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We’ll get through this together at the Energy Management Summit

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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In such difficult and unknown times, it is key to keep updated with industry changes, stay connected with peers and gain access to new budget-saving solutions for times ahead.

The Energy Management Summit could help you with all of the above – 5th & 6th October – Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted.

As our guest you can benefit from; an itinerary of spaced out 1-2-1 meetings with innovative suppliers, access to a series of insightful seminars, networking with peers, complimentary overnight accommodation including all meals and refreshments throughout.

You will also receive an exclusive invitation to our evening dinner – RSVP here to register your attendance.

This event is small and niche unlike other large, busy exhibitions and conferences.

We want to ensure you that we are following all the government guidelines and taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of all our attendees and staff. 

As part of our commitment to you, we will endeavour to keep you updated on all information regarding the event.

Proptech eyes improved building performance with new platform

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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A new digital twin platform has been launched that claims to change the way buildings are managed and perform, helping to make them safer and more energy-efficient.

Twinview is powered by cloud-based, 3D digital twins – digital replicas of physical buildings – which connect the virtual and the physical buildings with real-time analytical data.

Its creator PropTech says this allows building owners to manage, monitor and maintain critical construction and operational information.

The platform has been four years from research and development to go-live, with PropTech stating it is already in discussions with a number of national and international businesses.

Initially, the platform is focused on those responsible for estate management, with an emphasis on commercial, universities and social housing sectors. In the long run, it is envisaged Twinview will be used by contractors and designers, and across sectors such as hospitality and hotels, retail, infrastructure, transport, private housing, and schools.

Rob Charlton, CEO at Twinview, said: “The original concept for Twinview was very much developed in response to discussions we were having with clients. The problem was that while complex building models were developed through the design and construction process, due to the need for proprietary software, training, and hardware, this information could not be viewed or maintained after building handover.

“We’ve worked closely with real estate investment trusts as well as digital specialists in the sector to make sure Twinview will help address a number of issues that have been discussed for some time. While we started work on the platform before the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, it does respond to the recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her report. Twinview will provide a ‘golden thread’ of information which is easily accessible by anyone, anywhere.

“While there are existing solutions that deliver elements of what Twinview offers, very few do everything that we are doing in one environment. Twinview removes the need for specialist and expensive hardware, software and training. Not only can users view models online using just a web browser, they’ll also be able to update their models and view and access live data right down to individual asset level in milliseconds.” 

Can a data centre achieve Net Zero?

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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By OnSite Energy Projects

Achieving net zero is a challenge for any business but data centres are amongst the most power hungry users. Globally data centres consume >3% of total power generation (that’s 140% of the entire UK power generation). So can data centres ever attain net zero?

Some data centres simply buy “green tariffs” which in my view is a cheat, and it won’t be acceptable in the long run.  It also misses the real opportunity of embracing the move towards net zero, which is  to reduce operating costs and be green at local level. Achieving net zero lies in a combination of energy efficiency and local zero carbon generation.

Data centres are often measured by their PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) which is Total Facility Power consumption divided by IT Equipment Power.  Typically PUE is in the range 1.5-2.0  depending on location.  The traditional approach in building a data centre is to size the power supply and cooling to the maximum compute capacity, with redundancy.  In practice this means a lot of equipment on standby or in reserve just in case.

We typically see several energy savings options in data centres.  For instance, alternative cooling technologies can be used which save significant energy (up to 90% of cooling load), and are also cheaper than traditional cooling and more scalable to deploy as IT power grows.  Resulting PUE can fall below 1.1.

Reducing consumption also narrows the gap that zero carbon onsite generation then needs to address.  The main factors in specifying generation solutions are usually available space on site, scale of generation needed and access to nearby low carbon or renewable generation.

The benefits such an approach brings are (1) cheaper operating costs;  (2) reduced CO2 emissions; (3) long-term cheaper power than grid, and (4) enhanced resilience. These are all key factors in attracting and retaining tenants.   Adoption of the alternative cooling technologies can even enable more dense rack compute power, so enabling more use of space, higher rents and higher occupancy.

The technology may not be there today to go fully net zero, but I am convinced its coming.  Adopting a strategy towards net zero will be vital for attracting and retaining customers.

Onsite Energy Projects enables the achievement of net zero via our innovative data-led approach and zero capex solution. For more details please contact us at info@on-site.energy or on 0161 444 9989.

http://on-site.energy

Facilities Management Forum – Book on today!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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Claim your complimentary guest place at the Facilities Management Forum, which is taking place on July 6th & 7th – availability is extremely limited!

This small and niche event is far removed from the traditional busy and crowded exhibitions and conferences, and takes place at the Hilton Deansgate, Manchester.

The Forum will give you access to innovative suppliers who can help you reduce your expenditure for a series of pre-arranged, face-to-face meetings based on your requirements. You can also attend a series of seminars, and network with like-minded peers.

Overnight accommodation, all meals and refreshments, plus an invitation to our networking dinner, are included with your free guest place.

If this would be useful for your business, please confirm your attendance here.

Calling all energy managers – Join us this October!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

The Energy Management Summit takes place this autumn, and it’s designed specifically for you – don’t miss out on this fantastic industry event!

5 & 6 October – Radisson Blu, London Stansted

Your personal two-day experience will be created based entirely on your own requirements and interests…

  • Receive a bespoke itinerary of 1-2-1 meetings with suppliers who match your business requirements and upcoming projects.
  • Choose to attend a range of insightful seminar sessions hosted by industry thought-leaders.

Meanwhile, we will provide all guests with full hospitality, including overnight accommodation, all meals and refreshments, plus an invitation to our networking dinner.

We have just 60 complimentary guest passes, so register today so that we can start creating your own personalised experience at the Summit.

Important: The Energy Management Summit is a small-scale event, far removed from the large and busy exhibitions and conferences within the sector.

Carbon Offsetting – An Exciting Strategy

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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One of the biggest challenges the UK is facing is how to tackle the issue of climate change. As our populations and economies grow, the environment is feeling the strain of our increased energy needs. This means we all need to look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and quickly. 

Over the past decade we have seen an increasing number of individuals become dedicated to lowering their environmental impact. These measures range from a reduction in the use of plastic, to the implementation of LPG as a main energy source. 

Although people are making a difference, further changes are still required. Last year the UK government announced plans to achieve ‘Net Zero’ status by the year 2050[1], a target which aims to stop the UK from contributing to the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere. However, public awareness on how this will be achieved is still lacking. In fact, a recent report from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau found that just 38 per cent of us are aware we’ll need to change the way our home is heated if we’re to achieve this goal.[2]

The harsh truth is that, until we are entirely carbon neutral, we’ll be unable to avoid creating a carbon a footprint on some scale. From heating our homes and offices, to driving our cars or even making a cup of tea, it’s inevitable that we can’t always live up to the green standards we’d like to. 

It isn’t all doom a gloom, however. For those looking to combat these inescapable emissions, there is a solution – and it’s called Carbon Offsetting. Here, we look through the benefits and how it can help us lead a greener life. 

What is meant by Carbon Offsetting?

There is a solution to the everyday emissions we produce, and it comes in the form of Carbon Offsetting. A process in which people compensate their emissions by funding projects that provide sustainable development in communities around the world. These projects offer an equivalent reduction in emissions to those you create; either counteracting or absorbing carbon dioxide and bringing balance to the environment.

Big brands from around the world such as EasyJet[3], Shell[4] and Gucci[5] all now use Carbon Offsetting to help improve the environmental impact of their businesses. 

But why is it important?

Carbon Offsetting exists as way of allowing people to make up for the emissions that they can’t otherwise avoid. 

Additionally, the increased funding these causes receive can change lives, bringing economic, social and health improvements to whole communities. With people at the heart of Carbon Offsetting, as well as ecosystems, it allows us to begin future proofing for a cleaner, greener world.  

For what reason should I Offset my Carbon emissions?

As homeowners, Carbon Offsetting is the opportunity to balance your carbon footprint. For the environmentally conscious and those looking to reduce their impact on the climate, Carbon Offsetting gives them the tools to make a difference. Whilst it shouldn’t be used as a stand-alone approach and is best used as part of a wider carbon reduction strategy, it will help people reduce their impact on the environment. 

How do I offset the carbon emissions I can’t control?

From West Africa households being given access to eco-friendly cooking equipment, to rural China being supplied with clean hydroelectric power, the beneficiaries of Carbon Offsetting are extensive and the options diverse. One example is the Kariba REDD+ Forest Protection project in Zimbabwe, Africa. Since its launch in 2011, it’s avoided more than 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere and has prevented deforestation in an area of nearly 750,000 hectares. 

Through the combination of Carbon Offsetting and the support of sustainability projects which deliver clearly recognisable results, aligned with individual efforts within the home and industry, it is clear that the UK can, over the coming years, play a positive role in carbon emission reduction.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-becomes-first-major-economy-to-pass-net-zero-emissions-law[1]https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/CitizensAdvice/Energy/Energy%20Consultation%20responses/Zero%20sum%20(2).pdf

[1] http://corporate.easyjet.com/corporate-responsibility/environment/climate-change-carbon-emissions-and-carbon-offsetting

[1] https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3082469/shell-to-offer-drivers-carbon-offsets-at-no-extra-cost

[1] https://www.gucci.com/uk/en_gb/st/stories/gucci-equilibrium/article/carbon-neutral

IT sustainability ‘being ignored by business’

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

Only 28% of managerial knowledge workers in large UK businesses consider information technology (IT) sustainability to be a top priority for their business beyond mandatory reporting and regulatory requirements.

That’s according to research from Citrix, which also highlights somewhat encouragingly that the majority of large UK businesses (60%) have a specific corporate social responsibility (CSR) or sustainability strategy in place for IT, which includes strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Despite this, only 37% of companies currently measure greenhouse gas emissions created by employee computing. The majority of respondents working in the telecoms sector (70%) confirmed that this is currently measured by their organisation. Yet only 15% of those in utilities, 19% of those in healthcare, 40% of those in local government, and 43% of those in technology could say the same.

The data also suggests there is division amongst large UK businesses in regards to the measurement of IT end user device electricity consumption, with 55% currently measuring the consumption of devices such as desktops, laptops, notebooks and tablets. A further 59% currently measure IT data centre electricity consumption.

Almost a third (31%) of managerial knowledge workers – those in management roles up to CxO level in companies of 250+ employees – believe that IT departments have more of an impact than any other department when it comes to reducing carbon emissions, improving sustainability and driving widespread and crucial change across the whole business. This is reflected in the fact that the majority of Chief Technology Officers (93%) and Chief Information Officers (83%) are responsible for reporting on IT electricity consumption across the business.

Interestingly, a large proportion of Chief Financial Officers (88%) are now responsible for reporting to the board on IT use related to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, 78% of CFOs are subject to performance measurements such as goals or KPIs related to IT sustainability, which suggests that organisations across the UK understand the potential financial implications of not shifting towards more sustainable IT practices. 

However, 48% of respondents cited budget constraints as the biggest barrier holding back their organisation from building a more sustainable IT model. A lack of time (33%) and board support (21%), as well as employee pushback to changes made to IT (20%), were also cited as significant barriers.

Michelle Senecal de Fonseca, Area Vice President, Northern Europe at Citrix, said: “Anthropogenic interference has already caused a 1° C rise in global temperature. With no time to lose, every business in every industry must think about how they can reduce carbon emissions, improve sustainability and embrace greener practices by default.

“With digital technologies having an unprecedented impact on the workplace, organisations should review their existing IT infrastructure and evaluate its efficiency. They will soon realise they can cut their impact on the environment by transitioning workloads from less efficient on-premises data centres and migrating to hyperscale hosted cloud services.

“However, embracing a more flexible working culture — underpinned by the cloud — will likely have the most far-reaching consequences. The ability to work anywhere and from any device means lower commuting emissions and the freedom to work from devices that consume up to 90% less energy than a standard PC, such as a Google Chromebook or Apple laptop. By embracing this kind of approach UK businesses can reduce their carbon footprint, while benefiting from happier staff and improved productivity.”

Netherlands praised for green energy policies

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

The 2020 Sustainable Energy Production (SDE+) plan in The Netherlands’ spring budget will make its CO2 reduction target feasible and affordable, say analysts at GlobalData.

The Dutch Government plans to double the green energy subsidies to €4bn in 2020, from a previously planned €2bn, to meet its promise to cut CO2 emissions.

The Dutch Climate Agreement aims to reduce CO2 emissions in the Netherlands by setting a national reduction goal of 49% lower in 2030 than in 1990. In December last year, the country’s Supreme Court ordered the government to cut the nation’s CO2 emissions by 25% from 1990 levels by the end of 2020.

One of the key policy measures to meet the climate goals is the SDE+ scheme, which provides financial support to the producers for the renewable energy they generate. The 2020 SDE+ spring tender round is the last time the SDE+ subsidy will be awarded in its current form. Later on, the SDE+ stimulation subsidy will be expanded to an incentive for sustainable energy transition (SDE++).

Bhavana Sri Pullagura, Power Analyst at GlobalData, said: “There are a large number of renewable energy projects that can offer cost-effective contribution for further development and make the energy transition more sustainable. The 2020 SDE+ will be used to help projects that have a short implementation period and those projects which did not get funding in the previous tender. This is expected to give an extra boost to the development of renewable energy through the stimulation of both new and old projects for which the required permits were previously missing.

“The government’s resolution to reduce emissions by 49% by 2030 will result in massive renewable energy capacity addition. By 2030, the renewable energy capacity is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12%. The subsidies provided by the government will help in bringing down the cost curve for wind and solar energy, making them the most promising areas of new capacity additions. Both these technologies are slated to grow by more than 15% CAGR by 2030.”

Image by Markus Christ from Pixabay 

Do you have a Net Zero strategy?

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The UK has become the first major economy to pass laws requiring all greenhouse gas emissions to be net zero by 2050. The electricity grid is decarbonising (its carbon intensity has dropped by over 50% since 2011 to where it is today – 254 g CO2 per kWh) and is forecast to drop another 50% by 2030. Grid costs are rising to pay for this transition.

A key lies in the word “NET” because whilst some businesses will struggle to reduce carbon, others could actually become POSITIVE – e.g. generating excess renewable power.  New business models and revenue streams could emerge though

So what does this mean for YOUR business ?  How do you develop a net zero strategy ? 

  1. Significant changes will be needed to the way you do business and use energy.  The changes could impact how your employees come to work, how you distribute your products, sell your products, procure your raw materials and use your facilities.  Processes may require to be redesigned and reengineered.  This will mean the ability to embrace change, challenge existing assumptions, innovate and understanding of alternative methods and costs

Businesses should be looking NOW at their own operations and looking for ways to BOTH reduce consumption AND generate their own low carbon power locally in a sustainable way.  Simply buying a green energy tariff is not sufficient. There are many very good long term business benefits by embracing this genuinely, which can become a source of competitive advantage.

For businesses that use a lot of gas, this is going to be particularly challenging. Gas is cheap (5-6 x cheaper than electricity), so changing away from gas will be expensive.

2. Those changes will have financial costs that may not be affordable within conventional capex constraints.  New business models such as energy as a service are increasingly available to help bridge the gap, and enable changes to happen. 

NET ZERO WILL REQUIRE NOTHING SHORT OF AN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, with new business models and technology, and all within the next 30 years.  

These are the reasons Onsite Energy Projects exists – we help businesses innovate, reengineer their energy supply chain and implement the full potential of both energy efficiency and on-site generation measures.  We recognised the challenge of capex availability and can provide a no-capex, off-balance sheet, solution to make it all happen.

If you would like to know more email us at info@on-site.energy or call on 0161 444 9989.

Onsite Energy Projects provides energy savings and energy generation solutions to energy intensive businesses, without capex if required. 

An event created especially for energy managers like you

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

This autumn we are hosting the Energy Management Summit – a unique event designed specifically for energy management professionals like you.

5 & 6 October – Radisson Blu, London Stansted

Your personal two-day experience will be created based entirely on your own requirements and interests…

  • Receive a bespoke itinerary of 1-2-1 meetings with suppliers who match your business requirements and upcoming projects.
  • Choose to attend a range of insightful seminar sessions hosted by industry thought-leaders.

Meanwhile, we will provide all guests with full hospitality, including overnight accommodation, all meals and refreshments, plus an invitation to our networking dinner.

We have just 60 complimentary guest passes, so register today so that we can start creating your own personalised experience at the Summit.

Important: The Energy Management Summit is a small-scale event, far removed from the large and busy exhibitions and conferences within the sector.