SOUTH BANK TO REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT

A new project to help the South Bank reduce its carbon footprint has been unveiled by the London Development Agency (LDA), the South Bank Employers’ Group (SBEG) and London South Bank University (LSBU).
The project is the first of its kind to focus on a whole area in central London. It will build an understanding of current and projected energy consumption patterns in the area and explore opportunities for decentralised energy systems including district heating, combined heat and power (CHP) and biomass. The project will encourage proactive energy efficiency throughout the South Bank neighbourhood through co-operative business partnerships.
LDA Chief Executive Manny Lewis said:
‘The South Bank is an area that is undergoing extensive regeneration with new residential, commercial, high density and mixed-use developments planned in the next few years so there is real potential to make a difference to the area’s carbon emissions. This is an exciting opportunity to develop an integrated area-wide approach to energy efficiency.’
The project will:

• Estimate peak demands of energy consumption within existing buildings and future developments;
• Identify options for creating low carbon energy supply and distribution;
• Estimate the capital, operating and maintenance costs of low carbon options;
• Estimate the carbon emission savings possible;
• Establish a business case for potential options; and
• Report on the recommendations to enable the SBEG Property Group and other key stakeholders to carry them forward.

SBEG is working in partnership with experts at LSBU who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise on energy efficiency, combined heating and power, and district heating technologies.
The LSBU project manager and chair of the CIBSE CHP Group Phil Jones said:
‘This is a fantastic opportunity to study the possible energy supply options for the South Bank area and hopefully take this forward to implementing a network of heating, cooling and electricity supplied by CHP. This should save in running costs for South Bank buildings whilst reducing CO₂ emissions at the same time.’