London Climate Change Agency, which is championed by the Lord Mayor’s office, is encouraging the growth of mixed–use developments which lend themselves to CHP (combined heat and power) systems, with residential and commercial property providing a balanced demand for energy around the clock.
One example is the regeneration of Elephant & Castle by Southwark Council. When redeveloped the 39 hectare site, due for completion by 2016, will have treble the floor space, with no in crease in carbon emissions. The majority (85%) of the total energy requirement of the development will be delivered by a gas–fired CHP plant augmented by biomass boilers at peak loads.
What is most significant for electrical contractors is that the majority of this technology, including low energy lighting and lighting controls, is out of the reach of most DIY enthusiasts.
Existing Buildings
Some of the new thinking being applied to new build will translate into existing buildings, but most pundits believe they are set to become two very different markets. Existing build will continue to be dominated by gas condensing boilers while new build will become solely electric — the prediction is that in five years time there will be virtually no gas in newly built properties.
What does this all mean for installers and specifiers? Firstly, electrical contractors working with developers to achieve zero carbon homes will need to fully understand and advise on the technologies available to assist with this goal. Alternatively, in existing properties the aim will be to reduce energy consumption by understanding when and where it is used in ’real time‘. Until now this has never been the case, which is where smart metering and controls come into their own.
The government has already said that it expects smart electricity and gas meters to be installed in every home within a decade. Trials have shown that they are effective in reducing people’s energy consumption by encouraging them to switch off appliances when not needed and see an immediate reduction of their carbon footprint.
Ultimately, the drive for energy efficiency in the residential and commercial sectors will have a significant impact on designers, installers and end users — whether it’s the migration to electric heating and hot water in new builds, the increasing use of renewable energy sources in the pursuit of zero carbon homes or the adoption of smart controls.
What is most significant for electrical contractors is that the majority of this technology, including low energy lighting and lighting controls, is out of the reach of most DIY enthusiasts.
As for every home in the country exporting electricity back to the national grid, there are a few technical issues that still need to be resolved, but watch this space.
Free Energy Survey
The Carbon Trust offers a free on–site energy survey for advice for organisations with energy bills pf over £50,000. The survey, conducted by an independent accredited consultant, will identify energy saving opportunities and offer practical advice on how to achieve them.
To book your survey
- Call 0800 917 3030; or
- Visit www.carbontrust.co.uk
- Telephone support (using the same number) is available for smaller organisations.
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