Tue, 19 Dec 2023 04:52:31 +0000 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39003#Comment_39003 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39003#Comment_39003 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:47:42 +0000 stevennorfield
My company is looking into the design and implementation of a small commercial development in cambridgeshire. An office centre of 8 to 12 units that works to support the local area in both design (being consistent with the surrounding area) yet innovative enought to stand out.

Being in cambridgeshire biomass is plentiful, so we'd like to run with that, but we're not adverse to other ideas. We're very much with the BMW school of thought of efficient dynamics, in that we'd rather have simple clever solutions than technological showpieces. So in essence, clever design is in, techy stuff out as it were.

We've got some backing off local government and we're looking to have everything in place by september, since this is when grants from the local council are decided and paid out. We are sure that th massive marketing appeal will, at the very least, heighten the profile of said cambridgeshire town.

So really, what I'm asking for, is for you guys to throw in your ideas, regardless of what they are, so we get some fresh perspective on things rather than have our team perhaps get a little too blinkered in it's workings.

Look forward to hearing your ideas! please feel free to ask questions as we'd love input from all and sundry!

Regards

Steve Norfield
Director
Selling Solutions Cambridge]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39050#Comment_39050 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39050#Comment_39050 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:11:29 +0000 simeon
If you can think of any means of exporting any spare energy, then that would be even better.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39111#Comment_39111 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39111#Comment_39111 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:04:14 +0000 stevennorfield
We were going to steer away for PV panels as the payback on them is, in my experience, pretty horrific. Much more a fan of the thermal tubes to reduce requiremet on the primary system.

Rain water harvesting is a cert for toilet flushing etc, as is large areas of pilkington Energicare glazing to get some benefit from solar gain.

We've thought about wind turbines, but at £30k installed fo 12kW units they're not exactly cost effective, and at 100k for the 75kW units it's out of the question, especially as a 23m tower would be vetoed pretty much instantly.

We like the passiv haus concepts, anyone got any links to where they've been succesfully used for commercial developments?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39122#Comment_39122 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39122#Comment_39122 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:26:26 +0000 Tuna http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39188#Comment_39188 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=39188#Comment_39188 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:24:18 +0000 BrianR
* Burning animal and straw waste.
* External insulation comparative trials (aerogel / multifoils / straw bale etc)
* Fuel from animal waste (Methane etc)
* Seasonal heat storage
* Best practice energy reduction for visitors to see at weekends

Have a look at Wysing Arts Centre near Toft they have a straw bale house.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=40377#Comment_40377 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=40377#Comment_40377 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:52:19 +0000 stevennorfield
we are steering away from animal waste because of the environmental (read smell) issues that surround it, we had terrible trouble with a biomass plant in the USA that rendered any saving null and void by the ohhirifc cost of odour control.

Straw waste & biomass etc is something we like, with so many local farmers a supply of fuel would be reasonably attainable, especially as the site is sat next to farmland. The cost of installing these systems is being weighted up against the alternatives, but a hopper fed biomass system is favourable, particularly in a CHP application.

Thanks for your input, please keep it coming]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=47039#Comment_47039 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=47039#Comment_47039 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:32:49 +0000 Harrison As a final, think about the use of the site outside of office hours, is this a possible training, demonstration site on the weekends, think about its overall sustainability and its total cost over the whole of its life including the cost of changing or converting the site to something else in the future.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=48728#Comment_48728 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=48728#Comment_48728 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:26:50 +0000 unguided1 I have recently been installing air source unvented hot water cylinders.
They are a single unit comprising of a 250L stainless steel hot water cylinder with an 810wtt air source heat pump on top.
We have been ducting waste heat out of loft spaces to heat the water, the manufacturers claim that they can reduce your bills for heating ot water by 70 percent.
They can also be used in conjuction with solar panels.Regards
Mike]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=48737#Comment_48737 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=48737#Comment_48737 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:18:55 +0000 Timber
Passive solar design would be good, but be ware of glare on computer monitors and things.

If you have a server room, use that waste heat to add exta heating to the units in the winter.

I would consider solid masonary walls with lots and lots of external insulation. Then use a big roof overhang to protect from weather and excess sun the summer (providing the orientation of the building permits). Summer cooling may be as much or more of an issue than winter heating, so look for some passive cooling system that cools the thermal mass overnight. Automatic night time venting could work well for this, then use MVHR all year round to make the most of the heat/cold.

CHP might work, but I would be worried about excess thermal in the summer for a given electrical demand. That could be used for interseasonal storage however, but might be an innefficient use for that heat. not sure really.

Timber]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=53144#Comment_53144 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=53144#Comment_53144 Fri, 01 May 2009 15:05:37 +0100 renewablejohn
We have a similar project in Lancashire with a Former Textile mill Northern Light factory which will be split into multiple units for independent green businesses probably going for the same ERDF grant you are talking about. Our plan is to install a woodchip fired CHP plant on site using thermal oil as the transfer media and conventional steam power technology.It will be co fired using thermal solar tubes on the northern light roof heating thermal oil instead of water.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=53152#Comment_53152 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990&Focus=53152#Comment_53152 Fri, 01 May 2009 15:56:29 +0100 MgO Limited I hope I am not going to be shouted down, but my company manufactures environmentally friendly magnesium oxide boards with phase change material. Please contact me via our website mgoltd.com
Regards,
Mike]]>