GE to deliver 50% energy savings with Santander infrastructure upgrade

GE is to deliver energy savings of more than 50% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7,000 tonnes annually with Santander lighting infrastructure upgrade.

Demonstrating that corporations no longer have to choose between ‘profit and planet’, GE has delivered a cash-positive lighting infrastructure upgrade for the UK business of global banking institution Santander.

As the UK’s biggest ever fully-funded LED lighting retrofit, the project will see 90,000 new lights installed across the bank’s UK estate of 800 branches and 13 office buildings – slashing energy use in half and reducing carbon emissions by more than 7,000 tonnes each year.

Providing a full scope solution, GE will deliver lighting services throughout the 10-year contract, which includes optimised system design, installation, maintenance and management.

Importantly, the project is to be delivered using a cash-positive financing model, in a move that is set to reinvent the way companies think about investment in energy efficient lighting upgrades. The model includes a substantial investment of £17.5 million by the UK Green Investment Bank plc and Sustainable Development Capital Limited, making it the biggest LED-financing package the UK has ever seen.

This unconventional approach, in which the financing partners enable the lighting to be procured as a service rather than a product purchase, allows Santander to benefit from the reduced operating costs and improved energy efficiency of the LED lighting but without the capital investment and impact on the balance sheet – a flexible solution that could pave the way for many other organisations to follow suit.

Dan Vinton, CFO of GE Lighting EMEA, commented: “The lighting industry has changed dramatically in the last few years, moving away from supplying product as a simple disposable commodity, to providing high value solutions to customers while becoming a true energy efficiency partner. The old models of the lighting industry are no longer fit for purpose in this new market and this project represents a glimpse into the new world.”

“More than anything, this project has been about listening to our customer’s needs and working with them to develop a tailored package of lighting and finance solutions that perfectly meet their requirements. The strength, credibility and expertise represented by the GE brand helped make the project bankable which was a key element of success. We’re privileged to have been able to walk this learning journey together with our partners and proud of what we have accomplished here. We are now focused on scaling this offering more broadly and allowing more customers in our target markets and verticals to benefit from this type of smart value creation.”

Nick Roberts, Property Director, at Santander, said: “We launched our 20-20-15 energy efficiency strategy three years ago, in which we committed to reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2015. LED lighting has become an integral part of our Energy Efficiency Plan and plays a key role in achieving these overall sustainability goals. Through this lighting upgrade we have taken a huge step forward in executing our long-term efficiency objectives, with GE providing the support, scale and suitable products that we needed.”

For more information please visit www.ge.com.

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Evinox Energy to Exhibit at Ecobuild in the District Energy Pavilion

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Evinox Energy will be exhibiting in the District Energy Pavilion at Ecobuild, taking place from the 8th to the 10th March at the ExCeL London. Ecobuild is the leading exhibition and conference for the UK construction and energy market, attracting over 40,000 industry professionals from across the entire supply chain. This year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever, focusing on market priorities such as housing, infrastructure, technology and innovation.

The District Energy Pavilion will provide visitors with the opportunity to meet with a selection of suppliers and industry experts all in one area, and includes a comprehensive, informative seminar programme, featuring the latest information about efficient heat networks.

We specialise in communal & district heating systems, and manufacture our own range of modern heat interface units (HIU’s), designed with efficiency and end user comfort in mind. We will also be presenting a seminar in the District Energy Pavilion at the exhibition, where we will be discussing efficient heat network design and management.

Visit us on stand E4280 to find out more about our metering & billing solutions for communal & district systems, and smart control technology. Our systems combine effective HIU control with excellent after-sales end-user support and flexible metering and billing services, ensuring the building owner has a hassle-free, efficient development and residents enjoy a comfortable and relaxed place to live.

We look forward to welcoming you at the event. You can register now to attend the exhibition for free by visiting www.ecobuild.co.uk.

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Senior’s class act

Leading fenestration manufacturer and designer Senior Architectural Systems has helped deliver a dramatic new design scheme for a new performing arts centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The new state of the art centre, which is part of Newcastle-under-Lyme College, features various glazing solutions from Senior that have been installed by Aire Valley Architectural Ltd for main contractor Bardsley Construction. The slim sightlines and aesthetic flexibility of Senior’s SMR800 curtain walling made it the ideal choice to create the modern entrance to the building and the system has been used throughout to maximise the flow of natural light into the dance studios and communal areas. The centre’s bright and spacious design has been further complemented by Senior’s SPW600e windows and the use of Senior’s SD automatic doors.

Designed by Ellis Williams Architects, the glazing elements of the new performing arts centre provide an attractive contrast to the building’s striking façade which comprises a mix of render, aluminium and terracotta rainscreen cladding. The exceptional thermal efficiency of Senior’s SMR800 curtain walling and SPW600/E windows also met with the scheme’s stringent sustainability targets which has led to the centre achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’.

The new £5.5m performing arts centre includes teaching rooms, dance studios, performing arts spaces, a 200 seat auditorium, music studios and a student café.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk.

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Hybrid hot water solution tops the green bill

Rinnai’s Chris Goggin explains why hybrid technology is an attractive option for reliable and cost effective hot water provision as it becomes abundantly clear that renewables, on their own, just aren’t delivering.

Energy efficient continuous flow condensing gas fired water heaters clearly have their part to play as we head into ‘greener’ country. This ‘tankless’ form of hot water delivery is growing in popularity and offers huge ongoing financial benefits to building owners and tenants even before the advanced energy saving technologies of the units themselves are taken into account.

This makes the argument for their inclusion as a component in a hybrid renewables/gas boosted hot water system even more compelling. It is becoming abundantly clear that there is not one single method to achieve energy efficiencies as renewables on their own just aren’t delivering. There is no point in waiting for the perfect renewable solution to come along we can utilise a very effective mix of existing renewables and traditional technologies.

In effect we need to find ways of using current renewables technology, be it solar thermal, solar PV or heat pump technology, in a practical manner maximised by traditional fuel sources – in this instance, gas, whether Natural or LPG.

Modern renewables-ready heavy-duty condensing water heater units guarantee the highest efficiencies and therefore the lowest running costs of any commercial water heater. In short, a HE unit used as a gas booster for solar or ASHP systems maximises solar gain, as it only consumes energy when more hot water than the panels can cope with is needed. The rest of the time the unit is inactive.

The use of evacuated tube or flat plate solar collectors can make a big difference when paired with condensing continuous flow water heaters as a boost. Doesn’t it make sense to store the free energy collected by an array of solar panels within in a solar thermal store which can be heated to the required temperature on demand by a gas fired water heater or the water to the outlet can be easily boosted, taking advantage of the expansive range of modulation associated with Rinnai technology.

A gas fired continuous flow water heater is also the only booster that ensures never-ending hot water – no matter how fierce the demand. Fossil fuel is only used when the renewable store is below its set-point, thus reducing the dependency on fossil fuel and reducing CO2 emissions.

Easily ‘retro-fitable’ with current renewable technology, these units are a better environmental option than an electric booster. By using gas, a direct energy source, you can significantly reduce greenhouse gases.

Renewables ready Rinnai Infinity condensing HDC1200 internal and external models show an impressive energy performance of 107 per cent net efficiency while the larger Rinnai HDC1500 models turn in 105 per cent net efficiency*.

For large commercial, operations Rinnai has just launched the Infinity HDC1600i, its premium condensing water heater which has been tested to below 20 ppm NOx, producing the lowest emissions on the market, with 107 per cent gross efficiencies*.

Infinity HDC 1600 renewables-ready, retro-fitable low NOx series is the first heater of its kind to utilise pre-mix burner technology. The newly developed down-firing burner allows increased efficiency and reduces NOx gases. The patented burner also reduces the possibility of flame lift, which has previously been a problem with premix down firing burners. It has a 13-1 turn down ratio – the largest on the market – of 58.4kw-4.5kw and is ultra quiet in operation – so quiet that you wouldn’t know it was on unless you glance at the number on the display.

The Infinity 1600i low NOx series is available with an output of 58.4 kW producing 16.2 litres of temperature controlled hot water per minute (or 9.73 per hour) raised at 50°C. That is .2 litres a minute more than the existing Rinnai Infinity 1500 HDC.

*Tested and certificated by Technigas to EN 26.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com.

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Prestigious golf club project brings Masterframe sashes to the FORE!

Halo fabricator Masterframe was delighted to provide the replacement windows for a challenging refurbishment contract at The Royal Troon Golf Club on the Ayrshire coast.

The Club has a rich history, having been founded in 1878, and will be proudly hosting the Open Championship again in 2016. In order to welcome the world’s top golfers for the event, refurbishment was needed to bring the building back to its best. Club members had been experiencing problems with heating and noisy air-conditioning and it was felt that new windows would make the Club more thermally efficient.

MD of Masterframe Windows Alan Burgess explains: “The decision was made to replace the majority of the windows throughout the building; a number were not even operational. New window systems were required in the restaurant, the club bar, smoking room, gentlemen’s changing rooms, and three impressive windows in the Captain’s locker room.

“It was somewhat of a tricky project as the windows were fitted behind the original stone mullions.

“One of the Club’s members actually recommended us to the architect and the contractor, thanks to our reputation as the UK’s leading provider of sash windows.

“As a company, sash windows is all we do and we are proud to produce the most authentic, true-to-original timber alternative sash windows in the UK. The Royal Troon Golf Club’s ethos mirrors our traditional values and dedication to excellence, so we were very pleased to work with the Club.

“From a personal perspective, being a passionate golfer, I was determined to ensure that this project was a massive success by providing windows worthy of this prestigious establishment. Our aim was to recommend the very best solution to match the architecture of the club building, with the most up-to-date features that we could manufacture.

“The architect initially specified the windows using information from the our website. We were able to develop the project further by working together to create the ideal, bespoke solution, incorporating parts of the original specification and some of our own recommendations such as butt jointing and dual foils.

“A high quality PVC-U window, created using Halo profile, was chosen to match the existing windows. These alternatives to timber offered the traditional aesthetics the Club wanted to maintain, along with a host of modern benefits. They were fitted behind rebates, without changing the visible sightlines, just like the originals.

“The final specification was a Vintage Traditional window with fully butt jointed frames and sashes, complete with laminated Glass.

“The windows would be complemented by Antique Brass claw cam catches and bar handles. Dual foiling was used in different combinations to suit the character of the various rooms, with white woodgrain externally. Interiors featured bright White Woodgrain, Irish Oak and rich Rosewood foils from The VEKA UK Group’s Variations collection.

“Upstairs, there are two unusual London style sash windows that are square on the inside with a full arch on the outside, which gave us the opportunity to demonstrate our technical skill.

“The new, high quality PVC-U windows are more serviceable than the original timber windows, improving ventilation – especially in the changing rooms – and not requiring annual maintenance, despite being within 200 yards of the sea.”

Chris Moran, House Governor of the club commented “The windows are universally acknowledged as being first class and a number of advocates of wood have stated they were wrong and have indicated that the quality of the windows and the fitting has been an outstanding success.”

For more information please visit www.masterframe.co.uk.

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COMPAC: the ice effect

Ice Concrete is part of the New York Collection of quartz worksurfaces from COMPAC, a stunning range inspired by this American city’s famous loft culture.

COMPAC’s designers have been able to create a fusion between architecture, design and functionality to offer a quartz worksurface range that explores an industrial and urban aesthetic which will revolutionise how we think about worksurfaces, either in the home or in a commercial environment.

Silky, soft and sensuous to the touch, Ice Concrete has a unique matt concrete finish which provides the opportunity to create a contemporary kitchen environment reflecting the style and excitement of loft living in the ‘Big Apple’.

The New York Collection is available in seven innovative colours with an exclusive matt concrete or glacé finish, all of which combine texture, depth of colour and definition of grain –all hardwearing, hygienic, easy to clean and maintain.

The New York Collection from COMPAC – transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary ones.

For more information please visit www.compac.es.

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BIM objects for roof slates and ridges from Cembrit

Following on from a successful launch for natural slates, Cembrit has added BIM objects for its fibre cement slates and fibre cement ridges to its growing portfolio. The new objects have been designed with the same attention to detail as the first group which were recently nominated in the Developers’ Choice BIM Object Awards 2015. This initiative is part of an ongoing process that will see the whole Cembrit product portfolio available as BIM objects.

Cembrit’s BIM objects contain detailed dimensions, product specifications and other key details, along with high quality 3D images to add into virtual model and simulated building designs. “We’ve been delighted with the reception our BIM objects have received from the specification community so far,” says Ged Ferris, Marketing Manager of Cembrit. “This latest release adds our versatile and well regarded fibre cement slates and key accessories, and so broadens the scope of our BIM object offering to encompass many more roofing design scenarios.”

The Cembrit range of fibre cement slates includes Westerland, Moorland, Zeeland, Jutland and Diamond, all offering their own unique appearance. The slates are ideal for use on conventional pitched timber roofs with a rafter pitch of 20° and over, or hung vertically as cladding on external walls. The slates are complemented by matching fibre cement ridges, ventilation solutions and fixings.

Cembrit holds five BBA Certificates for its fibre cement slate range, ensuring that whichever system is chosen, architects can be confident in the specified product. To achieve this status, Cembrit fibre cement slates completed a comprehensive testing process and successfully met all the requirements set out by the BBA. Compatible with both, Revit and IFC software versions, Cembrit’s Building Information Modelling (BIM) objects for fibre cement slates are hosted on the NBS National BIM Library and are available to be downloaded and integrated into any BIM software programme.

For more information please visit www.cembrit.co.uk. 

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A sustainable approach puts Charcon top of the class at Manchester Metropolitan University

Charcon, the commercial hard landscaping product range of Aggregate Industries, has successfully completed delivery of over 2,000 tonnes of landscaping materials to Manchester Metropolitan University’s new £140 million sustainable campus in Hulme.

Materials including 7,501m² of EcoPave, 4,521lm of Eco Countryside Kerb, 896lm of wide top Eco Countryside Kerb units and 398 EcoPave step units have been supplied alongside 1,051m² of Charcon premium Andover Textured flag and block paving. The products, which were specified due to their sustainable qualities and unique range of shading, provided optimum design flexibility and strong visual appeal.

The use of Charcon’s Eco range helped Manchester Met to meet the project’s sustainability targets. With the new student accommodation being amongst the most sustainable buildings in the UK, Aggregate Industries’ Eco Countryside Kerb and EcoPave block paving were the perfect choice for the University.

EcoPave Textured contains up to 50 per cent recycled and reclaimed materials, while Eco Countryside Kerb is made with up to 82 per cent recycled and reclaimed material. Developed to maximise resource productivity, the products provide optimum use of finite resources by minimising waste and incorporating high proportions of non-primary materials.

The paving has been utilised to complement the external design of the teaching facilities and student accommodation, and blend in with campus surroundings.

In addition to providing materials, Aggregate Industries helped develop bespoke kerb angles and Eco units, providing on-site landscaping solutions. Contrasting Charcon step inserts were incorporated into the design to reduce the risk of slips and increase visibility.

Mike Davies, Specifications Manager at Aggregate Industries, said “The Birley Campus project has been an exciting one to work on and we are delighted our Charcon product range and expert advisory role on-site have been able to contribute to such a prestigious educational facility.

“The Eco range of paving and kerbing is highly sustainable and durable, meaning the University is environmentally friendly without having to compromise on quality or functionality.”
Manchester Met’s vision was to create “the most sustainable campus in the UK”. The new Birley Campus represents an exciting chapter in the ongoing regeneration of Hulme, and is breathing new life into a site earmarked for development since clearance in the 1990s.

The new campus opens up new paths of higher education to local people and is at the heart of the community for residents to benefit from the facilities, training and knowledge at hand. A brand new centre for teacher training and health facilities will educate up to 6,000 professionals for the region’s schools, hospitals, health and social services. Over 300 new jobs will be created and the local economy in Hulme and Moss Side will be boosted by £29 million.

To find out more about the Charcon range of products, visit www.aggregate.com.

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Marley Eternit’s Cedral sets the pace in rapid renovation

Marley Eternit’s Cedral Lap fibre cement weatherboard has been at the forefront of a fast paced transformation at South View Leisure Park.

The Skegness leisure park was completely renovated with the main building being rebuilt as part of a four-month project after it was burnt down in a major fire last December. A&M Architectural Partnership led the £3 million development, with Wasp Construction overseeing the installation of the cladding.

Marley Eternit’s Cedral external cladding material was specified to reconstruct the original 550m2 building due to its fast and simple installation properties. Wasp Construction’s three installers had just over two months to clad the entrance building, including all verticals, corner details and gable peaks, and all the windows and porches.

Featuring a nine-hole golf course and two fishing lakes, the leisure park is a popular destination for holidaymakers, making it a priority to ensure the work was carried out on time to get the park back up and running quickly.

Cedral, in beige and white, was specified to clad all public areas of the holiday park including the reception, restaurants and swimming pool building. The fibre cement material was used for its durability whilst simultaneously reflecting the traditional and picturesque costal style of Skegness.

Mike Atherton, managing director of Wasp Construction, said: “We had never previously used Marley Eternit’s Cedral cladding but it worked fantastically well. The fibre cement lap boards were extremely simple to install, allowing us to get the project and all of its finishing touches completed to deadline. The project turn around was remarkable and we were really surprised at how fast it was to install.”

Mike continued: “The architects wanted the building to represent the traditional timber cladding effect which had been installed on the previous building. However, after the fire, Cedral Lap had the added benefit of achieving fire classification A2-s1, d0 to EN13501-1 whilst also offering durability and low maintenance benefits.

“We trialled cutting the boards in three to four different styles, it was extremely adaptable and we were able to create a completely cohesive and polished design for all of the external profiles.”

The South View Leisure Park re-opened in sections during its rebuild and was completed earlier this year. The quick installation properties of the Cedral Lap helped the holiday park to re-open to holidaymakers within four months of the fire, bringing business back to the local community.

For more information on Marley Eternit’s Cedral cladding solutions visit: www.cedral.co.uk.

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Ecobuild conference puts spotlight on housing

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Some of the most influential and outspoken names in the UK housing industry will present their visionary and powerful opinions in the housing themed sessions on Day 1 at Ecobuild. Supported by BRE, the conference covers property issues ranging from the need for high quality volume housing and commercial viability of ultra-low cost and low energy homes, to the challenges of refurb and retrofit.

The programme, being hosted by broadcaster Cathy Newman, embodies state of the art design and construction, leaving no stone unturned to establish what our future housing needs are and what can be done to deliver it. Among speakers giving their forthright, expert – and at times – provocative views include Tony Pidgley, Chairman of Berkeley Group; David Sheridan, Chief Executive of Keepmoat, and Rowan Moore, Architecture Critic for the Observer. All three will provide a unique and inspiring look at what makes good housing.

Professor Phil Jones, Chairman of Architectural Science at Cardiff University, is another of the day’s dynamic speakers. Prof Jones led the team which developed SOLCER, the UK’s first purpose-built, low-cost energy smart house which is capable of exporting more energy to the national electricity grid than it uses. The property was built for a mere £100,000. Prof Jones’ teaching and research activities cover a range of subjects in the field of energy use, environmental design and sustainability in the built environment.

With each session designed to give a glimpse at the future of housebuilding and home creation, Colin Usher, director of John McCall Architects, provides a presentation on “Living for Tomorrow”, in which he offers common sense solutions to low-energy, cost-effective future living. In 2014, John developed a house which runs on a utilities bill of just £15 per year.

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