From buzz word to building requirement

Energy Centre for Sustainable Communities (ECSC), is currently working on a two Associate KTP project that is helping boost renewable energy use in the UK.

Over the past 10 years concerns grew over the negative impact of carbon emissions. Through this innovative KTP programme, ECSC is developing a new software design tool that will be used by Architects and designers so that they can easily design low-carbon buildings.

Many local councils across the UK are now implementing planning policy that requires developers to construct buildings with a target of 10%, or more, renewable energy use. These new requirements are forcing planners and developers to consider renewable energy sources. "Councils were daunted from the adoption of renewable energy because they didn't know how to implement it. We realized a version of our tool could be used by energy control officers to work with developers," commented John Thorp, Managing Director of ECSC.

Seeing the need for a simple software design tool, ECSC embarked on their first of two KTP projects, led by Aidan Dunsdon, who is now creating the innovative new programme that will allow designers to incorporate low-carbon design tools in the design process. "There are tools around, but the tools are specialist engineering tools that are to be used late in the design process to verify or validate an already formulated design. The focus of our work is on the design process itself. The current tools are not really influencing design, because by the time the engineer becomes involved in the process, it's too late."

John said he was first attracted to doing a KTP project because of the grant funding it provides. "After I heard about KTP I decided it was a win-win situation because we can increase our stock of expertise and we get a discount on the people required to do it. It is one of the few government sponsored initiatives that actually works for both sides of the equation."

ECSC is now proposing to bundle this easy-to-use software together with a structured training course for planners in Surrey and Sussex to give them the knowledge and tools they will need to deal with the practical implementation of renewable energy policy. To help do this, they recently hired their second KTP Associate, Princess Ogumka, who is helping with planning projects and the new software tool, while ECSC explores additional projects, including building an on-line planning portal.

Professor Tony Day and Phil Jones, academic advisors on the project, said planners and developers are hungry for the new tools being developed at ECSC. "Planners and developers are wandering around looking for help in meeting the new planning requirements; they're actually very receptive to this sort of thing," comments Phil.

Through the KTP programme, ECSC have built a strong relationship with London South Bank University, which has led to additional consultancy work and support. "There is always a push and pull between my desire for business and the Universities desire for academic output, but somehow we always seem to reach a compromise. We are in a very good position at ECSC as an outcome of the work of our KTP Associates," said John.