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Office building performance review identifies 108k euro in annual energy savings

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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Consultants from climate tech firm IES and Savills have tamed up to achieve projected annual energy costs savings of up to €108,000 and carbon savings of up to 302 tonnes of CO2 per year.

IES was commissioned by the commercial and residential property company to optimise the operational performance of a 14,000m2 office building in George’s Quay, Dublin.

IES Consulting used a monitoring-based commissioning approach and its proprietary iSCAN data analytics platform to improve energy efficiency through the correct operation of the building’s systems, which had previously been upgraded as part of a retrofit project in 2017.

The design strategy for the retrofit targeted several aims, including achieving LEED Platinum and BER A3 ratings, and reducing energy costs by 30% compared to ASHRAE 90.1-2007. The building was equipped with new energyefficient lighting and controls, weather compensation controls for heating, rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and a new mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery.

However, Savills was keen to verify that the desired energy performance was being achieved once the building was in use, with the performance gap between the design intent and actual operational performance of buildings a common issue.

While, by general standards, the building appeared to be performing well, particularly when compared against industry benchmarks such as CIBSE Guide F and TM46, a detailed review of the building’s utilities data and building management systems (BMS) revealed several areas for significant performance improvements.

For example, in one block of the building, it was discovered that the return water temperature set-point on the boilers was too high, meaning that some boilers were running when outside temperatures were relatively moderate. By implementing a quick change to the control set-point in the BMS, Savills was able to start making instant savings.

A review of the data from the outdoor air temperature sensors identified that some of these sensors were receiving direct sunlight which was causing issues with the LPHW temperature set-points, which led to the installation of a weather shield to reduce the exposure to direct sunlight and any potential negative impacts on building operation.

Air handling units, which ensure adequate fresh air is supplied to protect the wellbeing of occupants, are often one of the largest energy consumers in office buildings. With the building occupancy reduced due to the increase in remote working after COVID, IES was able to recommend adjustments that could be made via the BMS to safely reduce overall airflow in line with the number of occupants.

Within just two weeks of operational changes being implemented in early 2021, energy reductions of up to 69% were observed, although some of these savings could be attributed in part to COVID lockdowns.

The electrical usage data for the Landlord meters indicated projected annual savings of up to €94,833 and 143.54 tonnes of CO2 per year. Meanwhile, a decrease in gas usage is predicted to result in additional projected annual savings of up to €13,796 and 159.4 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Brendan Doyle, facilities manager at Savills, commented: “Working with IES on this project has allowed us to get a much better handle on our building data, helping us understand exactly how the building is operating and where we can make improvements. By making some simple operational adjustments advised by the IES team, we have already seen significant savings in both energy costs and CO2 emissions, and we hope to continue working together to further optimise the building’s performance and ensure that these savings are sustained.”

Francis Sheridan, commissioning team manager at IES, said: “Our work with Savills at George’s Quay highlights the financial impact that the performance gap can have. Savills had already done some great work to improve the energy efficiency of the building, but with a few relatively simple tweaks we were still able to deliver significant cost and carbon savings.

“To ensure the continued efficient operation of the building, and to reduce the risk of operational drift as occupancy levels change, particularly post-COVID, we have advised a six-monthly review of the building services systems and energy data.

“Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is now more important than ever in light of the energy crisis, and savings such as these could make a real difference to business viability in the coming months.”

Employers ‘aren’t doing enough’ to reduce environmental impact of buildings

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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New research reveals the impact the energy crisis is having on the UK workforce, as 70% of hybrid workers admit they’re concerned about the cost of working from home as bills skyrocket.

The survey of 2,000 UK workers by OnePoll, on behalf of UK smart building technology firm Infogrid, finds that worries over energy usage don’t just start and stop at home. There is also greater scrutiny from the workforce, especially younger generations, on how employers manage energy during this crisis, and an expectation that they should be actively driving change for the future.

More than half (55%) of the UK’s hybrid workers are concerned about how energy efficient their workplace is, so much so that they want to take measures into their own hands to cap usage. Over a quarter (27%) say they would take personal action including turning off lights and monitor screens to reduce the amount of energy wasted in their buildings. Those aged 18-34 feel the most passionate about how much energy their workplace is using, with these figures rising five points to 62% and 32%, respectively.

Data from Infogrid’s own AI-powered platform, which uses sensors to capture and analyse when people are in the workplace, shines a light on the trends that businesses will need to react to, as a result of these energy efficiency concerns. In the UK, for example, recent workplace occupancy on Thursdays is double that of Fridays.

However, looking at this year over year, there is a steady decline, with average occupancy on a Thursday trending down by 80% compared to last September. Employees are also turning their backs on starting the week in their workplace, with Tuesday now the most popular day to be in and seeing 59% more occupancy compared to Monday.

OnePoll’s survey suggests that current workplace occupancy trends could change further as we head towards Christmas and colder months, with nearly one in four (23%) hybrid workers planning to increase the frequency they head into their workplaces this winter to keep personal costs low, rising to 30% amongst 18-34 year olds.

Commenting on the findings, Ross Sheil, Senior Vice President at Infogrid, said: “If you want to tackle a problem, you must first understand what you’re dealing with. Both the OnePoll findings and our own data show us that external factors, such as the energy crisis and its effect on people’s personal financial situations, have a very real impact on how employees use their workspaces. Energy prices skyrocketing will mean that some of us will spend more time in the workplace to keep costs at home down, while others will work from home more often, because commuting costs are also on the rise. And with more than half of employees showing concern about the efficiency and sustainability of their work environments, it’s never been more important to have real-time insight into how spaces are being used, in order to tailor energy management accordingly.”

Employees call on workplaces to be more sustainable – younger generations, even more so

Indeed, the OnePoll research reveals that employees have high expectations when it comes to the sustainability efforts and credentials of their employers. Two in five (41%) don’t believe their companies are doing enough when it comes to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of buildings, even if they are taking action. This rises to 50% amongst younger generations (18-34).

When asked about whose job it is to address these environmental concerns, 25% of UK workers believe those who manage or run a building are primarily responsible for helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions generated by them, ranking above others such as governments (20%), building landlords (20%) and building occupants (15%). One in four hybrid workers would like to see their company invest in more digital tools and technology to help make their workplace more energy efficient, increasing again amongst 18-34 year olds to 29%.

Sheil continued: “The current energy crisis should be a catalyst for businesses to strive towards a more sustainable future and protect the planet, because employees expect it, and also, for their own financial performance to prevent money being poured down the drain from poor energy efficiency. We can’t tear down and rebuild – the greenest building is an existing building. Instead we need to retrofit our workplaces with smart technology, such as IoT, AI and insights drawn from real-time data to revolutionise the way we manage energy. Now is the time for building managers to drive long-lasting change through all that digital has to offer.”

Justine Bornstein, Research Director for Smart Building Technologies at analyst house Verdantix, added: “Investment into energy efficiency has already been gaining momentum thanks to the EU’s Clean Energy for all Europeans Package in 2018. The current energy crisis has certainly catapulted it back into mainstream conversation, and we expect this to continue well into the future, with digital technologies a key enabler. These are growing by more than 33% per year, according to the IEA, and soon the stock of connected appliances, devices and sensors will overtake the number of people on the planet. The energy efficiency sector is experiencing a major growth period that shows little signs of slowing down.”

Can we get to Net Zero by 2030?

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By Steve Lorimer, Group Technical Director at Keysource

In 2021, 25 operators and 17 associations in the data centre industry pledged to be net zero by 2030, when they signed up to The European Data center Association’s Climate Neutral Data center Pact (CNDCP).

They committed to three-quarters of the energy used by their data centre facilities to be renewable or carbon-free by 2025, and completely carbon-free by 2030.  The dichotomy however is that demand for computing power and digital services is growing fast. In the last decade, global internet traffic increased ten-fold and data centre energy use is likely to increase accordingly by 2030.  As a result, there is much talk within the market about sustainable solutions, and innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions.

Let’s take a step back and look at what sustainability means for a data centre and what does the next generation data centre need to have for sustainability to be at its core…

Building efficiency

Historically a lot of decisions and considerations around data centre facilities have related to commercial incentives and lower operating costs. It’s only more recently that the focus has shifted to how sustainable the building, its infrastructure and the operation of the facility is and there is now some excellent work being done. However, in my view, it’s going to require an even bigger step forward to hit the net zero target.

Performance related M&E Infrastructure improvements will continue to be relevant but ultimately these will be further enabled and driven by the performance and technologies implemented at the IT layer – after all the ability to deliver the workload in the most sustainable manner is the ultimate goal.

This can only be done by ensuring that resource utilisation measurements are aligned against the relevant IT performance statistics to drive a relevant KPI/metric for the given organisations use case. Historically the focus has been on carbon reduction achieved both through energy optimisation, and plant upgrade including implementation of newer technologies. As our energy sources decarbonise, considering whole life carbon of the services will become more critical, as embodied carbon becomes a more dominant factor.

This is somewhat at odds with the cyclical nature of both IT lifespan and the supporting M&E infrastructure so ensuring that facilities are designed and implemented with this in mind is critical. Using existing best practice considerations including right sizing, modular implementation and appropriate implementation of resilience will continue to form the bedrock; reducing embodied carbon whilst optimising performance. However, having the ability to accommodate new and future IT technology requirements (such as direct liquid cooling), without wholesale plant replacement, and whilst still maximising energy performance, will be critical to keeping equipment relevant and therefore maximising lifespan.

Reap the benefits

Professional data centre operators will be challenged from numerous angles moving forward to demonstrate their carbon reduction credentials. That will include: planning and permitting new facilities or upgrades; meeting reporting and disclosures which will now in some case be under a legal mandate to provide; or just addressing internal operational improvement obligations. Increasingly operators will need to regularly reciprocate more data with their clients to meet each of their own obligations. From raw materials to water and energy use, the whole supply chain across the facility lifecycle will need to become more mature in both its consideration of resources and the availability of relevant data.

This increased pressure from both up and down the supply chain, along with pressure from investors, may mean data centres who can achieve the 2030 target on time or earlier, whilst integrating seamlessly with customers and supply chain, will come out on top. Not only will they reduce their impact on climate change but also their operating costs through increased operating efficiencies, whilst maximising the value of existing capacity, and helping to comply with regulations and initiatives. 

Conclusion

The data centre sector has made some huge changes during a complex and challenging time and we should all feel proud of the progress that has been made to date. However, to become truly sustainable there are still many things that must change and practices that must end. There is no doubt that it is only through a wholesale approach that our sector can reach net zero. We cannot afford to stand still.

Hy24 closes €2 billion clean hydrogen fund

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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The Hy24 joint-venture between FiveT Hydrogen and Ardian has announced the closing of its first impact Fund at €2 billion of allocations, exceeding its initial ambitions.

The JV claims to be the world’s first and largest infrastructure fund to invest exclusively in the entire clean hydrogen value chain.

The Fund’s creation has been supported by the founding anchor investors Air Liquide, VINCI Concessions, TotalEnergies, Plug Power, Chart Industries and Baker Hughes.

It has then attracted more than 50 prominent investors from 13 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia, including major industrial companies, corporations, banks, pension funds and insurance companies – industrial anchor investors, including LOTTE Chemical, Airbus, and Snam, Enagás, GRTgaz (together as one anchor partner), and the financial anchor investors AXA, Crédit Agricole Assurances, CCR, Allianz, CDPQ and JBIC – as well as other key investors, including Ballard, Schaeffler, Groupe ADP, EDF, Caisse des dépôts, DBJ and Itochu.

The Fund closes with a new key industrial investor the CMA CGM Group, and new key financial investors Border to Coast Pensions Partnership, Nuveen, ERAFP, Groupama, Société Générale Assurances, BBVA and Norinchukin. The Fund leverages a unique blend of sector know-how and financial firepower to position Hy24 as a true catalyst at the heart of the hydrogen ecosystem, with 50% of its commitment provided by industrial investors.

Pierre-Etienne Franc, co-founder and CEO of Hy24, said: “Hy24, through the Clean H2 Infra Fund, has rapidly gathered an impressive group of industrial and financial leaders committed to moving the hydrogen agenda forward significantly. With €2 billion of commitments, this fund will spur on the deployment of up to €20 billion in assets of strategic value to the industry in the next six years, performing for our investors and helping to decarbonize the global economy. This creates the right support for the new and critical hydrogen policy frameworks in our key geographies.”

Laurent Fayollas, Deputy Head of Infrastructure at Ardian and President of Hy24, added: “We are extremely grateful for the trust and support of our investors. The combination of Ardian’s unique investment and asset management expertise, FiveT Hydrogen’s industry knowledge, the diversity of our investors and our ability to leverage Hy24’s strong deal flow will put us in a unique position to grow this industry at scale into a decisive asset class.”

Hy24 is driving the scale-up of the clean hydrogen economy with first-mover investment in sustainable projects. It is helping to realise hydrogen’s global potential as the low carbon energy vector of the future by investing in the entire hydrogen value chain, from upstream projects such as renewable and low carbon hydrogen production to downstream projects such as captive fleet and refueling stations. The €2 billion Fund capital aims to be committed within the next six years. The Fund is an Article 9 Fund under European SFDR regulations, which classify funds that meet stringent environmental and social criteria.

The capital raised through the Fund has already started to be deployed: The Fund has participated in the €110 million fundraising of H2 MOBILITY Deutschland, the operator of Europe’s largest network of hydrogen stations. In addition, the Fund has participated in the €200 million financing round of Hy2Gen, an operator of production sites for decarbonized hydrogen and its derivatives, with CDPQ as a co-investor. The Fund has also acquired a 30% stake in Enagás Renovable, a leading developer of renewable hydrogen projects, subsidiary of Enagás, the Spanish Transmission System operator.

The climate crisis and geopolitical turmoil in energy markets require accelerating the development of hydrogen as the vector most suited to decarbonize heavy mobility and energy-intense industries. From the U.S.’s Inflation Reduction Act to the E.U.’s RePowerEU, governments around the world have acknowledged the need for the deployment of clean hydrogen at a scale and pace conducive to reaching net-zero ambitions. It is estimated that clean hydrogen solutions could represent up to 20% of the final energy demand within the 2050 net-zero agenda.

56% of world’s energy to be generated in APAC region by 2030

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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Energy decisions made by the leaders of APAC countries in the next few years will have significant impacts on the battle against climate change, with the region expected to generate over half of the world’s energy by 2030.

GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Tech in 2030 – Thematic Intelligence’, reveals that the APAC region is expected to experience the highest growth in energy production—with generation rising 3.9% every year between 2022 and 2030, compared to the 1.8% in Europe and 1.4% in North America. This casts concerns about whether renewable development will be able to keep pace.

Robert Penman, Thematic Analyst at GlobalData, said: “Traditionally, growth has been reliant on increasing fossil fuel use, which is at odds with the burning need to decarbonize and limit the effects of climate change. Further, climate change will increase energy demand and consumption even further. For example, air conditioning systems will be increasingly necessary around the world. The APAC region has some incredible potential for renewable development, but it is clear that the decisions made by leaders in this region between now and 2030 will be felt all around the world.”

China, Mongolia, and Australia hold huge potential for renewables in APAC

The APAC region is expected to generate 43% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, driven by investment in China and Australia, as well as the high potential in Mongolia.

Penman continued: “China is a clear winner when it comes to renewables in the APAC region. It has invested heavily in both solar and wind, and its highly productive companies will export these technologies and the necessary infrastructure worldwide. Meanwhile, Australia will benefit greatly from the energy transition as it has access to key raw materials and enormous solar power potential—useful for hydrogen production. Last, but not least, Mongolia has the potential for 2.6 terawatts of renewable energy production. Major advances in battery storage would allow significant energy exports from this country.”

APAC and MEA only regions to not exceed 50% generation from renewables/low-carbon sources by 2030

Worldwide energy generation will reach 35PWh by 2030, with 49% of energy generated by renewables and low-carbon fuels. Most of the world’s regions are looking to generate more energy from renewables than fossil fuels (67% from renewables in Europe, 60% in North America, and an impressive 77% in the South and Central America), but APAC and MEA will lag behind, at 43% for APAC and 20% for MEA.

Penman added: “APAC and MEA’s lower renewable generation share is a consequence of the need to rapidly increase energy generation to keep pace with the regions’ growing consumption. Microgrids offer a way to start incorporating renewables into the power mix while also helping rural populations access electricity. They are often fuelled by off-grid renewable sources to power local buildings and can later be connected to the main grid to increase its resilience and provide backup support.

“Conversely, Europe’s higher proportion of energy from renewables will heighten the need for a continent-spanning supergrid and large-scale energy storage solutions. This will enable countries to match renewable power generation and demand across the entire continent.”

Coal to remain largest energy source but high growth in wind and solar

GlobalData’s report reveals that, despite an estimated $4.4 trillion of investment in renewable energy projects between 2022 and 2030, coal will remain the single largest source of energy worldwide in 2030—accounting for 9.5PWh of generation. Wind and solar will see the most development, with generation growing at a yearly rate of 9.3% for wind, and 14.9% for solar.

Penman concluded: “As the world weans itself off fossil fuels, it’s easy to know which renewable technologies will have the greatest impact on limiting climate impact by 2030 – it will be the technologies implemented today. Wind and solar in particular will grow in importance over the next decade and beyond.”

Manufacturing sector ‘at risk’ of oversized and poorly matched energy equipment

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:

Manufacturing managers concerned with the decarbonisation of energy in their facilities are being signposted towards Aggreko’s latest upgrades of equipment that will help cut emissions and protect the bottom line amid the energy crisis.

According to Aggreko, industrial facilities rely on several different temporary power and temperature control solutions which are often oversized or poorly matched for their chosen application. This is proving not only unsustainable but also inefficient.

With stricter climate legislation and uncertainty in the market affecting firms’ ability to predict energy usage, the temporary power firm says its manufacturing customers are now in a precarious position.

Greener Upgrades in Manufacturing is a new initiative that advises on how to meet demand via effective use of newly developed technologies, such as hybrid generators and temperature and humidity control products, which can run off alternative fuel sources.

The Greener Manufacturing guide highlights how the current equipment necessary for cold storage and back-up power emits heavy pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and other harmful particulates. However, Aggreko showcases some of the changes the industry can make via a Greener Upgrade, such as replacing diesel fuel with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 90% and particulate matter by 86% respectively.

Matt Watson, Sector Sales Manager for Manufacturing at Aggreko, said: “In light of the problems the manufacturing industry are facing today, there’s a clamour for more environmentally-friendly solutions. The majority of our customers are now demanding more flexible energy solutions which meet their needs without eating into capex budgets. Greener Upgrades in Manufacturing provides a pragmatic answer to this.

“Aggreko has invested significantly into its fleet technology and product range meaning that greener hired power is one way the industry can navigate the transition to sustainable energy while protecting all-important bottom lines. We believe all suppliers need to be setting an example to industry.”

To download the full guide, click here.

Power companies on track for energy transition but ‘must not neglect full ESG responsibilities’

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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Power companies will face increasing pressure to respond to both social and governance issues while navigating their way through the energy transition process in the following decade.

GlobalData’s latest report, ‘ESG Top Trends by Sector – Thematic Research’, reveals that renewable energy initiatives have been gaining traction globally, with power companies primarily focusing on the environmental factors (‘E’) in ‘ESG’. However, it is important that these companies focus not only on the environmental and technical aspects of their operations, but also maintain a holistic approach to sustainability.

Adrian Li, Energy Transition Analyst at GlobalData, explained: “Renewables taking an increasing share in the global power mix can be seen as a consequence of multiple environmental efforts from power companies to increase investments in developing clean power generation projects. This increasing share in the global power mix is also supported by government subsidies which have made green energy more price competitive, decreasing its costs exponentially and allowing companies a faster shift from fossil fuels.

“There has been a dramatic growth in the global renewable energy share; 2024 looks to be the watershed when renewable sources overtake coal-fired power generation share globally. By 2030, it is expected that more than 40% of global power will be supplied by renewables. This increase has been driven by both technological advancement and favourable government policies.”

GlobalData also notes that care must be taken by power companies not to neglect social and governance factors. In Q1 2022, social media conversations around ESG declined by 36%, compared to Q4 2021. This can be attributed to the COP26 event held in October 2021 that ignited intense interest in climate change on social media. Sentiment remains pessimistic in social media conversations regarding ESG, reflecting consumer caution towards changes in the power industry.

Li added: “Consumers have become very conscientious about carbon emissions and climate change, and, by extension, the social impact of these companies. Factors such as poor workplace conditions or corruption will severely damage the reputation of power companies and decrease investment, as interest in energy becomes increasingly consumer driven. Even something such as poor cybersecurity—although not directly related to climate change—could sour the public’s impression of a company and make them lose confidence.”

The necessity of building a sustainable fleet and optimising investment

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By André Dias, CTO and Founder, Daloop

At the beginning of this year, data suggested that 2021 saw a 4.5% drop in fleet and business new car registrations. And yet, despite this overall fall, last year recorded historic Electric Vehicle (EV) uptake within fleets and businesses, with more registrations in 2021 than in the previous five years combined.

In 2022, EV sales continue to grow, and we have witnessed new government commitments including the target of developing over 300,000 charge points across the UK by 2030. With the sale of new combustion engine vehicles set to cease in 2030, it is vital that businesses develop an EV transition plan, with the benefits of doing so far outweighing any downsides.

Future proof your organisation

Across the western world, pressure is increasing on organisations to become sustainable. Recent studies show that consumers have become increasingly eco-conscious, while governments continue to pass laws in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants from further harming our planet.

The transportation sector, which includes cars, trucks, planes, trains, and boats, is one of the top sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 37% of CO2 emissions from end‐use sectors. Organisations clearly have a huge role to play in reducing this figure.

With sales of combustion engine vehicles set to end in the UK, EU, and US by 2035, the onus is on businesses as well as local councils to begin to strategize ways to adopt carbon-neutral vehicles. Of course, this will be a gradual step and dependent on each organisation’s strategy and industry trends, with some industries naturally having an easier transition than others.

A recent study found that 83% of large commercial fleet operators cited environmental benefits as a top motivation for electrifying fleets. The general feeling is that change is afoot, with governmental and consumer pressure adding to the many reasons for transitioning to carbon neutral mobility. By doing so, organisations can solidify their reputation as being socially responsible and environmentally compliant and ensure that they reduce the risk of falling foul of any potential future environmental regulations.

Financially, it makes sense

With the current cost of living crisis affecting the global population, concerns have arisen as to whether many will be able to afford the investment into EVs, especially as incentives are slowly withdrawn. However, from a financial perspective, EVs are a worthy expenditure.

Firstly, reports have shown that despite rising energy costs, it remains far cheaper to charge an EV than to fill up a tank of petrol with electricity prices remaining lower than the cost of petrol. Alongside this, the increasing investment and proliferation of charge point infrastructure allows fleet managers to choose the charger or vehicle that best fits their organisation and employees’ needs and budgets.

In preparation for fleet electrification, there are many online resources allowing businesses to decipher key data such as how much CO2 their fleet currently emits, or the potential tax savings of electrifying their fleet. Here at Daloop, we recently launched our EV charge point calculator, helping organisations to calculate the number of charge points needed in staff car parks through a simple formula using staff numbers and fleet management estimates, such as the percentage of staff using a personal vehicle and those who have access to home charging. These tools reiterate the innovations leading to cost-savings associated with electric mobility.

Implementing an EV charging infrastructure, especially for consumer-facing businesses such as retailers and leisure companies, can also be monetised to create a new income stream. Not only this, but EV charging facilities encourage customers to stay longer in-store or on-site, potentially leading to for higher customer spending. For businesses in other sectors, installing local charging infrastructure can create further revenue through also create revenue through energy optimisation schemes.

While some have been scrapped – most notably the plug-in grant – financial incentives remain to electrify fleets. In the UK, electric mobility is currently exempt from annual road tax and the workplace charging scheme is still in operation (in which businesses can subsidise staff charge point installation with a government grant).  Meanwhile, for London-based fleets, EVs are eligible for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount.

Optimising investment

A growing number of businesses are considering or have already started electrifying their fleets. This will only continue as confidence grows, which will naturally take place as more people join the transition and EV infrastructure expands.

But for any business that transitions to an electrified fleet, data-driven supervision is essential. To truly optimise their investment, it is beneficial to have an intelligent software solution that can link vehicles, charge points, the electric grid, and the driver to ensure maximum control, confidence, and oversight.

Having a data-driven management platform enables fleet managers to prioritise charge points in offices and depots for commercial vehicles, meaning that these vehicles have enough journey charge on any given day. It can also ensure that they optimise energy usage, providing businesses with the means to continue making the best financial decisions for their fleet long after the initial transition.

The software that fleet managers and businesses use to manage their operations during and after their electric transition is just as essential in keeping their vehicles operational as the charge points themselves. With the correct, data-driven approach, the EV transition can be a seamless and valuable choice for any individual or business without compromising on either efficiency or costs.

With new technologies and infrastructural improvements, continued emission reduction legislation, and the many financial and environmental benefits, transitioning to an electric fleet is becoming easier and EV anxiety is fading. Fleet electrification is no longer simply desirable – it has become inevitable.

World Economic Forum provides ‘comprehensive’ blueprint for future-ready cities

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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The World Economic Forum has released a series of four reports on how cities can take a systems approach to finance and deliver urban transformation projects in the wake of COVID, widening inequality and global conflicts.

Each report – urban inclusion, city financing models, climate preparedness, and technology adoption – guides city leaders with case studies and toolkits to successfully manage digital projects and new financing models to achieve more climate-ready and equitable cities.

The Global Future Council on Cities of Tomorrow (GFC) – comprised of forty-five sector experts from around the world collaborated throughout the pandemic to help struggling cities to build more future-ready communities for all citizens.

“Cities are on the frontlines of climate mitigation and adaptation. They are also under pressure to improve residents’ standard of living and increase community cohesion while progressing towards sustainable development,” said Alice Charles, Lead, Urban Transformation, World Economic Forum. “To meet these high expectations, cities need to develop strategies using a systems perspective to deliver net-zero carbon and climate-resilient urban infrastructure. The Global Future Council on Cities has done an extraordinary job with these reports to provide cities with the tools they need right now.”

Implementing a systems approach across urban sectors: 

  • Rethinking City Revenue and Finance: A systems-approach to financing urban transformation depends on access to a diverse range of revenue sources to advance both traditional and green infrastructure, which also must include investment in operations and maintenance. The report is informed by a survey of 10 city administrations on potential revenue streams, planned initiatives and the policy interventions required to ensure that projects are financially viable.
    • For example, with support from UNHabitat and UNDP, Somaliland implemented a robust property tax and collection system to pay for infrastructure improvements, which increased the capital city’s property tax revenue from $384,115 in 2008 to close to $1.5 million in 2018. This represents up to one third of the city’s total revenue.
  • Using Digital Technology for a Green and Just Recovery in Cities: To move towards a systems approach, this report recommends that city leaders should start by asking, “What are the most pressing unmet needs and challenges in cities” that technology can improve, rather than, “What can we do with digital technologies?”. A 10-step action plan and 31 case studies showcase best practices and innovative digital solutions that have already been applied in 28 cities worldwide.
    • For example, ModeliScale is an energy network digital twin that allows simulation of the future energy grid. The model covers multiple inputs and outputs, including buildings, solar panels, electric vehicles and storage. This realistic view of a city’s energy needs enables better planning for investment, operations and maintenance.
  • Accelerating Urban Inclusion for a Just Recovery: Equity and inclusion are at the heart of a systems approach to every aspect of recovery and transformation. The report provides a 10-step action plan for urban inclusion to enable city leaders to create more inclusive spatial, digital, social/institutional and economic realms.
    • For example, São Paulo, Brazil, has successfully introduced an instrument called “Outorga Onerosa”, which offers property owners a density bonus to increase the maximum allowable development on a site in exchange for either direct funds or in-kind support for specified public policy goals.
  • Delivering Climate-Resilient Cities Using a Systems Approach: This report finds that cities need to engage with relevant stakeholders from government, business, academia and civil society that interact with the urban value chain. The report provides a five-step action plan to guide cities in adopting a systems approach to climate-resilient urban infrastructure delivery.
    • For example, Mexico City is leading the way in Latin America by financing green infrastructure with social impact bonds. The success of these bonds is based in part on certification by internationally independent experts who also periodically collect and publish data on performance indicators.

Together the four reports provide a roadmap for cities to become more equitable and resilient to the shocks and stressed caused by global conflict, climate change, and rapidly changing technologies.

As the GFC co-chairs Carlo Ratti and Maimunah Mohd Sharif point out, preparedness on one front often has unexpected benefits elsewhere. In the Forward to the climate preparedness report, the co-chairs write, “Systems approaches are complex – more connections lead to more complications – yet the successes of cities such as Melbourne, Fukuoka and Helsinki demonstrate that extraordinary rewards can be attained, especially if siloed thinking is dismantled. The solution to a transport query might lie in housing; the unanticipated positive impact of a new park might be felt in a nearby water treatment plant. By pursuing a systems approach, we can bring fresh ideas to fields as diverse as housing, energy, mobility, public and green spaces, water treatment, stormwater management, waste management and many others.”

The Global Future Councils serve as a brain trust for leaders from government, business, and civil society, and support the Forum’s mission by bringing together experts bound by a shared mission to discuss the most critical issues, generate insights and analysis, and collaborate in shaping agendas.

CBI data highlights business anxiety at rising energy costs

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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New survey data from the CBI has revealed the extent to which businesses, like households, are concerned about soaring energy costs. More than two-thirds of firms expect their energy costs to increase over the next quarter.

A third of firms expect energy price rises to act as a barrier to growth, by stifling current or planned investment in energy efficiency or Net Zero measures.

With many firms, particularly Energy Intensive Industries and SMEs, already feeling the pinch, further energy price rises could push many viable businesses to the brink unless urgent action is taken to support them and their supply chains.

The says it will CBI will work with new ministers to explore all options for navigating the crisis and has proposed a 3-point plan that can be delivered at pace to support vulnerable consumers and businesses by targeting help where it is needed most, cutting costs, and kick-starting an energy efficiency drive that reduces demand and boosts the UK’s energy security:-

(1) To target support at those households and firms most in need, the UK Government should:

  • Urgently introduce targeted interventions for the most vulnerable households, through existing mechanisms like the Energy Bills Support Scheme
  • Instruct HMRC to replicate Time to Pay flexibility granted during the pandemic to take account of energy price rises
  • Launch a publicity drive around the recent extension to the Recovery Loan Scheme and commit to its expansion should evidence show this is needed; preparatory discussions with lenders should begin now, so future decisions can be taken at pace if the situation deteriorates and further help is needed

(2) To help keep costs down, the UK Government should:

  • Announce a business rates freeze now for 2023/24. This would head off a business-as-usual approach that would otherwise see rates increasing with inflation, and piling additional pressures on firms when they can least afford them. (Governments in devolved nations should do the same)

(3) To kick-start an energy efficiency drive to reduce demand, the UK Government should:

  • Roll out an ambitious programme to improve energy efficiency by providing people with upfront financial support to help retrofit household insulation (through a new ECO+ scheme)
  • Provide energy efficiency support for the most energy intensive sectors through an expansion to the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director, said: “The impact of soaring energy prices on households is going to have serious consequences, not just for individuals but for the wider economy.

“While helping struggling consumers remains the number one priority, we can’t afford to lose sight of the fact that many viable businesses are under pressure and could easily tip into distress without action.

“The guiding principles for any intervention must be to act at speed, and to target help at those households and firms that need it most.

“Firms aren’t asking for a handout. But they do need Autumn to be the moment that government grips the energy cost crisis. Decisive action now will give firms headroom on cashflow and prevent a short-term crunch becoming a longer-term crisis.

“With firms under pressure not to pass on rising costs, there is a risk that vital business investment is paused or halted entirely. That in turn could pose a real threat to the UK’s economic recovery and Net Zero transition.”