Preparing For Post Lockdown Net Zero Carbon Challenges

Futuristic, smart, sustainable building By Steve Wilkinson, Head of Commercial Projects, Cenergist

Easter weekend led the way for the greenest weekend in the UK ever recorded, with 80% of Britain's power generated by renewable technology. The last year of lockdown saw electricity demand plummet, but with the government now relaxing restrictions, more businesses, leisure centres and shops have reopened. Of course, this is great for businesses, but what does it mean for the environment? And what changes can be made to minimise the long‑term impact of these demands?

Post‑Pandemic Problems

Last summer, it was widely reported that emissions were lowering because of the nationwide lockdown. These reports were confirmed in March when the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) announced that carbon emissions had fallen by 10.7% in 2020 compared to 2019. Now that the nation is stepping out of lockdown, many fear that emissions will once again return to 2019 levels.

Of course, this does not have to be the case. Today, a number of organisations are committed to achieve net zero carbon emissions. From a facilities management perspective, there are multiple ways in which councils and businesses can implement sustainable processes that not only benefit the environment, but create optimum efficiency while remaining cost effective.

Much focus is often placed on the decarbonisation of electricity, but the challenges for many organisations lie in decarbonising heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as water, within buildings. Fortunately, there are now a range of opportunities to decarbonise these areas effectively. These options include optimisation of existing systems, improved control, water control & efficiency technology and heat pumps.



Minimising Fossil Fuels

In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry. Many facilities rely heavily on energy sources to provide gas and heating, but these non‑renewable sources have a devastating impact on the environment.

Consider how often temperature control is in effect in office buildings, stores, and leisure centres. Shops need to keep refrigerated and frozen items cool, gyms consistently push out cool air for those working out, and how often do you walk into a building only to be blasted by a hot gust of air coming from above vents? Alternatively, low carbon heat and cooling solutions, such as ground source heat pumps (GSHP) and air source heat pumps (ASHP) - where heat is extracted directly from the ground or ambient air, provide a clean way to heat and cool buildings, free of all carbon emissions on site.

A heat pump uses electricity to work its compressor and pump water through its circuits. They are also highly efficient at providing more heat energy than they use to perform the work needed. A well‑designed GSHP installation can provide three or four kilowatts of heat for the consumption of one kilowatt of electricity, and an ASHP can deliver three times as much thermal energy as is used in electrical energy to drive the system.

Furthermore, heat pumps are much cheaper to run than direct electric heating systems, and because they can be fully automated, they require little maintenance.

Short Term Water Treatment

One of the primary water concerns that facilities managers will have had when returning to their buildings will have been the threat of legionella. Following a long period of shutdown, stagnant or standing water within a plumbing system is likely to increase the risk for growth and spread of Legionella and other biofilm‑associated bacteria.

Much focus will rightfully have been placed in ensuring that the risk of legionnaires disease was minimised. This can be achieved through a robust water management programme. If an organisation does not have one in place, then now is the perfect time to not only implement one, but to find a solution that also improves efficiency and reduces carbon emissions.

Long Term Water Conservation

One often overlooked factor in the climate change conversation is water conservation. Less than 1% of the planet’s water is accessible fresh water that we can use, and 90% of that is held in the Antarctic ice sheet.

As a result of climate change, Sir James Bevan predicts that by 2050, the amount of water available could be reduced by 10‑15%,4 with some rivers seeing 50%‑80% less water during the summer months. We will be at higher risk of drought, rainfall will be less predictable, and many parts of the country will face significant water deficits.

With demand rising, efficient water usage will allow businesses and councils to minimise the amount of additional water being taken out of rivers and aquifers - protecting our water resources and wildlife. Facilities managers can leverage water flow technology that not only delivers significant water savings for buildings, but it is also cost efficient while improving the user experience of water utilities.

These solutions decrease the flow of water within any water system in order to promote water savings in a pressure independent way. Constant water flow remains with a small deviation of approximately 2% - automatically adjusting the flow to the desired requirements.

The savings created don’t only drive down bills, but they actively contribute to company PCC reduction targets. With controlled flow, excessive water consumption can be effectively reduced, and can provide up to 30% of water savings during peak demand.

Future of Climate Impact

It’s almost inevitable that the UK’s energy emissions and water usage will rocket back to the way they were pre‑pandemic, but those operating within the facilities management space can play a strong role in minimising their individual impact - and the introduction of low carbon heating and cooling technology and efficient water usage can go a long way to helping that.

If enough individual organisations choose to take these steps towards conserving water and energy, everyone can benefit from the latest technology and make a real difference to climate change.

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Preparing For Post Lockdown Net Zero Carbon Challenges