How can we specify sustainable materials and solutions for truly sustainable housing?

What lessons can we learn from this groundbreaking Code 6 development?

A guide to office retrofit technologies, the best things to install and what facilities management companies are doing to achieve low-carbon commercial buildings. Click here to download.

The complete refurbishment of a Grade II-listed office building in Westminster to a BREEAM Excellent standard

Balfour Beatty published its 2020 sustainability vision in 2009.  Key to its delivery, is a focus on helping customers achieve their sustainability goals. Two examples of how this approach has been applied in practice will be shared - one a net zero newbuild school in Texas, the other a low-carbon refurbishment of an Edwardian School in Essex.

Advice for renewables employers on making sure their employees are up to speed with renewables. The session will look at the different routes to becoming competent in renewables, from full training to assessment, plus what is involved in these processes, including knowledge, practical competency and legislation in terms of MCS, the Green Deal and new EU training directives.

SUSTAIN Lincolnshire is a programme of activities aimed at helping businesses to become more competitive, by reducing energy costs and associated carbon-footprint. The UK-SDA presentation will explain the part of the programme that has involved installing internet-based energy monitoring systems into four serviced-office buildings to manage their performance, and the performance of the renewable energy technologies installed within them.

The presentation will also explain how this has enabled energy-saving strategies to be delivered, and outline the results to-date.

The Distributed Energy Team, part of The National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) based in Blyth, Northumberland, works with local authorities in North East England on a number of social housing projects to deliver housing improvements to address fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions and provide important research in the area of new technologies on hard-to-treat (off-gas or non traditional construction) properties. The presentation will draw on past and present project examples highlighting the importance of ensuring that the most suitable technology is installed for the required application. 

This session will look at the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard and how it is going to affect newbuild housing. The Zero Carbon Hub will undertake a presentation that will bring experts up to date but will also explain in simple terms the benefits of the housebuilding sector taking a fabric-first approach. The key factors in such an approach will be explored to give attendees the opportunity to hear the latest government thinking in terms of the zero carbon strategy, Part L and SAP but also the building performance policy currently being explored.

It is estimated that over 30% of the UK’s housing stock has solid wall construction. As social housing providers strive to improve thermal efficiency, this session examines the challenges presented by these ‘hard-to-treat’ properties and reviews the solutions to overcome them.

This session will look at the potential for SUDS retrofitting in urban areas - green roofing, green walls, ponds and ditches - giving examples from schemes internationally and their impact on carbon capture, flood remediation, filtering pollutants and for rainwater harvesting.

This seminar will present White’s environmental framework for the redevelopment of West Gorton in New East Manchester, which will create over 1,000 new homes over the next 10 years. The ambition for the project is to turn what has been historically an underprivileged part of the city into an exemplar sustainable city suburb. Anna will present the overall guidelines and targets for sustainability and suggestions for a working methodology and share her experience from successful projects in Sweden.

The Eldonian Hub will provide low-carbon workspace and an energy centre, as a part of the regeneration of Zone 8 in Liverpool.  In partnership with an Energy Services Company, this socially driven scheme proposes a source of CHP for local business and residents, as well as a photovoltaic energy farm.

Due to open later in 2012, the new Marks and Spencer store in Cheshire Oaks will illustrate the company’s goal to be the world’s most sustainable retailer. Hear how they have built such a green store and the challenges presented by the location in this densely populated area.

This presentation is aimed at providing information, examining available options and dispelling a few myths about LED lighting. The emphasis will be on retrofit LED lighting which uses existing fittings into which LED lamps, tubes and other light sources may be simply inserted. Also, particular attention will be paid to how LED lighting can make a considerable contribution to energy savings and carbon reduction. Topics to be addressed include payback periods, CRC and the Carbon Trust’s financing scheme.

In 2011, housing association Helena Partnerships carried out a retrofit programme on 107 pre-fabricated BISF houses in St Helens, Merseyside.  Residents were heavily involved and set out their key objectives as improving energy efficiency and enhancing appearance.  The retrofit included adding solar panels, external wall and loft insulation, highly effective double glazing and improved ventilation to every property.

Fuel stores and feed mechanisms are a vital part of a biomass installation, but one which people frequently get wrong. A few ‘do’s and don’ts’ will ensure you get it right, first time.

With biomass extending its reach into urban areas, the issue of emissions has become an important one for end users and installers. This seminar will explain what can be done to ensure biomass meets the necessary regulations.

Using real examples from real people, this case study will provide valuable ‘lessons learned’ for all those involved in installing and managing biomass applications in new developments.

Biomass boilers will operate most efficiently and economically if they are run on the specification fuel they are designed for. Recent EU standards have standardised QA requirements for biomass, and their use will reduce costs, problems and emissions. 

The three biomass fuel types - pellet, chip and log - all present different opportunities and constraints when it comes to deciding on what type of installation to go for. This seminar will compare and contrast and help you to make the right decision

Exploring the specification of sustainable concrete; design and construction considerations and the inherent long-life benefits of concrete. Includes responsible sourcing and case studies of low-carbon buildings.

Timber procurement can be complicated. Anand Punja, sustainability manager at the Timber Trade Federation, focuses on supporting specifiers, buyers and users of timber to understand the complexities in sustainable timber procurement. He will explore some of the myths, as well as provide an overview of what to look for when specifying sustainable timber.

Specifying for truly sustainable buildings with life cycle analysis can seem daunting. This session will provide real life methods to manage LCA through supply chain mapping, responsible sourcing and end of life scenario planning to reinforce the decision maker seeking the best and most sustainable building solution

Hosted by Martin Brown and Paul Wilkinson, this be2camp session will launch the Be2 social media framework for Green Deal as well as showcasing social media applications and uses for a sustainable built environment.
The session will feature live presentations from around the world, from leading US green buildings and practitioners, and from UK social media leaders, including: Su Butcher, Nick Pauley, Green Vision, SMPR, ConstructCO2, Woobius and more.
There will also be an open slot, pecha kucha style, for anyone interested in presenting on their use of social media. Contact the session organisers!
For updates on the session follow @be2camp, @fairsnape or @eepaul on twitter, or follow / search using the #be2atgbe hashtag

An expert panel will be available to answer any questions you have about the various rating and regulation systems for sustainable buildings, including BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes

The presentation overviews energy efficiency, highlighting how average UK voltage levels, worsening power quality issues and legislation are driving the need for reliable and proven technologies in both homes and businesses. The risks and pitfalls facing energy users will be covered along with an explanation of the solutions available and the benefits they provide. This is a CPD certified presentation, delivered by EMSc (UK) Ltd, designers and manufacturers of energy-saving solutions, including the Powerstar voltage optimisation system.

This session will cover everything specifiers need to know about external wall insulation (EWI) systems and how they fit within the Green Deal. EWI will play a key role in retrofitting our existing building stock.

The presentation will include:-
• Product information
• Planning guidelines
• Adoption for permeable paving
• Benefits
• Cost Comparison
• Construction Methods
• Case studies, covering good and bad examples

‘The Code for Sustainable Homes and airtightness in roofs’ examines how to ‘build tight and ventilate right’ within the realms of practical pitched roofing construction. It explains the contribution of airtightness within the 9 CSH categories of assessment and the specific products used to achieve best performance. Principles of air leakage paths are examined together with SAP calculation in relation to CO2 Target Emission Rates and the levels of improvement which can be achieved.

The seminar will focus on how Jewson and Greenworks are supporting the Green Deal, focusing on advice which can be given by merchants, the product solutions which are available and the training available for the industry to make the most of the opportunity afforded to them through the Green Deal.

As a result of the EST Heat Pump Field Trials, MIS 3005, the MCS Heat Pump standard was extensively rewritten and this revised standard was implemented on February 1st 2012. The revisions mean that the space heating is designed to BS EN 12831 and the hot water system is designed to either BS 6700 or BS EN 806 and the relevant data must be taken from CIBSE Guide A. This session will demonstrate with real data and live on a PC and display screen how these new design processes can be achieved and discuss all the supporting information and software.

Centrosolar is expert in the field of integrated solar PV and manufactures some of the highest quality modules on the market. This seminar will demonstrate the benefits and features of Centrosolar integrated modules along with specific design and installation requirements to ensure you achieve optimum performance. The seminar will also cover examples of previous installations using Centrosolar S-Class Integration Deluxe modules, undertaken by Centrosolar’s installation partner, Energi PLC.

How will the government’s flagship green policy work in practice to deliver energy-efficient buildings?

Can the Green Deal help tackle fuel poverty?

With just a few months to go until the launch, are we ready for Green Deal when it comes to skills and training?