Union Building Redevelopment
With the plans for the Union Building redevelopment progressing, a number of you have asked about the Energy Efficiency options that have been looked into and that will be incorporated into the redeveloped building. Whilst not everything that we'd ideally want can be incorporated, due to structural reasons, costs, planning permission (we are in South Ken after all), various areas have already been looked into and are continuing to be investigated. College will be taking an Energy Audit of the proposed redevelopment and will make recommendations to be incorporated into the building plans to improve energy efficiency e.g. better carbon management. But for now, below is a summary of what's been investigated so far.
Energy Efficency
Water Efficency - Metering of the water consumption will be introduced to the building and will help in monitoring it, allowing for reductions in usage. Direct mains toilet flushing will also be used instead of cisterns to reduce water consumption. We'll be working with College's Framework Energy Working Group who address the issue of water conservation in new building and refurbishment projects on campus.
Heating Efficency - There'll be a good level of heating monitoring and control with thermostatic radiator valves being fitted and central climate control where possible, to prevent over-heating in rooms or heating at times when areas aren't occupied.
Electrical Efficency - The engineers will be investigating the monitoring of electrical energy consumption, through metering, to reduce the usage. Currently College Estates are assessing the impact that redevelopment will have on energy usage.
Lighting Efficency - An energy efficient lighting solution will be developed for all areas of the building to suit the activity of each space. Types and sizes of lamps will be standardised, energy efficient long life lamps will be used throughout as well as dimmable controllers. The lighting control system proposed will include presence sensors and daylight sensors to control the electrical light output. Using natural light as much as possible will be key in the building.
Carbon Efficency - We're working with College's Energy & Environmental Manager in improving carbon efficiency and using low carbon technologies where possible in the Union Building.
Renewable energy options that were investigated initially included, Wind Generation, Photovoltaic (PVs) and Solar Water Heating. These could all be suitable for 50% funding from various grants. These are not currently being included, but College investigating them further. However, though 50% funding could be sought, funding for the other 50% would significantly increase the cost of the overall building project, sometimes not bringing the equivalent benefit. If there was a way to gain full sponsorship or more funding for these aspects, then we`d be keen to revisit these options...
More Feedback
Thank you for those who have emailed already. If any of you have specific energy efficiency ideas, let us know and then we can see if they've already been addressed (and what the result was) or investigate the feasibility of the new idea. If any of you know possible companies that would be interested in fully sponsoring energy efficient technology then let us know and we can pursue it together....
If you have any questions or feedback, you can email me and the other Sabbs, or pop into the Union Building, 1st floor.
Sameena Misbahuddin: Union President president@imperial.ac.uk
Simon Matthews: Deputy President (Clubs & Societies) dpcs@imperial.ac.uk
Sarah Khatib: Deputy President (Education & Welfare) dpew@imperial.ac.uk
Tim Aplin: Deputy President (Finance & Services) dpfs@imperial.ac.uk
Luis Hui: Deputy President (Graduate Students) dpgs@imperial.ac.uk
More information can be found on www.union.ic.ac.uk
