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It is estimated that energy use in buildings (from electricity, heating and cooling) contributes up to 40% of final energy consumption in the UK. Thus improving energy efficiency and the use of distributed renewable energy sources in the built environment can make a significant contribution to meeting the UKs climate change objectives under the Kyoto Protocol. These measures form a key part of the Governments energy strategy and are embodied in regulations such as European Performance of Buildings Directive (introducing stricter building regulations and energy labelling of buildings), Part L of the Building Regulations (through which much of the EPBD is being delivered), Planning Policy Statement 22 (giving Local Authorities powers to demand on-site renewable targets for new developments) and the Code for Sustainable Homes (a voluntary code currently, that is likely to become mandatory in the future). However, while the legislative and market pressure on local and regional government, developers and asset owners in the UK is mounting, traditional design and operational practices are struggling to meet the challenges. This is largely due to a general lack of expertise in the design and operation of energy efficiency and on-site renewables technology. Traditional industry approaches are struggling to develop, implement and manage a holistic, long term and integrated low carbon strategy from concept, through design, build, operation and management, restricting the ability to deliver real low carbon solutions. LowC provides the knowledge and resources to unlock low carbon solutions in these areas. |
