Technical Notes 2022, Issue 06 - Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

In response to a query raised at Council on the 16^th December 2021 regarding the design of new assets and what energy efficiency measures are included as part of the design process, officers can confirm that as a matter of course, all major asset capital projects are assessed for their suitability for implementing Low and Zero Carbon Technologies within their design.  This exercise involves a cost-benefit analysis across the anticipated life cycle of the building and includes an assessment of capital and revenue costs and of carbon impact.  Measures include amongst other things the use of air source or ground source heat pumps, biomass, combined heat and power systems, solar PV and solar thermal technology, as well as ensuring that any new additions to the fabric of existing assets, for example new roofs or new windows, perform to a high standard in terms of thermal performance or are designed to ensure they can be adapted in the future to accommodate sustainable technology (for example ensuring the specification of a new roof is such that the roof can accommodate solar panels in the future should that be required).

In order to secure Learning Estate Improvement Programme funding, new build education facilities (including refurbishment projects) are now required to demonstrate they meet ambitious energy consumption targets.  This is a key consideration in the design process for all major education projects and indeed any major project given the need to meet challenging net zero carbon targets for the estate as a whole in future years.