How to unlock revenue from energy flexibility and support net zero with FlexGO
PUBLISHER: Ralph Scrivens ralph@ energymanagermagazine.co.uk
PRODUCTION: Sarah Daviner sarah@ energymanagermagazine.co.uk
ACCOUNTS: accounts@ energymanagermagazine.co.uk
PRINT: Mixam Print
ENERGY MANAGER MAGAZINE is published 10 times a year by Energy Manager.
www.energymanagermagazine.co.uk
42 Wymington Park, Rushden, Northants, NN10 9JP
Email: mail@energymanagermagazine.co.uk
REGISTRATION: Qualifying readers receive Energy Manager free of charge. The annual subscription rate is £80 in the UK, £95 for mainland Europe and £115 for the rest of the world.
Single copies £10.
Some manufacturers and suppliers have made a contribution toward the cost of reproducing some photographs in Energy Manager.
PAPER USED TO PRODUCE THIS MAGAZINE IS SOURCED FROM SUSTAINABLE FORESTS.
Please Note:
No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior permission from the publishers. The publishers do not accept any responsibility for, or necessarily agree with, any views expressed in articles, letters or supplied advertisements.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: HOW TRAINED LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS CAN TRANSFORM SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
Chris Lane, Managing Director, SystemsLink
In case you couldn’t make it in person to SystemsLink’s Roadshows, this year’s theme was “Energy Management and Artificial Intelligence” – which truly resonated with organisers and attendees alike.
At these Roadshows the SystemsLink team premiered something we have been working very hard on: The next generation of our flagship energy management software “daisy” (the clue is in the name!).
What’s more debuting daisy allowed SystemsLink to introduce our audiences to the concepts of generative, agentic and predictive AI. Crucially, we could showcase that these types of solutions can only work well if humans and machines can communicate easily. Therefore, these should be powered by a domaintrained Large Language Model (LLM).
But what do I mean by trained? Wellestablished LLMs ensure Generative AI such as Chat GPT and Gemini are wholly intuitive in their use of natural languages like English. However, to meet the very particular demands of energy and sustainability managers, those LLMs need to know a lot more about our industry.
This is why SystemsLink is finetuning our proprietary “energy management software” LLM with enormous volumes of data on weather and climate change, carbon factors, published tariffs, historical consumption patterns and so forth. We are training our AI tools to make sense of all this and help us spot issues, track performance and predict the future.
Ultimately, our clients will be able to harness these capabilities – combined with their own segregated supply contract, estate, consumption and capital improvement project data – to predict, respond and accomplish the day-to-day cost management and long-term carbon reduction demands more efficiently.
Like our energy management software, the all new, cloud-native “daisy” is highly resilient and the data within it highly secure. However, in the
era where AI has become mainstream, additional guardrails are essential.
This means we progressively develop a “human-in-the-loop” autonomous decisionmaking capability for “daisy”; For example, how and when to contact a supplier about an invalid invoice. We will determine the parameters governing what the AI may and may not do in collaboration with our clients.
This is exciting time for energy and sustainability managers – if only we could manage our climate as intelligently as “daisy” manages data! https://systems-link.com/software/ energy-management-software/
STUDY: Reliability tops price as key consideration for UK businesses when choosing an energy contract
As the winter months increase demand for energy usage and bring with them the risk of energy supply disruptions, a new survey from SEFE Energy reveals reliable supply tops price
as the key consideration for UK businesses when selecting a new energy contract.
In the survey of 500 UK energy decision-makers across healthcare, retail and industrial sectors, 60% cited reliability as a key consideration when selecting an energy contract, closely followed by price at 58%. Price topped the list of considerations for energy decisionmakers in France (70%) and the Netherlands (68%), who were also surveyed, making the UK an outlier among its European peers.
The cost of energy remains a concern for UK businesses. When asked about external
impacts on their business, energy costs are cited as a key concern by almost half (45%) of the businesses surveyed, followed by the rising cost of labour (30%) and broader economic downturn (27%).
SEFE Energy supplies gas, electricity and low-carbon energy products to nearly 30,000 UK organisations. Katie Rees, VP Corporate Account Management at SEFE Energy, said: “Energy is a vital asset for so many organisations – from a business that needs to power equipment and maintain comfortable lighting and heating for office employees, or a steel producer that needs a constant baseload supply for energy-intensive heavy machinery. Energy suppliers need to build trust with their customers, that they can consistently meet their energy needs.”
For more information about SEFE Energy, please visit: www.sefe-energy.co.uk
Find investible energy project opportunities in minutes, not weeks
Are you planning EV charging, rooftop solar, heat pumps or wider decarbonisation projects?
Net Zero Data from Energy Systems
Catapult helps you prioritise the right projects, in the right places, with confidence.
Why Net Zero Data?
Don’t just take our word for it:
We struggled to locate robust and reliable data for identifying potential EV infrastructure locations. Using Net Zero Data, we have been able to identify priority sites in a data-driven way in a very short space of time.
From weeks to minutes
Why Net Zero Data?
Site Selection Project Lead
Stop wrestling with fragmented spreadsheets. Quickly locate high-value opportunities.
Prioritise by value, not guesswork
Discover which sites are best for cost savings, revenue generation or upgrades, and which can wait.
Flexible access. Same trusted insight.
By local authority region – download ready-to-use datasets for your area. Via API – stream the same trusted data straight into your own systems and dashboards.
Ready to build your next pipeline of investable projects?
Find out more to discover how Net Zero Data can help you deliver the biggest impact.
www.netzeromarket.org.uk
UNDERSTAND SPF FOR SMARTER HEAT PUMP SYSTEM DESIGN WITH RINNAI CPD
Rinnai’s CPD, ‘Seasonal Performance Factors and Heat Pump Design’, details the evaluation of SPF when measuring a heat pump system’s overall energy efficiency throughout an entire heating season, whilst further considering variations in temperature and other system factors.
Rinnai’s Seasonal Performance Factors and Heat Pump Design CPD details the potential limitations of manufacturer-issued efficiency measures for Heat pumps, namely COP (Coefficient of Performance) and SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance). Manufacturers often measure heat pump efficiency using Coefficient of Performance (COP), which is the ratio of useful heat energy produced to the electricity consumed at a specific external air temperature.
A SCOP efficiency rating solely measures the heat pump unit which may yield a lack of system congruity when considering the entire system. Consequently, relying on this performance measurement alone can affect customer expectations in system performance and carbon reductions.
Rinnai offer an alternative methodology in measuring system efficiency; a Seasonal Performance Factor approach evaluates all energy utilizing components within a commercial hot water system and measures the performance of the entire system, as opposed to solely the heat pump.
By presenting this CPD to UK customers, contractors, consultants, specifiers and installers, Rinnai aims to provide information that delivers a concise and true account of commercial hot water heating performance using the ‘Seasonal Performance Factor’ methodology.
Rinnai UK’s new division – Rinnai Applied has multiple bursaries available and to qualify you must be fully eligible and successfully complete the three CPD sessions between now and March 2026.
Sign up today as places are limited at https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/training/ elementallondon-cpd-sign
The CPDs are on the following subjects: Seasonal Performance Factors (SPF) and Heat Pump Design Introduction to Water Neutrality Retrofitting Heat Pumps into the Leisure Sector through CCA & SPF Analysis
Rinnai continues to inform the UK market of system operating details that provide an accurate statement of performance, while considering the effects on operational expenditure, economic investment, and environmental impact. www.rinnaiuk.com
JOIN EXPERTS COLLABORATING ON CLEAN ENERGY INNOVATION
Energy Systems Catapult is hosting its Innovating to Net Zero event in February bringing together innovators and experts to explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities of creating and installing clean energy systems. Energy Manager readers are invited to join the discussion with a discount using the code below.
On 25 February at Millenium Point in Birmingham, the Catapult, a national centre setup to support UK innovation and growth, is calling together leaders from across the energy system, clean tech innovation, investment and policy communities to discuss:
The need for flexibility in our system, including the installation of energy generation and storage, to effectively address peak gaps in supply and demand.
• Perspectives from industry, regulators and local authorities on what’s needed now.
• Which technology and policy choices will accelerate decarbonisation without locking in high costs Innovation insights from real-world trials.
The practical realities of building
this flexibility, how it can be incentivised, and why success hinges on user behaviour.
Barriers and incentives for SMEs.
As well as showcasing breakthrough energy solutions from innovators, including practical lessons on technology deployment and opportunities to collaborate, there will be presentations and on-stage discussions with thought leaders from across the energy system supply chain.
This will include Paul McCorquodale, CEO of digital innovator Grid Edge; Cathy McClay, Managing director of National Grid DSO; Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee; Michael Liebreich, managing partner of EcoPragma Capital; and members of the Energy Systems Catapult team whose expertise ranges from local area energy planning and system
design to modelling and consumer insights.
For more information, head to: https://events.es.catapult.org.uk/event/ innovating-to-net-zero-2026/summary Energy Manager readers are invited to network with innovators and experts, discussing the opportunities available for those who are innovating to Net Zero. Book your ticket using the code ENERGY2026 to get £50 off.
TURNING COLD STORE COMPRESSORS INTO REVENUE GENERATORS
High commercial energy costs continue to place sustained pressure on UK businesses. While wholesale prices have eased since their peak, electricity and gas costs remain well above pre-2022 levels. For energy-intensive sectors, this is not a short-term headache but a structural challenge demanding new ways of thinking about energy use.
Few sectors feel this more keenly than cold storage. Between 2021 and 2022, electricity prices for many operators doubled almost overnight. The result has been an urgent drive to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and protect already tight margins, often while relying on ageing infrastructure and operating within strict temperature and compliance requirements.
Yet hidden within this challenge is an opportunity. Under the right conditions, cold store equipment, from compressors and refrigeration packs to ice banks, thermal stores, heat pumps, and glycol chillers, can be transformed from pure cost centres into revenue-generating assets. The key lies not in major capital investment, but in smarter control of when these assets consume power.
WHY THE GRID NEEDS FLEXIBILITY
Traditionally, electricity systems have worked on a simple principle: generation follows demand. Power stations ramp up and down to match how much electricity consumers happen to be using at any given moment.
As the UK transitions to a lowcarbon energy system, that model is under strain. Renewable generation is inherently variable; you cannot instruct the wind to blow or the sun to shine on cue. With less control over supply, the system operator increasingly needs flexibility from the demand side.
This is known as consumer-led flexibility. According to the National Energy System Operator, Britain currently has around 2.5GW of consumer-led flexibility capacity. By 2030, that figure needs to rise to 10 12GW to maintain grid stability and security. For businesses willing to participate, this represents a significant commercial opportunity.
HOW COLD STORAGE FACILITIES CAN RESPOND
Any asset that can briefly pause consumption, sometimes for only a few minutes, or shift its operation slightly earlier or later than planned, can provide valuable flexibility to the grid. Cold storage facilities are particularly well-suited to this role.
Compressors and related systems can be modulated in response to real-time grid conditions, ambient temperature, and site demand, without risking product integrity or regulatory compliance. Crucially, operators remain in control: participation is voluntary, parameters are agreed in advance, and everyday operations are not disrupted.
During periods of grid stress, facilities can be paid to temporarily reduce consumption. At times of surplus renewable generation, they may also be rewarded for increasing demand. Over the course of a year, depending on asset size and participation levels, many cold stores can generate several thousand pounds in additional revenue.
End to end flexibility services such as FlexGO by Flexitricity identify suitable assets, install the necessary controls and manage participation in flexibility markets, from dispatch through to settlement and payment. This allows site teams to stay focused on operations while their equipment works harder financially.
High energy prices are unlikely to disappear altogether. Grid flexibility offers cold storage operators a practical way to offset costs, reduce carbon impact and unlock new value from existing infrastructure.
HOW GROWERS CAN EARN REVENUE THROUGH FLEXIBLE OPERATION
Energy pressures are not confined to cold storage. Across the UK, growing, rising electricity and gas costs are pushing some growers to the brink. In a recent letter to Ofgem, the National Farmers’ Union warned that energy prices are threatening the viability of many farmers’ and growers’ businesses.
For growers operating controlled environments year-round, energy is typically the second-highest cost after labour. LED lighting, combined
heat and power (CHP), heat pumps, water pumps, and refrigeration are essential to maintaining crop quality, but they are also energy hungry.
As with cold storage, these assets can do more than simply consume electricity. With the right controls in place, they can also generate income by supporting the electricity grid.
FLEXIBILITY IN PRACTICE FOR GROWERS
The principle is straightforward. Any equipment that can pause, ramp down, or shift consumption without affecting output can provide flexibility. For growers, this may include dimming or rescheduling LED lighting, adjusting CHP operation, or briefly delaying noncritical pumping and refrigeration cycles.
Participation does not mean relinquishing control. Growers decide when and how their assets are made available, ensuring crop conditions and yields are never compromised. Flexibility events are typically short and carefully managed.
Depending on the scale of the site and the number of assets enrolled, many growers can earn several thousand pounds a year, an income that directly offsets energy bills while contributing to a more resilient, low-carbon grid.
Providers such as FlexGO by Flexitricity deliver a fully managed service, from asset assessment and installation through to market participation and payment administration. This allows growers to focus on production while turning unavoidable energy use into a strategic advantage.
A NEW ROLE FOR ENERGYINTENSIVE BUSINESSES
For both cold storage operators and growers, flexibility represents a shift in mindset. Energy is no longer just a cost to be minimised, but a resource that can be optimised, traded and monetised. As the UK’s electricity system continues to decarbonise, the value of flexible demand will only grow. Those who act early stand to benefit, financially and environmentally, without disrupting the day-to-day realities of running complex, energy-dependent operations.
https://www.flexitricity.com/
CLIMATE ADAPTATION: THE SMART INVESTMENT FOR LONGTERM BUSINESS RESILIENCE
As urgency to curb climate change continues, organizations must prepare to operate within an environment already transformed by its effects.
Adapting to climate change goes far beyond constructing barriers or firebreaks. It’s about ensuring business continuity, maintaining supply chain efficiency, and managing costs in a landscape increasingly shaped by environmental volatility. While emissions reduction has dominated conversations, adaptation continues to receive insufficient attention and investment.
Many organizations have already developed mitigation frameworks and plans, with Schneider Electric’s research indicating that 86% now possess such strategies. However, just 38% have defined adaptation approaches a mere 6% have fully executed them. Globally, adaptation and resilience require upwards of $200 billion each year yet only a third of this sum is currently funded.
Following the COP30 summit in Brazil, adaptation has emerged as the defining benchmark of credible climate action. Investors are increasingly seeking proof of climate readiness. Those lacking robust responses may find themselves excluded from funding opportunities.
Regardless of political changes, the physical impacts of climate change continue to intensify, and without decisive action, they will only accelerate. The reasons for adaptation are rapidly gaining momentum. Financial instruments, such as green bonds and sustainability linked loans now support a wide array of upgrades, from building retrofits to infrastructure enhancements. Schneider Electric’s experience shows energy management initiatives can yield returns within 2-5 years, with energy savings reaching up to 40%.
Operational efficiency is not solely about minimizing consumption, it also delivers strategic advantages. Companies integrating resilience into their operations are outpacing their peers. This may involve implementing battery storage for solar energy, establishing microgrids to withstand grid pressures, or modernizing cooling systems to combat rising temperatures. These measures are substantive, they lower expenses, enhance
Frédéric Godemel, EVP Energy Management at Schneider Electric
asset worth, and draw sustained investment.
A recent executive survey highlights a notable shift: drivers for action are evolving from moral reason to regulatory compliance and savings opportunity, which has been the biggest increase since the 2023 survey.
FROM REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS TO STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Assessing climate scenarios has moved beyond formalities; it is now a critical tool for investors. Top organizations incorporate both physical and transitional risks into their due diligence and asset management processes, particularly in Europe, where regulations like SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) and EU Taxonomy need comprehensive climate analysis.
SE Advisory Services assists clients in translating complex climate projections into actionable insights. For instance, understanding the implications of a 1.5°C or 4°C temperature increase on property values, energy expenses, or operational stability is crucial. In warmer climates, cooling demands can account for up to 70% of peak electricity usage during heatwaves, underscoring the necessity of robust resilience strategies.
Integrating risk evaluations from the outset enables organizations to identify susceptible locations and emissions intensive activities, facilitating better informed investment choices.
EMBEDDING RESILIENCE: FROM PHYSICAL BARRIERS TO CORE BUSINESS PLANNING
Effective adaptation financing begins with better quality data. Businesses require precise climate risk modelling and regulatory frameworks that properly account for both physical and transitional threats. Initiatives like Schneider’s Environmental Data Program are fostering greater transparency, providing a foundation for data-based decision making and compelling investment.
Public sector incentives like grants and subsidies, combined with private sector tools such as sustainability-linked financing
and climate insurance, can help mitigate project risks. However, lasting progress demands collective action – no single stakeholder can address these challenges in isolation.
The technologies to advance climate adaptation are already available. Solutions like EcoAct’s Climate Risk Platform offer visualizations of vulnerabilities, including flood risks, heat stress, and water scarcity, enabling companies to pinpoint and prioritize at-risk areas. This empowers leaders to recognize where operations, supply chains, or assets face exposure, guiding targeted adaptation measures such as infrastructure upgrades, site relocation, or resource reallocation. By utilizing these platforms, organizations obtain practical insights to proactively address risks, safeguard assets, and make strategic decisions, ultimately enhancing resilience, operational performance, and stakeholder trust. Such tools shift organizations from reactive to proactive.
For example, SE Advisory Services worked with Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, to perform a comprehensive climate risk assessment that uncovered 20 distinct risks and opportunities. Leveraging granular climate analysis, the collaboration offered monthly temperature predictions to inform cooling strategies within the tunnel and supplied detailed flood modelling to support investments in protective infrastructure for key facilities.
Demand for adaptation financing and for corporate strategies built around resilience is rising sharply. As highlighted by the Global Center on Adaptation, closing the global adaptation-finance gap will increasingly depend on private-sector capital and action. Businesses that act early, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, embedding adaptive energy systems, and rethinking supply chains, will not only mitigate risk, but also seize emerging opportunities as climate disruption becomes a defining driver of global markets in 2026 and beyond. www.se.com
Integrated roofing & solar for public sector estates
Roofing & Solar Solutions
Built for performance, designed for longevity
Plan With Confidence Budget forecasting and ROI planning for your estate
Complete Asset Management
Condition surveys, lifecycle costing and expert technical guidance
Book a free roof survey and solar ROI report today
Fully Compliant Specs Safe2Torch ready, designed to UK building regs
Dedicated Technical Manager On-site support, from project design to completion
Protected For The Future Up to 30 year Single-Point Guarantee
GRID STABILITY AND BUSINESS RESILIENCE: HOW ENERGY MANAGERS CAN STAY AHEAD
September marked one year since the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station – a symbolic milestone for the UK’s progress in decarbonising its energy system. The energy transition is necessary and is accelerating quickly, but replacing predictable thermal generation with weather-dependent renewables introduces a new set of operational challenges. And as renewable energy sources such as wind and solar continue to make up a greater share of electricity generation, the need for new forms of stability and flexibility is growing rapidly.
HURDLES ON THE PATH TO NET ZERO
Unlike traditional power sources such as coal and gas, which can provide steady baseload generation, renewables are inherently variable – solar power peaks during the day and summer months, while wind generation can fluctuate by the hour. This intermittency, combined with the retirement of synchronous generation, has created a grid that is more volatile and harder to balance in the event of sudden changes in supply and demand. This has required grid operators to think differently.
For businesses, an unstable grid can translate into higher exposure to price spikes, capacity constraints, and the risk of curtailment or disconnection. These pressures can escalate into business continuity risks, from downtime and operational disruption to potential reputational damage. For energy intensive operations even short periods of grid fluctuations can halt production lines, affect logistics and compromise critical activities. Additionally, unexpected and increasingly volatile costs, including imbalance charges and penalties for exceeding capacity, add another layer of uncertainty.
Tim Foster, Director of Energy for Business, Conrad Energy
BUILDING BUSINESS RESILIENCE
At a national level, operators are responding by investing in new infrastructure designed to stabilise the grid.
NESO is expanding procurement programmes for stability solutions, including synchronous condensers to restore lost inertia and fault level. Alongside this, there are a number of other clean stability solutions that can be deployed. These include battery energy storage systems that can respond instantly, provide real-time frequency support, and use gridforming inverters to help maintain stable voltage and frequency.
These developments are essential, but largely outside the control of individual businesses. For organisations looking to mitigate their own risks and keep costs down, flexible supply contracts can help shield exposure to volatile market conditions. Smarter energy management is also becoming essential, shifting usage to periods of lower cost or higher renewable generation, or automating consumption changes when the grid is stressed. These automated responses become even more important as sites electrify. Alongside this, real-time monitoring and advanced visualisation dashboards are helping organisations anticipate periods of system stress, respond proactively and avoid costly imbalance charges.
Behind-the-meter energy generation, such as on-site or near-site solar, can be an effective means of achieving this smart energy usage. Providers of behindthe-meter Power Purchase Agreements increasingly include sophisticated data insights to support tailored optimisation strategies. Utilising behind-the-meter
energy also helps provide a valuable layer of resilience by reducing reliance on the wider grid.
KEEPING MOMENTUM
The UK has already established itself as a pioneer in the energy transition and is on a strong trajectory. Compared with other European countries, such as Spain and Portugal which experienced blackouts earlier this year, we are in a relatively strong position – but not out of the woods just yet.
As the environmental and political landscapes shift, new challenges will continue to present themselves. The sector is well-accustomed to the difficulties of Dunkelflaute – low wind and solar throughout the winter leading to a drop in the output of wind and solar assets. But this summer, which was among the hottest on record, raised a new challenge – Hitzeflaute – high temperatures and low wind speeds.
This heat poses a challenge because it results in fluctuating demand due to decreased output from wind – which isn’t necessarily covered by solar assets that are less efficient when exposed to soaring temperatures – whilst demand for cooling increases sharply.
With extreme weather conditions seemingly the new normal, agility and continued investment in infrastructure, innovation, and supportive policy will be needed to strengthen grid stability and ensure businesses are not left exposed.
By pairing national infrastructure development with smarter, more flexible strategies at the business level, the UK can continue to set the pace while building an energy system that is both green and resilient.
https://conradenergy.co.uk/
CONTROLLING WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL: TURNAROUND APPROACHES AND ENERGY STRATEGY
Business leaders facing the UK’s energy crisis often feel powerless. Couple sky-high industrial energy prices, the highest in the industrialised world, with continuing inflationary challenges and it’s easy to see why.
Yet our 2025 Societal Impact Report reveals something important: whilst 76% of Institute for Turnaround members anticipate increased demand, often driven by cost pressures including energy, the businesses seeking help aren’t those resigned to failure. They’re organisations determined to control what they can control.
This distinction matters. You cannot control wider trends like global energy markets, however, you can control how your business responds to them.
Milly Camley, CEO, Institute for Turnaround
ASSESS YOUR OPTIONS
For businesses with appropriate circumstances, microgeneration can be an effective solution. For others, the capital investment doesn’t justify the returns.
As part of broader operational turnaround strategies equipment upgrades can deliver multiple benefits: reduced energy costs, improved productivity, lower maintenance expenses and enhanced competitiveness. But timing and financing matter enormously. Replacing everything at once may be financially impossible. Replacing nothing could leave you increasingly uncompetitive.
The approach that works involves prioritising equipment based on energy consumption, operational criticality and available capital. Which upgrades deliver the greatest impact? Which can be financed without compromising short-term stability?
This requires balancing immediate pressures against long-term positioning – exactly the kind of decisionmaking where turnaround expertise proves valuable. Many businesses remain on energy contracts that no longer serve them well. Procurement strategies that made sense five years ago are often no longer applicable. What contracts are suitable depend on a company’s risk tolerance and cash flow position and often require specialist advice. We would encourage looking at supply options, investment and procurement to feature as part of a broader operational transformation that can develop the organisation’s capacity to manage challenges and shocks across both energy but also all areas of its business.
PLAN FOR MULTIPLE SCENARIOS
The UK’s energy infrastructure faces long-term challenges. This means that energy strategy as part of operational turnaround approaches can be a differentiator for businesses, especially when used to drive broader change and develop a more flexible and nimble approach across operational areas. However, with insolvencies at double 2020-2021 rates, businesses face genuine constraints. Capital is limited. Management bandwidth is stretched. This means that businesses need resilience planning that accounts for various futures. By developing robust scenario plans, they can can respond quickly when circumstances change –whilst competitors scramble to react. Ultimately, the businesses emerging strongest from this period share common characteristics: they act decisively rather than waiting for perfect information, they invest strategically rather than reactively, and they engage expert guidance to avoid costly mistakes. https://www.the-ift.com/
PIONEERING STEAM AND THERMAL ENERGY INNOVATIONS TO BUILD A MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD IS PART OF WHO WE ARE.
To engineer a more efficient, safer, and sustainable healthcare future, you need the right partnership, with a bond as strong as the strands of DNA. Spirax Sarco is your trusted steam and thermal energy partner, here to help you reach your decarbonisation targets with smarter, greener technologies.
PLANNING FOR PRESSURE: ENERGY RESILIENCE STRATEGIES
FOR PUBLIC ESTATES IN
As we move into 2026, public estate energy management is entering a new phase. The challenge is no longer just decarbonisation or even cost reduction in isolation. It is about resilience: the ability to operate reliably, affordably, and sustainably under sustained pressure from a changing energy system.
For universities, housing associations, local councils and other public estate operators, the question is no longer whether volatility will affect them, but how well prepared they are to absorb it.
The uncomfortable truth is that pressure is now the default state of the UK energy system and public estates sit directly on the fault line.
VOLATILITY IS NOW STRUCTURAL AND PUBLIC ESTATES FEEL IT FIRST
The UK electricity system is cleaner than ever, but it is also more exposed. Wind and solar dominate marginal generation, while gas remains the price-setter during periods of scarcity. Electricity cannot be stored at scale, and demand peaks are becoming sharper, particularly during winter evenings.
For public estates, this translates into three compounding risks:
• Budget exposure: wholesale price swings increasingly pass through contracts, undermining financial planning and multi-year budgeting.
• Operational vulnerability: even short disruptions or local constraints can affect essential services, from teaching and healthcare to supported housing.
• Strategic lock-in: estates that electrify without flexibility risk becoming more exposed, not less, to future system stress. In short, electrification without resilience is a false economy.
RESILIENCE IS NO LONGER ABOUT BACKUP, IT’S ABOUT FLEXIBILITY
Historically, energy resilience meant redundancy: backup generators, contingency contracts, or oversized infrastructure. In a renewable-led system, resilience looks different.
Modern resilience is dynamic. It is about how intelligently demand can respond when the system is under pressure. This is where energy flexibility becomes central to public estate strategy. Flexibility allows buildings to temporarily reduce or shift electricity use during
2026
peak periods – when power is most expensive and carbon-intensive – without affecting comfort or operations.
Instead of reacting to volatility after it hits, flexible estates are designed to work with the system in real time.
FROM PASSIVE CONSUMERS TO ACTIVE SYSTEM PARTICIPANTS
Demand-side flexibility turns public buildings into grid assets.
With technologies like Voltalis’ demand response solution, heating, cooling, and hot water systems can make small, automatic adjustments – often lasting only a few minutes and invisible to occupants – when the grid is constrained.
The benefits compound quickly:
• More predictable energy spend, even in volatile markets
• Lower peak demand, reducing exposure to the highest prices
• Verified Scope 2 carbon reductions aligned with net zero reporting
• Improved system resilience, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel backup generation
Crucially for public estates, this can be delivered without capital investment, major retrofits, or behavioural change.
WHY PUBLIC ESTATES ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO LEAD
Public estates combine scale, diversity and predictability, the ideal conditions for flexibility at system level.
Whether it’s social housing, healthcare facilities, civic buildings, or education estates, these assets already represent a significant share of national electricity demand.
Making even a fraction of that demand flexible delivers outsized benefits to both the estate operator and the wider grid.
Real-world deployments are already demonstrating this. At the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, demand response technology installed across student accommodation delivered doubledigit electricity reductions, thousands of automated grid support events, and zero impact on comfort, all while contributing directly to institutional decarbonisation goals.
For estate managers, the lesson is clear: resilience is no longer an abstract policy goal – it’s an operational design choice.
2026 STRATEGY: RESILIENCE FIRST, OPTIMISATION SECOND
As public sector leaders plan for the
year ahead, energy resilience should sit alongside cost control and carbon reduction as a core strategic pillar. That means asking new questions:
• How exposed is our estate to peak electricity pricing?
• Can our buildings respond automatically to system stress? Are we designing electrification programmes that reduce risk – or amplify it?
Flexibility is not a future add-on. It is fast becoming a prerequisite for operating effectively in a high-renewables system.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: INNOVATING TO NET ZERO 2026
These challenges and the solutions emerging to address them will be at the heart of Innovating to Net Zero 2026, where energy leaders will connect to accelerate real-world impact. https://es.catapult.org. uk/project/innovating-to-net-zero-2026/
WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2026, BIRMINGHAM
The event will explore how to: Build flexibility into the UK energy system Unlock consumer and estate-level adoption
• Tackle grid bottlenecks without slowing electrification
Voltalis will be attending to share insights from across public estates, housing, and education and to discuss how flexibility can future-proof energy spend while strengthening resilience at scale.
PLANNING FOR PRESSURE STARTS NOW
Volatility isn’t going away. Grid constraints will intensify before they ease. And public estates will remain at the centre of the transition.
The good news is that resilience no longer requires waiting for infrastructure upgrades or regulatory reform. With demand-side flexibility, public estates can act now - stabilising costs, supporting the grid, and building systems designed for the pressures of 2026 and beyond.
Because in a volatile energy system, resilience isn’t about standing still. It’s about knowing when and how to flex. All together better.
Learn more at voltalis.co.uk
We’re on a mission to save the planet
Creating better places to live and work, inspiring organisations to achieve net zero.
Every day our expert teams are committed to supporting organisations achieve their carbon reduction targets, improving the lives of communities across the country.
We’re committed to working with governments across the UK to reduce our carbon emissions. Our job is to deliver and administer grant and loan funding on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Scottish and Welsh governments and more. This is delivered across the public sector as well as housing with schemes including the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
We’re also proud to be work in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) supporting the new Public Building Retrofit fund.
We are passionate about delivering energy efficiency projects across the UK, making buildings across the public sector as well as our homes better places in which to live, work and enjoy. We are keen to help create spaces where people can thrive, whether it’s hospitals, schools, leisure centres or homes. We’re on a mission to save the planet.
Find out more about us through our website where we have a variety of tools and resources available.
We also host a series of events – have a look at our events area of our website and sign up to a webinar.
Scan the QR code to find out more
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN EUROLAND WITH HEATING & HOT WATER MARKETS?
Chris Goggin continues his review of the heating and hot water markets across the European landscape. This analysis of how commercial and domestic properties seek to provide heating and hot water can reveal the rate of introduction in terms low carbon energies. Insights into the impact of Net Zero legislation can be made as can a preferred technology.
European heating and hot water provision for domestic and commercial properties is adapting to recent climate pledges introduced by the EU. The European block is mandated by law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 and at least by 55% by 2030. The European Union is optimistic in achieving these targets.
France and Germany are predominant economies that rest inside of EU borders and will be the focus of this article. Both countries face the identical task of decarbonisation yet must travel entirely separate pathways to introduce clean energies and technologies.
French domestic energy policy is dictated by a decision to employ nuclear power. The Messmer Plan was a solution to the 1973 oil embargo which saw Arab countries refusing to export oil and gas to any country that supported Israel in the Yom Kippur war.
France was reliant on foreign exports of oil which accounted for over 70% of national power supply. The Messmer Plan was introduced in 1974 and has since been responsible for the construction of eighteen commercial nuclear power plants with fifty-six nuclear reactors.
France provides for a housing stock of around 38.2 million dwellings and although the predominant form of power relayed into domestic and commercial properties is nuclear powered electricity,
other forms of power and technologies are being utilised to fuel commerce and domestic heating and hot water supply.
French use of domestic solar power is increasing steadily, including self-consumption capacity which accounts for 35% of new installations. Self-consumption refers to an energy source that is individually generated and not connected to a national grid. In 2024 France installed near to 240,000 solar systems domestic as well as C&I (commercial and industrial) systems, 33,000 more than the previous year 2023. At this moment, the French solar power market can be characterised as being diverse and robust.
However, 11.9 million households rely on gas boilers for DHW and heating whilst there is also a total stock of 4.3 million installed heat pumps. Throughout 2022 around 620,000 heat pumps were sold in France – a 16% increase from 2021. However, the European heat pump market has entered a less productive phase. The IEA Global Energy Review 2025 reports of a decline in heat pump sales across Europe most notably in France and Germany. European sales are down 21% whilst French purchases have been estimated to have suffered a drop of 25%.
The contributing factors to this have been outlined as high electrical costs relative towards natural gas, political and regulatory uncertainty, and a slowdown in new construction projects, itself a reflection of global economic uncertainty.
France makes up one part of the three largest heat pump markets in Europe the other two being Italy and Germany. This article will now focus on Germany and revisit Italy later in this series of domestic and commercial DHW and building heat market analysis.
Recent German energy policy is based solely around the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Before Russia entered Ukraine, Germany imported a third of national oil, 45% of their coal and 55% of all gas from Russia. Since the invasion, Germany has resolved to diversify domestic energy options with the direct aim of strengthening national energy security.
This approach involves extracting clean renewable energy like wind and solar and introducing other alternative methods of distributing heat as well as hot water to domestic and commercial properties. These alternatives include heat pumps, district heating, biomass, and solar systems.
Germany maintains a residential housing stock of around forty million homes and an additional twenty-one million non-residential buildings. With such a vast number of properties that stretch across both rural and urban areas Germany has to offer multiple routes of clean and affordable power to customers. A primary route of domestic and commercial power is heating pumps.
Although Germany is one of the largest global heat pumps markets German heat pump sales are estimated to be 46% down in 2024, again due to economic and regulatory reasons. German heat pump sales in 2024 amounted to 193,000 compared to 356,000 purchased and installed in 2023.
As of 2022 there was a total heat pump stock of 1,674,000. Although numbers have not been officially released or statistically recorded basic additional mathematics reveals a total number of over two million active heat pump units across German business properties and dwellings. Per one thousand German inhabitants there are twenty installed heat pumps.
Germany is also in the process of phasing out nuclear power contradicting
the position that France has taken whilst nineteen million households use a gas boiler for heating and hot water. Commercial and industrial premises are estimated to be responsible for 34% of natural gas use across Germany.
Meanwhile, German use of solar power has become a leading source of power for households and businesses. Germany leads Europe in total installed capacity of solar capacity and solar PV expansion in 2024. As of April 2025, Germany has installed over five million solar PV installations. Domiciles make up 38% of this statistic whilst 29% have been installed on commercial rooftops.
Germany’s other alternative means of heating arrives in the form of district heating. Germany has 6,000 operational district heating systems that amount to 25GW of capacity. District heating consists of a configuration of underfloor piping accessed by multiple buildings. These pipes are then heated using either steam or water which is itself produced by waste heat from power stations, industrial processes, biomass or by capturing heat from geothermal and solar resources.
Finally, biomass has become a recognised aspect of German heat and hot water provision. Statista have published official numbers of active German biomass plants from November 2024 – 15,868. Biomass refers to a facility that generates electricity through the burning of organic materials (waste
from households, industry & organic matter) to produce steam. This steam powers a turbine that is connected to generators which then offers electricity.
Both Germany and France are legally bound to lessen emissions that emanate from households and commercial activities. Both countries have separate domestic energy policies that are resultant of individual national requirements. Each country is now pursuing decarbonising pathways that are solutions to the obstacles relevant to themselves only.
An umbrella approach to European carbon neutrality is not feasible due to differing populations sizes, building stock, geographical position, and geopolitical relationships. This is reflected in the entirely different approach adopted by both France and Germany.
Rinnai is continuing to provide UK contractors, consultants, specifiers, and installers with updated information on global energy issues. Doing so aims to equip all interested parties with knowledge that will provide a concise comprehension of international fuel options and approaches as well as an insight into potential future UK energy options and technologies. www.rinnaiuk.com
NEW CA 6683 CABLE LOCATOR: FAST, ACCURATE CABLE DETECTION BY CHAUVIN ARNOUX
Chauvin Arnoux UK is excited to announce the launch of the CA 6683 Cable Locator, a high-performance locating solution for accurately tracing cables, wires, and metal pipes in walls and underground. Designed at the Chauvin Arnoux HQ in France, this cable locator is made for electricians, maintenance technicians, and renovation professionals and simplifies fault-finding.
CABLE LOCATOR BUILT FOR COMPLEX DETECTION TASKS
The CA 6683 Locator provides an intuitive, reliable method for detecting live or dead conductors, short circuits, metal piping, and circuit elements without destructive or invasive techniques. Its advanced technology offers quick diagnostics and clear visualisation of signal strength and circuit paths, even in challenging conditions. This advanced locator strikes the perfect balance between affordability, versatility, and safety, delivering precise, dependable results while eliminating guesswork.
Designed for demanding environments, the CA 6683 minimises the risk of accidental contact with live wires or hidden infrastructure – ensuring efficient, secure operation without compromising on performance.
From construction and renovation to ongoing maintenance, the CA 6683 cable locator simplifies detection and enables faster, more informed decision-making on-site.
Tracing electrical wiring in walls, floors, and ceilings
• Locating underground or embedded metal piping
• Diagnosing short circuits or wire breaks
• Identifying fuse locations and dead circuit segments
features a built-in voltage detector with a varying external voltage identification range up, adjustable signal power, and offers digital signal coding that allows the use of 7 transmitters simultaneously. The receiver can detect non-contact voltage up to 1000 V AC, with a backlit LCD, adjustable sensitivity, silent mode, and integrated torch for low-light environments. Both units are compliant with IEC 61010 300 V CAT III standards and are compact, lightweight, and rugged, built for daily use in residential, commercial and/or industrial sites.
The CA 6683 is a complete, readyto-use kit designed for electrical professionals! It comes with both a transmitter – CA 6683E and a receiverCA 6683R, pre-calibrated and supplied with all necessary accessories such as
• Mains plug and lamp socket adapters
• Crocodile clips and T-stake for ground connections
• Multi-language user manual and verification certificate
• Supplied in a durable transport case with spare AAA batteries
CA 8345 POWER QUALITY ANALYSER
STOP PAYING
Find exactly where power is wasted. Fix it. Save now.
Ideal analyser for industrial and commercial environments NEW Motor parameter measurement
Certified Class A accuracy (IEC 61000-4-30 Ed. 3)
Hundreds of parameters stored every 10/12 periods
Find the real cause of energy loss, not just the symptoms
View harmonics, transients, flicker, and inrush instantly
Stay ahead of issues with alarms, trends, and event logging
FREE Power Analyser Transfer software included. Processes all measurements from the Qualistar Class
DATA AT THE HEART OF A FAIRER, CLEANER ENERGY FUTURE
The path to Clean Power 2030 and Net Zero is not just about installing more wind turbines, connecting more solar panels, or rolling out heat pumps.
It’s about creating an energy system that can respond in real time, giving households, businesses and communities the ability to participate, benefit, and shape their energy use.
In the decades ahead, electricity will increasingly underpin Britain’s economy, supporting the shift to a cleaner, smarter and more connected society.
Demand is expected to at least double by 2050 as transport, heat, and industry move from fossil fuels to clean power.
Solar panels, EVs, heat pumps and local batteries won’t just be devices – they will be living, active parts of our national energy system.
Increasingly, households and businesses will own and control these assets, playing a direct role in shaping how Britain uses and shares energy.
The challenge and the opportunity lie in how we connect to this new world. Clean technology alone will not deliver Net Zero.
To succeed, the system itself must be intelligent, flexible, and data-driven, with devices and platforms sharing standardised, accurate information in real time.
That’s how we unlock flexibility, reduce costs, and reward participation.
BRINGING TOGETHER DATA, INNOVATION AND CONSUMERS TO DELIVER A MORE FLEXIBLE GRID
Flexibility is the ability to adjust supply and demand to keep the system balanced.
Elexon have taken on a key new role as market facilitator for distributed flexibility, appointed by Ofgem to help coordinate and grow the UK’s flexibility markets. The role, which went live in December 2025, will coordinate and standardise flexibility markets, giving innovators, consumers and system operators the clarity and tools they need to unlock the full value of flexibility across society.
Through the Flexibility Market Asset Registration (FMAR) solution, we will make registered assets visible across all markets.
We have published a Market Facilitator Draft Delivery plan, setting clear targets: By 1 July 2027, deliver the FMAR digital infrastructure.
By 31 March 2028, align flexibility services across Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), NESO, and the Balancing
Peter Stanley, Chief Executive, Elexon
Mechanism where it adds value, simplify market arrangements, and explain any areas where alignment isn’t possible.
We recently implemented a rule change to the Balancing and Settlement Code (modification P444), which allows independent aggregators to directly compensate suppliers for energy differences, boosting market efficiency, grid flexibility, and system security.
The government has also confirmed its minded-to position for Elexon to provide governance for smart energy appliances under the Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) programme, which is designed to create the technical and regulatory frameworks to unlock the untapped flexibility of small-scale devices such as domestic EV charge points and heat pumps.
TURNING 500-BILLIONMETER READINGS INTO SMARTER ENERGY
Data lies at the heart of a flexible and secure system.
Removing barriers and unlocking its value to drive innovation and improve services for consumers will be key to a cleaner future.
Elexon will make data from the half hourly settlement accessible via our Insights service, following Ofgem’s consumer consent rules.
By sharing this data, we aim to facilitate new flexibility tariffs and innovation.
Once full half-hourly settlement is in place by mid-2027, Elexon will process around 500 billion-meter readings per year.
This is where digital infrastructure matters. Systems that capture, store and share data securely make it possible to:
• Offer dynamic tariffs that reward consumers for using energy efficiently. Allow new players, small-scale flexibility providers to participate in the market. Improve system stability and reduce the need for costly peaking power.
FLEXIBILITY DELIVERING AFFORDABILITY
The impact of flexibility is tangible. Studies show that renewable energy has already reduced UK energy costs by tens of billions of pounds, saving households significant amounts on electricity bills.
As dynamic tariffs and half-hourly settlement become part of everyday life, households and businesses will gain sharper visibility, greater choice, and real
financial incentives to engage with the energy system.
Looking further ahead, we expect automated demand response, Flex-as-a-Service models, and peerto-peer energy trading to move from the margins to the mainstream.
These innovations will allow participation to scale effortlessly, turning millions of tiny decisions into a force that strengthens and secures our energy system.
And crucially, flexibility is not only about lowering demand.
Demand turn-up has the potential to deliver enormous value for industry and businesses too, rewarding organisations that can increase consumption at the right moments.
Used intelligently, this approach unlocks new economic benefits and harnesses energy when it is abundant, ensuring the system works better for everyone.
Flexibility doesn’t just support Net Zero – it makes the transition fairer and more efficient, spreading benefits across society and ensuring that investment in clean energy translates into lower bills and a more reliable system.
THE FUTURE OF ENERGY IS FLEXIBLE, DIGITAL AND INCLUSIVE
The UK’s energy transition will succeed when technology, markets and consumers work together.
By connecting data, systems, and markets, we can unlock the full value of clean energy, encourage innovation, and create an electricity system that is smarter, fairer, and more responsive.
The promise of Clean Power 2030 is not just more wind or solar – it is an energy system that empowers every household and business to participate, benefit and drive the Net Zero transition forward.
Peter Stanley is Chief Executive of Elexon, a trusted and independent delivery partner, recognised by government, Ofgem and industry for our reliability and technical excellence. With over two decades of experience managing market settlement and code governance, Elexon continues to deliver the reforms and infrastructure that keep the market working. https://www.elexon.co.uk/
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH ENERGY FLEXIBILITY AND STORAGE
As an energy manager in the public sector, you can help your sites benefit from the growing demand for energy flexibility. It’s a complex market worth joining, as it can bring in extra income and supports the government’s push for more clean power on the grid.
At Energy Systems Catapult, we’ve been funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to produce a flexibility and storage guide for public sector buildings. Here we discuss some of the key findings and practical insights that can help you start exploring the opportunities available to you.
WHAT IS FLEXIBILITY?
Two decades ago, peaks and troughs in energy demand were simpler to manage. The National Grid control room responded by switching centralised power stations on and off. Now, with our increasing use of distributed and intermittent forms of cleaner energy, balancing the grid has become more of a challenge, and that’s where flexibility comes in.
Flexibility allows buildings and the National Grid to accommodate fluctuations in renewable energy generation by storing excess generation when it is not needed, and releasing the energy when demand peaks
Matt Caville, Senior Advisor for Decarbonisation of Complex Sites at Energy Systems Catapult
or renewable generation is low.
Public sector organisations can provide this flexibility by installing energy generation and storage projects on their sites, and by signing up to flexibility services that avoid costs, generate revenue and decarbonise operations.
In February, we’re hosting the Innovating to Net Zero conference in Birmingham, where we’ll discuss how we can build flexibility into the energy system. We’d love to have you along. At the end of this article, you’ll find a link to register for the event and further resources to help you get started on flexibility.
PROVIDING FLEXIBILITY
As a flexibility provider you make temporary adjustments to how you consume, generate, or store electricity when requested, and get paid by flexibility procurers who purchase these services from you.
To find out more about the flexibility services needed in your local area, check out the Flexible Power initiative
run by four of the UK’s distribution network operators. This handy interactive map helps you explore what’s on offer and how you can take part: www.flexiblepower.co.uk/
There is also the Piclo Flex platform providing an independent marketplace for flexibility services across the UK. You can search the competitions at: https://picloflex.com/
CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
The types of storage technologies, flexibility services and route-to-market that will be relevant to your site will depend on the type, size and context of your site. As a rough guideline, sites with around 500 kW of flexible capacity are typically considered viable for participation in flexibility markets.
• Medium buildings including those run by local authorities and government departments/agencies are likely suitable for energy storage technologies ranging from hundreds of kWs but typically less than 1 MW.
• Large buildings such as hospitals and schools could have space for hundreds of kWs to multiple MWs.
Lithium-ion batteries
Liquid air energy storage
Flywheels
Heat-to-heat thermal energy storage
Electric vehicle smart charging as energy storage
Common for renewable energy integration, grid stabilisation, and backup power due to high energy density and falling costs.
Although not yet deployed on a public sector site, it shows potential where reliable long-duration backup power is required during outages such as hospitals.
Provide instantaneous backup power during short outages, good for use in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems such as data centres or hospitals.
Used in some district heating applications. Limited but growing use for thermal energy storage in public sector buildings.
Public sector sites are likely to have access to electric car batteries as part of their fleet. Additional investment required to allow for smart charging.
• Campus sites including prisons, hospitals, universities and Ministry of Defence sites could host multiple MWs.
ENERGY STORAGE OPTIONS
Our guide includes a detailed description of energy storage systems, how developed they are and whether they are suitable for installation at public sector sites.
Figure One (left) shows a condensed snapshot of some the technologies currently available.
DEMAND SIDE RESPONSE (DSR)
This is the practice of adjusting electricity consumption patterns in
Figure One
response to changes in electricity supply, demand or pricing signals. DSR allows an organisation to either avoid costs or generate revenue.
Public sector organisations can work with DSR service providers and aggregators to identify the flexibility potential of specific sites and facilitate their participation in DSR.
Some of the processes used at your sites that are applicable to DSR are outlined in Figure Two (above).
Participation can also create opportunities for new projects to increase generation capacity or add storage.
ROUTES TO MARKET
Flexibility service providers help sites and businesses access flexibility markets. Their offerings typically break down into:
• Software-as-a-service: a provider sells you controls software and access to a market platform to manage your assets and how you participate in flexibility markets. The service is typically charged as a monthly fixed fee related on a £/MW/year basis. This option potentially allows your site to keep more of the revenue it generates but it requires sector knowledge and resource to operate. Therefore, a third-party operated model is likely preferable for most public sector sites.
• Optimisation services: an optimiser controls your site’s assets and access to flexibility markets to maximise revenue from storage, generations
and/or Demand Side Response. The optimiser will provide an operations team to manage this. A typical commercial model would be a revenue share, with a site likely to pay 20-30% of its revenue.
• Aggregators: a company acts as an intermediary between multiple asset owners and the flexibility market. An asset owner may use an aggregator to simplify participation in flexibility markets or because they do not qualify to trade directly in the market. When forming your business case, you could highlight non-financial benefits beyond your buildings. Look at how your local community could also benefit from your organisation becoming a flexibility service provider.
STRATEGIES FOR PARTICIPATION
When engaging with a flexibility service provider, they are likely to guide you through a three-stage process:
• Consultation: including a site survey to understand your requirements, operational parameters and revenue potential.
• Implementation: provider assesses the site for upgrades, installs controls for the site to actively respond to flexibility markets, and connects you to their control room.
• Operation: provider advises on the best operational strategy and uses their trading desk to maximise revenue from your assets. In the guide, we describe various strategies that can help the public sector access the flexibility market. These include:
• Aggregation: by pooling resources from multiple smaller, distributed energy resources – and even neighbouring organisations – public sector organisations can aggregate assets. This includes rooftop solar, batteries, electric vehicle chargers and DSR programs to create a more diverse portfolio that increases the flexibility services you can provide.
• Time of use tariffs: a pricing plan designed to encourage energy users to consume electricity at times when it is available cheaply. This in turn supports the growth of a sustainable and flexible energy system combining renewable generation and storage.
NEXT STEPS
We hope this article prompts you to consider how the public sector assets and the sites you help manage could participate in flexibility.
At Energy Systems Catapult we believe that flexibility and storage will come to dominate energy conversations as we unlock ways to flatten the peaks in demand brought about by our increasingly clean energy system. On 25 February, we’re hosting our flagship Innovating to Net Zero conference in Birmingham, where we’ll explore the practical realities of building flexibility in the energy system, look at the questions keeping energy experts awake and spotlight the pioneers accelerating clean energy innovation.
Download our Energy flexibility and storage guide and the associated annex on technologies here: https://bit.ly/flex-guides
Figure Two
THE RISE OF NON-WHOLESALE COSTS AND HOW TO MANAGE AND MITIGATE THEM
For years, the story of business energy costs has been dominated by wholesale markets. As geopolitical shocks rippled across Europe and prices surged, energy volatility was seemingly never out of the headlines.
But if you’re tasked with managing energy budgets you may have noticed the pressure on wholesale costs is lifting and stabilising. Instead, the biggest upward force on energy budgets no longer comes from the price of power itself, but from everything wrapped around it.
Non-wholesale costs are the network, policy, environmental, and balancing charges that sit behind every unit of energy consumed and now account for around half of the average business bill. In some sectors, that proportion is even higher. And unlike wholesale markets, which rise and fall with global conditions, nonwholesale costs trend in one direction: up.
This is where the next phase of energy management is heading. Not just negotiating better commodity prices, but understanding the structure of the bill itself, knowing where the hidden drivers sit, and taking proactive steps to reduce exposure wherever possible. Many organisations are already doing this well, while others still treat non-wholesale costs as unavoidable overheads. But there is real opportunity here, and energy managers are central to unlocking it.
UNDERSTANDING THE SHIFTING COST LANDSCAPE
Non-wholesale costs aren’t new. They fund the infrastructure, policies, and programmes that keep the UK’s energy system functioning and help drive the transition to Net Zero. But the scale, complexity, and impact of these charges have increased significantly over the past decade.
Network charges, which are the cost of maintaining and upgrading the transmission and distribution system, continue to rise as the grid adapts to decentralised, renewableheavy generation. Policy costs, such as Contracts for Difference, the Capacity Market, and legacy renewables schemes, reflect the scale of investment required to deliver a modern, low-carbon energy system. And even metering and settlement reform, including Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS), is beginning to appear on bills as the industry prepares for a more accurate, flexible market.
For energy managers, this shift matters because it changes where control sits. We cannot influence wholesale markets. But we can influence many of the conditions that
Luke Booth,
Director,
Key Accounts at Equity Energies
determine how non-wholesale costs apply to your organisation, from the timing of consumption to the type of contract you choose, to how accurately you’ve sized your capacity agreements.
And importantly, these charges are more closely linked to behaviour and operations than most energy teams realise.
WHY NON-WHOLESALE COSTS DEMAND ATTENTION NOW
Three forces have brought non-wholesale costs to the forefront for energy managers.
First, they are predictable in a way wholesale markets are not. While wholesale prices spike and soften based on weather, global supply, and market sentiment, non-wholesale charges steadily increase as the UK advances towards Net Zero. For organisations planning budgets, this puts longterm upward pressure on costs.
Second, their scale means they can undermine even the strongest procurement strategy. It’s entirely possible to secure a competitive wholesale rate and still see costs climb because network charges or policy levies have moved in an upward direction.
Third, and most importantly, they are increasingly influenced by how organisations use energy. The shape of demand has a direct impact on costs such as Distribution Use of System (DUoS), balancing charges, and capacity costs. Understanding and modifying when energy is used, how much is consumed at peak times, even whether equipment operates unnecessarily, can all make a significant difference to the overall cost.
Non-wholesale costs are no longer the passive part of the bill. They are becoming a core part of energy strategy.
THE ROLE OF DATA IN MANAGING NONWHOLESALE EXPOSURE
Once you understand that nonwholesale costs are behaviour-driven, the case for better data becomes very clear. You cannot manage what you cannot see, and half-hourly billing data
alone is not enough to uncover the patterns that really matter.
For example:
• You might be paying higher network charges simply because equipment starts before it needs to.
A small number of avoidable demand spikes may be inflating capacity-related costs.
Plant cycling overnight could be driving unnecessary exposure to balancing fees.
• Distribution red-band usage, often accidental rather than operationally required, can unknowingly add thousands each year.
Granular monitoring gives energy managers the ability to pinpoint these issues, quantify their financial impact, and build a targeted case for change. This is where some of the biggest savings lie: in incremental operational adjustments that collectively reduce non-wholesale cost exposure.
CONTRACT STRUCTURE MATTERS AS MUCH AS CONSUMPTION
Behaviour and technology help control non-wholesale costs, but there’s also significant benefit in reviewing contract structures, so they match your organisation’s needs. Many organisations remain on inherited agreements, like capacity levels that no longer reflect the shape of their operation, or fixed/passthrough decisions that were set years ago and never revisited. Recognising and amending this can deliver immediate, tangible improvements.
Some organisations benefit from fixing specific non-wholesale elements because this provides budgeting certainty, while others achieve better value by passing charges through at cost. In both cases, the decision should be rooted in your organisation’s consumption profile and appetite for risk, instead of being left at whatever previous setting has been agreed.
Capacity agreements are a prime example. Many organisations are overpaying for capacity that far exceeds
their real requirement, while others may have set their levels too low which will trigger expensive penalty charges during peak periods. Both problems disappear with accurate baselining and a well-evidenced request to the network operator.
For energy managers, this is an area where technical understanding meets commercial decision-making. And it’s an area where small adjustments can significantly reduce long-term costs.
THE GROWING ROLE OF ONSITE GENERATION AND STORAGE
Renewables and storage are often discussed through the lens of decarbonisation and energy resilience, but their role in mitigating non-wholesale costs is becoming increasingly relevant. Solar generation, for example, reduces exposure to DUoS red-band charges during highusage periods. And in turn, battery storage can help flatten peaks, protect against balancing fees, and create a more predictable demand profile.
The economics are shifting quickly, and recent regulatory changes have strengthened the commercial case for battery storage, particularly for high-consumption sectors and multisite organisations that have predictable but intensive daytime loads. For many organisations, solar and batteries go beyond being a purely environmental choice. They are powerful economic tools that help bring rising nonwholesale costs under control.
A STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ENERGY MANAGERS
Non-wholesale costs can be confusing and difficult to navigate, but they are an area where energy managers can make a measurable difference.
I would suggest that the task is not simply to react to charges as they appear on the bill, but to understand the mechanics behind them, use data to challenge assumptions, collaborate with operational teams, and build energy strategies that reduce both cost and carbon.
The reality is non-whole costs will dominate energy bills for the foreseeable future, and managing and mitigating them is possible, but complex. However, this approach can become a central part of a broader shift towards more informed, evidencebased energy management.
https://www.equityenergies.com/
TABS: THE LOW-CARBON SOLUTION TO FUTUREPROOFING COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
Franz Huelle, Head of Technical at REHAU Building Solutions
The Met Office announced that 2025 was the warmest UK summer on record, also stating that three of the five hottest UK summers ever recorded have occurred in the last ten years.1 As such, finding sustainable and cost-efficient energy solutions is a growing pressure for energy managers, heightened by professional bodies like BESA declaring overheating a critical safety issue for UK buildings.2 The challenge for energy managers will be finding an affordable solution that prioritises occupant comfort, while still maintaining high energyefficiency levels and sustainable practices.
An underutilised low-carbon solution is thermally activated building structures (TABS). The technology works by using the thermal concrete mass of a building to passively regulate temperature. Pipework is embedded within the concrete and acts as a vessel to transport water. Cold water can be run through the pipes to cool a building, or hot water to increase the temperature. TABS therefore provides a dualpurpose heating and cooling solution that can respond to various external temperatures.
When compared to commonly used all-air HVAC systems, TABS supplies several benefits. The technology offers less maintenance, lower energy consumption and operating costs, more space due to no external heating elements, and improved occupant comfort thanks to a lack of blast heating or chilling.
TABS operate on the principle of water using less energy compared to air, providing a more effective tool for thermal transfer. The utilisation of water by TABS offers the capacity to produce 80% less operational carbon dioxide compared to traditional HVAC systems – reducing emissions and costs.3 TABS also partners well with heat pumps. Employed in the right context, the amalgamation of TABS with a green source heat pump could make savings of over 88% in operational carbon emissions.4 This is an opportunity not to be missed for sustainability-focused energy
managers targeting a high BREEAM rating. TABS radiant cooling technology requires less upkeep compared to traditional HVAC systems. Once TABS are installed and stabilised ongoing maintenance is not necessary – saving time and money. When considering the aesthetics of a building this technology also provides advantages. The concealed nature of the pipework, within the building’s structure, means heating and cooling can happen in the background. The need for – what some may consider visually unappealing – heating or cooling appliances such as radiators or large air conditioning systems, becomes obsolete. This not only helps the building to appear sleeker, but also generates more space for the occupants.
Alongside this, occupants can benefit from more consistent temperature control and a safer working environment when TABS are employed. Traditional HVAC units tend to produce hot and cold spots and can be noisy in their operation. TABS offer a draught-free alternative, while their position within the concrete mass of a building minimises the chance for any noise disruption.
Conventional air conditioning units have a higher likelihood of spreading airborne pathogens through recirculating air within a building. TABS’ alternative use of water to regulate temperature reduces this risk. This technology therefore helps to protect occupants from sick building syndrome; a condition were inhabitants of poorly ventilated buildings experience unpleasant symptoms akin to illness. Typical characteristics of the syndrome can include: headaches, skin rashes and sore throats. The prevention of this condition could help to maintain health and happiness for the people residing within, also reducing avoidable sick days.
As temperatures continually increase within the UK, so does the heat on energy managers to find suitable solutions. Faced with a mounting list of expectations such as costefficiency, sustainability and the prioritisation of occupant comfort, energy managers need more effective technologies like TABS at hand. TABS offers advantages to key stakeholders including energy managers and building inhabitants. The environment could also benefit from lower carbon emissions. The technology should not be overlooked in its ability to self-sufficiently regulate temperatures and futureproof buildings for years to come. https://bs.rehau.com/uk-en/solutions-forbuilding-technology/underfloor-heating/ thermally-activated-building-structures
CLEARVUE HEADLINES AT EMEX 2025 WITH AI FOR ENERGY, CARBON AND COST
EMEX, the UK’s flagship energy management exhibition, saw a commanding presence from ClearVUE, as the company showcased its revolutionary AI-driven platform’s data integrity, decision-making capabilities and cost optimisation, designed to help businesses manage energy, sustainability, and compliance with confidence.
During live sessions, ClearVUE technology challenged the limits of traditional energy monitoring, via the introduction of their proprietary AImodel, IRIS. In tandem with ClearVUE. Zero – the company’s energy and carbon real time data monitoring system – IRIS showed visitors the power of intelligently focusing on energy and carbon savings while driving real change.
A key feature is IRIS’ data-driven and sector specific recommendations that are easily tailored to an individual organisation’s operations. Cost savings, carbon reductions, and net zero procurement decisions are then presented with the level of rigour expected by boards, auditors, and regulators.
A REAL-TIME SYSTEM OF RECORD FOR ENERGY AND CARBON
ClearVUE.Zero provides facilities managers, energy teams, and finance leaders with consistent, timestamped, and verifiable data across multiple sites, production lines and operational activities. Designed to ingest and process high-resolution consumption data from across estate portfolios – down to circuit-level resolution – ClearVUE. Zero facilitates audit-ready reporting for SECR, SBTi, and internal ESG mandates.
At EMEX 2025, visitors to Stand B20 saw the power of ClearVUE.Zero combined with ClearVUE.IRIS and how it is fast becoming the digital assistant of choice for energy managers and sustainability teams. At their fingertips, and within seconds, they now have enhanced visibility of weekend baseload drift in large logistics hubs, granularity on HVAC anomalies in multi-storey office estates and much more.
The platform’s ability to compare energy consumption by asset, circuit, or site – at 15-minute intervals and automate scope 1 and 2 carbon tracking
– was central to its strong reception among the event’s technical audience.
“Having worked in energy management for over 30 years across the globe, this is the first platform I’ve seen that truly assists energy managers,” said Dan Smith, Director of Energy Services at ClearVUE. “It automates the timeconsuming data analysis we used to spend hours on and delivers the clarity and accountability that energy managers have been demanding for years.”
INTRODUCING IRIS: THE EMBEDDED AI FOR OPERATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
ClearVUE.IRIS’ ability to transform raw consumption patterns into action-orientated recommendations, gives businesses a way to act faster – and with greater confidence.
At the heart of IRIS is its Opportunity Engine – a continuously updating intelligence layer that interprets live data and surfaces the most impactful interventions across an estate. It detects and it quantifies anomalies, contextualises them, and converts them into clearly defined opportunities,
allowing organisations to focus resources on the changes that matter most.
“There remains a gap between an organisation’s ambitions and the current status quo,” added Dr David Lloyd.
“Identifying and prioritising the most impactful actions remains an outstanding challenge. IRIS is able to bridge that gap, by transforming company specific data and contextual information into a feasible and credible sustainability strategy.”
What interested delegates the most was the level of precision in IRIS’s recommendations. Unlike generic alerting systems, IRIS explains the problem, attributes causality, and ranks actions by savings potential, ease of resolution, and time-to-impact. Each issue is assigned to an owner, complete with rationale and expected benefit – creating accountability across departments.
Live demonstrations – delivered by ClearVUE’s energy consultants and technical directors – enabled EMEX attendees to interact directly with the platform, explore real case studies, and ask questions in their own words.
Delegates responded positively to the platform’s ease of use, the breadth and depth of its analytical capabilities, and the high degree of automated number-crunching behind its recommendations – with many noting that IRIS’s outputs were already fit for presentation to boards and finance teams.
Kai Whiting, ClearVUE’s Sustainability Strategy and Content Lead, noted the growing demand from businesses for transparent and actionable intelligence. “There’s nothing hypothetical about the pressure businesses are under to reduce energy waste,” he said. “IRIS gives us the clarity and credibility to work in partnership with your business – helping identify inefficiencies with real data and delivering measurable outcomes that reduce cost and carbon without the guesswork.”
FLEXER: MARKET-FACING AI FOR PROCUREMENT AND RISK TEAMS
While ClearVUE.IRIS specialises in operational efficiency and sustainability, a second AI engine – ClearVUE.Flexer – addresses another one of the most complex challenges businesses face: energy procurement. For organisations with flexible purchasing strategies, Flexer provides a decisive edge. It interprets commodity markets and regulatory structures while assessing non-commodity charges (including DUoS, TNUoS, TRIADs, and CfDs) to flag optimal buying windows and highlight avoidable pass-through costs – helping procurement teams act with greater confidence and precision.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Procurement managers, CFOs, and energy traders visiting the stand saw how Flexer’s forecasting engine could support structured procurement and hedging decisions by exposing where and when cost risk emerges. Forecasted levy impacts, real-time exposure views, and procurement prompts are all presented in the platform with accompanying data logic.
“Our industry has long needed a tool that understands not just price, but exposure,” said Latif Faiyaz, Head of Energy Trading. “Flexer reads the market in a way most risk models can’t – by combining contextual information with real-time data. That means when the market turns, your business can execute pre-modelled actions with speed, certainty, and full internal audit traceability.”
QUANTIFIED RESULTS: 15.3%
AVERAGE IDENTIFIED SAVINGS
Throughout EMEX, ClearVUE revealed new data from recent client implementations. Across the company, there is a track record of having identified an average of 15.3% in actionable energy savings per site –across sectors including manufacturing, education, logistics, and healthcare.
This figure, based on verified and timestamped opportunities with known kWh and £ values, was shared across the company’s headline demo slots and featured in its post-event campaigns. ClearVUE also noted improved action closure rates and shortened time-toimpact for clients using IRIS compared to traditional monitoring and targeting tools.
EMEX TAKEAWAYS: FROM MONITORING TO MOVEMENT
ClearVUE’s presence at EMEX 2025 reinforced a shift already underway in enterprise energy management: moving from passive monitoring to action-led data-driven intelligence. As organisations
face increasing pressure to decarbonise, improve cost stability, and report with audit-grade transparency, the appetite for solutions that combine live data with built-in decision support is growing.
Speaking after the event, David Cole, Director of Global Operations at ClearVUE, reflected on what this shift represents for industry: “We built ClearVUE.IRIS to meet current and future business needs,” he said. “Every business now sits at the intersection of rising energy costs, growing sustainability expectations, and increasing regulatory demands. IRIS equips them with the intelligence to navigate that complexity by enhancing human expertise with the power of AI. We’re already seeing the impact across our global client base: faster decisions, measurable savings, and a marked change in cross-functional alignment. This is the kind of technology businesses need, not just to perform better, but to play their part in a more sustainable world.”
The company also announced new strategic engagements with stadiums, – higher education institutions, and manufacturers all seeking to align sustainability, finance, and facilities functions under one decision system.
NEXT STEPS
Following EMEX, ClearVUE has secured bookings for more comprehensive tailored demonstrations and site assessments –inviting organisations to quantify their own savings potential with IRIS and Flexer.
More information, including postevent materials and use case libraries, can be found at: www.clearvue.business
TAMING COMPLEXITY: NAVIGATING THE NEXT ERA OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Energy management has always demanded precision, but today, it demands nerve; we’re operating in a system that’s been stretched beyond what it was designed to handle.
The electricity grids that many of us depend on were built over a century ago and weren’t created for what they are now expected to support. Decentralised renewables, battery storage and volatile demand have been layered onto existing infrastructure. And at the same time, energyintense facilities such as data centres are drawing power at a scale driving by cloud services and AI workloads that simply didn’t exist even a decade ago. For energy managers, the pressure is real: every decision carries operational, financial and reputational risk.
The International Energy Agency expects global electricity use from data centres to reach around 945 TWh by 2030, that’s roughly equivalent to Japan’s entire national consumption. This growth places unprecedented stress on existing grids, requiring careful balancing of supply and demand, investment in infrastructure, and the integration of renewable energy sources to maintain reliability.
Buildings sit firmly at the centre of this pressure. They account for 30% of energy use worldwide, and they are where efficiency can be gained or lost, fast. Data centres, hospitals, offices and campuses are filled with systems that must run continuously, adapt instantly and prove their performance. Fortunately, technological advancements offer the promise of smarter, more efficient operations. However, these advancements have created a level of complexity that can be hard to manage. Systems that were once straightforward now generate enormous volumes of
Sadiq Syed, SVP – Digital Buildings, Schneider Electric
data which are often siloed. Yet the real challenge is not in gathering this information but in making sense of it in real-time.
For instance, a poorly optimised HVAC system or mismanaged lighting schedule in a large facility can lead to substantial unnecessary energy consumption and significantly higher operational costs.
TOO MUCH DATA, TOO LITTLE CLARITY
Most facilities don’t lack data, in fact they are flooded with it.
Energy managers are expected to understand what is happening across HVAC, lighting, power distribution, on-site generation, backup systems and increasingly complex compliance requirements. Too often, that information lives in separate platforms, owned by different teams that are built for different purposes. Pulling together a clear, real-time view of energy performance can feel like detective work.
The result is friction. Decisions are delayed. Problems stay hidden until they become expensive. It’s telling that a majority of facility managers in EMEA describe their workload as already stretched, with system complexity and advanced analytics adding pressure rather than relief.
In this environment, even small optimisation gaps matter. An HVAC schedule that no longer matches occupancy patterns or a lighting system left running out of hours may seem trivial in isolation, but across a large facility they quietly erode margins and inflate energy bills.
MAKING COMPLEXITY WORK FOR US
If complexity feels like a burden today, it’s because our tools haven’t yet caught up with the systems we are running. But that gap is closing. What’s changing most is how systems relate to one another. Interoperability is moving beyond basic connectivity towards coordination. Assets can respond to shifting conditions rather than simply reporting on them. Operational behaviour starts to adapt over time. Insights gained in one facility begin to inform decisions in another, reducing the need to relearn the same lessons site by site. This is where complexity begins to shift from an obstacle to an asset. Data that once overwhelmed teams will organise itself around decisions that matter. Instead of reacting to issues after the fact, facilities can begin to prepare for what’s coming, whether that’s seasonal demand fluctuations, evolving load profiles or tighter performance constraints from the grid.
TOWARDS CONTINUOUS OPTIMISATION
The next stage of energy management will be defined by real-time insight and continuous optimisation, where decision-making is proactive rather than reactive. Organisations that fail to make this shift will feel the impact quickly. Inefficiencies compound. Flexibility disappears. Energy becomes a growing constraint rather than a managed resource.
To avoid this outcome, energy managers need platforms that scale with their facilities, integrating new technologies and supporting their long-term goals.
A DEFINING MOMENT
The built environment at a pivotal juncture; energy demand is rising, scruity is intensifying and operational resilience is imperative. The question is no longer how much data can a building can generate, but whether the people responsible for it can turn that data into decisive action. Those who do will define a new standard for efficiency and resilience. Those who don’t will find complexity working against them. www.se.com
VOCO ZEAL HOTELS: BALANCING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND GUEST EXPERIENCE WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Zeal Hotels was founded in 2012 with a clear ambition: to develop hotels that meaningfully reduce carbon emissions, not only in operation but across their entire lifecycle. That vision has now been realised in voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, the UK’s first net zero carbon hotel, developed in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Valor Hospitality.
Opened in March 2025, the 142-bedroom hotel sets a new benchmark for sustainable hospitality. Designed to operate entirely on renewable and solar energy, it targets an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of below 55 kWh/m². Crucially, the building is energy positive, generating more energy annually than it consumes. In parallel, the construction achieves the RIBA 2030 embodied carbon target, with emissions of under 750 kgCO2/m².
The hotel also forms part of a pilot for the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, contributing real-world performance data to help establish consistent definitions and metrics across the built environment in line with national 2050 targets.
INNOVATION IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Situated on a 5,000 m² site at Exeter Science Park, the hotel includes a restaurant, bar, conference and private dining facilities, gym, and electric vehicle and e-bike charging. Sustainability has shaped every aspect of its design.
The building follows Passivhaus principles, delivering exceptional thermal efficiency and airtightness. It uses adiabatic cooling and heat-reversible pumps to minimise reliance on traditional mechanical cooling systems. The façade features Solarlab vertical photovoltaic panels, the first UK installation of this technology used as rainscreen cladding. Low-carbon materials were also prioritised, including Ecocrete, which offers up to 85% lower CO2 emissions than conventional cement.
As Zeal Hotels Founding Director Tim Wheeldon explains: “By harnessing renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient designs, and utilising innovative technology, we have created a space that prioritises
environmental responsibility while still delivering comfort and quality.”
BALANCING COMFORT AND EFFICIENCY
Achieving net zero performance in hospitality presents a unique challenge. Hotels must maintain consistent guest comfort while managing highly variable occupancy and usage patterns. According to Dan Palmer, who oversees the hotel’s energy management, “We could always be more efficient, but there is a fine line between guest comfort and energy efficiency.”
This is where the Prefect Irus energy management system plays a central role. Unlike traditional building management systems, Irus provides room-by-room monitoring and analysis, allowing the team to understand how individual spaces perform in realworld conditions via the Irus Portal.
Dan highlights the importance of this granular visibility: “During extreme temperatures of 30 to 36°C, I can monitor how each room is performing and see exactly how the building is responding.” The system also enabled detailed analysis of solar gains, clearly showing temperature rises on the south-facing elevation as light levels increased.
When persistent hotspots were detected in certain rooms, Irus’ Investigator tool helped trace the issue to heat transfer from a boiler room below. The addition of an extractor fan resolved the problem quickly and efficiently.
The platform also supports the management of adiabatic cooling, using performance data to verify that ventilation
rates, humidity control, and thermal conditions are operating as designed.
A PLATFORM FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
For Zeal Hotels, data-driven insight underpins a culture of continuous optimisation. Irus enables ongoing refinement of heating and cooling profiles, boost times, and integration with wider BMS platforms such as Trend.
“We are measuring everything in this hotel – electricity, water – data is king,” says Dan. “With Irus, we have the evidence of what works, and that learning will inform future developments.”
By combining progressive building design with intelligent energy management, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park demonstrates how net zero hospitality can be achieved without compromising the guest experience, setting a powerful precedent for the wider industry. www.prefectcontrols.com
BEYOND PRICE CERTAINTY: RETHINKING ENERGY PROCUREMENT
IN A VOLATILE POWER MARKET
For industrial and commercial (I&C) energy consumers, procurement has long been driven by a single overriding objective: price certainty. Fixed-price contracts, long-term supply agreements, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) have been the default tools for managing exposure to wholesale power markets. They deliver predictability, can align with sustainability targets, and provide comfort in periods of rising prices. Yet certainty alone does not equal value.
As power markets evolve, it is becoming increasingly clear that strategies built solely around long-term price fixing struggle to deliver optimal outcomes over time. In an environment defined by renewable-driven volatility, sharper intraday price swings, and frequent structural change, energy procurement must now balance cost protection and cost efficiency – not trade one for the other.
WHY TRADITIONAL HEDGING LEAVES VALUE ON THE TABLE
Long-term fixed pricing plays an important role in energy risk management, but it has a structural weakness: if markets fall, consumers are locked in at their fixed price and fail to benefit from lower prices. That cost takes several forms:
• Embedded risk premiums within fixed prices
• Trading and structuring fees that are often opaque
• Opportunity loss when wholesale prices fall below the fixed level
Over the past decade, wholesale electricity prices have repeatedly undershot forward market expectations. In those periods, consumers locked into fixed pricing paid materially more than the realised cost of energy. While this underperformance may not be visible in any single year, it becomes increasingly pronounced when assessed over longer time horizons.
Put simply, price certainty does not guarantee cost minimisation.
A BROADER TOOLKIT FOR MODERN ENERGY BUYERS
Power markets today offer more than a binary choice between fixed and floating prices. Increased liquidity, better data, and a growing ecosystem of financial risk-transfer
solutions have expanded what is possible for sophisticated buyers. Most procurement approaches still fall into one of three categories:
1. Fixed pricing. Locking in prices offers protection against adverse market movements and simplifies budgeting. However, when prices trend lower or fall sharply, organisations remain committed to above-market costs, often for years.
2. Floating pricing. Index-linked procurement allows organisations to fully benefit from falling prices and avoids embedded premiums. The trade-off is exposure to extreme price events, which can severely disrupt budgets and cash flow.
3. Hybrid models. Blended strategies aim to balance these risks but typically require active management, frequent rebalancing, and ongoing market engagement. Each adjustment introduces frictional costs and operational complexity. While each approach has merit, none fully resolves the tension between protecting budgets and capturing market opportunity.
SEPARATING RISK PROTECTION FROM ENERGY PURCHASING
An alternative framework is one that separates price risk management from physical energy procurement.
Rather than embedding risk protection inside energy supply contracts, this approach uses external, AA-rated insurance to cap exposure to extreme price events. Energy itself continues to be purchased at market-linked rates through an existing supplier, ensuring full participation when prices fall.
Key characteristics include:
• Protection against upward price spikes through insurance
• Direct benefit from lower wholesale prices when markets soften
• No requirement to change supplier or restructure supply contracts
• Clearly defined cost ceilings aligned with internal risk limits Because risk is priced explicitly rather than embedded within energy rates, this model improves transparency and avoids many of the hidden costs associated with fixed-price contracts.
Solutions such as the Paratus structure, backed by Lloyd’s of London, are designed specifically to operate alongside standard utility supply agreements, offering a practical path to more efficient risk management.
WHAT THE DATA SHOWS
Using UK power price data from 2014 to 2024 (sourced from Bloomberg), a comparative analysis was conducted across three procurement strategies:
1. Annual forward price fixing
2. Full exposure to realised market prices
3. Market exposure combined with insured price protection
Over the ten-year period, the insured market-exposure approach delivered more than £10/MWh in cumulative savings relative to fixed-price hedging after accounting for the full cost of the insurance.
For a 100,000 MWh annual portfolio, that equates to over £1 million per year in value, without increasing exposure to extreme price events.
A SHIFT IN PROCUREMENT THINKING
The implication is not that fixed pricing or PPAs should be abandoned. Rather, they should be viewed as components of a broader strategy – not the strategy itself.
As markets become harder to predict, resilience comes from flexibility. Procurement models that allow participation in favourable market outcomes, while retaining protection against tail risks, are structurally better suited to today’s energy landscape.
The era of one-way energy procurement is ending. The future belongs to strategies that recognise uncertainty and are designed to perform because of it, not in spite of it.
In modern power markets, managing energy costs is no longer about choosing between certainty and opportunity. With the right tools, organisations can, and increasingly must, achieve both. www.paratusltd.com
MEETING NET ZERO TARGETS: WHY DIGITAL ENERGY SOLUTIONS MATTER
Net zero is no longer optional, it’s essential. UK businesses face mounting pressure to cut carbon emissions, comply with regulations, and lead on sustainability. The UK is legally committed to achieving net zero by 2050, with interim targets of reducing emissions by 50% by 2032 and 75% by 2037. Buildings account for around 25% of the UK’s carbon footprint, making them a critical focus for decarbonisation. Action must start now.
PROVEN SUCCESS: TESCO
Tesco, with nearly 3,400 sites, has partnered with E.ON for 17 years, using Optimum and our Energy Management Centre services to cut energy costs, achieving a 50% annual energy reduction. Committed to net zero by 2050, Tesco follows a science-based strategy powered by our energy management systems’ tracking and data insights.
WHY NET ZERO MATTERS
Climate regulations are tightening, and businesses must meet ambitious carbon targets and mandatory reporting requirements. Achieving net zero reduces costs, mitigates compliance risks, and strengthens competitiveness. It’s not just an environmental goal, it’s about future-proofing your organisation and managing risk.
THE ROLE OF DIGITAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Manual reporting and reactive maintenance can’t keep pace with today’s demands. Businesses need real-time visibility, data-driven insights, and automated controls to achieve goals efficiently. That’s where E.ON Optimum comes in. By integrating smart meters, building systems, and IoT sensors, Optimum centralises energy data, covering all utilities, building sensors, and CO2 into one powerful platform. It transforms energy management from a back-office task into a strategic advantage.
HOW OPTIMUM ACCELERATES NET ZERO
Optimum is more than software; it’s an energy intelligence system delivering measurable impact:
• Real-Time Monitoring and Control. Visualise energy data across multiple sites to identify inefficiencies instantly, such as excess power use or fluctuating heating demands.
• Advanced Analytics for Smarter Decisions. Tools like Day/Night and Weekday Analysis uncover patterns missed by traditional reporting, enabling targeted strategies to cut waste and emissions.
• KPI Management for Business Alignment. Link energy data to operational metrics (e.g., energy per stored product or housing unit) for informed decisions balancing sustainability and performance.
• Simplified Compliance. Automate data collection and reporting to stay audit-ready without diverting resources from core operations.
• Remote Multi-Site Management. Monitor and control energy use across dispersed sites from anywhere, ideal for large portfolios.
OPTIMUM FOR EVERY SECTOR
Regardless of industry, energy goals are similar: reduce costs, meet compliance, and achieve sustainability. Optimum offers:
• Full visibility of energy consumption
• Automated reporting and compliance support
• Environmental monitoring for sensitive goods and occupant comfort
• Actionable insights to uncover savings and cut emissions The reporting dashboards below highlight Optimum features that support tracking and management of carbon emissions, ensuring alignment with your sustainability objectives.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT
Net zero is urgent. Digital solutions like Optimum empower businesses to control energy use, lower costs, and accelerate sustainability. Whether managing warehouses, housing estates, or retail networks, Optimum turns energy management into a strategic advantage.
READY TO START YOUR JOURNEY TO NET ZERO?
Complete our online form for a tailored energy management package.
PEOPLE POWERING THE PATH TO NET ZERO
Taking action on climate change isn’t just about reducing emissions, it’s about improving people’s everyday lives. By making public buildings and homes more energy-efficient, we create spaces that are warmer, healthier, and more comfortable to live, work and learn in.
At the same time, these improvements reduce energy bills, making life more affordable for households and easing pressure on public sector budgets. Supporting the UK government in its climate goals allows us to achieve these dual benefits: tackling the climate crisis while delivering tangible improvements for our communities across the country. Investing in low-carbon infrastructure is not only the right thing to do environmentally but also makes economic sense, delivering long-term value for households, organisations and society, now and for generations to come.
At Salix, we’re privileged to work with a wide range of stakeholders, from central and devolved governments to hundreds of public sector organisations, contractors and delivery partners across the UK. While our roles may differ, we share common goals: to reduce emissions, reduce energy bills and to help people live and work in more comfortable, healthier environments.
At Salix, we focus on how energy is used across public buildings and homes, supporting organisations to reduce demand, improve efficiency and decarbonise heat. Energy efficiency technology plays a vital role, and our experience consistently shows that people are key to making a difference. It is the leadership, expertise and commitment of individuals across the public sector that drive progress. Technology enables change, but people make it happen. And we see its impact on the people who use these buildings whether it’s lowering household bills or helping a hospital patient recover more effectively because the ward has a better-controlled environment.
That belief in change being possibly takes us to sites across the country. Over the past year, our teams have travelled extensively to meet stakeholders face to face, visiting people’s homes, schools, NHS hospitals, council offices,
Ian Rodger, director public sector decarbonisation, Salix
town halls, libraries and universities. These visits allow us to see first-hand how energy efficiency technologies –including solar panels, heat pumps, heat networks, building fabric improvements and low-carbon heating systems – are making a real difference to people. We get to listen, learn and understand the challenges faced by those delivering projects on the ground.
From headteachers creating warmer, lower-cost learning environments, to NHS estates teams decarbonising critical healthcare infrastructure, to councils upgrading civic buildings for their communities, we have met highly inspiring people leading complex projects with determination and pride. Their work is helping organisations cut emissions, lower energy bills and progress towards ambitious net zero targets.
Our collective impact is significant. Since 2020, Salix has awarded £2.9 billion to more than 1,200 projects through phases 1 to 3 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. By the end of 2024-25, total Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme grant awards in England reached £3.7 billion, supporting schemes valued at more than £4.6 billion. These projects are projected to save more than 550,000 tonnes of CO2e every year. Alongside this, we have delivered more than 35,000 energy efficiency improvement measures to improve social housing.
Innovation remains central to our approach. In 2025, deep geothermal schemes were approved for the first time through Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, supporting the deployment of novel low-carbon heat technology at the University of York, Countess of Chester Hospital and University Hospitals Birmingham.
We are equally proud of our work in housing. Through phases 2.1 and 2.2 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, £454 million was invested in 2024-25, delivering energy efficiency improvements to more than 17,000 homes. In the same year, more than £162 million was paid through the Home Upgrade Grant, enabling improvements to around
10,000 homes and helping reduce fuel poverty while cutting emissions.
Our work extends across the UK. In Scotland, 23 projects benefited from a £25 million investment through the first two phases of Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund, with savings forecast at more than 3,000 tonnes of CO2e each year. In Wales, we support Digarbon, and the Wales Funding Program helping the public sector and tertiary education sectors decarbonise their estates, with more than £40 million awarded in the last two years.
We are also working with both governments to fund solar panels on the roofs of schools, council buildings and universities with funding provided through GB Energy.
Alongside funding and delivery, sharing learning is a core part of how we work. We engage with people in many ways to exchange insight, build capability and support delivery. We run regular webinars and learning events, host a podcast featuring world-leading innovators, policymakers and climate experts, including scientists as well as storytellers.
This is not the time to stand still. We continue to deliver the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme until the currently funded projects complete in 2028 and our work with Scotland, Wales and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority is ongoing.
We are passionate about supporting councils, schools, housing associations, hospitals and universities to improve energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact and create better places to live, work, use and visit.
There is much more planned for 2026 as we continue to expand how we connect with and support the sector. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead. Together we can make a difference.
We want to hear from you. Visit www.salixfinance.co.uk to find out more, join our events, listen to our podcast, and tell us what you think.
MAKE 2026 THE YEAR YOUR STEAM SYSTEM PERFORMS AT ITS BEST
Every January, plants and facilities set ambitious goals: improve efficiency, reduce costs, cut emissions and boost reliability. But for steam-using sites across manufacturing, healthcare, energy and processing, one truth remains constant: When the steam system runs well, everything else gets easier. Whether 2025 brought progress or pain points, the new year offers a powerful opportunity to reset, refocus and optimise. And the facilities that commit early to steam system improvements often see the biggest gains in uptime, energy savings, compliance and overall operational stability.
Here’s how to make 2026 your most reliable, efficient and productive year yet.
1. START WITH A CLEAR VIEW OF SYSTEM HEALTH
Most performance problems in steam systems don’t start as major failures, they start as small, almost invisible losses:
• A trap that’s slowly drifting
• A valve that’s responding less accurately
• Insulation gaps that bleed heat
• A strainer that’s quietly fouling Pressure drops that no one notices (yet)
A system health assessment or trap survey at the start of the year gives you:
A baseline efficiency score
A list of cost-saving opportunities
A clear maintenance roadmap
Prioritised actions based on ROI
A few hours of insight in January can deliver benefits all year long.
2. TARGET THE QUICK WINS THAT DELIVER BIG RETURNS
Optimisation doesn’t have to be disruptive. In fact, some of the highestvalue improvements are simple:
• Repairing or replacing failed steam traps. A single blow-through trap can waste thousands of pounds a year.
• Restoring insulation on distribution piping. One of the easiest and most immediate energy savings.
• Cleaning or replacing strainer screens. Restores flow, protects valves and improves process stability. Checking control valve performance. Prevents drift, improves batch quality and reduces energy input. These small changes add up quickly especially across large or ageing systems.
3. MODERNISE WHERE IT MATTERS
If 2026 is the year you push for investment, target upgrades with proven impact: High-efficiency steam traps. Higher reliability, longer life, lower lifecycle cost.
• Smart monitoring / digital trap solutions. Always-on alerts for failure, leakage and blow-through.
• Precision control valves. Better accuracy, better product quality, less energy waste. Not every system needs a full digital transformation but smarter, more reliable components pay for themselves fast.
4. STRENGTHEN YOUR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE STRATEGY
Success in 2026 depends on what you prevent, not what you react to. A strong preventative approach includes: Trap surveys at defined intervals
• Annual valve and actuator checks
• Gasket and seal replacements before failure
• Routine strainer cleaning
• Scheduled boilerhouse inspections
• Seasonal system readiness checks When the right actions happen at the right time, downtime becomes rare and planned, not forced.
5. BUILD YOUR +1 CRITICAL SPARE STRATEGY
Last-minute supply issues cost plants more every year. In 2026, smarter facilities will:
• Hold a +1 spare for high-risk components
• Keep gasket, disc, and seat kits on hand
Stock the most common trap internals
Prepare seasonal spare packs for winter
• Maintain correct sensor, probe and valve spares With global supply chains still unpredictable, resilience will beat risk every time.
6. CONSIDER A SERVICE PLAN AS YOUR SAFETY NET
A Spirax Sarco Service Plan gives your team:
• Predictable maintenance budgets
• Regular system inspections
• Proactive part replacements
• Confidence during audits and compliance reviews
• Engineer support when you need it most
Lower energy use through sustained performance
If optimisation is your 2026 resolution, a Service Plan is the fastest way to make it stick.
7. MEASURE WHAT MATTERS AND CELEBRATE THE WINS
What gets measured, improves. Track the KPIs that tell the real performance story: Steam trap failure rate
Condensate recovery percentage
• Cost of steam
• Product temperature stability
• Monthly steam losses avoided
• Maintenance hours saved
• CO2 emissions reduced
When you quantify success, you justify investment and build momentum.
2026: A YEAR FOR SMARTER, SAFER, MORE EFFICIENT STEAM SYSTEMS
Steam may be a traditional technology but optimised steam is a competitive advantage. Plants that make reliability a priority in January stand stronger in every quarter that follows. Whether your goal this year is efficiency, uptime, sustainability, compliance or cost reduction, your steam system is the lever that helps you achieve it.
READY TO START YOUR 2026 OPTIMISATION JOURNEY?
www.spiraxsarco.com
CPD TO UNLOCK SOLAR FOR PUBLIC ESTATES
As public sector estates teams and facilities managers accelerate their Net Zero Carbon commitments, the role of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has shifted from optional to essential. For public sector professionals managing large property portfolios, solar integration can enhance energy resilience, reduce lifecycle costs, and maintain regulatory compliance across a diverse range of asset types.
Garland UK’s latest CPD, ‘Solar PV for Sustainable Buildings: Design, Installation, and Compliance Essentials’, is designed to support public sector facilities managers, estates teams and procurement leads in navigating the growing complexities of renewable energy systems. The session equips professionals with the tools to integrate PV safely, costeffectively and with confidence, avoiding the common pitfalls that can arise at the intersection of building envelope performance, system compatibility, and regulatory risk.
CLOSING THE KNOWLEDGE GAP
Solar PV is often seen as a design-stage consideration, but its true implications, on maintenance, roof warranties, and long-term building performance, are often realised postinstallation. That’s where public sector estates teams play a critical role. This CPD specifically addresses that gap, offering practical knowledge that helps local authority and NHS estates teams make informed decisions well before a system is procured or installed.
By focusing on real-world application and operational insight, the training goes beyond the drawing board. Participants explore how to plan for structural loading, roof interface challenges, and the coordination of solar and waterproofing systems, all while ensuring that installations can be maintained safely over time without compromising system warranties or building access protocols.
GUARANTEEING SYSTEM ACCOUNTABILITY
A common concern for public sector estates managers is the fragmentation of accountability when multiple systems, such as roofing and solar PV, are installed by separate parties. Garland UK addresses this head-on with a SinglePoint Guarantee that covers the design, materials, and installation of both systems. This means one provider is responsible for performance, simplifying future maintenance, repair, or dispute resolution.
The CPD also explains how this integrated approach helps avoid premature
failure due to incompatibility or poor sequencing. By understanding how solar arrays affect waterproofing membranes, from penetrations and mounting systems to drainage and heat build-up, estates professionals can safeguard their investment and protect against invalidated warranties. This reduces lifecycle costs and ensures that systems deliver performance throughout the asset’s life.
PLANNING FOR LONGTERM RESILIENCE
With energy prices volatile and carbon reporting becoming a board-level issue, public sector facilities professionals must make smarter, future-proof decisions. Solar PV is one of the few technologies that can provide both cost savings and carbon reductions, but only if it’s specified and installed correctly. This CPD helps estates teams align solar investments with broader asset management strategies, ESG targets, and planned maintenance schedules. Importantly, the training doesn’t just focus on immediate payback or generation yield. It explores how solar PV can support long-term public sector estate decarbonisation and provide resilience in the face of climate-related operational challenges. Public sector facilities managers will come away with a clearer understanding of how solar PV fits into the wider picture of building performance, funding streams (like PSDS), and environmental compliance.
SUPPORTING SMARTER DESCISION- MAKING
Developed by Garland UK’s in-house technical experts and approved by RIBA, this CPD provides trusted, peerreviewed insight at a time when decisionmakers need it most. It is tailored to professionals responsible for balancing budgets, maintaining compliance, and delivering sustainable outcomes across a public-sector building portfolio.
As Andy Rooke at Garland UK explains, “Public sector estates teams face unique challenges when implementing renewable technologies. This CPD was created to give them the knowledge they need to integrate solar confidently, avoid costly design errors, and ensure their systems remain compliant and high-performing across the asset lifecycle.”
BOOK YOUR FREE CPD
Garland UK offers this CPD as a face-to-face session for public sector teams across the UK. Whether you’re planning a major retrofit programme or exploring solar for future capital upgrades, this training provides the technical and strategic insight to move forward with confidence.
To arrange a CPD session and explore Garland UK’s full range of accredited training modules, visit www.garlanduk.com
HOW POLICY CHANGES IN ONSHORE WIND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES IN RELATION TO COST EFFICIENCIES AND ENERGY SECURITY
Last year’s change in government has brought about a change in energy policy more supportive of renewable energy generation.
One of the most significant changes has been July 2024’s Policy statement on onshore wind, along with the government’s draft revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Removing the footnote in the NPPF which had put onshore wind on an uneven footing compared with other renewable technologies has removed a significant barrier to turbine installation.
The government has also committed to doubling onshore wind capacity by 2030. Much of this capacity is likely to come from Scottish projects and repowering projects in England by upgrading existing sites. However, this policy change also presents an opportunity for sites with high energy use, enabling them to generate energy locally, making long-term energy cost savings and supporting energy security.
Sites can install a turbine onsite or nearby which connects directly into the building to provide energy. These turbines often range from 200kW to 4MW. Sizing will be driven by energy demand, planning considerations and grid capacity, depending on how much energy is likely to be exported. The renewable energy will offset consumption from the grid which can often equate to 22-26p/kWh in the current market. Any energy that is not used can be exported to the grid for a lower price of 7-9p/kWh through an export power purchase agreement (PPA).
Site owners should note that sites which have previously been discounted may now be viable, as a result of the advances in technology and increased means of mitigating issues relating to radar and aviation.
Jamie Baxter, Associate Partner, Carter Jonas
High-energy users have often already installed some solar PV at their sites, but energy output naturally peaks during the summer months. Wind turbines, on the other hand, generate electricity all year round but mostly during the winter months. As a result, a turbine can complement an existing solar installation on such sites.
Battery storage can also complement wind turbines, storing excess energy generated onsite to be used later. While battery storage costs have, and continue, to come down, they are still high. As a result, it is important to consider whether a battery is really required on a project-by-project basis.
The main drivers for using batteries on site are where maximising onsite usage of renewable energy is key, potentially due to energy security or other ESG targets, and where there are restrictions on available grid capacity, which results in minimal or no export being available.
As with all renewable energy generation, the resources available vary by location and one of the first stages with any wind project is to understand the local wind speeds. Once these are known, then it is possible to understand the business case in more detail. For example, a 1MW turbine can generate in the region of 3,000 MWh annually (depending on wind speed). Typical costs of £1.3m – £1.5m per MW will vary as a result of the logistics of delivery, any planning mitigations and ground conditions. The payback period is highly dependent on energy consumption but the more that is used onsite, the quicker the payback. An export PPA
can be arranged for any electricity which is exported, but the turbine should ideally be sized to minimise export.
While the last year’s policy change means that onshore wind is again on a level footing with other types of renewable energy generation, turbines still need to pass through the full planning application process. There is no longer the potential for a single objection to derail a wind project, rather the local authorities need to take local opinion into account while assessing the overall value of development. They must also be supported by the necessary surveys, studies and planning case. There is a wide range of constraints which can impact a turbine development and these must be assessed at the outset. One example is nearby residential developments and appropriate clearance distances from paths and roads. One of the benefits of installing wind schemes near a building with high energy use and connecting directly into the building is that it presents a clear rationale for the turbine to be at that location, which can greatly help with building the case with the planning authority.
With a much more positive approach to onshore wind being taken by government, we see huge potential for companies to take advantage of the opportunity to install a wind turbine at their site, allowing buildings to generate their own renewable energy with the potential for considerable savings on energy costs to drive a quick payback on this investment. www.carterjonas.co.uk
SOLAR ON PRESCRIPTION: THE FUTURE OF ENERGY IN HEALTHCARE ESTATES
Fiona Keysell, Director of Consultancy and Jim Howlett, Business Development Manager – Public
Sector at RenEnergy UK Ltd
With NHS England spending approximately £1.4 billion on energy, and demand only rising, the value of solar photovoltaic (PV) is not just a trend, it is increasingly a strategic consideration for NHS estates as decarbonisation continues to fundamentally change how energy is produced and consumed on site. For estates directors and energy managers tasked with delivering net zero ambitions while maintaining resilience and affordability, on-site generation is central to long term planning.
THE EMERGENCE OF ELECTRIFICATION
Healthcare estates are extremely energy intensive. Beyond lighting and HVAC demand, many host operations 24/7 and rely on power for specialised medical equipment. Demand is constant, and systems that can produce clean energy, affordably on-site are increasingly attractive.
Currently, an era of electrification is being ushered into the healthcare sector. Electrification enables displacement of fossil fuels when paired with low-carbon electricity generation allowing heat and transport to be decarbonised. When implemented correctly, electrification can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve system efficiencies, and support long-term cost control.
However, as with every conversation that centres around sustainability
and decarbonisation, it must be grounded in operational reality. The electrification of heat is significantly increasing electricity demand across NHS estates. This demand is increasing faster than on-site generation capacity.
It’s a pattern that is becoming increasingly common across NHS estates in England and Wales. As more trusts move away from reliance on gas, the reality is that energy costs may rise before the benefits of decarbonisation are fully realised.
Decarbonisation is not something healthcare estates can delay or ignore. As national policy, funding mechanisms, and public accountability continue to evolve, estate teams are under growing pressure to act. This means that if electrification is to be pursued at scale, it cannot be delivered in isolation.
Measures are required that both offset increased electrical demand and mitigate long-term exposure to energy price volatility. This is where solar PV presents a clear and compelling opportunity
SOLAR AS A SOLUTION
Solar is increasingly deployed as the solution across the healthcare sector. Implementing and expanding a solar PV portfolio allows healthcare estate managers to transition toward electrification with greater confidence, while meeting rising electric demand and reducing reliance on imported grid electricity. We are already seeing many healthcare estates maximise rooftop potential, leading to additional deployment options, such as carports integrated with electric vehicle charging infrastructure, being explored.
But this is not as simple as including solar as a simple “add-on” project. The relationship between solar and wider estate infrastructure has evolved, and a more integrated, front-loaded approach to project development has become critical. Large NHS solar schemes now sit within a complex landscape of heat electrification, grid capacity constraints, private wire arrangements, export limitations, and site-wide energy controls
There are projects where funding has been secured, yet systems remain at risk from not being fully energised or optimised. This can be due to Distribution Network Operator (DNO) constraints, protection settings, or control strategies that have not been adequately considered at an early stage. The result is delay, re-design, and additional cost, often at a point where time, capital, and internal resource are already constrained.
By engaging early with experienced solar and energy infrastructure specialists, healthcare estates can ensure that grid capacity, export
management, future electrification plans, and operational constraints are fully understood and designed into the scheme from the outset. This engagement should ideally take place before funding applications are submitted, to ensure value for money is protected. The objective is to avoid stranded assets and ensure that solar actively supports the wider decarbonisation strategy of the estate, rather than creating unintended challenges in the longer term.
PACE SETTING IN HEALTHCARE
While decarbonisation remains a hot button issue for the sector, electrification alone is not a complete solution. Solar PV provides a critical balancing mechanism, helping healthcare estates maintain operational resilience while progressing towards net zero targets, without disproportionately increasing operating costs.
Health estates can realise significant financial and operational benefits by
expanding their PV portfolios. Rooftop systems remain the foundation for many sites, but the next phase of deployment increasingly includes solar carports, particularly where electric vehicle infrastructure is also required. To deliver these projects effectively, collaboration and early partnerships with technical specialists is essential ensuring that solar generation, electrification, and grid constraints are considered as part of a single, coordinated energy strategy.
The healthcare estates that invest in well-planned solar infrastructure today will help set the pace for the sector. Leadership will not be defined by speed alone, but by the quality of planning, integration, and delivery. Those organisations that act early, with expertise rather than urgency are likely to become reference points for how decarbonisation can be achieved in a way that is resilient, affordable, and operationally sound.
Find out more: https://www.renenergy.co.uk/
SAFEGUARDING SOLAR SYSTEMS: A GUIDE FOR UK BUSINESSES
Improved economics and increased awareness of solar energy as a viable and sustainable alternative to grid power are leading more companies to go solar. With the potential to benefit businesses large and small, smart energy solutions are cropping up on unused rooftops of manufacturing plants, warehouses, retail outlets, data centres, airports and other transport hubs, and more. Much of the attraction is economic, especially in an environment of rising electricity consumption. However, there is also a strong altruistic motive in installing a solar power system. Lowering a company’s carbon footprint naturally benefits the environment by cutting down on CO2 emissions and helping to reduce the effects of climate change. Today, a forwardlooking corporate environmental program, as part of a broader, robust ESG strategy, has become as essential as a balance sheet, with many leading UK companies promoting their own ambitious zero carbon targets.
Accordingly, solar PV (photovoltaic) systems are now viewed as long-term investments that need to be closely managed and monitored in order to maximise ROI and bottom line savings. As with any serious investment, stakeholders must ensure that the assets they are financing are safe and secure from physical harm. Commercial buildings are high-value assets, and in the event of a fire, property loss and business interruptions can be costly. Of even greater importance is the need to protect the people who work in and visit those buildings, as well as the wider community.
PUTTING SOLAR SAFETY FIRST
With millions of systems installed worldwide, solar PV is proven to be a safe, reliable technology that does not inherently pose a risk to people or property. Commercial infrastructure fires can be caused by many things, including electrical malfunctions in heating systems, factory machinery or even lightning. While fires stemming from solar PV systems are rare, it is important to thoroughly evaluate
As more UK businesses look to solar energy to help them meet their carbon reduction goals and cut energy costs, safety is coming under increasing scrutiny. Here, Christelle Barnes, UK Country Manager of inverter and smart energy solution provider SolarEdge Technologies, explains what businesses need to know to safeguard both their people and property when investing in solar.
As more UK businesses look to solar energy to help them meet their carbon reduction goals and cut energy costs, safety is coming under increasing scrutiny.
the safety of any existing or planned installations, particularly when selecting or upgrading system components.
When a building fire is found to originate from a solar PV system, causes may include installation error or improper maintenance, particularly involving connector wear and tear. These errors may not cause a problem initially, but over time they can potentially lead to electrical faults, which, if not caught, can develop into something more serious. Fortunately, advances in
solar system technology now enable effective detection and prevention of overheating at the connector level – a topic I’ll return to later in this article.
To support safer installations, many technology providers invest in ongoing training. For example, SolarEdge has trained thousands of installation professionals this year alone. However, even when installations are carried out flawlessly, external factors beyond anyone’s control, such as an animal chewing through a cable, can
introduce faults. It is at this point that component selection becomes key.
SAFETY BEGINS AT THE PANEL LEVEL
To mitigate potential solar safety risks, it is important to understand how these systems work. The main components of solar systems are PV panels and inverters. The panels generate electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current (DC). Inverters then convert the DC power to alternating current (AC) used to power homes, buildings and businesses.
As long as the sun is shining, solar panels and cables remain energised with high DC voltages, even if the main circuit breaker is shut off. In the event of a fire, firefighters typically disconnect the grid supply before intervening. They assume there is no risk of electrocution once the grid has been disconnected, allowing the spray of water and creation of holes in the roof so that heat and smoke can dissipate. However, this assumption is not true in the case of a typical PV roof system, as the system is creating its own electricity independent of the grid.
Traditional string inverters typically have limited safety functionality since they do not necessarily reduce the DC voltage when switched off. To meet safety standards, additional hardware may need to be purchased, adding more cost and labour to the installation.
Due to this and other limitations, there has been a notable shift away from traditional string inverters in favour of more advanced systems that leverage DC-optimisation. These systems split
the functionality of a traditional string inverter and use Power Optimizers placed directly onto panels to monitor performance in real time. This not only increases energy production and provides more flexibility in system design and layout, but it also improves safety through embedded safety features that are capable of identifying and mitigating faults at a panel level.
There are two safety features in particular to look out for when investing in solar technology. The first is a SafeDC feature. This is a modulelevel safeguard which minimises the risk of electrocution during installation or standard system maintenance, or in the event of a fire. With traditional inverters, shutting down the inverter or the grid connection will terminate current flow, but DC voltage in the string cables will remain live for as long as the sun is shining, meaning the system still poses an electrocution risk. SafeDC overcomes this problem by automatically reducing the output voltage of each module to a touch-safe level.
The second feature is arc fault detection and prevention. Although rare, arc faults can be triggered by issues like false trips or loose connections and may result in heat buildup that, if undetected, could cause an arc fault to develop. DC-optimised systems monitor terminal blocks for abnormal heat buildup, quickly identifying the source and isolating it to prevent escalation.
Confidence in this technology extends to firefighters installing solar on the roofs of their own fire stations. In the UK, a fire and rescue service selected SolarEdge for 700kW of PV systems
on 12 different fire stations and three headquarter buildings due to these and other embedded safety features.
KNOW YOUR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
As investment in solar increases, safety regulations are being addressed by insurance companies, fire authorities, and utility companies. When planning to invest in solar, it is advisable to include your insurance company early on in the planning stage. Many leading international insurers have developed robust checklists that set out best practice and recommendations on installation methods, rooftop environments, system components, emergency response mechanisms, and other factors. Failure to meet these criteria can result in higher insurance premiums. The customer then has no choice but to retroactively fix the problem, adding considerable expense and a significant delay to the project.
In the UK, as well as globally, an increasing number of businesses are announcing their commitment to decarbonising their operations and achieving net zero. With governments making promises of their own, this signifies a shift to a low-carbon economy and an opportunity to encourage investment and innovation in renewable energy. As the solar industry evolves, so too do the financial opportunities and environmental benefits for commercial businesses. By putting solar safety first, UK businesses can move forward with their decarbonisation strategies with confidence.
https://www.solaredge.com/uk/
There is a notable shift away from traditional string inverters in favour of DC-optimised systems with embedded safety features
There are two safety features in particular to look out for when investing in solar technology – SafeDC and arc fault detection and prevention
EVENTS
POWERING THE UK’S NET-ZERO FUTURE: ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LIVE 2026
As the UK races toward its net-zero targets and seeks to strengthen energy security, one event is fast becoming the heartbeat of the transition.
Energy Technology Live 2026, taking place 11–12 March 2026 at Birmingham’s NEC, will once again bring together the most forwardthinking minds in energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and materials to accelerate the UK’s net-zero targets and energy security ambitions. The event is free to attend and offers access to two co-located shows, an exhibition featuring leading suppliers, and a comprehensive conference programme.
A PLATFORM FOR THE FUTURE OF UK ENERGY
Energy Technology Live has become synonymous with innovation and collaboration across the energy sector. The 2026 edition promises to be no exception, offering a vital forum for stakeholders across the UK’s energy ecosystem to explore the next wave of technologies and sustainable solutions, from grid-scale renewables and industrial decarbonisation to battery storage, hydrogen, and AI-enabled systems.
As the industry navigates increasing pressure to decarbonise, shifting markets, and evolving policy landscapes, it is essential that all corners of the sector come together at Energy Technology Live, armed with the knowledge and connections needed to keep pace with change.
“We can’t wait to bring together the leading innovators and disruptors in distributed, flexible energy and energy storage once again. It’s your chance to see the very latest technologies up close, while meeting the entire energy value chain -from users, network operators and energy generators to technology suppliers, project developers and sustainability leaders. For two action-packed days, this event brings the energy sector together like nowhere else, with unbeatable opportunities to network,
Networking has always been a defining feature of Energy Technology Live. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with peers, suppliers, policymakers and potential partners across the energy ecosystem. The event is designed to spark meaningful connections and long-term collaborations. Whether you’re a policymaker shaping the future of energy, a manufacturer looking to decarbonise operations, or a technology provider ready to scale, Energy Technology Live 2026 offers a rare opportunity to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the UK’s energy transition. Energy Technology Live 2026 takes place 11–12 March at the NEC, Birmingham. Register for your free pass and gain access to professionals across energy, technology, R&D, industry, and policy sectors at https://energytechlive.com/registration/
trade and share ideas.” - Marina Rodousaki, Exhibition Director, Energy Technology Live
FEATURING TWO SHOWS IN ONE
One of the event’s key strengths lies in its co-located format, combining The Distributed Energy Show and The Energy Storage Show under one roof.
The Distributed Energy Show offers a platform for energy users, from local authorities and industrial operators to developers and landowners the chance to explore the technologies and services needed to implement flexible, future-ready energy strategies.
Meanwhile, The Energy Storage Show will spotlight advances in battery and energy storage systems for everything from utility-scale projects to on-site and domestic applications.
With one registration granting access to both shows, attendees can explore the full spectrum of solutions shaping the distributed, decentralised energy landscape.
A CONFERENCE PROGRAMME POWERING THE FUTURE
At the heart of Energy Technology Live is a three-stage conference programme featuring some of the brightest minds in energy strategy and innovation. The 2026 speaker line-up includes experts from Elexon, HSBC, Modo Energy, Octopus Energy, SP Energy Networks, Zenobe, Centrica, UK Power Networks, Fike, Form Energy, and Roadnight Taylor, with many more to be announced.
Across three stages, attendees can expect keynote sessions, lively panel debates, and practical case studies, all designed to turn bold ideas into actionable strategies.
“We know that if we’re going to address the challenge of climate change, we need an all-systems approach.” Says Luke Strickland, Net Zero Advisory Lead (Buildings and Cities), Mott MacDonald. “This event is so great at bringing people together at all scales to
explore how we can do things differently— because business as usual doesn’t get us to net-zero, and I think that’s really exciting.”
Key themes for 2026 include Flexibility, Next-Generation Storage, Hydrogen, Heat Networks, Solar, Thermal Energy, and Data-Driven Energy Systems, all hot topics for an industry in transition.
INNOVATION ON DISPLAY
Alongside the conference, the exhibit will feature 200+ companies, showcasing products, technologies, and services that support the transition to cleaner, more efficient energy systems. Expect to see key companies such as 2G Energy, Benning Power Electronics, Caldera, Clarke Energy, DSO – Electricity North West, Energy2, Fike, Flexitricity, Greener Power Solutions, NESO Power Responsive, SunSynk, and Waxman Energy, with many more to be announced.
“Energy Technology Live is an incredible showcase for emerging technologies. Says Mark Meyrick, General Manager, Ecotricity Smart Grid “We saw innovations we hadn’t come across before, and being able to speak directly with the people behind them made it more impactful than watching a clip online. I love it for that.”
CONNECTING THE ENERGY COMMUNITY
EPC UPGRADES OFFERS UK CONTRACTORS & INSTALLERS DECARBONISING OPPORTUNITY
Plans to ensure that all rented properties across the UK will have a minimum EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of C by 2030 are underway. Presently, just over 2.5 million rented properties maintain a rating in between D and G. This could offer a major business boost to the UK HVAC industry with an unprecedented commercial opportunity that could stimulate both regional and national economies.
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) evaluates and determines the energy efficiency of a property. The key areas within a property that an EPC analyses are its heating & hot water systems, the different building fabric that makes up the walls, floors & ceiling, the efficiency of its windows, lighting & renewable technology within the building. Once a final rating in between A and G is provided to the property a list of suggestions regarding upgrades will also be presented to the landlord. The current minimum rating for a rented domicile is E. For landlords to be able to continue letting properties a minimum energy performance certificate rating of C must be obtained. Each landlord will potentially have to upgrade rented domiciles with double glazing windows, cavity wall, and loft insulation to improve the buildings fabric ‘U-Values’ and thus make the domicile more efficient. The UK government has calculated that homes that fall below the minimum C rating will have to pay in between £6,100 and £6,800. Additionally, the new regulations could stipulate that landlords will have the frequency of EPC renewals shortened whilst HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupancy) will require a valid EPC for the entire property once a single room is rented.
Consultants, specifiers, and installers should be aware that a substantial amount of work is required to enforce new regulations relating to a minimum EPC rating of C on rented properties by 2030.
Based on the support that the then Government set out in the consultation, it is estimated that the proposals cover
Josh Owen of the Rinnai Technical Design looks at some possibilities coming out of the forthcoming EPC scheme.
around 85% of the nondomestic rented stock and will deliver up to 10.3TWh in energy savings by 2030, and 4.1MtCO2e of carbon (non-traded) over Carbon Budget 5 (2028-2032).
A large number of respondents during the consultative period highlighted that, whilst the then Government’s ambition was appropriate, there were significant implementation issues that needed addressing to enable the policy to be successful. This conclusion was supported by the Government’s pilot study, which ran from 2018-2019 and looked at how the enforcement of the PRS (Private Rented Sector) Regulations could be improved.
Rinnai UK is purposely positioned to offer a multitude of decarbonising options including heat pumps, solar hybrid systems, and electric cylinders, all of which provide high performance operation at proven lower costs.
Rinnai systems can accept a wide variety of fuel sources including natural gas, hydrogen, solar and electric. Rinnai also offers several FREE services that are designed specifically to assist customer decision, such as a “Help Me Choose” service option is available at Rinnai’s website www.rinnai-uk.co.uk
This service enables easier product selection through direct contact with a Rinnai professional. A customer can be contacted either via a home number, mobile or email at a time convenient.
Rinnai further provides an array of cost calculation services that will measure your current system’s output in 5-year CAPEX, OPEX and carbon emission cost comparison. Once all relevant data is collected, a Rinnai team member can suggest an appropriate cost and carbon load reducing heating and hot water system that will
accompany the dimensions of your property. Rinnai can guarantee product delivery to any site within 24 hours.
Rinnai’s selection of on-line services enables customer convenience from product viewing, selection and purchase. Rinnai’s inclusive CPD’s, webinars, videos and calculation services ensure customers can access information that improves product knowledge and provides insight into product operational capabilities.
Rinnai aims to inform all UK customers on any legislative amendments that impact energy or product options. Rinnai believe that information sharing improves customer decision making skills when selecting heating and hot water systems. www.rinnaiuk.com
HEAT NETWORKS ENTER A NEW REGULATORY ERA – WHAT IT MEANS FOR HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS AND ENERGY MANAGERS
Neil Fitzsimons, Managing Director, Power On
From January 2026, heat networks in the UK will operate within a new regulated framework under Ofgem. For those responsible for the performance, cost control and compliance of high-rise residential buildings, this represents a significant shift in how communal heating systems must be specified, operated and managed.
The Energy Act (2023) set the direction of travel. From 26 January 2026, heat network providers will formally enter a regulated environment, with a year-long transition period to full compliance. For energy managers, developers and consultants alike, the focus is now turning to how systems can deliver efficiency, transparency and reliability while meeting tightening regulatory and carbon requirements.
OFGEM REGULATION AND ITS IMPACT ON HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Ofgem’s heat network regulation will place clear emphasis on consumer protection, fair pricing, reliability and technical performance. This includes requirements around efficiency standards, metering, transparency and formal authorisation for organisations operating heat networks.
High-rise residential buildings present particular challenges when it comes to heating and cooling. Large numbers of dwellings served by centralised systems must balance performance, resilience and long-term operational cost. Centralised solutions such as Community Heat
Hubs (CHHs) and Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps (NGSHPs) can address these challenges while aligning with Ofgem’s regulatory expectations. From an operational perspective, all heat networks must be authorised by Ofgem in order to operate. For high-rise schemes, this means heating systems will need to demonstrate compliance not only at design stage, but throughout their operational life – a key consideration for those responsible for ongoing energy management.
PREPARING FOR REGULATION THROUGH DESIGN AND OPERATION
As Power On continues to expand its presence in the high-rise residential sector, we are proactively preparing for Ofgem’s regulation by ensuring our Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps (NGSHPs) and Community Heat Hubs (CHHs) meet the required technical and operational standards. These systems are designed to deliver highly efficient, low-carbon heating while reducing reliance on gas. For energy managers, this approach supports predictable performance, lower operational risk and greater long-term cost certainty.
Well-designed heat network systems should be built to:
• Ensure transparency and fair pricing. Through clearly defined pricing models and price promises that ensure heating costs are comparable to, or lower than, traditional systems.
• Incorporate smart metering. Advanced metering enables accurate billing, improved monitoring and better visibility of energy use, supporting both compliance and day-to-day energy management.
• Promote scalability and reliability. The modular design of Community Heat Hubs allows systems to scale across a wide range of high-rise developments, from smaller buildings to large, multi-unit schemes.
Any proactive compliance strategy must also align with Ofgem’s consumer protection measures and the requirements of the Future Homes Standard and Part L of the Building Regulations.
HEAT NETWORK SOLUTIONS FOR HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS
In high-rise residential developments, where individual heating solutions are often constrained by space and peak demand, Community Heat Hubs provide a centralised and efficient alternative. These systems distribute low-carbon heat from a single, scalable source and can be integrated with renewable technologies such as solar power, supporting long-term resilience and regulatory compliance.
Networked Ground Source Heat Pump systems use the earth’s natural thermal energy to deliver efficient, low-carbon heating for both new and existing buildings. For energy managers, the reduced carbon footprint and high system efficiency make NGSHPs a practical route to meeting Future Homes Standard targets while aligning with Ofgem’s efficiency criteria.
Both solutions offer a clear pathway to net zero while reducing the regulatory and operational burden associated with managing multiple individual systems.
SUPPORTING THE TRANSITION TO ELECTRIFICATION
Developers and building owners increasingly require integrated solutions
that address both Ofgem regulation and the wider shift towards electrification. With heat network authorisation becoming mandatory, pre-authorised systems designed to meet regulatory requirements ahead of the 2026 deadline can significantly reduce compliance risk.
Grid capacity remains a challenge for many high-rise developments. By using Community Heat Hubs and NGSHPs, overall electrical load can be managed more effectively than with multiple individual systems, helping to ensure reliable operation without placing excessive strain on the local electricity network.
MEETING FUTURE HOMES STANDARD, PART L AND PART O REQUIREMENTS
The move towards low-carbon, electrified heating is reshaping building regulations across the residential sector. The Future Homes Standard, due to come into force in 2025, sets demanding targets for energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
By adopting NGSHPs and CHHs, high-rise developments can achieve compliance with the Future Homes Standard and Part L, significantly improving energy performance and reducing emissions.
Part O of the Building Regulations addresses overheating risk in new residential buildings. Networked ground source heat pumps can support Part O compliance by providing both heating and cooling through a single system.
In winter, the relatively stable ground temperature enables efficient heat extraction. In summer, the same network can provide passive cooling by bypassing the heat pump, using minimal energy to circulate cooler temperatures through the building. Waste heat can be returned to the network, improving overall system efficiency and supporting better year-round performance.
FUTURE-PROOFING HIGHRISE HEAT NETWORKS
As Ofgem’s heat network regulation takes effect, the focus for
energy managers, developers and consultants is shifting from compliance at handover to performance over the full lifecycle of a building.
NGSHPs, Community Heat Hubs and integrated smart controls offer a holistic approach that supports efficiency, reliability and consumer protection while simplifying longterm energy management.
By prioritising compliance with Ofgem regulation, the Future Homes Standard, Part L and Part O, high-rise residential developments can navigate an evolving regulatory landscape while contributing meaningfully to the UK’s net zero ambitions.
With the right systems in place, heat networks can move beyond regulatory compliance to deliver resilient, future-proof and sustainable heating for high-rise residential buildings. https://www.poweron-uk.co.uk/
RINNAI – NEW CPD ON ‘WATER NEUTRALITY’
Rinnai has produced a new CPD titled ‘Water Neutrality’ and it details a subject that will become increasingly important as UK water supplies become less accessible due to overpopulation and climate change. Rinnai aims to increase awareness of this issue as well as supply verified information and industry insight into the question: should water neutrality be added to national legislation?
This recent addition to the company’s extensive list of industry relevant CPDs including ‘SPF – Seasonal Performance Factors and Heat Pump Design’; ‘Retrofitting Heat Pumps into the Leisure Sector through CCA & SPF Analysis’. And now the ‘Introduction to Water Neutrality.’
Sign up today as places are limited at https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/ training/elementallondon-cpd-sign and see how you can earn and learn bursaries of up to £200 on successful completion of all three CPDs.
All the CPDs provide updated insights into significant issues concerning contractors, consultants, specifiers, system designers, and installers operating in the UK HVAC market.
Water neutrality specifically relates to the construction of developments that do not increase the amount of water being extracted from local water supplies. Property & buildings construction, as well as the HVAC industry, are now open to a new field of criteria that could affect a new project’s viability.
Water neutrality aims to ensure building developments are planned and completed as to not increase water consumption in the surrounding area. Water neutrality aims to achieve this aim by reducing water use, reusing water and offsetting water demand.
Rinnai’s new CPD presents the three key stages of achieving water neutrality and highlights reducing water usage as opposed to offsetting water usage. The ‘Water Neutrality’ CPD then leads into a case study which focuses on reducing water usage during the refurbishment of a commercial building and demonstrates several direct and indirect benefits on water consumption, cost and carbon production.
Rinnai’s aim with this CPD is to inform the audience of:
• How the water neutrality process can be applied to both new developments and refurbished buildings.
Providing information on each step of water neutrality, methods of successfully completing each step as well as the benefits and disadvantages.
• A case study application verifying the benefits of adopting a water neutral approach and the range of benefits this can have on performance, cost and carbon.
Rinnai UK’s new division –Rinnai Applied – is also offering an opportunity to gain bursaries of £200 when those eligible successfully complete three specific CPDs.
The CPDs are on the following subjects:
• Seasonal Performance Factors (SPF) and Heat Pump Design
• Introduction to Water Neutrality
• Retrofitting Heat Pumps into the Leisure Sector through CCA & SPF Analysis
Rinnai continues to inform the UK market of system operating details that provide an accurate statement of system performance, while considering the effects on operational expenditure, economic investment, and environmental impact. www.rinnaiuk.com
WE CAN REDUCE YOUR WATER COSTS
Frustrated by the lack of clarity over how your water service charges break down? Keen to learn whether you might be due a refund for incorrect billing?
YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE
H2O Building Services is the UK’s leading water cost reduction specialist. Since 1997, we have saved commercial customers millions of pounds in excess water supply and waste water charges, working with some of the most high profile companies in the country1.
With more than 30 years’ experience in water engineering and consultancy services, our professional team has the expertise to help you reduce your water usage and costs significantly.
From site surveys and bill validation through to project management and finance, our mission2 is to help you reduce your water footprint and save you money from a critical business overhead.
PROFESSIONAL WATER CONSULTANTS
H2O offers a full end-to-end consultation service3 on commercial water usage and cost reduction. We are recognised experts in:
• Water audits4: No matter if you run one site or many, we can give you full visibility as to where and how your business uses water, including auditing your waste water and property drainage charges.
• Water bill validation5: Once we have the full picture of how your business uses water, we will check your billing history to make sure you have been charged correctly, arranging refunds if you have been overcharged.
Water cost reduction reports: Our specialist consultants are experts at identifying where you can save money on your water bills, as well as highlighting how you can reduce your environmental impact by cutting water use6
Share:
ON-SITE SOLUTIONS
If you want to put our recommendations into practice, we can help change and upgrade your on-site water systems, from arranging project finance to installation. Our services7 include:
Water leak detection
• Water leak repairs
• Online flow monitoring – smart metering, or automated meter reading (AMR), a web-based water monitoring system.
Water recycling systems, effluent treatment and disposal.
• Alternative water supplies – abstraction of water from boreholes and rivers.
• Supply and installation of water-saving devices such as water-saving showers, taps, and urinal flush controls.
HOW WE CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS
Our expert water consultants can help to:
• Lower your water bill
Secure refunds for water supply and waste water overcharging
Provide visibility for how your business uses water
Make billing less complex
Reduce water waste
• Boost your green credentials
• Find alternative water supply and waste water solutions.
Why not read some of our client testimonials8 and case studies9 to see real-life examples of how we have helped customers save money and improve water efficiency, and what they have to say about the services we provide.
Savings of £500,000 Savings of £100,000
Call our expert water consultants today on 0845 658 0948 alternatively, you can email us at info@h2obuildingservices.co.uk.
FACT – THE UK IS RUNNING OUT OF WATER!
The National Drought Group has warned England must prepare for an ongoing drought in 2026, unless there is significant rain this autumn and winter.
The National Drought Group has warned England must prepare for an ongoing drought in 2026, unless there is significant rain this autumn and winter
There are concerns about the country’s water resources because of this year’s record dry spring and warm summer.
The expert group – which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers’ Union, Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts – met in central London this morning.
They heard during an Environment Agency presentation that England needs at least 100% of average rainfall (482mm) to largely recover from drought by the end of March next year. For context, only two months of 2025 have seen more than 100% so far.
National Drought Group chair Helen Wakeham said: "The recent rain is very welcome, but it needs to be sustained over the next six months to ensure we are ready for next year.
"We need a lot more rain this winter to fill up our rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater. Even if it is wet outside, I urge people to use water as efficiently as possible to protect the environment and public water supplies.
"The changing climate means we must prepare for more droughts. Securing our water resources needs to be a national priority. We expect water companies to continue their water-saving messaging, even through the winter, as well as carry on reducing leaks."
All sectors – including water companies, agriculture, navigation, and energy – have been urged to take steps now to increase their resilience for a prolonged drought.
This includes water companies promoting more efficient water use and increasing their efforts to reduce leakage. They must also make sure their assets, such as pipes, pumps and reservoirs, are working well and submit applications for drought permits early to maximise water storage.
Farmers have been urged to check their licences and speak to the EA if they are likely to need flexibility. They have also been asked to look to increase reservoir storage and work with their neighbours to share water, where possible.
Meanwhile the public have been urged to continue to use water wisely, including turning off taps when not in use or fitting a water butt to capture winter rainfall. Everyone has a part to play, to help mitigate the impacts of the dry year.
The meeting heard: despite Storm Benjamin, October (up to 28th) has seen 77%. There has been a regional divide with rainfall. The north west received 190% in September and the north east 171%. The south east received 126% and the east 100%.
• The rain has helped the two areas of Cumbria and Lancashire, and Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire both move out of drought status into drought recovery today. While this signals an improvement in this area, the position is fragile and with further dry weather, these areas could move back to drought. Average reservoir storage is now 63.3% compared to the average for this time of year of 76%.
• Ardingly, in west Sussex, and Clatworthy and Wimbleball both in Somerset, are below 30%
• The very low level in Ardingly was the reason the EA declared drought in parts of Sussex earlier this month, but recent rainfall has helped.
• South East Water (SEW) has submitted two Drought Orders to Defra. The first, for the River Ouse, and the second for a non-essential use ban which, if implemented, would see water restrictions on some businesses. Both are still being considered by Defra.
• Yorkshire Water has applied for, and been granted, one Drought Order for the River Ouse and 44 Drought Permits.
• Severn Trent has applied for a Drought Permit to help refill
Carsington Water reservoir. This is under consideration.
• Temporary Use Bans (aka hosepipe bans) imposed by Yorkshire Water, Thames, South East Water and Southern Water need to remain in place until their water resources situation recovers.
• Recent rainfall has helped ease pressure on the agricultural sector but there are concerns heading into winter on feed availability for livestock due to poor grass growth over the spring and summer.
Navigation on the Canal & River Trust network is gradually improving including key lock flights on the Oxford and Grand Union Canal now open
The Met Office declared the summer of 2025 as the hottest since records began in 1884, while the spring was the driest in 132 years.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Dr Will Lang, said: "This year has been characterised by notable rainfall deficits across much of England.
"Water is finite and there are competing demands between public use, businesses, agriculture, and the environment. In dry weather, water still needs to be abstracted from rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater and a drought is only over when these levels are fully replenished. This can take months – sometimes years."
The National Drought Group praised the public for following the hosepipe bans, where in place, as this has kept more water in local rivers and lakes.
The Environment Agency continues to work with Government, including Defra and the Cabinet Office, on the drought response, which is still deemed a 'nationally significant incident'.
Water Minister Emma Hardy said: "It’s been encouraging to see the scorched summer lawns returning to green in recent weeks. But we know the prolonged lack of rainfall continues to pose risks to public water supplies, farming, and the environment.
"We are closely monitoring all regions – especially those still experiencing drought – and working with the National Drought Group and water companies to maintain supplies.
"We face increasing pressure on our water resources. That is why this Government is taking decisive
action, including the development of nine new reservoirs to help secure long-term water resilience."
In October, Waterwise ran its annual Water Night campaign, encouraging people to turn off nonessential taps between 5-10pm in a symbolic gesture to notice daily water habits. Several landmarks, including Mont Orgueil Castle in Jersey and The Mersey Gateway Bridge were lit in blue as a show of support. https:// waterwise.org.uk/water-night-2025/
Over the course of the spring and summer, water companies –particularly in the drought areas of Yorkshire, East and West Midlands and parts of Sussex – have also taken the below actions to conserve supplies.
Yorkshire Water has repaired 11,113 leaks since the start of April – one every 26 minutes.
Yorkshire Water has sent out around 4,000 water saving kits to customers and donated 500 water butts to local community groups.
• Yorkshire Water has upgraded 63,000 water meters to make them smart. In total, the firm has installed 164,000 smart meters, saving 2.2million litres per day by identifying leaks.
• South West Water has launched its Every Drop Counts – Come Rain or Shine campaign providing practical tips for saving water and supporting customers with water meter advice.
South West Water repaired over
16,100 leaks last year, reducing leakage by over 10 million litres a day.
• Bristol Water has also launched a new Come Rain or Shine campaign and is giving away 1,750 free water butts to customers.
Thames Water has accelerated its smart meter rollout, installing more than 72,000 since July.
• Thames Water has carried out over 580 Smarter Business visits since July, saving over 2.3 million litres per day.
• Thames Water now has over 50,000 acoustic sensors to detect leaks.
• Wessex Water’s Target 20 campaign has been encouraging customers to save at least 20 litres of water per day, roughly 15% of average daily use.
• Wessex Water emailed over 250,000 customers with tips on how to save water.
South East Water has increased leakage repairs by 16% compared to last year, fixing 12,326 leaks between April and September.
• South East Water has also speeded up the fixing of leaks – reducing the time taken to fix from an average of 15 days to 12.
• Affinity Water repaired 9,725 leaks between April and September 2025 – representing a 13.45% increase compared to the same period in 2024
Nicci Russell CEO WaterWise Said: Our Water Night survey revealed that while 90% of participants were aware of regional droughts experienced across
the UK this year, awareness of the longterm risks of water scarcity is far lower.
Only 23% of respondents said they ‘know well’ that the UK could face a significant water shortfall in coming years, with more than half having heard the risk but lacking details. The findings highlight a critical knowledge gap – people notice immediate drought events but may underestimate the scale of the long-term challenge.
Even if water companies plugged all the gaps, we still need everyone at home and at work to reflect how valuable water is in their own behaviour. So, making it easy for all of us to waste less water, and explaining why, is more important than ever.
Saving water as a business is an ongoing endeavour and it’s likely that you’ll have to adjust your conservation strategies over time as operational requirements change over time. In order to identify the most effective methods, you’ll need to have a water audit of your site carried out so you can find the most vulnerable areas across your business.
The next issue of Energy Manager will feature frequently asked questions about drought impacts for business.
In the meantime, if you’d like to find out more, get in touch with the SwitchWaterSupplier.com team today.
RINNAI APPLIED LAUNCHES R290 COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL RANGE OF HEAT PUMPS – UP TO 410KW
Rinnai Applied have made its first major launch with the introduction of its R290 range of commercial and industrial heat pumps. Rinnai Applied’s new high efficiency and eco-friendly heat pumps arrives in a wide variety of sizes from 40kW to 410kW and uses the propane-based refrigerant R290.
To request a brochure on this new innovative range simply follow visit https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/ contact-us/ask-us-question
The systems have variable water temperature deliver capability. Hot water rises to seventy-five degrees Celsius can be achieved making the commercial heat pumps ideal for high temperature applications.
The refrigerant R290 maintains a GWP (global warming potential) of 0.02 and is exempt from F-Gas regulation. Rinnai’s R290 commercial and industrial heat pump boasts a market leading SCOP, BREEAM and LEED energy ratings and modular installation capability for the entire range, as well as the guarantee for an easy fitting due to a flexible footprint.
The contemporary design ensures high levels of operational efficiency even at partial loads and offers maximum accessibility to the refrigeration circuit compartment. The R290 range of heat pumps deliver lower total product life cycle costs that do not compromise on performance. Rinnai’s R290 heat pumps are specifically purposed to reduce CAPEX and OPEX costs to a minimum.
Says Managing Director Tony Gittings on the launch, “Rinnai is also simplifying Heat Pump design with (SPF) Seasonal Performance Factors. SPF helps establish the true system performance including Pumps, Cylinders and Ancillaries.”
The Rinnai Applied R290 range operates at low sound levels and is fully compliant with ECODESIGN (EU) standards ensuring ultra-low impact through design and operation. These heat pumps are tailored towards every site and task meaning a perfect fit for every application.
Flexibility and system versatility is a key feature of the R290 heat pump commercial and industrial heat pump range with the inclusion of smart control logic that can manage up to six units, five of which being controlled by a master unit. This arrangement prioritises system performance whilst minimising wastage.
The main benefits are:
• Lower Total Life Costs: These units are engineered to keep your long-term costs down without compromising performance.
• Eco-Friendly by Design: By tapping into renewable energy sources and using natural refrigerant propane (R290), they help you hit top-tier energy ratings like LEED® and BREEAM® – and stay ahead of F-Gas and PFAS regulations.
• Top-Tier Efficiency: Fully compliant with ECODESIGN (EU) 2016/2281, they meet or exceed all the key energy performance standards – SEER, SEPR, and SCOP.
• Tailored for Every Job: With three optimised versions, there is a perfect fit for every application – whether you are focused on cooling, heating, or both.
• Quiet Operation: Smart design keeps compressor noise locked down, so you get powerful performance without the racket.
Managing director of Rinnai UK and Rinnai Applied – Tony Gittings comments, “the entire industry supply chain needs to collaborate so that delivery of optimum, truly green, and highly efficient products can be provided to the UK HVAC commercial building sector:
“For the building services consultants, designers, larger M&E contractors, and end users it could mean that they will adapt to this changing market by asking more from the links in the supply chain. I have spent my career – almost 45 years now – in product manufacturing and I have never seen a greater need for flexibility and versatility from the manufacturers and suppliers.”
“Whether you are upgrading an existing system or planning a new build, these units are ready to deliver comfort, compliance, and cost savings. Also, I want to give special mention to specialist HVAC Sales Engineers - these are highly skilled and experienced analytical people who help customers understand Applied Products and how they can be efficiently and optimally utilised. These practitioners also select products and prepare proposals for clients which include quantifiable data to support HVAC systems offered.”
“The HVAC manufacturer will need to be a true partner to all
those in the design, installation, and commissioning sector. We will need to offer design; full evaluation of each site in terms of practical, economic, and technical considerations; full quantitative data on CAPEX, OPEX services and life cycle costings.”
At Rinnai we offer all these services within our product range with the belief of ‘Creating a Healthier Way of Living’ for the wider public.”
For free design support and carbon modelling of your next large scale project contact our design experts today www.rinnai-uk.co.uk
Doing nothing has never made such a big difference
Voltalis helps businesses reduce electricity use without lifting a finger.
Double-digit savings with no disruption and zero capex.
Our smart Demand Response technology works silently in the background, connecting millions of devices all communicating in real time to optimise electricity usage and achieve real energy and carbon savings that matter for your business and globally.
Voltalis allows you to monitor, control and optimise your electric heating and cooling systems, increasing comfort so you can focus on what matters most.
Why choose Voltalis? Find out more at voltalis.co.uk
On average 15% electricity savings & significant carbon reduction No need to replace or modify appliances
Track energy use and control your heating with the free Voltalis for Business app
Zero costs, no subscription. Free today, free forever
Seamless installation by us, your team or our trusted partners
Smart monitoring, control and optimisation of your assets
Discover the Technology Powering the Energy Transition
11th - 12th March 2026 • NEC, Birmingham, UK
FREE TO ATTEND EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE
Energy Technology Live is the UK’s most important gathering of energy executives, users, engineers and the entire supply-chain working towards a clean, sustainable and flexible energy system.
Three dynamic conference stages packed with industry expert insights post-show conference materials
