11 th April 2006 Some Observations on UK Energy Policy Keith Tovey ( ) M.A., PhD, CEng, MICE CEnv HSBC Director of Low Carbon Innovation: School of Environmental

11th April 2006

Some Observations on UK Energy Policy

Keith Tovey ( 杜伟贤 ) M.A., PhD, CEng, MICE CEnvHSBC Director of Low Carbon Innovation: School of Environmental SciencesCRed

• This meeting urges all levels of government to put in place legislation and policy requiring the use of renewable energy technologies in all new buildings, re-building and renovation.

• Encouraging home owners to invest in greening their homes through incentives in property tax, for example, stamp duty and council tax rebates for improving home fuel efficiency.

• The introduction of a single “Code for sustainable Building” so that developers have a clear target for best practice environmental standards for new homes.

Today’s Resolution


• The introduction of New Building Regulation to reduce energy use in new homes by one quarter now, and a further one quarter in five years, with a zero carbon goal.

• New Regulations came into force 6th April 2006

• Establish a Home Condition Report for all house sold and upon change of tenancy, which would include an Energy Report that provides consumer friendly information and simple advice on beneficial energy efficiency changes and how to make them happen easily.

• Home Information Pack – already in pipe line


• Energy: An Overview

• Current UK Energy Policy – a review

• The Hard Choices facing us

• The Problems of “Comfort Taking”

• Problems with the Building Regulations

• Renewable Generation at the community level

• Monitoring Performance – remote meters?

• The Resolution









• The Resolution


Some Observations on UK Energy PolicyEnergy: An Overview

1 TW equivalent to 1 billion 1 bar electric fires

Projected Saturation Population in 2050 -- 10000 M consumption averages current UK value Requirement in 2050 = 50 TW

Is this sustainable?Are we sustainable at our present level of consumption?

Country Energy Requirement

Population Per Capita

World 12.0 TW 6000 M 2.0 kW

USA 3.0 TW 300 M 10.0 kW

Europe 2.0 TW 350 M 5.7 kW

UK 0.3 TW 60 M 5.0 kW

1970 1980 1990 2002Domestic 816 882 902 1060Transport 623 786 1076 1207Industry 1379 1069 855 769Other 411 414 425 442

Conversion 1712 1565 1745 1844

Total 4942 4716 5004 5321

Non-Energy 240 165 249 241

Per Capita Consumption in Watts ~ 5 kW

• Transport Energy use has risen 10.5% in last decade

• Domestic use has risen by over 10%

Some Observations on UK Energy PolicyEnergy: An Overview

• Electricity consumption is 17.5% higher than in 1997 and rising at 1.7% per annum

• Avoiding a rational energy policy in 1997 is making decisions much more difficult now

• 2002 Energy Review• 2003 Energy White Paper

– Low Carbon Future– Energy Security– Fuel Poverty

• April 14th 2006 Consultation on Energy Review 2006 ends

Some Observations on UK Energy PolicyCurrent UK/EU Energy Policy – a review

• 2000 Building Regulations and revised SAP Rating 2001 introduced 1st April 2002

• 27th March 2001: NETA introduced – had drastic effect on renewables and CHP

• 1st April 2002: Renewables Obligation started – has potential to promote renewables, but biassed towards wind and large scale.

• 1st January 2005 – EU-ETS introduced

• 1st April 2005: BETTA replaces NETA

• 6th April 2006: New Building Regulations introduced

• RTFO

• Heat Obligation?

Some Observations on UK Energy PolicyCurrent UK/EU Energy Policy – a review








• The Resolution


Our Choices: They are difficult

If our answer is NO

Do we want to return to using coal? • then carbon dioxide emissions will rise significantly• unless we can develop carbon sequestration within 10 years which is unlikely

If our answer to coal is NO

Do we want to leave things are they are and see continued exploitation of gas for both heating and electricity generation? >>>>>>

Do we want to exploit available renewables i.e onshore/offshore wind and biomass. Photovoltaics, tidal, wave are not options for next 20 years.

If our answer is NO

Do we want to see a renewal of nuclear power

• Are we happy on this and the other attendant risks?

Our Choices: They are difficult

If our answer is YES

By 2020

• we will be dependent on around 70% of our heating and electricity from GAS

• imported from countries like Russia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, AlgeriaAre we happy with this prospect? >>>>>>

If not:

We need even more substantial cuts in energy use.

Or are we prepared to sacrifice our future to effects of Global Warming? - the North Norfolk Coal Field?

Do we wish to reconsider our stance on renewables?

Inaction or delays in decision making will lead us down the GAS option route

and all the attendant Security issues that raises.

The Problems of “Comfort Taking”

• Predictions of conservation measures in homes are rarely realised.

• Loft insulation

– Could reduce heat loss by a factor of 8

– Often nearer 2 to 3

– Increased comfort

• Same situation with electrical appliances

• Often seen as “not my problem”

• How far does one have to drive in a small family car (e.g. Toyota Corolla 1400 cc) to emit as much carbon dioxide as heating an old persons room for 1 hour?

1.6 miles








• The Resolution


*

1976 1985 1990 1994 2000 2006

U – Values W m-2 oC-1

External Wall 1.0 0.6 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.35Roof 0.6 0.35 0.25 0.2 0.25 0.16Floor 1.0 0.6 0.45 0.35 0.25 0.25Windows not specified 3.0 3.3 2.0Windows as % of total floor areas

- - 15 22.5 22.5 25

The Building Regulations – how standards have changed over time

No standards for Energy before 1976

Insulation standard measured by U-value

Heat lost per square metre for a 1 deg C temperature difference

A single glazed window is approximately 5.7 W m-2 oC-1

New Building Regulations came into force 6th April 2006

• Traditionally Building Regulations have been a question of minimum compliance rather than advancing standards– Trade off of improved insulation in one part against

inferior insulation elsewhere.

• Have not addressed question of poor workmanship

• Incremental improvements – not conducive to long term energy strategy– Later upgrades in standards are difficult and much less

cost effective.

• Long Timescale for turnover of housing stock

• Introduction of irrational rating schemes which have done little to reduce demand.

• New 2006 Regulations start to tackle some of these issues.

The Building Regulations – historic problems

The Building Regulations – historic problems

Variation of Carbon Emission and Carbon Index with Building Regulations

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Carbon Index

kg

CO

2/m

2 /yr

1976

19901985

2002

1994

Elizabeth FryZICER

Theorectical Perfection in 2002 Regulations

pre-war

1955

1965

Variation of Carbon Emission and Carbon Index problems with current Building Regulations

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

7 8 9 10

Carbon Index

kg

CO

2/m

2 /yr 2002

Elizabeth FryZICER

Theorectical Perfection in 2002 Regulations

Performance of Elizabeth Fry and ZICER

and problems with Carbon Index

Walls Windows Floor Roof Ventilation Total

pre-war 263 86 32 146 177 703

post-war 200 86 32 78 155 551

1960's 125 86 32 78 155 476

1976 125 86 32 26 133 401

1985 75 86 29 17 88 295

1990 56 86 22 12 88 264

1994 56 45 17 12 88 218

2002 56 45 12 8 88 209

2006 44 30 12 8 88 182

UEA 1994 26 21 9 7 13 76


Example: small 3 bed detached house

• Building Regulations address insulation but limited on ventilation

• Ventilation is now 50% of total heat demand

• Could be reduced by heat recovery systems – e.g. UEA

If house were built to same standard as Elizabeth Fry Building

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

pre-war

post-war

1960's 1976 1985 1990 1994 2002 2006 UEA1994

Hea

t L

oss

Rat

e W

oC

-1 VentilationRoofFloorWindowsWalls

• There are 26 million housing units in UK

• Replacement rate is ~ 500 – 1000 years

• Houses built to 1976 regulations consume more than twice 2006 houses

• Not easy to improve fabric components of existing stock


Example: small 3 bed detached house

• Some Advantages of New Regulations– Demonstration that standards have actually been

met – not just planned – If operated correctly would help combat poor

workmanship– Removed several loop holes of earlier versions –

but not entirely– Requires competent people to certify

compliances– Removes loop hole allowing low insulation if

renewable or high efficiency heating appliances are incorporated

– Requires more attention to detail e.g thermal bridging effects

The Building Regulations – the New Regulations

• Some Disadvantages of New Regulations– Allows for windows of lower insulation if walls have higher insulation

value– Does not address issue of ventilation adequately – heat recovery is not

mandatory– Regulations only require demonstration that 25% of lighting is of low

energy type – does not tackle increased use of tungsten halogen type spot lights.

– Does not make renewable generation mandatory (or even installation of dual circuit cylinders)

– Does not require developers to provide option energy packages– Allows for energy wasteful “Keep Hot” facility devices– Perpetuates the calculation of a SAP Rating

• the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is good • it is the final rating which makes nonsense


• Assessment of energy performance using a standard method

• No allowance for climate variations across country.

– in practice an identical house will have different energy consumption and carbon emission in different areas of country because of varying climatic conditions

• Makes some assumptions on use so that calculation is not affected by occupancy

– i.e. water use is related to floor area not number of occupants.

The Building Regulations – the Standard Assessment Procedure

• Includes all energy use for space heating and hot water including electricity use in pumps and fans.

• Makes assumptions regarding use of electricity for appliances– For first time in 2006, calculations allow for low energy lights

• Allowance is made for renewable energy systems – e.g. solar thermal, renewable electricity etc.

The Building Regulations – the Standard Assessment Procedure

• 2006 system calculates a Domestic Emission Rating (DER) for each house

• DER must be compared with a Target Emission Rating (TER) and shown to be LESS than this.

• An Environmental Impact Rating (EI rating) is also calculated.

– It is independent of floor area and ranges from

– 1 for a very poor insulated house to

– 100 for a zero carbon house.

– value will be higher if renewable energy systems are present

– > 100 if house is a net exporter of energy

• A considerable improvement on Carbon Index

– should not change with time

• HOWEVER a SAP Rating must also be computed!!!

The SAP Rating

• SAP Rating calculates energy use: then annual costs.

• uses standard prices rather than actual ones

• Evaluates cost per square metre

• Uses a complicated relationship to convert to a another scale

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

700

15000 17500 20000 22500 25000

Annual Gas Consumption (kWh)

An

nu

al c

ost

(£) SAP

EDF

British Gas

PowerGen

SP NSC

S&SE NSCTypical Consumption Level


• Because of assumed tariffs

– SAP Rating is higher for Gas than Heat Pumps

– For low energy buildings SAP Rating is higher for oil and electricity than gas.

• Has a has non-existent Heat Pump Tariff

• Using only the Environment Impact Rating avoids problems

0

10

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30

40

50

60

70

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90

100

0 5000 10000 15000 20000

Annual Consumption (kWh)

SA

P R

atin

g

storageelectricityheat pumpsgasoil

75

80

85

90

95

100

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000


SAP

Ratin

g

0

1020

30

40

5060

70

8090

100

0 5000 10000 15000 20000


En

viro

nm

enta

l Im

pac

t R

atin

g

electricityheat pumpsgasoil

• A significant improvement but more could be done

• Improves insulation standards but not as much as could be achieved

• Does little regarding ventilation

• Introduces Environmental Impact Rating which is 100 for zero carbon house.

• Requires checking against Target Emission Rating.

• Abolishes the Carbon Index

• Requires demonstration that standards have actually been met.


√√

√

√√

√√

√√

X

X

• Perpetuates the SAP Rating in which environmental performance is usurped by economics:

– gives misleading information,

– introduces unnecessary complexity,

– requires constant revision with new fudge factors

– houses already with a SAP Rating will find their values reduced as a result of new regulations

– SAP Ratings of properties could vary in future with varying relative prices of fuels

• Abolish it!!! Use only the Environmental Impact Rating which will NOT change unless modifications are made to property.


XXXX

XXXX








• The Resolution


• Many residents on island of Burray (Orkney) compaigned for a wind turbine.

• On average they are fully self-sufficient in electricity needs and indeed are a net exporter of electricity

Involve the local Community

Solar Energy - The BroadSol Community Project

Annual Solar Gain 911.384 kWh

Solar Collectors installed 27th January 2004

• Costs range from £2000 upwards

• Grants can be available

• Often confusing to get


Performance when there was snow on ground

Store temperature was measured at base of tank

• Efficiency of increases with increased day time use of water

• Efficiency increases with significant hot water use late in evening

• Efficiency decreases with significant hot water use early in morning

• Need for new intelligent self learning Hot Water Control Systems

• Optimum orientation is 10 – 20 degrees west of south

• Nearly one third of cost was in replacement cylinder and associated labour costs

• New dual circuit cylinders cost only around £40 - £50 more

• All new houses should be fitted with such a cylinder – also all replacements


Normal hot water circuit

Solar Circuit

Solar Pump

• PV systems Currently are very expensive

• Need grants > 75% to make them cost effective

Solar Energy - Photovoltaics

Micro GenerationSmall Scale Wind

Devices shortly to be on market 1 – 1.5 kW

Could perhaps provide up to 30% of domestic needs.

No substantive performance data available to date.

At present cannot work in “Island Mode”

Outstanding issues on ROCs

Energy Saving TechnologiesMicro CHP / Heat Pumps

Micro CHP

• Demonstration Schemes are available

• Problem over heat in summer

• Must always reject heat when electricity is generated

Heat Pumps

• Can lead to reductions in carbon dioxide emissions of up to 60%

• Best used with under floor heating – installed at time of construction.

• Solar Thermal gives insufficient hot water in winter, but too much in summer.

• Overall efficiency and carbon reduction would be enhanced if one collector served two (or three houses?) houses

– larger collector area on one

– ideal for semi-detached houses.

• Similar situation arises in case of PV

• Grants have been confusing in past

• New grants are not directed at a specific technology but require demonstration of performance

• Will tend to support those technologies which are most effective in a location

– e.g. would not support micro CHP with Solar Thermal

Some Observations on Renewable Projects








• The Resolution


The Elizabeth Fry Building

Performance of Elizabeth Fry BuildingCareful Monitoring and Analysis can reduce energy consumption

Target Day

Results of the “Big Switch-Off”

With a concerted effort savings of 25% or more are possibleHow can these be translated into long term savings?

• Acquisition of Meter Reading is unreliable often estimated and does not provide feed back for consumer.

• It costs £40 - £50 to read a meter each year• Installing remote metering in new houses costs

around £700 including maintenance etc over 10 years.

• Would provide accurate monthly data.• Would allow consumers to readily check

performance

•Monitoring Performance – remote meters

• Suppliers should be required to provide householders with simple analysis of data to identify faults etc at an early stage.

• Provide necessary information to improve efficiency

•Monitoring Performance – remote meters

-10000

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Degree Days - a measure of weather conditions

Mo

nth

ly C

on

sum

pti

on

(kW

h)








• The Resolution



• Dual Circuit cylinders for solar hot water should be mandatory in all new properties and where replacements are fitted.

• Where combi boilers are fitted in new houses, space must be provided for a solar cylinder.

• In electricity systems, it should be mandatory for all Suppliers to purchase ROCs from consumers no matter how small.



• There used to be a Schedule D Tax for home improvements

• What about Inheritance Tax??.

– e.g. Increase exemption limit by three times the amount spent on investments in energy conservation/renewable energy

– Inheritance Tax is @ 40% so say spending £10000 would exempt £30000 so beneficiaries would get a net sum of £20000 instead of £18000 under a taxation scheme

– Better still exempt Inheritance Tax on property up to average price provided that property is brought up to at least 2006 standards.



• Encourage Government to require Suppliers to introduce energy tariffs which will:

– Tackle fuel poverty

– Place greater emphasis on energy conservation


Average consumer

consumption

co

st

• The introduction of a single “Code for sustainable Building” so that developers have a clear target for best practice environmental standards for new homes.

• Ensure that Regional Targets on Renewable Energy are actually promoted.

• Need to get all districts working together• Push for “Option Energy Packages” on all New

Dwellings• House Buyers are prepared to pay extra for such options


• The introduction of New Building Regulation to reduce energy use in new homes by one quarter now, and a further one quarter in five years, with a zero carbon goal. New Regulations came into force 6th April 2006

• Install heat recovery systems in all new houses

• Scrap the SAP Rating!!! – Serves no purpose

– Introduces unnecessary complication

– Bears little relevance to costs of running house

– Produces unexpected results

– May cause changes in rating in future even if no changes are made

• Modify Standard Assessment Procedure so that the same house design would have same consumption irrespective of where it was in country.– Implies insulation standards would have to take account of local

climate conditions

• Retain and promote the Environmental Impact Rating


• Establish a Home Condition Report for all house sold and upon change of tenancy, which would include an Energy Report that provides consumer friendly information and simple advice on beneficial energy efficiency changes and how to make them happen easily.

• Home Information Pack – already in pipe line

• Record of what improvements have been made and when

• Regular energy consumption information

– Remote metering

• Actual energy running costs in recent years.

• Comparison of energy and environmental performance with houses of similar age and also with national average.

• DO NOT USE SAP Rating!!!


WEBSITE www.cred-uk.org

This presentation will be available from tomorrow:> Follow the Academic Resources Link

• Need to act now otherwise we might have to make choice of whether we drive 1.6 miles or heat an old person’s room

Conclusions

Are you up to the Challenge?: Will you make a pledge?

Lao Tzu (604-531 BC) Chinese Artist and Taoist philosopher

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."

Documents

11 th April 2006 Some Observations on UK Energy Policy Keith Tovey ( ) M.A., PhD, CEng, MICE CEnv HSBC Director of Low Carbon Innovation: School of Environmental