EWS | DIGEST Coal-free record as UK draws on renewables The UK has experienced its longest period without burning coal to produce electricity since the Industrial Revolution, according to the National Grid. There was no coal-fired power generation at all during the first week in May, as renewables took up more of the demand. It comes just two years after the country experienced its first coal-free day. The National Grid Electricity System Operator, which runs the network in England, Scotland and Wales, said high international coal prices were also making the fuel a less attractive source of energy. This prompted National Grid director Fintan Slye to predict that the Grid could go zero carbon by 2025. [This would involve] integrating newer technologies right across the system, he said, from large-scale offshore wind to domesticscale solar panels, to increased demand-side participation, using smart digital systems to manage and control the system in real time. Falling coal usage has led to a 50% drop in carbon emissions from electricity generation since 2013, according to the Committee on Climate Change, which has urged the government to legislate for a zero-carbon future by 2050. New zero-carbon framework UKGBC report aims to build consensus on decarbonising buildings A new framework to help the construction industry deliver a net-zero carbon built environment by 2050 has been launched by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A Framework Denition has input from more than 180 experts and stakeholders, including CIBSE, and is supported by 13 industry bodies. It presents an overarching framework of consistent principles and metrics that can be integrated into tools, Introducing the new S400 and S600 models policies and practices, said the UKGBC, adding that the intention was to build consensus on the approach to decarbonising buildings. The framework includes guidance for developers, owners and occupiers, and explains how to measure progress towards zero carbon and gather evidence. Two approaches to net zero carbon are proposed for the construction and operational stages, including ways of measuring and offsetting embodied emissions and reducing the energy needed in operation with residual demand met by renewables. The environmental imperative for targeting net zero is now loud and clear, said Ashley Bateson, CIBSE vice-president and Hoare Lea partner. This gives industry a clear basis for reducing carbon emissions from the built environment towards zero in the near future. UKGBC said that over the next 10 years, the scope and ambition of the framework would be increased to encourage greater action. Additional requirements will be introduced to challenge the industry, including minimum energy-efciency targets and limits on the use of offsets, it said. Spirotech has re-engineered its fully automatic SpiroVent Superior vacuum deaerators. With increased performance the new models are now capable of servicing even higher system volumes than before. Furthermore, the new platform allows remote access and operation via the cloud. Remote access Easy, menu-guided commissioning Increased system volume range The B and R versions have an integrated automatic refill system For more information: T: 0208 451 3344 E: office_uk@spirotech.com www.spirotech.co.uk 33564 CIBSE 133x190 AW.indd 1 28/03/2019 11:57 8 June 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Jun19 pp08-09 News.indd 8 24/05/2019 16:07