March 2008


In this issue

  1. NEWS
  2. CONSULATION UPDATE
  3. FORTHCOMING EVENTS
  4. NEWS

    5. ESMA Project joins the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign

    The European Smart Metering Alliance (ESMA) has been accepted by the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign as an Official partner. This recognises the environmental benefits of the ESMA project and allows ESMA to display the logo of the sustainable Europe Campaign. The campaign, run by DG-TREN, aims to contribute to achieve the European Union's energy policy targets within the fields of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, clean transport and alternative fuels.

    Their web site (www.sustenergy.org) provides more information on the campaign and their partners. John Parsons, ESMA Project Coordinator gave a talk on smart metering and its contribution to energy efficiency at the EU Sustainable Energy Week 2008 in Brussels. The Alliance also held its first workshop in Warsaw during January where a draft Guide on smart metering was reviewed by Alliance members.



    Building Regulations Industry Advisory Group

    The Department for Communities and Local Government has begun the process of revising Part L and F of the Building Regulations for domestic dwellings. Non - domestic building regulations (L2) are also being reviewed.

    The first Industry Advisory Group took place for domestic dwellings on 25th February and was attended by BEAMA. BEAMA has offered to Chair the working party covering Domestic Building Services and awaits a response on its nomination.

    The first working party meetings are likely to begin in April and we await guidance on how members can participate in these.

    If anyone is interested in hearing more about building regulations or would like to express particular interest in non-domestic buildings then please contact Kelly Butler at kbutler@beama.org.uk.



    Code for Sustainable Homes – Mandatory Rating from April 2008

    The Department for Communities and Local Government has confirmed that Code for Sustainable Homes rating will be mandatory for all buildings from April 2008. This coincides with the launch of Energy Performance Certificates for new build dwellings.

    Although rating is mandatory, it will be possible to have a zero rating for private development which obviously does not need an assessment. Social housing and English Partnerships development continues to require a minimum rating of level 3.

    A new version of the Code Technical Guidance will be issued to supersede the October 2007 edition with minor revisions.



    BEAMA Sustainability Conference - 18th June 2008 - an update

    The BEAMA Sustainability White Paper Conference will be held on18th June 2008 at the BERR Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Street, Westminster, SE1. The evening reception will be hosted at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, SW1

    Further details will be announced soon and members are advised that sponsorship opportunities will be available.

    The key BEAMA contact is Kelly Butler kbutler@beama.org.uk.



    BEAMA Members Can Access SAP Calculation Training At A Good Price

    SAP is ‘king’ for new build compliance and you do need to know how your products score within the calculation method. If you can claim carbon benefit, how much can you claim? You need to know for your sales proposition to house builders and we strongly advise members to send their sales and design teams along to this well structured and informative training course.

    This training helps you with:

    • Part L Building Regulation Compliance
    • TER/DER Calculations
    • What if scenarios
    • Product development
    • Getting new/existing products specified
    • Merton Rule
    • Code for Sustainable Homes – achieving levels 1 to 6

    Training can be arranged at your premises and is suitable for both sales and technical staff with housing experience. They need to know that “SAP is King” for new build, and how it works.

    Costs:

    Elmhurst Design SAP software: £700.00 + VAT - single PC
    One day training for up to 6 staff: £1500.00 + VAT

    Additional costs for travelling and accommodation to be applied as appropriate.

    This training would not include accreditation to produce Energy Performance Certificates which is now subject to the more intense and costly training which is linked to the New Build Accreditation scheme which was recently launched by Government (CLG).

    The software could only be used to produce predicted ratings, TER/DER results and assess compliance with Merton Rule and Code for Sustainable Homes levels etc.

    For further details contact Peter Thom. Tel: 01223 277278 email: sap@globalnet.co.uk



    UK faces court action over EU Buildings Directive

    The European commission launched court proceedings against the UK and Belgium for failing to implement its 2002 energy performance of buildings directive which aims to cut energy consumption.

    The commission said the two nations had failed to adequately respond to and take account in view of two formal notices sent in 2006.

    In Britain, the government failed to detail minimum energy performance standards for building and heating and air conditioning installations in Gibraltar and Northern Ireland.



    Directives and Standards Policy Update

    Hazardous Substances

    An inventory of (46) hazardous substances used in EEE has been established by consultants to DG Environment, Ökoinstitut, in the context of its RoHS review study. Comments on these substances - applications, quantities etc - are invited from individual companies and it is important that members respond. Full details at http://hse-rohs.oeko.info/index.php?id=3 ).

    RoHS exemptions under review

    RoHS exemptions are not forever, and all those granted so far are now under review. A stakeholder consultation is running until 1 April 2008 on these RoHS exemptions - the existing exemptions 1 to 29 of the RoHS annex, plus 3 new exemption requests.

    Companies with an interest in these exempted applications need too respond. You can find detailed information, including the consultation document, guidelines for comments and further background documents, at http://rohs.exemptions.oeko.info/index.php?id=61 .

    Relaunch of the EU Directives and Standards Update

    The new look BEAMA Directives and Standards update is due to be launched this month. Only available electronically, it will give members a brief summary of current developments and BEAMA’s activity in shaping them.

    If you are a BEAMA member receiving this copy of e news you should automatically receive the Directives and Standards Update.

    Review of the new approach – marketing of goods package

    The new approach, no longer so `new’, having been implemented with considerable success since 1985, has now been overhauled. The marketing of goods package of three proposals has been agreed in the European Parliament, concluding the strivings between Parliament, the Council and the Commission for the necessary political compromise.

    There has been significant industry involvement in the shaping of this marketing of goods package. Its unchanged emphasis on reference to standards as the founding principle, and the new emphasis on common definitions, so important where a product may be covered by more than one directive, and on improving market surveillance, are particularly welcomed.



     

  5. CONSULTATION UPDATE

    6. BERR Heat: Call For Evidence (responses to BERR by 31st March 2008)

    The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has published a ‘call for evidence’ on the subject of heat. The deadline for responses is 31st March 2008. http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/heat/page43671.html

    The call identifies that heat is a significant challenge for government as it makes such a large contribution to carbon emissions (nearly 50%). Consequently, this call asks for views on how to de-carbonise heat. Of particular interest to BEAMA members in the power sector will be the focus on de-centralised energy heat systems and the ramifications for transmission and distribution networks. Elsewhere there is specific call for evidence on the contribution that electric heating and hot water technologies can make (including heat pumps) as grid electricity de-carbonises over time. This section also calls for evidence on the impact this may have on generation capacity.

    This is a very important consultation for energy and power sector members and the overall BEAMA response will be co-ordinated by Kelly Butler kbutler@beama.org.uk. BEAMA member responses must be with Kelly by no later than 14th March 2008.



  6. FORTHCOMING EVENTS

    7. Olympics Delivery Authority Briefing

    A note for your diary has been published by the Constriction Products Association. John Armitt, Chairman of the Olympics Delivery Authority will speak at the next ODA briefing which will be on the afternoon of Wednesday 16 April starting with a buffet lunch at 1.00pm and finishing around 4.30 or 5.00

    The full agenda will be finalised by CPA over the next couple of weeks and sent out in due course. The venue is still to be agreed but is expected to be at Canary Wharf.

    As previously there will be a small cost for this event which is £25 for members of the Construction Products Association (BEAMA is a member) and £50 for non-members.

    The booking forms will be available early w/c 10th March but please make a note in your diary Contact: Simon Storer at CPA simon.storer@constructionproducts.org.uk



    Code for Sustainable Homes Seminars

    BEAMA is hosting a series of free seminars (during April ’08) focussing on practical methods for energy compliance within the Code for Sustainable Homes.

    “It’s crucial to understand how to comply with the Code’s energy section. Achievement levels are getting tougher,” says Association Director Kelly Butler.

    “Open to housebuilders and specifiers in the social housing sectors, the events, featuring industry experts, provide a guide to confidently reaching Levels Three and Four – Energy.

    “Launched during 2007, and with mandatory rating coming in to force this April, the Code is having a big impact on the home building sector.

    “As with all policies and regulations, the detail is critical. The Code’s energy section still presents many questions for specifiers. The seminars examine the detail of compliance at levels Three and Four, across a range of dwelling types.”

    Seminars programme:

    16th April 2008 - Birmingham (Moor Hall)

    23rd April 2008 - Dartford (Dartford Bridge Hilton)

    24th April 2008 - Bristol (Redwood Hotel & Country Club)

    29th April 2008 - Darlington (Aston Hotel)

    30th April 2008 - Manchester (Copthorne Hotel)

    With speakers from the Energy Saving Trust, Hoare Lea, BEAMA, Kingspan international, building services manufacturers, seminar presentations include:



    • carbon and cost sensitivity for fabric, heating and mechanical ventilation measures
    • route map for achieving extra credits for meeting heat loss parameter targets
    • specifying heat pump, solar thermal and electric heating and hot water solutions for maximum carbon/cost benefit
    • heat pump technology (new build)
    • mechanical ventilation - a ‘must have’ technology
    • Smart housing technology
    • apartment block specification.

    If you would like your new build customers to attend then they should e-mail Vera A-Akomeah at vera@beama.org.uk.



    Proposed BEAMA International Programme from April 2008 – March 2009

    • Russia Power, Moscow, 15 – 17 April 2008
    • PowerGen Europe, Milan, Italy, 3 – 5 June 2008
    • ASME Turbo Expo, Berlin, Germany, 9 – 13 June 2008
    • South China Electricity Expo, Guangzhou, 31 Aug – 3 Sept 2008
    • Elenex Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, 17 – 19 September 2008
    • Power India, Mumbai, 16 – 18 October 2008
    • PowerGen Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 21-23 Oct 2008
    • EP/Electrical China, Beijing, 12 – 14 November 2008
    • UK @ CERN, Geneva, Switzerland, 17 – 20 November 2008
    • Middle East Electricity, Dubai, UAE, 15 – 18 February 2009

    Please contact Vera A-Akomeah, Exhibitions Department on 020 7793 3003 or email exhibitions@beama.org.uk for further details