Sector Reponds to Jeremy’s Budget

 

CEO of The Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) Celia Greaves

“Giga has the potential to release billions in private investment in clean energy supply chains to provide products and services and will be critical for the continued development and deployment of hydrogen in the UK.

“We have been invited by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to facilitate input to a Call for Evidence on the funding package to support the expansion of strong, home-grown, clean energy supply chains across the country, for hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), as well as electricity networks, nuclear and offshore wind.

“Our input – from an association representing 120 members across the full-value chain – will help them to better understand the manufacturing project pipeline and the issues faced by the supply chain, and ultimately support DESNZ in gauging hydrogen market readiness for Giga funding, ahead of intended scheme launch in the summer of 2024.

“We are now entering a period of unprecedented growth for the UK hydrogen economy and this sort of funding could provide that valuable leap forward for the UK to continue to be a world leading place to invest in hydrogen.”

Gideon Stone, co-founder of Janine Stone & Co, the luxury residential design and build agency

 “The UK prime and super-prime residential sector is one of the few points of light amid a very difficult housing market. The sector has a strong appeal, seeing a more than 5% increase in listings over the past 12 months, with particularly pronounced growth in prime London neighbourhoods, such as Highgate, Holland Park, and Belgravia. Overall, the sector’s economic contribution is significant, generating over £36 billion across some 16,000 transactions last year.

Overseas buyers are vital to this market, accounting for 45% of purchases in Prime Central London in 2023, an increase of 6% on the previous year. As a result, Chancellor Hunt’s decision to scrap the non-dom tax regime threatens to snuff out the sector’s recovery. Too sudden or too dramatic a change in the tax system for high net wealth individuals risks transactions to grind to a halt, depriving the Exchequer of much needed revenues and the housing market of an upturn in one of its most important sectors.

Britain is blessed with a large endowment of extremely desirable luxury properties that overseas buyers wish to purchase and the Government should think carefully before jeopardizing the future of this important sector.”

Will Walker, UK Policy Lead at Ashden the climate solutions charity

“The country is crying out for bold government leadership and a credible plan to address the triple-whammy of energy security, fuel poverty and the climate crisis. This has to be done through sustainable clean growth. Any plan needs to be backed with the right powers, resources and incentives to empower communities, leverage investment, upskill and expand the workforce, and revive the economy.”

“The chancellor said he wanted to ‘build up our resilience to future shocks’. However, in reality he failed to ‘read the room’ and delivered a budget that misses the fact that citizens, by and large, care more about long-term investment in public services and getting help with their energy bills than short-term tax cuts.”

“Unfortunately, what we’ve seen over the last decade from Government is dither, delay and division on net zero. This has undermined business and investor confidence, weakened supply chains and added nearly £2.5bn to UK energy bills.

“A case in point is the home heat workforce and heat pump industry. Several net zero retreats in recent years, including the latest U-turn this week with the scrapping of the Clean Heat Market Mechanisms – sometimes given the misnomer of ‘the boiler tax’ – have meant that the industry really don’t know where they are any more. They have had their fingers burned and don’t trust government schemes, undermining the progress of a growth sector – yet again this budget neglects to provide a properly funded retrofit plan to support action that could really make a difference to the economy and help households trying to keep their costs down and homes warm.”

“Clearly the model is broken. Fundamentally, local leaders need more powers and resources devolved from Westminster, not further pressure on spending that has already been cut to the bone. Only by centering the needs of communities in the transition to net zero, reviving public services, and prioritising those most affected by it, will we get where we need to go and bring people with us.”

 

Dr Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), said:

“Local government was not entirely absent from today’s Budget. Headline announcements included a trailblazer devolution deal for the North East, devolution deals for Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire and Surrey, new Investment Zones and a series of funding deals to support housing. These will no doubt be welcome in those areas that receive them, but the Chancellor did not address the systemic funding issues in local government.

Our latest research found half of councils believe they could face bankruptcy within the next parliament. Council taxpayers are paying ever higher rates for fewer services, and leisure centres, SEND provision and adult social care funding are all facing deep cuts.

Now is the time for productive debate on the possible solutions to the local government funding crisis. Instead, the spending reductions required by this budget will increase all these pressures.

The Chancellor recognised market failures in children’s residential care and SEND support but councils will not feel that this is enough to counteract the cost increases they have faced in those areas. Similarly many in local government will note that the Chancellor’s emphasis on public sector productivity is not reciprocated by removing some of the onerous funding hoops that councils have to jump through.

We need a proper debate about how we fund local services and we need to reform council finances. This scattergun pattern of largesse granted or withheld will no longer suffice.”

 

Graham Harle is the CEO of Gleeds Worldwide

“As Chancellor Jeremy Hunt resumed his seat after the budget, the false bonhomie masking apprehension on colleagues’ faces spoke volumes. With an election around the corner, if it was supposed to buy the government another term of office, I would imagine many Tory MPs will be ordering the removal van. Construction and property are a bell weather industrial sector as well as big employers and our numbers make for grim reading, with construction activity recording almost flat output levels in February after five months of falls. This is the core issue that the Chancellor should have been addressing – how to inspire confidence, fan growth and improve productivity. Rather than tinker around the edges doing things like increasing the VAT registration threshold by a meagre £5K, minimal investment in housing and full lease expensing “when affordable”, the Chancellor should look at the anaemic UK economy as needing a transfusion, not a sticking plaster. GDP is only predicted to be marginally higher this year at 0.8%, for instance. This was a budget to stop us bleeding out before the election, not a long-term recovery plan.”

David Hannah, Group Chairman of Cornerstone Tax

“Multiple Dwellings Relief was first implemented as means to incentivise bulk purchases and provided developers with a suitable avenue for delivering low-cost homes. At a time when demand for affordable housing has skyrocketed, the government should look to create fresh incentives for developers, instead of abolishing old ones.”

“With inflation forecast to fall below the 2% threshold in just two months time, it’s time that the Chancellor pressure the Bank of England to urgently reassess their priorities. Economies have momentum and the unnecessary continuation of record high interest rates risks further damage to the UK’s struggling housing market.

“Our data reveals that 59% of Brits on their current salary cannot afford to save for a deposit, whilst 54% of Brits claim that their family aren’t able to provide them with enough support for their first step on the housing ladder.

“The Chancellor could have used this opportunity to reform the private rental sector, measures including the abolition of the second home surcharge from rental sector investors and reinstating full relief on mortgage interest payments would have both reduced the costs of purchase, whilst also allowing landlords to freeze, or potentially cut, rents. “

The Housing Forum responds to the Spring Budget 2024

 

The Housing Forum welcomes the £240m announced today to unlock housing in Barking and Canary Wharf, and also the second round of funding to address the nutrient neutrality issue blocking new homes. It was disappointing not to see any other significant new funding announced for housing in today’s budget.

The housing sector has been struggling with market downturn and a raft of new regulations, making it more expensive and difficult to build new homes. The government is on course to miss its own target of 300,000 new homes a year, and there was nothing today to suggest any plan to remedy this situation. The Housing Forum’s proposals for a £4bn fund for affordable housing would enable the 60,000 households currently in temporary accommodations to have a home of their own, reducing costs for local authorities’ hard-stretched budgets and helping the housing and construction sector to retain capacity to accelerate in the future.

We’re also very concerned about the funding cuts proposed to unprotected departments like the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, over the coming years. Even more worrying is the lack of support for local authorities, many of which are on the verge of issuing Section 114 notices. Well-funded local authorities are needed to develop local plans and build much needed social housing, if councils are left in the lurch then housebuilding will decline yet further.

 

 

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Tax Breaks for Property Developers

Property developers and investors taking on projects to convert commercial property into residential homes have received transformational news, as the government confirms changes to planning law, which coupled with potential tax breaks could be highly lucrative.

From 5th March 2024, changes to the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) in England will come into effect. The GDPO gives property developers the ability to go ahead with certain types of development without the need to seek individual planning permission from the local authority.

The GDPO in essence considers planning permission to have been granted for particular types of projects. With the changes being introduced, the scope of the GDPO is widening and previous rules which created barriers are being removed.

Why is the government changing the GDPO?

The housing crisis and the high volume of vacant units on the high street has driven the government to make these changes.

The retail sector has seen a large shift to online shopping, which has driven up the collapse of some of the largest retailers in the country. Business rates have also driven other companies off the high street.

The hope is this change will act as a ‘two birds, one stone’ solution, by encouraging both property developers and investors to take on commercial units in England’s towns and cities and regenerate them as much needed housing for the country.

For context, previous Permitted Development Rights (PDR) projects led to the creation of 102,830 new homes, over the period 2015/16 and 2022/23, which comprised around 6 per cent of the net homes delivered over that period.

By easing the restrictions on the GDPO, the government hopes that this route to the creation of new homes can help reach their overall targets for housing.

How is the GDPO changing?

The change relates to the Use Class, Class MA. This allows for a Class E commercial property to be converted into a residential property.

At present the GDPO caps the maximum floor space of a project to 1,500 square metres, meaning any building with a floor space that exceeded this size could only be partly converted. This restriction is to either be removed, or increased to 3,000 square metres, meaning the size of building that can be changed from commercial to residential use will be at least twice what it is now.

Secondly, a property had to have been vacant for a continuous period of three months, before the date of an application. This requirement is being removed.

So, from March 5th unless there is an Article 4 direction or other form of restrictive condition in place that overrules the GDPO, a Class E (e.g. offices, retail space, cafes, restaurants, health centres, indoor recreation and much more) type of commercial building of any size, and regardless of whether it is in use or not, can be converted to residential use.

It may be necessary for property developers to apply separately for planning permission, if the outside of the building is to change (e.g. extra windows and doors are needed).

Tax breaks with change of use property developments

As stipulated in Section 7 of the Buildings and construction (VAT Notice 708), the VAT rating on some property conversions is reduced from 20 to 5 per cent. This applies when you are converting a premises to a:

  • Single household dwelling
  • Different number of single household dwellings
  • Multiple occupancy dwelling
  • Premises intended for use solely for a relevant residential purpose

There are conditions that apply in each instance, however, for those that qualify this is a significant cost saving.

What does the change to Class MA permitted development rights mean?

Other rules, outside the floor space and vacancy rules being removed, will still apply. For example, the building must have been in Use Class E continuously for at least the last two years, it must not be on or part of a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) or protected in some way, and cannot be within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Nonetheless, the change will be transformative for the property development industry. It will bring about a faster, cheaper and easier path for the conversion of unused or under-used commercial buildings to residential use.

In terms of the overall impact on the housing sector, the government clearly has a long way to go before the housing crisis is fixed. It has a target of creating 300,000 homes per year in England by the mid 2020’s, which we are now upon.

However, in both 2021-22 and 2022-23, the net additional dwellings figure for England demonstrated a significant housing shortfall, and sat at just under 235,000 per year.

 

Source: Commercial Trust

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What can go Wrong with Geothermal Projects?

Krafla Geothermal Power Plant in Iceland

How to explain the low energy output of one of the UK’s flagship geothermal projects?

GeoExPro spoke to a geothermal drilling expert to find out

 

In September last year, the UK Government announced a list of renewable energy projects that qualify for a minimum price guarantee for the energy delivered to the grid. Geothermal projects were among the winners for the first time, and the United Downs project in Cornwall, southwest England, was one of them.

However, the estimated energy offtake from United Downs looked a little meagre: only 2 MWe. Higher output can reasonably be expected for such a flagship and expensive project, where the producer well reaches more than 5,000 m and temperatures over 175°C are confirmed. What might be the cause for an energy output this low?

It is not only a low energy output; progress on constructing the site has also been much slower than anticipated. In June 2020, I listened to a talk by Ryan Law from Geothermal Engineering Limited, the project’s operator. At the time, electricity production was thought to be online in 2021. It is 2024 now, and there is still no electricity production, and the project’s narrative has moved significantly towards lithium production.

To learn more about what may have caused all this, GeoExPro spoke to Kevin Gray from Black Reiver Consulting, who has been working in the geothermal space for years and knows how to drill a geothermal project properly. Kevin is a real advocate for the geothermal industry, but at the same time, he does not shy away from being upfront about the risks of not sticking to a competent drilling strategy.

The United Downs project seems to be an example of a project where a competent drilling strategy was missing.

The United Downs project targeted a major fault zone in the granitic basement. Hot brines from a depth of around 4,100 m are supposed to be brought to the surface to power an electricity plant, with the cooled fluid subsequently re-injected at a depth of around 2,100 m into the same fault zone where it was produced from deeper down.

Schematic representation of the Porthtowan Fault zone drilled by the two United Downs geothermal wells. Source: Geothermal Engineering Limited

 

As virgin granite has no permeability, any fluid flow into the wellbore relies on natural fractures. Therefore, it is critical for high-profile projects of this kind to preserve the permeability as much as possible during the drilling process.

“This is easier said than done because penetrating a naturally fractured zone is often associated with mud losses while drilling and, therefore, the risk of clogging up the fracture space”, says Kevin. “And that is most likely the thing that went wrong here.”

“An explanation as to why the fracture space was clogged up so badly is the type of drill bit used”, continues Kevin. “The project went through 38 roller-cone bit runs, and guess what roller-cone bit cuttings do when drilling through a fracture zone? The cuttings can completely pack off your fractures, decreasing their capability to accommodate fluid flow.”

Kevin further explains that there are bits on the market that can do a much better job, as it is in this particular realm where a lot of innovation has been taking place over the last few years.

“On that basis, it looks likely that there was no proper assessment of the type of drill bit to be used”, Kevin concludes. “Sure, even with the best bits, it will always be a challenge to prevent any formation damage completely, but in this case, it seems that the low projected energy output can be directly related to the lack of a proper drilling strategy.”

Source: GeoExPro
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Report Says UK can add £51.2b to the Economy by Building Social Housing

New research suggests that building 90,000 social homes every year could significantly benefit the UK economy – by up to £51.2bn.

A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) that was commissioned by Shelter and the National Housing Federation (NHF), argues the investment would not only address the housing crisis but also generate a net profit of £12 billion for the taxpayer over 30 years.

The report, entitled ‘The economic impact of building social housing’ also highlights that building more social housing could create up to 140,000 jobs in the first year alone.

The building programme would also inject £37.8 billion back into the economy within three years, primarily through boosting the construction sector.

Building 90,000 social homes will end the housing emergency

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, said:

“Homelessness is a political choice, with a simple solution. Building 90,000 social homes a year will not only end the housing emergency, but due to the wider economic benefits it brings, it will pay for itself within just three years.

“Day after day our frontline services are inundated with calls from people who are being tipped into homelessness because there are no genuinely affordable homes available and private renting is just too expensive.

“Communities are being torn apart as people are priced out of their local areas – leaving behind their jobs, children’s schools and support networks.”

She added: “It doesn’t have to be this way. A safe and secure social home will give people a place to thrive – improving their health and access to work and education.

“All political parties must make the choice to end the housing emergency – they must fully commit to building 90,000 new genuinely affordable social rent homes a year for 10 years.”

 

Potential savings across various government departments

The report also highlights potential savings across various government departments should the UK commit to building new social housing.

The savings would amount to:

  • £4.5 billion on housing benefit would be saved
  • £2.5 billion earned through construction taxes
  • £3.8 billion earned through employment taxes
  • £5.2 billion saved on NHS costs
  • £4.5 billion saved on homelessness reduction
  • £3.3 billion saved on Universal Credit.

These savings, combined with additional tax revenue, would recoup the initial £11.8 billion government investment within 11 years.

‘The housing crisis can be solved’

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation said:

“This research shows not only that the housing crisis can be solved, but that this can be done in a way that will save the taxpayer money, boost jobs and bring huge benefits to the wider economy.

“Right now, we are in the midst of a housing emergency. Millions of children are being pushed into homelessness, families are being forced into impossible choices to keep a roof over their heads and people in every community in the country are seeing life chances harmed by inadequate housing.”

She adds: “Building more social homes is a win-win solution. It will immediately boost the construction industry, supporting thousands of jobs, and will save the government and taxpayer money over the longer term.

“It also brings huge benefits to people affected by the housing crisis through reducing homelessness, increasing employment and boosting children’s life chances.”

Source: Property 118

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T Levels not A Levels is what Employers Need

College cements ambitious plans for ‘transformational’ campus buildings

Work is getting underway on a trio of large capital investment projects at Bradford College.Over the last two years, the college has secured nearly £29m in funding, which will go towards major construction schemes. Plans include:

·       New £3.5m vocational T Level facilities in the existing David Hockney Building.
·       A £6.9m refurbishment of the derelict Garden Mills building on Thornton Road.
·       Construction of a new £17m Future Technologies Centre (FTC), also on Thornton Road.

T Level Facilities

A £3.5m Department for Education (T Level Capital Fund  – Wave 5) investment will create a commercial barbering salon, nail bar, collaborative lecture spaces, TV studio, enhanced media editing and recording studios, outdoor dining facilities, and remodel of The Grove training restaurant.

T Level qualifications are an alternative to A Levels and focus on the hands-on skills that employers need.

Opening in September, these latest T Level facilities follow on from £1.3m Wave 4 funding which built T Level health and early years facilities in 2023.

The first phase of work incorporated five new digital teaching suites, a large collaboration science lab, a mock clinical ward, and the conversion of classrooms into indoor and outdoor nursery training rooms.

Garden Mills

The Garden Mills refurbishment is the result of £5.8m worth of funding received from The Office for Students (OfS) Higher Education Capital Fund (with a £1.1m college contribution).

Contractor Tilbury Douglas has finished the strip out of the five-storey building for fit-out and completion by this summer.

Garden Mills will enhance the college’s existing health science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) facilities. Higher-level HNC/HND and degree students will use this building from the new academic year.

It will house two new flexible laboratories, a prep room, six higher education digital IT labs, an ophthalmic dispensing suite, a clinical suite, a real-life work environment with consulting and testing booths, a collaboration area, and academic teaching spaces.

Future Technologies Centre (FTC)

Construction of the purpose-built FTC building will begin in spring following the demolition of Junction Mills and surveys by contractor, Morgan Sindall.

The project was made possible thanks to £15m funding from the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund (FECTF), secured in October 2022, boosted by a £2m college contribution.

The FTC will be the new home of modern automotive and digital engineering curricula, such as electric/hybrid vehicles, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and digital/3D design.

The college’s Automotive and Digital Engineering Department will relocate from Bowling Back Lane to the new premises once completed during the 2025/2026 academic year.

Christopher Malish, Bradford College vice principal finance & corporate services, said: “We’re thrilled to see work scaling up across our project sites after years of logistics and planning.

“We have an exciting year ahead as we develop sector leading facilities. This is a huge boost for the college but is also a transformative investment in Bradford city centre, that also supports the wider city centre development.

“These multi-million pound investments will create cutting-edge learning environments for the local community, allowing the college to deliver on its mission of transforming lives.”

source: The Business Desk

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Learn from heatwaves to inform UK policy

Turning up the heat: learning from the summer 2022 heatwaves in England to inform UK policy on extreme heat

The UK experienced five heatwave periods during summer 2022 with record-breaking temperatures of over 40°C in England. This was not an anomaly, but part of a warming trend: extreme heat events are projected to become more likely as the climate continues to change.

This evidence report, research drawing from the experiences of those working on the frontline of the heatwave response in England in summer 2022 – including policymakers, emergency responders, utility sector and civil society participants – finds that the country is ill-prepared for future extreme heat events.

To inform future preparedness and responses to extreme heat in the UK, this evidence report evaluates the current policy response to extreme heat, shares lessons from the experiences of decision-makers and first responders to the 2022 heatwaves and recommends that the Government develops a new Heat Risk Strategy (see figure below).

Key messages

  • The 2022 heatwaves were associated with a total of 2,985 excess deaths in England and heat exposure is estimated to cost the UK economy £260–300 million per year. Heat poses particular risk for those with pre-existing health conditions and exacerbates existing social and economic inequalities. There are also differences in regional heat vulnerabilities and exposure.
  • Better management of heat risk and adaptation action is essential to protect the population and infrastructure. Although the most effective way to minimise the longer-term impacts of extreme heat is through cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the severity and frequency of heatwave periods will continue to grow even once global emissions reach net zero.
  • Reflecting on the 2022 heatwave response in England as a whole and in London, Manchester and Yorkshire and Humber, our research participants expressed a range of concerns, including a lack of preparedness for the heat, a lack of specific resources and funding, and the need for better communication, public engagement and education.
  • Positive aspects of the response highlighted by participants were the presence of strong teams, agile decision-making, prioritising vulnerable groups, successful forecasting and early warning systems and the deployment of the national heat alert system.
  • Existing policies related to managing extreme heat in England are fragmented and do not adequately address the severity or urgency of heat risk. For example, the Third National Adaptation Programme recognises the risks to human health from extreme heat but fails to offer actions of sufficient scale and urgency to significantly improve heat preparedness.

  • Over half of UK homes are at risk of overheating: buildings in the UK have been designed to protect from the cold rather than the heat. Building regulations now address overheating risk in new-build homes, but existing homes and buildings are excluded.

  • Limited progress has been made to address the risks of heat, drought and wildfires in the natural environment – and to harness the opportunities of nature-based solutions such as green and blue infrastructure to provide cooling urban areas.
  • The severity of extreme heat risks and impacts are often underestimated by the UK population and positive media coverage of heatwaves tends to undermine the severity of risks.
  • The UK needs a National Heat Risk Strategy, a strengthened National Adaptation Programme and a new vision for leadership to ensure a step change in progress on addressing heat risk at all geographical levels.

A National Heat Risk Strategy for the UK

 

Source: London School of Economics

 

 

 

 

 

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Calls for the Mayor of London to Prioritise Green Skills

ECA (Excelence in Eletrictotechnical & Engineering Services) calls on London Mayor to prioritise green electrical skills in the capital

ECA’s Chief Operating Officer Andrew Eldred has reiterated calls on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to provide small electrical contractors with extra financial and administrative support to hire apprentices for crucial low-carbon electrotechnical work.

He also called for direct funding of the Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Assessment route, as well as infrastructure to assist completion of the Assessment.

Following ECA’s contributions to the London Assembly Environment Committee’s investigation into low-carbon skills in the capital, the Committee has published an open letter to the Mayor asking that he prioritise green skills and apprenticeships as we work towards net zero carbon emissions.

Andrew Eldred told the Committee that there are particular challenges in providing opportunities for on-the-job training because of the small size of many electrotechnical and engineering services contractors.

He suggested that additional assistance for small companies would enable more to consider taking on apprenticeships, adding, “I absolutely buy into the idea of extra support for smaller employers. For the electrical apprenticeship, 80 per cent of all electrical apprentices are already employed by non-levy companies, the smaller companies.

“However,  many smaller businesses do not have the bandwidth to manage the full burden of taking on an apprentice. They are put off by bureaucracy, so additional incentives and support, including potentially wage support, could be targeted at those companies.

“If that support is provided upfront, particularly for a small outfit that is taking on its first apprentice, we could see a resolution to the issue.”

The ability to upskill our existing workforce is also crucial in meeting skyrocketing demand for low-carbon installations. The open letter cites Andrew Eldred as advising the Mayor to “boost support for the EWA [Experienced Worker Assessment] route, including providing the infrastructure to support completion of the EWA.”

The EWA allows people who have already worked in the electrical industry, or a closely related field to gain a qualification, provided that they can demonstrate adequate existing knowledge and fill gaps through training and experience before taking an assessment of competence.

Read the full open letter to London Mayor Sadiq Khan here.

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Constructing buildings from nanobots and smart dust

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In the dynamic realm of construction, the infusion of cutting-edge technology continually pushes boundaries and sparks innovation. An emerging frontier in this landscape involves the use of nanobots and smart dust, micro-scale technologies that promise to revolutionise the very essence of construction processes. In this comprehensive exploration, buildingspecifier.com Editor Joe Bradbury delves into the intricate world of molecular construction, envisioning a future where buildings are meticulously crafted at the atomic level by miniature robotic marvels and intelligent particles. Brace yourselves as we unravel the potential applications, challenges, and transformative impact that this molecular marvel holds for the construction industry.

 

Nanobots – the tiny titans of construction

Nanobots, the diminutive yet powerful agents of change, are poised to assume a pivotal role in the future of construction. Operating at the nanoscale, these microscopic robots can be programmed to execute intricate tasks with unprecedented precision. Imagine a construction site where nanobots lay the foundation of structures, connect materials seamlessly, and even undertake repair work at a molecular level. The possibilities are as vast as they are mind-bending, reshaping the very fabric of construction as we know it.

 

The potential applications of nanobots in construction are boundless. Their ability to navigate through tight spaces, coupled with precise control mechanisms, makes them ideal for tasks that were once considered too delicate or intricate for conventional methods. Nanobots could be the architects of a new era, laying the groundwork for structures that stand as testaments to precision engineering.

Smart dust – a symphony of intelligence

Enter the realm of smart dust, a symphony of intelligent particles that promises to orchestrate a revolution in construction monitoring and management. Comprising tiny, wireless sensors, smart dust particles are designed to collect and transmit data, providing a real-time stream of information from the heart of construction projects. Picture a construction site where every particle functions as a sensor, contributing to a vast network of data that guides the building process with unparalleled accuracy.

 

Smart dust brings a new dimension to construction by enabling real-time monitoring of structural integrity and environmental conditions. These particles can detect stress points, assess material performance, and transmit valuable insights to construction teams. The result is a dynamic feedback loop that enhances decision-making, mitigates risks, and ensures the optimal performance of structures throughout their lifecycle.

 

Designing with precision

At the core of molecular construction lies the ability to design with unparalleled precision. Architects and engineers can now envisage structures at the molecular level, optimising every aspect for strength, efficiency, and sustainability. The traditional constraints of construction materials and methods are transcended as molecular design allows for intricate and complex structures that were once deemed impractical or even impossible.

 

Molecular blueprints enable architects to create structures that are not only aesthetically stunning but also functionally superior. Imagine buildings that are tailored to specific environmental conditions, with materials and designs crafted to withstand the test of time. The potential for innovation in architectural design becomes limitless as the microscopic realm becomes a canvas for groundbreaking creativity.

 

Challenges and ethical considerations

While the prospects of molecular construction are exhilarating, they come with a set of challenges and ethical considerations. As with any transformative technology, the potential environmental impact, safety concerns, and ethical use of advanced technologies in construction must be carefully navigated.

 

Environmental impact considerations include the disposal of nanobots and smart dust after construction projects, potential ecosystem disruptions, and the long-term effects of introducing such technology into the natural environment. Safety concerns range from the health implications of exposure to nanobots to the risks associated with potential malfunctions or unintended consequences during construction.

 

Ethical considerations delve into the responsible use of these technologies, ensuring that their deployment aligns with societal values and standards. Striking a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility is crucial to ensuring the sustainable and responsible development of molecular construction.

 

Real-world applications

In the present, researchers and pioneers are already pushing the boundaries of molecular construction. Case studies and real-world applications provide a glimpse into the potential and challenges of deploying nanobots and smart dust in construction projects.

 

Highlighting instances where these technologies have been successfully employed, we learn from the experiences of those who have ventured into the uncharted territory of molecular construction. From small-scale experiments to ambitious undertakings, these case studies offer valuable insights into the practicalities, breakthroughs, and lessons learned in the field.

 

 

The future landscape of molecular construction

Peering into the crystal ball of construction innovation reveals a rapidly evolving landscape for molecular construction. Speculating on future scenarios and potential advancements in this revolutionary technology unveils fascinating prospects.

 

In the realm of architectural design, the integration of molecular construction with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) emerges as a transformative force. Imagine architects and engineers immersing themselves in a virtual world, manipulating molecular structures in real-time using AR and VR interfaces. This integration not only streamlines the design process but also provides a dynamic platform for collaborative visualisation, allowing stakeholders to interact with molecular blueprints before the deployment of a single nanobot.

 

Autonomous construction swarms present a vision of a bustling construction site where nanobot swarms work harmoniously under the guidance of advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence. Coordinating seamlessly, these swarms could enhance construction efficiency and reduce overall project timelines. This paradigm shift could redefine the construction industry by transitioning from traditional methods to a future where microscopic agents collaboratively bring architectural visions to life.

 

Consider the potential for self-healing structures, where nanobots equipped with the ability to detect and repair microscopic damage extend the lifespan of buildings. This innovation could revolutionise maintenance practices, reducing the need for frequent repairs and interventions.

 

Molecular construction also opens the door to environmental adaptability, where structures can dynamically adjust to changing environmental conditions. Interconnected with weather forecasting systems, nanobots and smart dust could enable buildings to adapt their structural properties based on external factors such as temperature, humidity, or seismic activity. This adaptive construction approach may lead to structures that are not only resilient but also sustainable in a dynamically changing world.

 

In summary

As we conclude our exploration into the world of molecular marvels, it is evident that the construction industry stands on the precipice of a transformative era. The vision of constructing buildings at the molecular level is not merely a fantastical notion but a tangible prospect on the horizon.

 

Nanobots and smart dust hold the promise of reshaping the construction landscape, ushering in an era where precision, efficiency, and sustainability converge in unprecedented ways. While challenges and ethical considerations remain, the potential benefits are vast, offering a glimpse into a future where construction is not just an act of creation but a molecular symphony orchestrated by the tiniest of marvels. As research and development progress, the construction industry is on the brink of a molecular revolution that will redefine the very essence of how we build and shape our world.

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Energy security ‘crunch point’ in 2028

 

Analysis: Delays to building new UK power generation creates energy security ‘crunch point’ in 2028

 

 

  • By 2028 the UK’s demand for power is set to exceed secure dispatchable and baseload capacity by 7.5GW at peak times
  • “Crunch point” is a result of delays in bringing new generation on to the system, increasing demand for power and upcoming retirement of existing assets
  • Shortfall would leave UK more dependent on intermittent domestic and international generation
  • Mitigation includes extending the use of existing nuclear and dispatchable generation, including biomass, and supporting reduction in peak demand

New independent analysis by Public First, ‘Mind the gap: Exploring Britain’s energy crunch’, commissioned by Drax Group (Drax), reveals that the UK will hit an energy security “crunch point” in 2028.

Public First’s research finds that in 2028 a perfect storm of an increase in demand, the retirement of existing assets, and delays to the delivery of Hinkley Point C will culminate in demand exceeding secure dispatchable and baseload capacity by 7.5GW at peak times.

This shortfall is more than three times the secure de-rated power that Sizewell C will be capable of providing to the system when completed – 2.5GW – and nearly double the gap in 2022 (4GW). Uncertainty for biomass generators, which contribute over 3GW of secure dispatchable power, risks compounding the shortfall by nearly 50%.

The analysis also shows that over the next five years the headroom between secure total supply and peak demand is tightest in 2028. This is when total de-rated capacity is expected to be just 5GW higher than demand in peak times – this represents a significant reduction (c.-40%) from the average expected headroom across 2024-2027 (8.5GW).

The scale of the energy crunch will play out when National Grid ESO runs its T-4 Capacity Market Auction to procure sufficient power generating capacity to keep the lights on in 2027-28. The margin between target capacity the ESO wants to secure (44GW) and how much generation has entered the auction (43.4GW) is the tightest it has ever been since the auctions started ten years ago.

The research underscores that energy security will be a key issue in the next Parliamentary term. Without additional action taken to make up the shortfall, the UK will be more dependent on intermittent power from international energy interconnectors and renewables like wind and solar.

The report states building additional new capacity is unlikely to have a material impact in time and that to deliver certainty the Government should:

  • Extend the use of existing baseload generation assets which provide secure capacity, including nuclear plants scheduled to retire, and agree transitional arrangements for biomass operators that plan to install bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.
  • Work to reduce peak demand by encouraging flexibility and installing more home insulation.

Richard Gwilliam, Drax Group’s UK BECCS Programme Director, said:

“Delivering energy security is a critical and longstanding challenge for all governments. The need to maintain it while tackling climate change and rapidly decarbonising economies makes the issue all the more acute.

“This research demonstrates the UK is facing a power generation crunch point, with demand set to outstrip the supply of secure dispatchable and baseload capacity – leaving the UK reliant on intermittent forms of generation. To keep the lights on, part of the solution will be extending the lives of existing generation assets. Drax Power Station and our pumped storage and hydro power sites already provide secure, renewable electricity for millions of homes and businesses – but there’s more we can do.

“Drax plans to massively expand the generation capacity of Cruachan pumped storage power station in Scotland, some of which could be available to help bridge the power gap. Additionally, providing we secure the appropriate transitional support, our project to deliver two units of BECCS at our Selby site would also support energy security and decarbonisation through the crunch and well into the future.”

Daisy Powell-Chandler, Head of Energy and Environment at Public First, said:

“Setbacks in bringing new nuclear and offshore wind online, the retirement of generation assets and increasing power demand will create an energy crunch point in 2028. But the challenge of keeping the lights on is not set in stone: policymakers have a suite of levers they can pull to ensure that we have a more secure, diverse, and sustainable energy system in the future.”

As part of the research, Public First polled UK residents to better understand public perceptions of energy security following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The polling found that energy security remains high on the public agenda with 46% of those polled feeling that there was a medium-high risk of energy shortages this coming winter and almost 41% feel the risk of energy shortages is increasing.

 

Source: Drax

 

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STUFISH REVEALS ENTRANCE CANOPY AT ONE ZA’ABEEL

Multi-purpose canopy integrates into the garden below and acts as a performance area when projected on from above

London-based architecture studio STUFISH has today revealed the spectacular new entrance canopy for One Za’abeel, a pair of skyscrapers, the tallest extending to 305 metres and the newest addition to Dubai’s ever-growing skyline. An architectural and engineering marvel designed by Japanese studio Nikken Sekkie, One Za’abeel is redefining the concept of mixed-use developments in Dubai. The completion of the entrance canopy follows the reveal of The Link, the development’s 230-metre-long horizontal sky bridge and the world’s longest cantilever which connects the two skyscrapers.

 

 

Measuring 75 metres long and 82 metres wide, the canopy makes for a very impactful entry to Dubai’s latest and most unique destination.  The inspiration for the canopy was contextual and performative. It needed to embody natural elements and integrate with the garden below, but also perform for a variety of different lighting conditions.

 

To create the canopy, STUFISH began the design process from the surrounding landscape. The design grows from and touches the terracing gardens and beams below and to the side though free of any supporting structural at the perimeter, allowing the canopy to appear as if it is floating. Large bifurcating columns rise from the berm landscape to support the canopy surrounding the hotel top-off. Under the canopy stand three columns that increase in height toward the centre, reaching a maximum height of 30 metres above the drop-off paving.

 

The undulating canopy is comprised of three layers. The soffit of the canopy consists of Iroko timber beams that run diagonally in line with the cladding panels. Above the timber beams is the primary steel structure, which is a projected grid at 2.5 metre centres. Above the primary structure is a layer of cladding made from perforated aluminium panels fastened to a purlin layer. The cladding is distributed parametrically, creating a versatile surface that allows for opportunities like digital projection.

 

 

MAciej Woroniecki partner and architect at STUFISH said:

‘The canopy has been created to provide an impactful and stunning entry into the One Za’abeel development. The canopy’s unique design allows for the structure to fuse harmoniously with the surrounding landscape and float above the One&Only hotel drop-off. STUFISH are proud to play its part in this visionary project and is excited for visitors to experience the beauty of the canopy.’

 

The canopy continues STUFISH’s expansion in the Middle East. It follows the recent completion of The Garage, a former multi-storey car park in the heart of Riyadh and the Middle East’s largest start-up incubator. Alongside their work designing bespoke buildings, STUFISH are world leaders in temporary architecture, creating stages for some of the world’s biggest music artists. The studio’s most recent work includes stage designs for Beyonce’s 2023 Renaissance tour, Madonna’s 2023 Celebration world tour and U2’s innovative Las Vegas residency at the Sphere.

 

One Za’abeel’s two skyscrapers rise to a height of 235 metres and 305 metres, respectively, and contain residential space, office space, and a hotel between them. Being one of the first visible structures for those travelling from the airport, it is hoped to become a landmark for Dubai

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