Accelerate Data Centres | Round table report

Currently, fund managers are focusing more on internal building technology.

Passivhaus standard has always been focused on operational energy, and it is only in recent years that the focus has grown to both operational carbon emissions and the embodied carbon within the building..Operational carbon in sustainable building design.

From an operational carbon perspective, Passivhaus’ low energy targets mean the dwellings are likely to achieve very low carbon emissions.As a result, it becomes technically and financially feasible to offset any carbon emission through the use of building mounted, renewable technologies.This means that for certain types of residential buildings, it is possible to achieve net zero operational carbon without the need for a PPA.

For non-residential buildings however a PPA is still necessary.Due to low energy demand, any price increases associated with PPA or offsetting, achieving net zero carbon becomes affordable..

This is in contrast to a UK Part L1a compliant building, which in order to become net zero would require a PV array larger than the area available on its roof.

The difficulty in installing adequate PV on multi residential developments will be even greater.Importance of mobile and static technology.

Green, clean, tidy spaces.Flexible, multi-use buildings to support education and work-centric activity.

Decent staff facilities.A progressive regime.