Gary Marshall, Author at Adveco Ltd.

Great British Energy : The New Net Zero Priority

October 2, 2024October 2, 2024 by Gary Marshall

dawn over towns lit by electricity, a symbo0l of Great British Energy

The new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, has outlined key energy pledges, reforms and mechanisms for delivering energy independence and cutting bills through clean power by 2030. This will be attained by doubling onshore wind, tripling solar power and quadrupling offshore wind. Investing in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and marine energy. Extending the lifetime of existing nuclear plants. Retaining a strategic reserve of gas power stations whose existing licences will not be revoked, although new ones will not be issued and creating a publicly-owned company called Great British Energy. Great British Energy Arrives Great British Energy (GBE), will be backed by £8.3m of new investment to create jobs and build supply chains across the UK, and facilitation of local energy production. Great British Energy’s key functions will focus on project development, investment, local power plans, supply chains and nuclear. GBE will lead projects through development stages to speed up their delivery, whilst capturing more value. It will invest in energy projects alongside the private sector, to help get them off the ground, especially local energy generation projects which will require local and combined authorities and communities to work closely together. This demands new supply chains across the UK, boosting energy independence and creating jobs. Work will also commence exploring how GBE and Great British Nuclear will work together. GBE will also require the public sector to take on a new role for offshore wind projects lowering risk for developers and enabling projects to be built out faster after leasing and crowding in private sector investment. It will also help boost new technologies such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, wave and tidal energy. Investment in clean power will be unlocked through a new partnership between Great British Energy and independently operated The Crown Estate in an ‘unprecedented’ partnership which could leverage up to £60bn of private investment leading up to 20-30GW of new offshore wind developments reaching seabed lease stage by 2030, enough power for the equivalent of approximately 20 million homes. Designed to boost Britain’s energy independence, this partnership will invest in homegrown power and, with accompanying reforms to policy, cut the time it takes to get offshore wind projects operating and delivering power by up to half. Taking Control Former chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, Chris Stark, has been appointed to lead the new Mission Control, bringing together industry experts to accelerate the transition away from volatile fossil fuel markets to clean, UK-generated energy. It has been established to remove obstacles, identify and resolve issues, and speed up the connection of new power infrastructure to the grid by working closely with key organisations including the regulator Ofgem, the National Grid, the Electricity System Operator and National Gas Transmission. One of the first goals is to establish a National Energy System Operator (NESO) which will adopt a ‘whole system approach’ to strengthening energy security, helping to deliver net zero and ensuring operational costs are affordable in the long term. With Labour pledging to double onshore wind capacity to 35GW by 2030, yet no large-scale wind farms have been built in England for many years, a new Onshore Wind Taskforce has been set up, also chaired by Ed Miliband. The task force will ‘drive action across industry and Government to unblock barriers to rapidly increase onshore wind capacity’. With aims to also triple solar power to 50 GW by 2030 three nationally significant solar farm projects have received consent to proceed through reactivation of the Solar Taskforce, which was started under the previous government. The task force’s Solar Roadmap will be revised in line with Labour’s ambitious new goals. Funding a net zero future Ed Miliband also announced a record £1.5 billion Contracts for Difference (CfD) budget to build new green infrastructure and deliver homegrown clean energy projects by 2030. Funding will accelerate the delivery of clean, cheap, low-carbon electricity to businesses, generated by renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels. It includes £1.1 billion for offshore wind, £185 million for established technologies such as onshore wind and solar, and £270 million for emerging technologies such as floating offshore wind and tidal. Bidding for funding will be via the government’s sixth renewable auction (CfD), providing initial subsidies to developers for clean electricity projects with a built-in design to keep operational costs low. The subsidies are paid back when wholesale electricity prices are higher than the agreed CfD price ensuring the central government’s budget will not be impacted by unfunded pledges. New legislation will be brought forward to create a new, permanent National Wealth Fund (NWF) that will invest in industries of the future. A total of £7.3bn of additional funding will be allocated through the UK Infrastructure Bank so investments can start being made immediately, focusing on further priority sectors and catalysing private investment. This funding is in addition to existing UKIB funding. Reforms to the British Business Bank are aimed at unlocking billions of pounds of investment in the UK’s world-leading green industries. The NWF is intended to make ‘transformative investments’ across every part of the country, working with local partners including regional mayors. The government has also set a core target of making the UK the ‘green finance capital of the world’, mandating UK-regulated financial institutions to implement credible transition plans that align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. It will also reward clean energy developers with a British Jobs Bonus, allocating up to £500m per year from 2026. Read more about net zero and low-carbon applications for water heating in commercial buildings

What Is An Electric Water Heater?

October 10, 2024September 18, 2024 by Gary Marshall

Commonly used in commercial, and industrial settings to provide a steady supply of hot water for various purposes, such as bathing, cooking, cleaning, and heating spaces, electric water heaters operate by converting electrical energy into heat through resistive heating elements submerged in the water. These elements are controlled by thermostats to maintain the desired water temperature. What are the types of electric water heaters? Electric water heaters come in various configurations, each suited to different needs and applications. The three main types of electric water heaters are: Tank (Storage) Water Heaters Tankless (On-Demand) Water Heaters Heat Pump Water Heaters Electric Boiler What is the difference between commercial tankless and tank water heaters? Commercial settings often have different requirements for hot water compared to residential settings, including higher demand and different usage patterns. The choice between tankless and tank water heaters in a commercial context depends on various factors such as hot water demand, energy efficiency, space constraints, and budget. Tank or Storage Water Heaters Tank water heaters are the most traditional and widely used type of water heater. They consist of an insulated tank that stores a large volume of water, typically ranging from 75 to 300 litres, although bespoke cylinders are available. Within the tank, electric heating elements heat the water. These elements are usually controlled by a thermostat, which ensures the water remains at the set temperature, ready for use whenever needed. When hot water is drawn from the tank, it is replaced with cold water, which is then heated to maintain the tank’s temperature. This approach enables storage water heaters to provide a constant supply of hot water, making them suitable for situations where hot water demand is high or spread out over time. Commercial tank water heaters can store large volumes of hot water, with capacities often exceeding 375 litres. These heaters will therefore require significant space for installation due to their large size. They also need adequate clearance and ventilation. Such capacities do make them suitable for applications with steady and high hot water usage, such as hotels, restaurants, and hospitals. While commercial tank water heaters are designed to be more efficient than residential models, and the initial cost of commercial tank water heaters is generally lower than that of tankless systems they will suffer because they constantly heat and reheat a large volume of water to maintain the set temperature, leading to standby heat loss. Tankless (On-Demand) Water Heaters Tankless water heaters, or on-demand water heaters, eliminate the need for storage while capable of delivering a continuous supply of hot wate When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water flows through a heat exchanger where it is rapidly heated by electric heating elements. The water is then delivered directly to the tap at the desired temperature which is advantageous for businesses with fluctuating or peak hot water demands. By only supplying heat water when needed, they eliminate issues of standby heat loss, reducing energy waste to be more energy efficient. This can result in significant cost savings over time, particularly in businesses with variable hot water usage. What limits these units is their flow rate, meaning multiple simultaneous uses (e.g., showering and basin use) can affect performance. They also have high power demands which can lead to expensive upgrades to electrical systems and concerns over the operational costs of extra demands on electricity. If a system is designed correctly the lower operating costs and longer lifespan can potentially offset the initial investment where the upfront cost of commercial tankless water heaters is typically higher. Heat Pump Water Heaters Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Typically, more energy-efficient than traditional electric water heaters, heat pump water heaters extract heat from the air or ground and transfer it to the water in the storage tank. They use a reverse refrigeration cycle, like that found in air conditioners or refrigerators, to leverage ambient heat from the surrounding air or ground. Most new build commercial applications, due to ease of installation and cost, will specify air source heat pumps which can be significantly more efficient than traditional electric water heaters, sometimes reducing energy use by up to 50%. However, the performance is best when operating with a cold water input and lower temperature water output (35°C), this makes them perfect for applications such as underfloor heating. But when water temperatures must be consistently high (+60°C), as required by commercial applications to counter the risk of legionella development, efficiency can rapidly fall away and be further exacerbated where there is less ambient heat to extract, such as during the colder winter months. Heat pump water heaters tend to be complex and so more expensive upfront, so most commercial applications will aim to leverage the heat pump technology as a preheat combined with a storage water heater and electric top-up. Packaged Electric Water Heating Systems Packaged electric water heaters combine the best of both worlds, deploying an electric boiler with a storage cylinder and heating water indirectly via the cylinder’s coil. The boiler does have a small internal tank used in conjunction with built-in controls to better manage efficient and consistent heating from multiple immersion packs working in unison. This provides the functionality of a storage water heater, without the dependence on a single, high-temperature immersion for fully electric water heating. Due to the more effective use of the heating elements the boiler will exhibit greater system longevity and resilience, with built-in backup and almost zero limescale development in hard water areas. Whilst commercial larger electric boiler units (100 kW) will be floor standing, the latest packaged systems use smaller, more compact units which can be wall mounted, or as in the case of Adveco’s FUSION, mounted directly onto the cylinder to minimise pipe run and maximise available plant room space. The FUSION packaged electric water heating system offers a variety of ways to extend operational capabilities, whether adding backup immersion for 24/7/365 resiliency, … Read more

Electric boiler Versus Immersion

October 10, 2024September 18, 2024 by Gary Marshall

Very often, as a business-critical service, domestic hot water (DHW) can also be one of the key contributors to carbon emissions from commercial buildings. As commercial organisations roll out their net zero strategy for the built estate, many are opting to transition to electricity as a means of heating water. This has led to an increase in the use of electrical immersions as a primary heat source, but this approach can have catastrophic results in terms of business continuity if the property is in a hard water area. For this reason, Adveco is advocating a move to electric boilers to ensure system resilience, ease of maintenance and avoidance of costly damage. Physical, electromagnetic water conditioners do not provide sufficient protection. We’ve seen the evidence of this with organisations which have cut gas from their systems, transitioning to all-electric hot water with DHW buffers heated by immersions. Despite market-leading physical conditioners installed on both the cold inlet and secondary return, every site in hard water reported failures of immersions within four months to a year. Only a salt-based water softener will offer adequate protection, but there is a better, and more cost-effective way of addressing limescale, and that is to use an electric boiler instead. By employing an indirect method of water heating and controlling temperatures the all too common problem of destructive limescale build-up can be effectively eliminated. Working in conjunction with an indirect cylinder to provide DHW in an effectively sealed ‘primary loop’, the expectation is for little to no scale build as the boiler recirculates the same finite amount of water through the heat exchanger. Key to this is maintaining a relatively low (80°C) temperature reducing heating intensity on surfaces that would otherwise accelerate scale formation. The use of an electric boiler supersedes an immersion because it comes complete with a range of controls which would otherwise need to be addressed via the building management system (BMS), which would require costly switchgear and an expert electrical contractor or BMS specialist. Controls offer a variety of options, including soft start, soft stop; load sharing among internal heating elements, stepped modulation down to 33% of load; control of maximum flow temperature; control of kW output (downrating); overcurrent and overheat protection; weather compensation; plus, fault relay for alarm output to BMS. All of this helps to monitor and maintain the necessary consistency of water temperature and avoid points of high-intensity temperature. Although an electric boiler will use a few extra Watts for a small pump, it will offer a heating efficiency identical to immersion heaters. However, as scale formation increases immersions will take longer to heat water meaning the boiler will offer greater efficiency over time. Also, as the electric boiler efficiency is not dependent on flow temperature, it can still provide high primary temperatures that give short cylinder reheat times and easily achieve the required temperatures for regular legionella purging. It is worth noting that the presence of limescale also provides a surface that can help promote legionella growth within the calorifier. You could argue that immersions are easier, cheaper options, that is certainly true if you are installing a 12 kW immersion into a large tank, which will cost you £300 to £700 and, if well maintained, should last. However, if you are trying to add, for example, a 24 kW immersion to a smaller tank, then the complexity of that unit will see the pricing rise quickly to as much as £1500, plus the cylinder will require larger access which also comes at an additional cost. That is what you would also expect to pay for a 24 kW electric boiler, with all the advantages it brings. With little to no scale build-up, an electric boiler system will exhibit increased reliability and improved response time, whereas immersions will take longer to heat water as scale formation increases around the element hampering its efficiency. The use of multiple heating elements within the boiler also avoids the single point of failure issue seen with immersions, providing built-in redundancy, and when balanced by controls for most efficient use will see system lifespan improve. With less need for descaling maintenance costs are reduced. Servicing is also easier as the boiler can be wall or cylinder-mounted on either side allowing for flexible installation clearance without the need to withdraw a long immersion heater. There is also no need to drain down the cylinder, which would otherwise interrupt water provision during maintenance or repair. The use of direct electric immersions in hard water areas, even if the water is treated, will almost certainly lead to limescale build-up, which if left unchecked even for a few months can become an expensive or even catastrophic problem for commercial hot water systems. If it contributes to the development of Legionella, then it can also have serious health implications. Electric boilers on the other hand offer an EcoDesign-compliant, cost equivalent, simpler to control, ultimately more efficient to run, and easier to maintain system that has a greater lifespan. It should be the technology of choice for any organisation seeking to secure low-carbon DHW.

Understanding Electric Water Heating For Commercial Buildings

September 18, 2024August 13, 2024 by Gary Marshall

ardent electric water heater with lightning bolt

Electric water heating has quickly become the predominant choice for commercial new builds for specification, meeting the demands of Part L and securing necessary BREEAM points. For organisations currently reliant on gas for their water heating needs, the impetus is to look at alternatives as part of wider sustainability strategies, with electricity being an obvious choice. It is not; however, a black-and-white decision as electric water heating can present a range of advantages and pitfalls, each of which can significantly impact operational efficiency, cost, and overall effectiveness. Understanding these factors is crucial for making informed decisions about water heating applications, especially in pre-existing buildings. Advantages of Electric Water Heating Electric water heating offers some clear advantages, most notably they can be highly energy efficient, particularly when compared to traditional gas heaters. They convert almost all their electricity into heat, minimising energy waste. This efficiency can be particularly advantageous in commercial buildings where energy costs constitute a significant portion of operating expenses. Combined with precise temperature control, which is essential in commercial applications where specific water temperatures are required, consistent performance is ensured. It can improve the efficiency of operations in settings like restaurants, hotels, and healthcare facilities. Electric water boilers can be extremely compact, lending themselves to installation in smaller and more restrictive spaces. This space-saving feature is particularly beneficial in commercial buildings where space is at a premium. Electric water heaters are also generally easier to install than their gas counterparts because they do not require venting or gas lines. This simplicity can reduce installation costs and time, making them an attractive option for both new construction and retrofits. Additionally, electric units often have fewer moving parts, leading to lower maintenance needs and costs over time. With no risk of gas leaks, and no production of harmful combustion byproducts, such as nitrogen oxide or carbon monoxide, Electric water heaters pose fewer safety risks compared to gas water heating. This makes electric water heaters a safer choice for commercial buildings where safety regulations and concerns are paramount. From a sustainability standpoint electric water heaters will be seen to be more environmentally friendly, especially when powered by renewable energy sources. Whilst the electricity grid cannot yet claim to be a net zero energy source, it is in the process of becoming decarbonised, so an electric system would be a means to future-proof a building’s energy demands looking forward towards 2050. This alignment with green energy initiatives can help commercial buildings reduce their carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals. And the Pitfalls of Electric Water Heating While electric water heaters are generally easier and cheaper to install, high-quality, high-capacity electric units can have a higher initial cost than gas units. This initial investment can be a deterrent, especially for smaller businesses with limited capital, but the most significant disadvantage of electric water heaters is the potentially high operating costs. Electricity remains considerably more expensive than natural gas in the UK, at the time of writing, gas costs 5.48p per kWh (kilowatt hour), versus electricity, at 22.36p per kWh which can lead to substantial operating costs, especially in commercial buildings with high hot water demands. As we have observed, the overall efficiency and environmental impact of electric water heating depends on the source of the electricity. In the UK a notable proportion continues to be generated from fossil fuels (32% from gas versus 51% zero-carbon sources in 2023) so the environmental benefits are significantly reduced. Of more concern is that electric water heating can place a significant additional load on a building’s electrical system. In commercial settings with substantial electrical usage, adding high-demand electric water heaters can strain the system. From our experience, we are already seeing projects adding extremely costly upgrades to electrical infrastructure as part of refit, something better hot water design could help avoid. In terms of actual use, electric water heaters generally have slower recovery rates compared to gas water heaters. This means they take longer to heat water after the initial supply has been depleted. In commercial settings with continuous hot water needs, such as hotels or large office buildings, this slower recovery can be a drawback, necessitating either larger or additional units to meet demand, or if using an indirect electric boiler then a larger cylinder, in a similar way to heat pump driven systems. Finally, water heating for commercial applications can have a significant impact on operations demanding robust and resilient 24/7/365 operation. If the electric water heating system is entirely dependent on the electrical grid should there be a power outage, these units will not function, leading to a lack of hot water. For businesses where a continuous hot water supply is critical, this dependency can pose a significant risk requiring additional emergency power supplies which will be extremely costly. Considerations for the adoption of electric water heating in commercial properties When considering electric water heating for commercial buildings, it is essential to weigh the specific advantages and pitfalls against the operational needs and constraints of the business. The key factors which should be considered are hot water demand, energy costs, infrastructure, environmental goals, Safety and Regulatory Compliance and backup. If considering a transition to electric water heating start by assessing the volume and consistency of hot water demand. Talk to Adveco about metering hot water in your buildings as it is a low-cost activity that can pay dividends both in terms of capital investment and long-term operational costs. The data gained also helps when it comes to evaluating the local cost of electricity versus alternative fuels like natural gas. Businesses with high and constant hot water usage might find electric water heaters less suitable due to higher operational costs and slower recovery rates. However, for businesses with moderate or intermittent demand, electric units can be highly effective. If lower electricity costs or renewable energy sources are available, electric water heaters can still be cost-effective. Modelling applications of real data is also critical when assessing and planning potential increases to the electrical infrastructure of … Read more

Read The Adveco August 2024 Newsletter

October 2, 2024August 1, 2024 by Gary Marshall

Read The Adveco August 2024 Newsletter Welcome to the Adveco August 2024 newsletter. This month we welcome a new government and consider the implications for net zero and buildings across the commercial and public sectors. We also look at the options for salvaging solar thermal systems which have fallen into disrepair, and consider why indirect water heating is shaping up to be the best approach for gaining low-carbon water heating in commercial properties. If you would prefer the newsletter sent directly to your inbox every month why not sign up on our newsletter page, you can also browse all our previous editions from the library on the same page… Click here to read this month’s newsletter.

Direct Versus Indirect Water Heating For Commercial Buildings

July 24, 2024 by Gary Marshall

FUSION indirect water heating for commercial buildings

The choice between direct and indirect water heating systems in commercial buildings depends on various factors, including energy efficiency, cost, space availability, and the specific hot water demand profile of a building. Understanding these advantages and disadvantages allows for more informed decisions tailored to the unique needs of each commercial application… The challenges of direct water heating In commercial buildings, direct water heating systems provide hot water on demand by heating water instantly as it flows through the unit, without requiring a storage tank. Direct water heaters, such as tankless or on-demand models, are compact and save valuable space, making them ideal for commercial settings where space is at a premium. While direct systems offer a continuous supply of hot water, in situations with extremely high and simultaneous hot water demands these heaters can struggle to keep up, potentially requiring multiple units to meet the needs, increasing the costs and complexity of the system. They can also be prone to inconsistent water pressure and flow rates which can preclude them from use in many commercial applications such as taller buildings or locations requiring a guaranteed hot water supply. Crucially with sustainability climbing the agenda, they are limited to energy sources, being reliant on either electricity or gas. In areas where energy costs are high or where there are restrictions on gas usage such as new builds, operating costs can become problematic. This is on top of upfront costs associated with the units themselves, the specialised knowledge and potentially more extensive modifications to existing infrastructure in retrofit scenarios. Why choose indirect water heating in commercial buildings? Compared to direct systems, indirect water heating applications require more installation space and can be complex and costly to set up as they must be integrated with the primary heating system. However, there are far more advantages to be gained by deploying indirect water heating systems in commercial buildings. Utilising a primary heating source to heat water, which is then stored in a separate tank means indirect systems can provide a large volume of hot water, making them highly effective for commercial applications with high and continuous hot water demands, such as hospitals, hotels, and large office buildings. Indirect systems typically have fewer moving parts and less direct exposure to mains water, which helps enhance their durability and reduce maintenance needs. This is especially so if investment is made in stainless steel cylinders which are resistant to the corrosive effects of soft water, and with a finite amount of water in the primary heating loop can also be shown to counter the effects of limescale formation in hard water areas. For buildings with extensive heating needs, indirect water heating systems can be integrated with the building’s existing heating system, such as a boiler, potentially reducing operational costs and enhancing energy efficiency. This approach can be popular in colder climates where the heating system is frequently in use. Should the primary system fail or be turned off, the supply of hot water will be interrupted, which is a significant issue. In the UK Adveco would advise separating heating from hot water whenever possible. Domestic hot water (DHW) in commercial settings requires consistent higher working flows best achieved in separate systems to ensure service delivery and anti-legionella processes. Where indirect heating applications really shine is through their versatility to integrate with a variety of energy sources that include natural gas and electricity, but also LPG, oil, and more importantly solar thermal and air source heat pumps which reduce carbon emissions and help offset primary heating energy demands. Depending on the available energy infrastructure, indirect heating offers flexibility, greater sustainability and potential cost savings that are especially advantageous to the commercial built environment. Indirect systems are not without their challenges as the approach generally requires more space due to the need for both a storage tank and a separate heating unit, which leads to more complex and costly installation. Systems may also take longer to heat water than direct systems, even more so when using air source heat pumps, which would be a disadvantage in settings where immediate hot water is needed. For this reason, a building’s hot water design must be as thorough and accurate as possible. Traditionally this would require a completely bespoke approach to every building, today though there are simpler options, especially for small to medium-sized demands, whereby a pre-sized, ready-to-go system can be selected for faster installation. Adveco leads the charge with this pre-built system approach with the award-winning FUSION packaged electric water heating system. FUSION is a next-generation indirect water heating system for commercial properties. FUSION-E harnesses Adveco’s ARDENT electric boiler and high-pressure ATSI single-coil stainless steel cylinders to deliver a compact, highly efficient, low-carbon electric water heater. FUSION-T adds Adveco’s FPi32 Air Source Heat Pumps, dedicated controls and metering, for further carbon reduction and operational cost savings. With more than 80 variants currently on offer, and the potential to incorporate solar thermal into dual-coil cylinder variants there is a ready-to-go system for most organisations seeking a robust, compact, more sustainable water heating system which harnesses the advantages of indirect water heating.

Sustainable Schools: Learning About Low-Carbon Water Heating

July 17, 2024 by Gary Marshall

AO Smith gas water heating installed in UK school

Adveco considers how sustainable schools can take advantage of water heating to support the decarbonisation of the built estate… In the UK, the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 require schools to have “an adequate supply of hot and cold water” in toilets and washing facilities, unfortunately, the production of hot water alone can drive as much as 30% of a building’s daily energy demands. Given space heating and water heating in buildings account for as much as 50% of the UK’s annual carbon emission implementing sustainable water heating, as it is a necessity, is one of the quickest and most direct methods for achieving measurable carbon reduction for sustainable schools. As hot water can be treated as a separate system it does not require the larger scale, costly renovations associated with space heating. This means schools can begin to make changes to current operations that immediately help to fulfil the demands of the Public Services (Social Value) Act. At its simplest, the government drive is to move buildings off gas and over to electricity. New build projects, unless exhibiting very large hot water demands which can often be found in school buildings, will struggle to receive permission (under Part L of the building regulations) for a new gas connection and as a result will specify electric-based systems. Continued use of gas, remains a grey area. Whilst not a sustainable option, it remains a cost-effective pathway to a future green gas strategy. Here in the UK, the status of hydrogen remains to be confirmed. The Heating and Buildings Strategy published in late 2021 did however begin to indicate the growing support for the technology. The implication for schools is, if you currently use gas, then you can upgrade to new high-efficiency gas appliances up until 2035. However, the EU states are pressing for all publicly owned buildings ‘in scope’ to have zero on-site emissions derived from fossil fuels from the beginning of 2028. If that happens then the UK may be pressured to follow suit. If, from 2026, UK policy does support the adoption of hydrogen then the path should remain clear for education projects looking at unlocking the potential of hydrogen as one of the most cost-effective options for achieving net zero. The current generation of gas water heaters offers a high-efficiency, 20% hydrogen-blend-ready option that futureproofs systems until hydrogen policy is ratified and potential new green gas technology is rolled out nationally. Options For Sustainable Schools Today In the meantime, government policy has promoted the adoption of heat pumps, with the easiest to install and most cost-effective being air source heat pumps (ASHP). But this is a technology that operates most efficiently at lower temperatures, at odds with school hot water systems which require a 60°C+ working flow for safe operation and anti-legionella processes. A heat pump can however be pushed to deliver a higher percentage contribution, generating working temperatures of 45-50°C for preheating, but this at the cost of performance efficiency, requires electrical energy, and that again has operating cost implications. To accommodate this the simplest approach blends the ASHP preheat with an electric boiler supplying thermal energy to a mains water-fed compact indirect cylinder. Compared to an equivalent-sized direct-electric (i.e., from the grid) system, one with an ASHP can achieve carbon reductions of 42-47%, whilst saving 25-35% of the energy costs. With the heat pump’s reduced operational efficiency, it will still be much more expensive to run than an equivalent-sized gas-fired system. The recommendation in this case is to keep electrical demand down by increasing the size of the hot water storage which is then heated more slowly, very different to the high energy input and low storage seen with gas-fired systems. Further efforts to improve heat pump efficiency today can also be gained by specifying solar thermal collectors alongside the ASHP to guarantee the preheat temperature. Requiring a minimum three-metre drop to ensure flow does mean solar thermal is only suited to installation on a building, but properties with larger unobstructed flat or sloped roofs, such as schools, are perfect for locating solar thermal collectors. Not to be confused with electricity-generating solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal is a fluid-based system that transfers solar energy via indirect heating in the cylinder into the hot water system. The design of the system allows for the heat pump to contribute to the incoming cold water. That ensures 45°C while taking advantage of the coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump. The solar thermal is then employed after the heat pump to heat the water from 45°to between 50°C and 60°C depending on the time of year. Sized and installed correctly, a single solar thermal collector can contribute up to 1400kWh per annum, providing electricity savings of £300 and more importantly reducing emissions of CO² by 322kg. Whilst solar thermal can be deployed in isolation, by delivering hybrid preheat through both the ASHP and solar thermal system, demands on more costly electric heating are considerably reduced, if not avoided entirely. Given the current costs of electricity, solar thermal now offers a relatively fast return on investment and, since it is a capital expenditure it can, like the ASHP, contribute to positive sustainability reporting for sustainable schools. discover more about net zero and low carbon water heating for schools

Restoring Solar Thermal On Commercial Buildings

September 18, 2024July 11, 2024 by Gary Marshall

Solar thermal collectors installed on a rooftop

Adveco considers the opportunities for restoring solar thermal systems… For more than a decade at the start of the 21st Century, the government drove efforts to explore the validity of solar renewables, first solar photovoltaics for generation or electricity and later solar thermal as a means of capturing solar energy onsite for water heating. Purchasing flat plate or evacuated tube systems, proved cost-effective and the technology enjoyed a heyday with many public sector buildings employing one or both options. Nearly fifteen years on, many of those systems now sit unusable on the roofs of those buildings. The causes are varied, poor initial installation issues and particularly a lack of servicing and maintenance ultimately lead many systems to overheat and fail, even sealed systems. Manufacturer support for evacuated tube systems also waned as key suppliers moved away from the technology. Other sites were prone to vandalism, with stones thrown at panels with devastating consequences. For many organisations, the costs of protecting an installation or repairing it were too high and they were simply switched off and written off as a loss. Solar technology did not die though, and serious consideration should be given to restoring solar thermal back to operational status. Properly installed and serviced solar thermal systems are proven to have a long operational lifespan with low maintenance demands, especially flat plate collector systems. Those with proven drainback technology employing gravity flow to preserve operational qualities of the solar fluid required to transfer solar energy as heat to the hot water application are notably robust. A well-designed and balanced hot water system deploying solar thermal as a preheat can offset a minimum of 30% of the annual energy demands for hot water in the UK. For some regions, this percentage is much higher and in the summer months, solar can meet all a system’s heating demands, especially in the case of buildings with lower daily hot water demands such as offices. The drive for net zero has also helped reinvigorate interest in restoring solar thermal as the commercial sector is challenged to transition from gas to electric water heating. The energy bill shock for many – since grid electricity continues to be substantially more expensive than gas (by a factor of 5.51 at the close of 2023) – has meant technology that can offset electrical energy usage is becoming more attractive. The return on investment (ROI) for solar thermal is once again powerful, with systems able to pay back capital investment in under ten years. The New Rooftop Battleground Chillers, heat pumps and solar systems are all vying for valuable rooftop space as public sector organisations look to reduce carbon emissions and embrace high-efficiency heating and cooling. This is especially the case for organisations operating small buildings, or those with high-rise city centre properties. Specifications will often aim to deploy solar photovoltaics (PV) to supply electricity for space heating and water. When retrofitting gas-based hot water systems this is a less efficient route since PV will always offset grid electricity at 136g/KWh, equivalent to 18 kg of CO₂/m²/annum. Compare this to solar thermal which offsets gas emissions at 233g/kWh, or 148 kg of CO₂/m²/annum. This makes solar thermal eight times more effective per m² than PV when addressing carbon emissions from water heating, translating to a smaller panel area for solar thermal on the rooftop. We would always advocate splitting solar water heating (solar thermal) from solar space heating (PV) to gain the greatest efficiencies. A typical office may require, as a rule of thumb, one solar thermal collector per 100 litres of thermal storage capacity. Most commercial-grade applications will typically require six to 20 solar collector panels. Restoring Solar Thermal With new high-efficiency, robust flat plate collectors and protective drainback, cylinders and controls to integrate solar thermal with electric top-up there is a real opportunity to restore solar thermal systems which have fallen into disrepair. Most refurbishments where overheating has been the cause of shutdown will require new collector panels and pipework which fortunately is a relatively straightforward replacement as the reinstallation process will have minimal impact on extant plant room appliances. This allows for upgrading existing gas water heating, saving energy and reducing emissions from the existing system. Alternatively, Adveco can support the transition to full electric water heating with solar thermal through bespoke system design and product supply. For smaller systems and organisations with lower capacity demands, such as offices or GP surgeries, Adveco FUSION offers a pre-defined low-carbon system that is compact, easy to install, resilient and cost-effective. For organisations considering, but not ready to commit to a heat pump-based system, FUSION T is available now with an option that delivers a twin-coil stainless steel tank and mounted ARDENT electric boiler and controls without the heat pump preheat. This iteration allows for solar thermal to be introduced into the lower coil as the system preheat with a small amendment to the controls to optimise top-up heating from the boiler as the pre-heat fluctuates across the year. With FUSION now supporting capacities up to 750 litres with 24 kW heat output, it is suitable for solar systems designed for small to medium-sized buildings. While most solar thermal systems would be designed to split the preheater and after heater, this single-cylinder FUSION scenario avoids the typical requirements of a 50/50 capacity split between preheat and top-up. Adveco’s smart controls allow the system to ‘cheat’ in favour of the solar thermal delivering a 600-litre solar capacity in a 750-litre tank for an extremely compact option for an all-electric low-carbon emission solar water heating system with a minimal rooftop or façade footprint. Today, commercial organisations have more choice than ever when introducing sustainability into a new or existing building. In the latter case, reducing the impact of building works and avoiding business disruption can be a critical decision-making factor. Addressing the sustainability of hot water demands is one of the lower-impact projects available to organisations with immediate and definable delivery of carbon savings and, with solar, energy offsetting operational … Read more

Building In Sustainability With Heat Pumps

September 18, 2024July 4, 2024 by Gary Marshall

Adveco explores how commercial organisations should approach building in sustainability with heat pumps… The implementation of low-carbon water heating is one of the fastest, low-impact means of introducing sustainability into an existing commercial building. A considered, well-designed replacement system will reduce carbon emissions by at least half compared to equivalent-sized gas-fired water heating and likely by much more as the electricity grid continues to become greener. Efficient, robust and relatively low maintenance, the latest generation of renewables represents a solid investment in the future of a building and the comfort it supplies to those visiting or working there. The current renewable technology of choice is the heat pump, of which the easiest and lowest cost to implement is the air source heat pump (ASHP). The technology uses a reverse refrigerating circuit to extract heat from the air, even when ambient temperatures drop during the winter months. The efficiency of a heat pump is measured by its COP (coefficient of performance) which defines how much energy it uses compared to the heat energy it generates. The higher the number the better. The COP will fluctuate with external temperatures so it’s always best to use the seasonal COP which averages the efficiency across the year. As the ambient temperatures drop the heat pump will demand more electrical energy to run the compressor to maintain necessary operating temperatures. This is where heat pumps have a weakness because they were designed to operate at low working flow temperatures (35°) to supply radiators and underfloor heating, not the more stringent heating requirements of water (+60°C) required to prevent legionella. This additional electrical energy required to raise temperatures comes from the grid and remains far more expensive than gas. In the past three years, electricity prices have fluctuated and climbed from three to nearly five times the cost of gas. This means building in sustainability with low-carbon technology can deliver considerable increases in operational costs if not approached with care and consideration. Heat pumps have a valid role to play, but for water heating, they need to be used as part of a wider process to ensure cost-effective, efficient operation. This hybrid approach employs the ASHP as a source for preheating cold water flowing into the system to 45°C. This is more than achievable for most heat pumps, maximising the efficiency and reducing the energy required to run the unit. This warmed water is then fed into a cylinder where a second heating source tops up the water temperature to a safe 65°C for use throughout the building. This top-up can come in the form of a gas water heater, gaining very low operational costs, but a less meaningful reduction in carbon emission, typically around 30%. To maximise emission reduction, an electric boiler is preferred, although operational costs will climb, smart controls will optimise the two heat sources to minimise energy demands and provide control over operational costs. With a hybrid system, there will be an increased plant, with a heat pump, boiler and larger cylinder needed to account for slower system reheat after peak demand. Compared to traditional gas water heating this can be a concern when retrofitting as space holds value. The latest generation of renewables, from monobloc ASHPs to electric boilers, are increasingly more compact, while smart controls maximise storage optimising cylinder size. For smaller to mid-sized organisations with basin-led hot water demands Adveco has redefined this approach with its award-winning FUSION electric water heating system. Conceived as a direct replacement for old gas systems, FUSION mounts an electric boiler onto a cylinder with prebuilt pipework. The controls and sealed multiple immersions within the boiler ensure resilience and means almost completely nullify damaging limescale in hard water areas. For soft water areas, the stainless steel cylinder provides anti-corrosion protection. The optional addition of an electric immersion also provides redundancy with short-term backup to guarantee service should repair be required. FUSION excels with a twin coil cylinder variant that enables a monobloc heat pump to be connected to preheat the water. With the latest options supporting storage capacities of up to 750 litres, there is a variant for most small to mid-sized organisations which is quick and easy to install for minimal operational disturbance. For larger buildings, a more bespoke system is likely to be required, although the basic premise remains the same, using ASHP preheat and a secondary energy source, preferably electric. It may also be possible to integrate solar thermal technology as a mid-heat to further cut energy demands, by as much as 30% annually to further offset operational costs and reduce emissions. When building in sustainability through water heating every building, from structure to usage, is different. So before embarking on any major renovation to a water system, it’s always sensible to gather data on current system use and especially the peak demand periods. That is easily achieved through non-invasive water metering which takes approximately a month to collate necessary data to accurately model the building’s requirements. From this data, a thermotical system design can be produced. One that delivers on the building’s demands whilst optimising the equipment necessary which translates usually into lower up-front investment and a better grasp on future operational costs. That is truly valuable as it enables more accurate planning and budgeting before making any initial move towards a more sustainable operation.

Read The Adveco July 2024 Newsletter

July 1, 2024 by Gary Marshall

Read The Adveco July 2024 Newsletter Welcome to the Adveco July 2024 newsletter. This month we highlight the potential to further extend our FUSION packaged electric water heating system by upgrading the cylinder option to a twin-coil variant to either future-proof for later heat pump inclusion or opt to integrate solar thermal. On the topic of heat pumps we also consider the role ASHPs can play in introducing sustainability into existing properties, as well as looking at the technology’s evolution in terms of supporting water heating and what the future may bring. If you would prefer the newsletter sent directly to your inbox every month why not sign up on our newsletter page, you can also browse all our previous editions from the library on the same page… Click here to read this month’s newsletter.