NEWS | DIGEST IN BRIEF Modelling experts to speak at CIBSE event Advanced building modelling techniques will be discussed in anevent organised by the CIBSE HVAC Systems and Building Simulations Groups. It will focus onthe potential for advanced models to improve buildings. Speakers Ant Wilson, Robert Cohen and Darren Coppins will talk about why modelling is used, how to choose appropriate models, and the competency of modelling in the UK. Cohen will also discuss what can be learned from Australian practitioners. The event starts at 6pm on 18 July at Hoare Leas London office. Fire safety switched on at Royal Papworth NORTH-EAST OF EDEN The team behind the Eden Project in Cornwall is hoping to replicate the attractions success in Morecambe Bay. Eden Project International has submitted a first planning report to Lancaster City Council for its proposed 85m Eden Project North, which will offer a vision of a seaside resort for the 21st century. It hopes to attract 760,000 visitors per year, and be carbon neutral and free of fossil-fuelled cars except for accessibility reasons. Growing momentum behind hydrogen for energy storage IEA claims hydrogen could be set to fulfil its potential as a clean energy solution Consultant Troup Bywaters + Anders has worked with contractor Skanska and fire safety company Static Systems Group to provide fire engineering at the new Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge. The fire alarm and management system consists of 15 networked panels and more than 4,000 addressable devices, including 1,900 detectors. It interfaces with other equipment in the hospital, including the security, nurse-call and sprinkler systems. BSI releases revised fire standard Business improvement company BSI has published the revised BS 5839-6:2019 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Among the main revisions are: the regrading and revision of statistics and recommendations; a new table on testing and servicing by grade of alarm system; increased protection in sheltered and supported housing; and a new recommendation about communal fire alarms in blocks of flats. This standard is aimed at architects, engineers and other building professionals, enforcing authorities, installers and those responsible for implementing fire precautions in domestic premises. A dramatic acceleration in the use of hydrogen for heating and renewable-energy storage, as well as for transport and some industrial processes, may be essential to meet global climate targets, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The Future of Hydrogen report said clean hydrogen which is produced by electrolysers powered by renewable energy (or by fossil fuels with carbon capture) could act as large-scale energy storage, so improving the viability of weather-dependent renewables. Hydrogen is one of the leading options for storing energy from renewables and looks promising to be a lowest-cost option for storing electricity over days, weeks or even months, the report said. Because hydrogen can be stored or used in a variety of sectors, converting electricity to hydrogen can help with the matching of variable energy supply and demand. The IEA report said there was unprecedented momentum behind hydrogenand it could finally be set on a pathtofulfil its long-standing potential as a clean energy solution. To seize this opportunity, governments and companies need to be taking ambitious and real-world actions now, it added, explaining that the next 12 months could be crucial if longterm low carbon goals were to be reached. The cost of the electrolysers that are used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen and fuel cells for converting hydrogen into electricity are still relatively high. Government support could drive higher volumes of production, however, which would in turn reduce costs, according to the IEA. Coal-free to be new normal The UK went for more than two weeks in May without burning any coal to generate power the longest coal-free period since theIndustrial Revolution. National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) said coal-free generation would become the new normal over the next five years. The Grid went through three periods of more than 100 hours without coal burning during May, meaning there were more hours of zero-coal generation that month than in January, February and March combined. National Grid ESOs director Fintan Slye said zero carbon electricity generation would be common by 2025, creating a majorstepping stone to full decarbonisation of the entire electricity system. 10 July 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE July19 pp10 News.indd 10 21/06/2019 14:40