Benchmarking energy performance: why data is the key to net zero

Graham Paul, Service Delivery Director at TEAM Energy explores the key role of data in net zero, the complexity and necessity for energy benchmarking in buildings, and the emerging technologies that can support energy managers in their net zero goals.

The built environment makes up a substantial share of the UK’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and electricity use. Including direct and indirect emissions from sourced energy, buildings account for 23% of total emissions; alone, they are responsible for 59% of UK electricity consumption.

At the national level, policy frameworks are being implemented to reduce these figures to achieve net zero, including requirements to improve energy efficiency in buildings while electrifying processes that can be subsequently powered by renewables. However, at a company level, many organisations struggle with the demand of such changes, whether they’re voluntary or required.

Like any significant undertaking, net zero requires both a clear understanding of a business’s current situation, and the steps and tools needed to reach its goal. Simply balancing the emissions produced by your estate with purchased carbon credits to become ‘carbon neutral’ isn’t enough. Net zero requires organisations to do much more than this, and it is in this context that data emerges as key – both in the insights it provides for buildings, and the cutting-edge tools it now enables.

Data driven decision making and energy benchmarking

For a long time, energy management has relied on estimations, historical averages, and in some cases, basic spreadsheets. And while well-intentioned, such an approach wouldn’t be enough to help an organisation reach net zero. For example, to achieve the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) Net-Zero Standard, organisations must achieve at least a 90% emissions reduction across their value chain, and only then offset what remains.

Few organisations could meet this demand without precise, granular data that’s collected on a regular basis. Those with varied building stock of any complexity have little to no chance. To make real progress, energy managers need comprehensive data. They need to be able to focus on what they can control, and work systematically to address it – starting with a full understanding of their building stock.

When assessing their building stock’s energy consumption, energy managers must compare consumption levels to ‘benchmarks’ that can meaningfully guide their actions. This process of benchmarking is key to achieving net zero emissions, allowing organisations to highlight buildings that are consuming more energy (and producing more emissions) than they should be, and targeting them with energy saving measures. By doing so, organisations can start to reduce their emissions through data driven decision making.

While some data will be useful from the outset, much will need to be ‘normalised’ to make it meaningful; a complex task given the varied nature of most organisations’ building stock. For example, an old but sprawling hospital complex with round-the-clock critical operations has vastly different energy demands to a newly built, small community health centre or a university research laboratory. To make comparisons that can meaningfully guide their actions, energy managers need sophisticated methodologies to make their data useful. It is little surprise, therefore, that many energy managers turn to energy and net zero consultants for support to process this mission-critical data.

New data driven technologies

It’s sometimes said that in business, we must continually adapt to changes of our own making. Net zero and energy management is no exception to this rule. Businesses commit to making meaningful progress on net zero, then suddenly find they need this vast amount of insight about their building stock. Then, when swimming in new data, they realise their need for normalisation and analysis to make benchmarking useful. This isn’t to say they’re making a rod for their own backs, but every new ambitious target brings with it new challenges to overcome. However, several new technologies – namely smart meters, AI, digital twins, and BI platforms – are helping business to more easily use their new data while maximising its value.

Smart meters are already widespread in the UK, with 57% penetration among non-domestic users. But with changes like the upcoming market-wide half-hourly settlement (MHHS), their usefulness will only increase. Moving beyond simple consumption readings, smart meters provide granular real-time data that provides a much more sophisticated understanding of energy demand, peak load, or possible anomalies within an organisation’s building stock. Combined with market incentives, they’ll soon make time-of-use tariffs common, helping to further incentivise smart energy use that leads to reduced emissions.

However, the data that smart meters provide could be overwhelming, which is why many organisations are starting to see AI play a role. Providing unparalleled analytical power, alongside the ability to automate processes, AI lets energy managers identify patterns across their building stock that manual analysis would overlook, while enabling the real-time management of assets. For example, AI-powered algorithms can automatically manage HVAC systems in response to actual and predicted weather patterns, or flag potential peaks in demand that could incur an excess capacity charge. Ultimately, AI’s power lies in its ability to identify and address energy efficiency issues better than human analysis can.

Energy managers can also gather invaluable insight through the use of digital twins: dynamic, virtual replicas of real buildings that simulate the performance of buildings under different conditions. By integrating real-time data from building management systems (BMS) and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, digital twins allow energy managers to identify energy inefficiency, and test potential energy-saving measures before they’re implemented. Such technologies will likely become fundamental, as they enable forward-thinking energy managers and organisations to plan far into the future, decades from now, by modelling the performance of their buildings under substantially different scenarios.

Towards the future

As UK organisations navigate the path to net zero, the built environment demands more data. The business intelligence gathered from energy benchmarking, despite its complexities across diverse building types, is indispensable to the net zero goal.

Yet as more data is gathered – especially thanks to smart meters – the process is understandably becoming too complex for many energy managers to handle. Emerging technologies like AI-powered analytics and digital twins are transforming energy reporting and management, offering new opportunities for optimisation, and ways to test future scenarios for the best energy and emissions savings.

Start making the most of your energy performance data and build a strategy for net zero with TEAM Energy.

Bridging the Resilience Gap: How Battery Storage is Securing Britain’s Energy Future

Europe’s electricity grid is under unprecedented strain. From the catastrophic Iberian Peninsula blackout that left 60 million people without power to substation fires that recently paralysed Heathrow Airport, the warning signs are mounting. As Britain races towards its 2035 target of 100% decarbonised electricity, a critical question emerges: how do we maintain grid stability whilst rapidly transitioning to renewable energy?

The answer lies in fundamentally reimagining how we manage and distribute electricity, with innovative battery energy storage systems proving transformational particularly when deployed at the grid edge where vulnerabilities are most acute.

The Perfect Storm of Grid Challenges

Britain’s electricity infrastructure faces a perfect storm. Approximately 40% of Europe’s distribution grids are over 40 years old, with the average UK transformer exceeding 60 years of age. This ageing infrastructure was designed for one-way power flow from large, centralised generators, not the bidirectional flows required by distributed renewable sources.

Traditional power plants provide crucial grid stability through inertia – the kinetic energy of spinning turbines that maintains the 50Hz frequency fundamental to grid stability. As renewables lack this stabilising effect, Britain’s grid becomes increasingly vulnerable to frequency fluctuations that can trigger cascading failures.

Recent events underscore these vulnerabilities. The 2019 UK blackout affected one million homes when both the Little Barford gas plant and Hornsea wind farm failed within minutes. Storm Arwen left nearly one million homes without power, with some enduring week-long outages. The Heathrow substation fire cost the UK economy an estimated £80 million in a single day.

As an island nation with limited synchronous interconnectors to continental Europe, Britain must largely solve these stability challenges independently. With asynchronous generation now reaching 66% of total UK generation, innovative solutions are urgently needed.

Beyond Traditional Thinking: Dynamic Flexibility

The conventional approach – throwing more infrastructure at the problem – is neither economically viable nor technically sufficient. The European Commission estimates €2-2.3 trillion will be needed by 2050 to upgrade European power networks, with nearly 80% required for distribution networks.

Instead, we need “dynamic flexibility” – a three-dimensional approach beyond traditional battery storage thinking.

The first dimension addresses grid service flexibility; how batteries replicate and enhance traditional stability services. Modern battery systems provide ultra-fast frequency response within milliseconds, delivering synthetic inertia and precisely controlling reactive power to maintain voltage stability.

The second dimension focuses on deployment flexibility – where and when storage is utilised. Unlike traditional grid infrastructure requiring years to build, advanced battery systems deploy as “drop and go” solutions, operational within minutes and strategically relocatable where grid support is needed most.

The third dimension enables network flexibility – transforming grid architecture. Rather than maintaining vulnerable centralised systems, battery storage enables interconnected microgrids capable of operating independently when necessary whilst working collaboratively during normal conditions.

The Grid-Edge Revolution

Allye Energy’s approach focuses on the grid edge – distribution networks where the greatest vulnerabilities exist – creating resilience close to communities and businesses where it matters most.

The recently launched MegaMAX range provides up to 1.5MWh of dispatchable energy with ultra-fast frequency response capabilities. These systems combine up to 18 repurposed EV battery packs with advanced AI-driven control systems, reducing embedded carbon by over 40% whilst providing industrial-grade reliability.

This approach creates a “network of networks” – interconnected microgrids with inherent redundancy. When one area experiences failure, it doesn’t cascade across the entire system. Each microgrid can isolate itself, maintain critical services, and reconnect once stability is restored.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Grid-edge battery storage extends beyond reliability. These systems reduce energy costs by up to 50% whilst generating additional revenue through grid flexibility markets. Research suggests every pound spent on grid resilience today saves ten pounds in disaster recovery tomorrow.

Environmentally, the approach enables higher penetration of local renewable generation whilst reducing reliance on fossil fuel backup systems, accelerating the path to net zero whilst strengthening grid stability.

Building Tomorrow’s Grid Today

As Britain accelerates towards a renewable-powered future, the gap between clean energy ambitions and grid infrastructure capabilities will widen without decisive action. Countries embracing innovative grid flexibility approaches – particularly island nations like Britain – can transform vulnerability into leadership.

The technology exists today to bridge this resilience gap. What’s needed is collective commitment to reimagining energy infrastructure, supported by regulatory frameworks that properly value resilience and investment models recognising the multi-dimensional benefits of advanced battery storage.

Modern society depends on electricity flowing as reliably as oxygen. The time has come to ensure our grid infrastructure can breathe easily in a renewable-powered future.

www.allye.com

This article appeared in the June 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Four Steps to Minimizing Downtime with Smarter Electrical Asset Management

18--230522_corporate_picture_massimo — Massimo Muzzì

Massimo Muzzì, Head of Strategy, Business Development and Sustainability, at ABB Electrification.

Unplanned downtime can be extremely costly to businesses. According to a 2023 survey by ABB of plant maintenance decision-makers, unplanned downtime costs plants an average of EUR 147,000 per hour[1], which equates to over one million Euros per day. Additionally, a staggering 69 percent of industrial businesses globally experience unplanned outages at least once a month. But the total cost of downtime is more than simply being off-line for an hour – there are also knock-on effects to consider. For example, in the food and drink industry, a day’s revenue might be lost as lines need to be reset and sterilised before production can resume. Or if a blast furnace goes offline it could be multiple days before production is back up and running. Downtime may also have a resulting impact on customer satisfaction and brand reputation.

To reduce the risk of unplanned downtime, there are four steps plant engineers can take:

Take a proactive approach. As electrical distribution and management systems increase in size and complexity, there are more components and subsystems and more points of potential failure. So, reactive maintenance becomes increasingly difficult.
First on the list should be to implement predictive asset management as this can decrease maintenance time and downtime by 30 percent, helping customers achieve a 40 percent OpEx cost reduction compared to a time-based maintenance strategy. Proactive maintenance strategies focus on preventing equipment issues before they arise and can be achieve by regular inspections and scheduled maintenance, and predictive analytics to ensure optimal asset performance.
Implement AI and predictive analytics. Digitalization is enabling plants to take a more proactive approach to maximizing efficiency and performance of digital assets. For example, implementing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can help plant and maintenance managers to analyse and interpret data to recognise when a device is expected to fail, before it actually does.
Legacy systems and older equipment can be retrofitted to provide predictive functionality. For example, non-digital circuit breakers can be upgraded with more intelligent, digitally-enabled breakers which are linked to monitoring systems. This is more cost effective than replacing an entire installed base of assets, and can help facilities improve their energy capacity by up to 20 per cent, at the same time as reducing operational costs by up to 30 per cent.
This approach is one that has been implemented by both ENGIE, one of Europe’s leading energy suppliers, who was seeking to safeguard and extend the life of its switchgear systems, as well as Kemijoki Oy, one of the most important players in Finland’s renowned carbon neutral electricity system.
Modernize electrical assets. Another way that costly risks of downtime can be mitigated is by modernising and upgrading the existing electrical assets. There are additional benefits to this approach too, as upgrading systems not only extends the working life of equipment, but can also lower operating costs and improve sustainability.
One example of this approach, is when one of Sweden’s largest cogeneration plants, Mälarenergi, worked with ABB to modernise its 16 switchgear units. Aging circuit breakers were replaced with modern Emax2 models – featuring Ekip Hi-Touch relay protection and energy metering. Not only were the electrical circuits fully protected, but new technology features help to reduce energy consumption, cost and resources. As a result of the upgrades, critical infrastructure had its lifespan extended, removing the carbon consumption associated with manufacturing an entire new system, as well as additional transportation costs and inevitable emissions.
Consider the power supply to enhance security. As facilities place greater reliance of their electrical infrastructure for business continuity, its uptime is becoming more important. Another way to ensure a consistent supply power to is consider where the energy is coming from. Rather than rely on importing fossil-fuel-based power sources (which are subject to volatile cost fluctuations and political interference) some plants are installing renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels on site. This enables them to generate their own clean energy and control the supply.
Locally-generated power sources can be incorporated into Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and microgrids. These systems eliminate businesses’ traditional reliance on utility companies to satisfy their energy needs. It also reduces an organization’s dependence on traditional diesel- or gas-powered backup generators, further reducing carbon emissions and the commercial impact of volatile fossil fuel costs.

In a bid to improve uptime there are many factors to consider, but putting in place effective proactive asset maintenance and management strategies can go a long way towards helping organisations avoid costly downtime. Furthermore, embracing digitalisation, modernising equipment and considering the energy supply can help to improve the efficiency of equipment, reduce energy bills, and improve operational resilience. For more information visit www.abbnavigate.com.

[1] https://new.abb.com/news/detail/107660/abb-survey-reveals-unplanned-downtime-costs-125000-per-hour

This article appeared in the June 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Hard water issues – DHW system maintenance explained

Pete Seddon, Head of Technical at Rinnai UK, explains the terms “hard and soft water” and expands on the long-term effects hard water has on DHW systems. Further attention is given to how system maintenance is provided to combat DHW system component fatigue – a result of untreated hard water.

Hard water areas can affect the internal components of DHW systems which gives less than an optimal performance and a reduction of system efficiency, as well as longevity. Hard water is an overlooked contributor towards a hot water system’s performance decline. This article will explain what hard water is, where hard water is located, the effects that hard water can have on a UK customers appliance, prevention and removal.

“Hard water” is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Hard water forms once dissolved minerals are transported by flowing rainwater over certain rocks like chalk and limestone.

Hard water filters into the UK water supply once surface sources such as rivers, reservoirs and groundwater locations like aquifers collect. Rainwater accumulates that added mineral content.

Water companies then collect from these sources, chemically treat the water and then distribute through UK pipelines. However, minerals that are collected through this process remain present in drinking water, as there is no harm to human health.

The main areas around the UK that have access to a water supply that mostly contains “hard water” are predominately the south and south-east. Areas most affected are Thames Valley corridor, the Cotswolds, London and a large part of the Home Counties such as Kent, Sussex and Surrey due to the proliferation of chalk and limestone in the areas. Having said that there are also other areas dotted around the UK that can receive hard water. Most water suppliers will have postcode checkers on their websites which will allow you to find out what your water hardness is.

The effects of hard water upon a hot water system are long-term and can affect the performance and longevity of a DHW unit. One main characteristic of consistent use of hard water is a concentration of limescale inside hot water systems. Once limescale attaches itself to the internal components of a DHW unit, performance and efficiency is compromised by a build-up of limescale.

A buildup of limescale is formed by excess minerals within the water tank and connecting pipes of a DHW system. The limescale behaves as an insulator preventing the heat being transferred in to the water. As heat is absorbed by limescale the unit must work harder and longer to get the heat into the water resulting in higher energy costs and increased component fragility. This additional heat also exacerbates further build-up of limescale.

As a result of limescale on the internal metal components of a boiler, storage water heater or continuous flow water heater powered DHW system can begin to cause corrosion and erosion. Customers will have to confront leaks, an increase in maintenance costs, structural damage, operative failure and finally an early end to the product lifecycle.

Hard water impact and limescale infestation upon DHW systems and indoor plumbing pipes has been recognised as a major factor that requires problem solving. To prevent the forming of debilitating substances access to several technologies, chemical as well as natural solutions and techniques are readily available.

Water softeners are one potential route of limescale prevention but can also remove existing limescale build up albeit the removal will take time. Once a water softener is attached to in-coming water main a process called ‘ion exchange’ begins. Ion exchange replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium as well as potassium to soften the water content. Due to this technology physically softening the water, it is one of the best solutions however it does have its drawbacks so research should be carried out when choosing the most suitable treatment.

Limescale converters such as Aquabion are another option that reverses the effects of DHW systems that are reliant on hard water. A mechanism that resembles a pipe is inserted into the plumbing pipework and instantly starts to treat the hard water when drawn off. These devices could also start to disintegrate any formations of limescale within the system. Unlike a salt softener, limescale converters typically use a physical process to alter the structure of lime particles in the water. This process often involves using a device with a sacrificial anode, typically zinc. As water flows through the device, the lime particles are modified, becoming less likely to stick to surfaces and forming less hard deposits. This method can be preferred due to the minerals within the water being kept but also adding zinc into the water, all of which can add to health benefits.

Magnetic and electronic water conditioners are two further devices that supply a non-chemical solution to eliminating hard water limescale removal. The structure of minerals such as calcium and magnesium is altered using magnetic and electronic fields that disrupt usually associated behavioural patterns making limescale far less likely to attach itself to the internal elements of a hot water system.

If limescale is already present within an appliance or system, at a basic level a light acidic solution such as white vinegar can be used to breakdown limescale. White vinegar contains acidic properties that are ideal in dissolving nefarious hard water accumulations. Various chemical descaling solutions are also available – all acids such as hydrochloric, phosphoric, sulfamic, lactic and oxalic acid compounds are all well suited to destroying limescale. It is always preferable to use a suitable descaling solution rather than rely on the treatment options mentioned earlier because a limescale remover will be far more effective and take less time to remove any build up or deposits.

Rinnai aims to supply customers with all possible information that provides key knowledge enabling hot water and heating systems to perform at the optimum standard for a complete lifecycle. Rinnai will continue to seek out and share information that equips installers, specifiers, contractors and end-customers to arrive at a data-based choice of appliance and system based on practical, economic and technical criteria.

RINNAI OFFERS CLEAR PATHWAYS TO LOWER CARBON AND DECARBONISATION PLUS CUSTOMER COST REDUCTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL, DOMESTIC AND OFF-GRID HEATING & HOT WATER DELIVERY

Rinnai’s range of decarbonising products – H1/H2/H3 – consists of hot water heating units in gas/BioLPG/DME, hydrogen ready units, electric instantaneous hot water heaters, electric storage cylinders and buffer vessels, a comprehensive range of heat pumps, solar, hydrogen-ready or natural gas in any configuration of hybrid formats for either residential or commercial applications. Rinnai’s H1/2/3 range of products and systems offer contractors, consultants and end users a range of efficient, robust and affordable low carbon/decarbonising appliances which create practical, economic and technically feasible solutions.
Rinnai is a world leading manufacturer of hot water heaters and produces over two million units a year, operating on each of the five continents. The brand has gained an established reputation for producing products that offer high performance, cost efficiency and extended working lives.
Rinnai products are UKCA certified, A-rated water efficiency, accessed through multiple fuel options and are available for purchase 24/7, 365 days a year. Any unit can be delivered to any UK site within 24 hours.
Rinnai offer carbon and cost comparison services that will calculate financial, and carbon savings made when investing in a Rinnai system. Rinnai also provide a system design service that will suggest an appropriate system for the property in question.
Rinnai offer comprehensive training courses and technical support in all aspects of the water heating industry including detailed CPD’s.
The Rinnai range covers all forms of fuels and appliances currently available – electric, gas, hydrogen, BioLPG, DME solar thermal, low GWP heat pumps and electric water heaters More information can be found on Rinnai’s website and its “Help Me Choose” webpage.

RINNAI FULL PRODUCT AVAILABILITY 24/7 FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY of ALL HOT WATER HEATING UNIT MODELS INCLUDING 48-58kW UNITS-

SAVINGS OF

20% REDUCTION of opex cost,

30% REDUCTION of initial cost

15% REDUCTION in carbon

75% REDUCTION of space

Visit www.rinnai-uk.co.uk Or email engineer@rinaiuk.com

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com

This article appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Commercial heating: choose your training wisely!

22--Expert-Academy-Training-Team-2025 — Expert Academy Training Team

Andrew Johnson, Training & Design Services Director, Ideal Heating Commercial

Training has always been important in the heating sector, not least of all because of the dangers associated with working with gas, the traditionally dominant heating fuel in the UK. With the changes that are occurring across the heating industry, primarily the move towards decarbonisation manifesting in a transition to heat pumps, training is more important than ever. That training could take the form of a CPD on understanding the principles of heat pump technology through to specific product training addressing installation, commissioning, and maintenance.

Commercial heating training courses are abundant. Unless there is a specific manufacturer’s product you want to train on, how do you choose a training course and provider that is right for you? Here, we look at the key aspects to consider when selecting a training course and training provider.

Expertise & knowledge

By far the most important aspect of any training is the level of expertise and knowledge of the training providers. The training course needs to be both written and delivered by people who have direct experience in the heating industry. Knowledge or qualifications in training techniques and knowledge transfer is as equally important.

For contractor-based training, ideally the trainers will have a background in heating engineering. This enables them to not only cover the core content of a training course but also address how it applies in real working-life situations.

For specifiers looking to expand their knowledge through CPD courses, it’s helpful if these are presented by experienced Specification Managers who understand the needs of a specifier and have extensive knowledge of heating systems.

On-site facilities

The environment in which you learn plays an important role in the success (or otherwise) of the training itself, which is often overlooked.

Being in a comfortable environment free from distractions will support you to better focus on your learning. Is the training held in a dedicated training centre or a makeshift back office room? Is it a comfortable environment in terms of seating, desks, heating/air conditioning? Is the presentation equipment up to scratch? But most important of all, is the heating equipment you are learning about present, and is it functional?

At our Training and Technology Centres, we provide learners with on-site access to a range of commercial heating equipment, including a unique thermodynamic heat pump simulator where they can view the change of state of refrigerant when in operation. Hands-on training for contractors is vital as it enables more learning by doing and problem solving, and therefore greater depths of understanding can be gained. In our feedback surveys this comes up as one of the most important and popular aspects. It’s one thing to have something presented to you, but to be able to work through scenarios with expert support is quite another.

Location

We’ve looked at the importance of how a training course is delivered, but where it is delivered also has a role to play.

Does the training provider have training facilities nationwide, or in just one location? The latter could make for long travel times and even an overnight stay. Ideal Expert Academies are located around the UK at Hull, Leeds, Dalgety Bay and Luton.

Lastly, not all training needs to be done in person. A CIBSE-approved CPD, for example, doesn’t require hands-on training. In these instances, online training is a good, convenient option. Will the training provider be able to deliver this and how? Is it just a PowerPoint presentation, or are other elements included such as video, attendee tasks etc?

Range of courses and delivery

Having a range of courses is obviously important in that it provides you with choice and allows you to fill in the gaps of your knowledge, as well as learning about emerging technologies and best practice.

A good training provider will also provide a flexible delivery model to meet individual learner needs and has the knowledge and expertise to support those with learning difficulties.

Endorsement

Whilst it’s important to do your own ‘homework’ on training providers, third party endorsements are very useful. These come in different forms, from customer feedback (there are plenty of forums that provide you with the opportunity to ask for feedback), through to recognised industry awards, and independent assessment.

Last year, Ideal Heating’s adult learning provision was assessed by Ofsted and we received an excellent report, plus our Expert Academy team was recognised as Training Partner of 2024 by Hull City Council for delivering Skills Bootcamp programmes for hundreds of learners in the area. We were also delighted to receive the inaugural BESA award for Training Provider of the Year 2024.

Cost

The last aspect I want to touch on when it comes to training is cost. How much should you pay for training? You should really consider the value you believe will be returned from the programme and provider you choose. If you are going to benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, you may probably expect that that experience may cost more than somewhere very simple and basic. Training providers are businesses, and the good ones do invest heavily in facilities and staff development.

Ideal Heating as a manufacturer strongly believe that our training services are part of what we deliver in our product sales. For this reason, we provide many of our training programmes for free or at very low cost, despite the significant investment into our resources. Working alongside our specifiers and installers to meet their training needs builds for a strong relationship and successful projects.

Choose wisely

Taking time out from your busy schedule to dedicate to training is an investment, financially in some cases, so selecting your training course wisely to maximise that investment is sensible.

Ideal Heating Commercial training is available through its Expert Academy. idealcommercialheating.com/training

This article appeared in the June 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Mythbusting heat pump project named Green Heat Project of the Year

A mythbusting heat pump project that brought low-carbon, low-cost heating to one of London’s oldest social housing estates was named Green Heat Project of the Year at the 2025 UK Green Business Awards.

Sutton Dwellings, a historic Edwardian-era social housing estate in Kensington, received the award for Kensa’s networked heat pump installation, which decarbonised heating for 81 flats and formed part of a major regeneration by housing provider Clarion Housing Group.

Judges described the project as a “stunning example” of tackling heat decarbonisation in a technically challenging residential space, offering a replicable model for delivering low-carbon heating in urban and heritage buildings.

This is the project’s second major award win in 2025, following its recognition as Regional Large-Scale Project of the Year at the Greater London Energy Efficiency Awards in February.

Each of the estate’s flats involved in this project underwent a significant transformation, receiving extensive energy efficiency upgrades and a modern networked heat pump system. The project proves that even ageing, ‘complex to decarbonise’ buildings can successfully transition to low-carbon heating, providing a blueprint for social housing retrofit at scale.

At the heart of the transformation is the networked heat pump system, which saw Kensa’s Shoebox ground source heat pumps discreetly fitted inside every flat and connected to a network of 27 boreholes drilled across the dense, urban estate. This system has provided each home with a long-term renewable heat source, delivering low-cost heating and hot water while preserving the estate’s historic appearance.

Energy costs are an ongoing concern for many social housing tenants. At Sutton Dwellings, the new system is expected to reduce heating bills to as little as £300 per year for a one-bedroom flat, demonstrating the huge cost-saving potential that comes with fitting ground source heat pumps and improving energy efficiency.

The UK’s ageing housing stock presents a major challenge to achieving net zero, but the installation at Sutton Dwellings is proof that there are solutions that work, can keep energy costs low, and won’t impact a property’s historic features.

This award follows success at the 2024 UK Green Business Awards for Kensa, where their installation for Thurrock Council was named Renewable Energy Project of the Year. The project saw the same networked heat pump system installed for 273 flats across three 1960s tower blocks, delivering efficient, affordable heating for residents.

Stuart Gadsden, Commercial Director for Social Housing at Kensa, said:

“Winning a second award for this project is a fantastic endorsement of the innovation, teamwork and vision that went into making it a success. Clarion has shown how to lead by example, delivering high-quality, low-carbon homes for residents, even in the most challenging retrofit conditions.

“Sutton Dwellings demonstrates that no home needs to be left behind in the journey to decarbonise heat. With the right approach, we can bring cleaner, more affordable heating to even the oldest buildings in our cities, ensuring residents benefit from warm, comfortable homes that are future-proofed against rising energy costs.”

Kate Williams, Head of Regeneration at Clarion Housing Group, said:

“We are delighted that Sutton Dwellings has been named Green Heat Project of the Year. This recognition reflects the strength of our partnership with Kensa and our shared commitment to delivering real, lasting benefits for residents. By working together, we have shown how even the most complex and historic estates can be part of the journey to net zero. The project cuts carbon emissions, preserves heritage, and most importantly, provides residents with warmer and more affordable homes.”

New ‘Providing the Specification Edge’ Guide from Ideal Heating Commercial Now Available

Providing the Specification Edge highlights Ideal Heating Commercial’s team of industry leading specification professionals who understand the complexity of commercial heating systems and that each project is unique. Their knowledge and expertise are available to support consultants through every stage of a heating project, making the specification process simple and stress-free.

Commencing with a brief overview of the company and Groupe Atlantic, of which Ideal Heating Commercial is a part, the publication looks at the sizeable investments the company has made in low carbon heating in the UK; this includes £12.5 million into a research and development facility, and over £22.5 million in to a heat pump facility and in to expanding its international distribution centre and national training centre in Hull. Providing the Specification Edge also showcases Ideal Heating Commercial’s full range of high-efficiency heating solutions, including market-leading condensing boilers, the ECOMOD commercial heat pump range, and hybrid systems, all of which come with BIM objects available to download.

Additional content includes information on building regulations, refrigerant choices for heat pumps, available funding schemes, and Ideal Heating’s UK-wide training and CPD services.

Richard Brown, Head of Specification at Ideal Heating Commercial, comments: “With the growing importance of low carbon heating technologies and more complex regulations, early engagement and expert guidance are critical. This brochure brings together our most valuable insights and support services into a single document to help make specification easier and more effective for our partners across the UK.

“Whether you’re designing for a new build or retrofit, Ideal Heating Commercial has the in-depth industry and product knowledge to help you find the most efficient, cost-effective heating solution for you and your client. Through our dedicated team offering nationwide specification assistance, we can provide you with design and plant selection advice to ensure the perfect fit for your project.”

Ideal Heating Commercial is the UK’s leading commercial heating manufacturer, with a strong reputation for innovation, quality, and UK-based manufacturing. The company is part of Groupe Atlantic – a European leader in thermal comfort.

Download a digital copy of the new Providing the Specification Edge guide by visiting: https://idealcommercialheating.com/specification or contact your local specification manager.

Driving energy efficiency with data

Ever heard the phrase “You can’t manage what you can’t measure”? It’s often attributed to quality and process control guru W. Edwards Deming and management consultant Peter Drucker. Neither really said it, but this expression raises an important point. Consider facilities managers (FMs). How can they improve energy efficiency if they can’t monitor energy use? Here Dave Lister, healthcare solutions specialist at IAconnects, a specialist in IoT monitoring solutions, explains how monitoring energy consumption in real-time can improve sustainability and reduce costs.

Rising energy costs, ambitious net-zero targets and increasingly stringent regulations have all made energy efficiency a top priority for businesses. The Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requires large organisations in the UK to report their energy use. They must also provide information about their carbon emissions. This reporting happens every year. Similarly, under The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), companies must regularly audit energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Energy monitoring is important for understanding this complex situation. It helps businesses manage their energy and electricity use effectively. Real-time insights can help businesses find inefficiencies, save money, and lower their carbon footprint. This supports their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.

We always say, consider the four C’s: Compliance, Consumption, Cost and Conservation. As well as meeting regulatory requirements, energy monitoring helps deliver in all these areas while driving real efficiency progress.

The benefits of monitoring

Energy monitoring empowers businesses, offering real-time insights into inefficiencies and the amount of electricity they produce across operations. By analysing consumption patterns, FMs can find trends and spot areas with high usage. This includes old HVAC systems, outdated lighting and energy-wasting habits, such as forgetting to turn the lights off. Monitoring is the first step and will help determine the required interventions.

Energy monitoring also facilitates proactive maintenance, identifying potential issues before they escalate into costly repairs. For example, abnormal consumption patterns can signal malfunctions in electrical equipment, allowing teams to address problems early and maintain optimal performance. Meanwhile, FMs can tailor their monitoring to different levels of granularity, from meter to asset level. This flexibility is crucial, it enables businesses to maintain precise control over energy use and ensure efficient operations across entire facilities and individual departments.

The challenges

Introducing energy monitoring systems can be complex, with several hurdles. A prominent issue is the compatibility of new systems with legacy infrastructure, which may require costly upgrades or workarounds. The installation can also be challenging and intricate, with FMs trying to navigate budget constraints and keep operational disruptions to a minimum.

Data overload can be a problem for businesses. They may find it hard to tell useful insights from irrelevant data. This issue is made worse by gaps in their internal expertise. To overcome these barriers, organisations should invest in scalable, future-proof solutions that adapt to evolving needs. Partnering with an experienced provider ensures systems are seamlessly integrated and delivers meaningful insights to maximise results.

Leveraging technology for efficiency

Modern energy monitoring solutions, such as IoT sensors, sub-metering systems, and real-time dashboards, provide detailed insights that drive efficiency. These tools enable predictive maintenance, automate optimisation strategies like HVAC adjustments, and help manage peak loads to prevent energy spikes.

Choosing interoperable systems with open communication standards enhances data integration, giving FMs a comprehensive view of energy consumption. Using these tools with current building management systems (BMS) improves the data available. This helps FMs make informed decisions that support net-zero and ESG goals.

Energy monitoring truly exemplifies the principle, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” By enabling real-time insights and actionable energy data, businesses can reduce energy bills, improve sustainability and meet compliance requirements.

For more information on monitoring solutions that can help you monitor and track your site’s energy consumption, visit the IAconnects website. To schedule a personalised demo of a solution with Claire, visit the website and select a date.

www: www.iaconnects.co.uk

This article appeared in the June 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Rinnai at Installer Show

Rinnai to showcase acclaimed new products in heating & hot water systems in all fuels – Gas, Electric, LPG, BioLPG, Synthetic Gases for all commercial, large scale residential sites.

STAND No. 5C26a. Register now and a goodie bag will be ready for you at the show. Just follow the link. https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/register

Rinnai to reveal new electric instant/storage, heat pumps with smart grid capability, market leading warranties and opportunities to join a UK first commercial partnership scheme – on stand competitions to feature hundreds of prizes plus 15 free domestic boilers.

Rinnai’s stand is the launch pad for a big and bold range of new products, new additions & initiatives in electric storage and instant water heaters, R290 heat pumps, 12-year warranties and a Sensei Partner Development Programme for commercial design & installation contractors & installers.

Also previewed will be its new division – Rinnai Applied – heat pumps of up to 600kW, chillers and air handling units specifically for major construction projects such as industrial & commercial complexes.

Relaxation and fun will also be there with a rest area with refreshments and games – darts and Play Your Cards Right – with hundreds of big, spot prizes including 15 FREE domestic boilers.

Rinnai will also use the show to spotlight the often-overlooked threat of limescale in hot water systems—and why scale protection is essential for long-term system performance, efficiency, and cost control. With hard water affecting over 60% of UK sites, Rinnai is urging installers to prioritise scale defence as a standard part of every domestic hot water (DHW) installation.

Visitors to the Rinnai stand will be able to explore the science behind scale formation and see how solutions like AQUABION—an advanced galvanic and electrolytic system—transform calcite into non-adhering aragonite, preventing build-up and protecting system integrity.

Rinnai’s technical team, will be on hand to discuss real-world installation scenarios, share best practices, and help installers understand how scale protection can reduce callouts, extend appliance life, and improve customer satisfaction.

Come to the Rinnai stand and see all of this! And get your Goody Bag!!

And do not forget a bit of relaxation – Play to win darts, “Play Your Cards Right,” and hundreds of prizes—including fifteen free domestic boilers.

Empowering Energy Managers to Achieve Net Zero with Intelligent Battery Storage

Ivan Castro, Operations Director at Levelise

The UK is moving full speed towards its 2050 net zero target, and solar energy is playing a major role in that journey. As of February 2025^[1] over 1.73 million solar installations have been completed nationwide, contributing to a combined 18GW of clean energy. While domestic uptake continues to grow, commercial rooftop installations now account for around 20% of solar deployment – a clear sign that businesses and energy managers are getting serious about cutting carbon.

But putting solar panels on roofs is just the start. To get the most out of solar energy, we need to store it and use it smartly. That’s where intelligent battery storage such as Levelise comes in. To fully realise its benefits, solar needs to be paired with intelligent battery storage systems that not only store excess generation, but actively manage how and when energy is used, traded, or exported. By combining solar and smart storage, organisations can lower their energy bills, reduce their carbon footprint, and even earn extra income – all while helping the UK create a cleaner, more flexible energy system.

Turning solar into smarter savings

These energy management solutions help to unlock the full value of solar and battery systems. By aggregating thousands of batteries across the UK, it creates a powerful virtual power plant capable of participating in grid flexibility services. It intelligently manages stored energy, allowing residents and businesses to benefit not only from time-of-use optimisation, but also from trading excess capacity into the energy markets and providing balancing services to the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

For energy and sustainability managers focused on delivering both financial and environmental performance, this creates an exciting opportunity. You’re no longer just cutting costs – you’re turning your building or property portfolio into an active part of the energy system, contributing to grid resilience and carbon reduction.

Whether managing residential schemes, commercial premises, or public sector buildings, participation in energy markets and demand-side response programmes can generate tangible income alongside the expected bill savings and carbon reductions.

Faster payback and greater impact

One of the biggest benefits of adding smart storage to a solar setup is a shorter payback time. Rather than waiting many years to see a return, organisations can now start saving – and earning – within the first 12 months.

But the advantages aren’t just financial. These systems also help reduce reliance on fossil-fuel electricity from the grid, cutting carbon emissions and supporting your organisation’s sustainability goals. If your business is working towards environmental targets or needs to report on carbon performance for ESG or compliance reasons, the data from these systems makes it easier to track and report progress.

Long-term energy strategy

Beyond the immediate financial gains, these systems support stronger, longer-term customer relationships. With ongoing system monitoring, monthly performance insights, and continued optimisation, end users remain engaged with their energy system long after the installation is complete.

As the energy system evolves, energy managers have a critical role to play in leading that change. Intelligent battery storage is helping to make that role more strategic, more impactful, and more future-ready than ever.

^[1] https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/uk-crosses-18gw-solar-milestone/

This article appeared in the June 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.