Renewable Technologies, a BSRIA illustrated guide
In January 2022, BSRIA announced the publication of The Illustrated Guide to Renewable Technologies (BG 34/2021). The guide is intended to benefit construction professionals who do not need to be experts on the topic but need to communicate with those who are.
It introduces the following renewable energy sources, along with an explanation of the different system types for each energy source, where to use them in buildings, and application considerations:
The publication also considers other technologies, such as solar cooling, wind power, and allied technologies such as absorption cooling, fuel cells, energy storage systems and district heating and cooling. The guide also looks at grid-scale renewable energy technologies such as wind farms, solar farms and hydroelectricity.
With the ever increasing focus on the reduction in energy consumption and CO2 production necessary to meet the target of net zero carbon by 2050, it has become attractive for businesses to consider more deeply the use of renewable sources of energy.
Renewable energy technologies are subject to a variety of legislation concerning their design and installation. There are also incentives which encourage them to be adopted, such as the Climate Change Act 2008, the Renewable Heat Incentive, Feed-in Tariffs, the Future Homes Standard and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. Not to mention that Building Regulations require new buildings, and certain works to existing buildings, to achieve certain levels of energy efficiency.
As the world moves towards an increasingly present sense of environmental responsibility, publications like the BSRIA Illustrated Guide to Renewable Technologies can help built environment engineers remain at the vanguard of this movement. The guide is part of BSRIA’s “Illustrated Guide to…” series which includes:
- BG 31/2017 The Illustrated Guide to Mechanical Building Services.
- BG 32/2014 Illustrated Guide to Electrical Building Services.
- BG 33/2014 Illustrated Guide to Hot and Cold Water Services.
This article originally appeared on the BSRIA website. It was published in January 2022.
--BSRIA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Construction awards provide relief in wake of ISG collapse
Spike in major infrastructure awards, housing up but short of targets, are ISG collapse impacts yet to come.
Biodiversity net gain with related updates and terms
Only 0.5% of applications subject to BNG in the context significant proposed changes to planning.
As political power has shifted from blue to red
Has planning now moved from brown to green?
The role of construction in tackling the biodiversity crisis
New CIOB Nature of Building digital series available now.
The Nature Towns and Cities initiative
Grants of up to 1 million for local councils and partners.
The continued ISG fall out October updates
Where to look for answers to frequently asked questions.
Building safety remediation programme for Wales
With 2024 October progress updates.
In major support package for small businesses.
Conservation and transformation
Reading Ruskin’s cultural heritage. Book review.
Renovating Union Chain Bridge.
AI tools for planning, design, construction and management
A long, continually expanding list, any more to add?
Robots in the construction industry
From cultural characterisations to construction sites.
Empowering construction with AI integration
New horizons with a human touch.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government.
A Better Hiring Toolkit for construction
Tooling up to hire under best practice standards in the sector.
Recharging Electrical Skills in Wales
Step by step collaborative solutions.