Due to the global, political, and economic situation we are ever more aware of the cost of energy and how it is impacting our everyday lives.

With the National Grid struggling to cope (and we are told at breaking point) with no capacity to take on more supplies, we are at a point where new developments will have to not just be well designed with low energy ethos but should also be made responsible to achieve on site generation and in some cases energy self-sufficiency. It is also important to realise that when applying for new licenses or supplies you can expect very drawn-out timeframes that often make projects unviable.

In discussions with developers, house builders and investors we are of the opinion that without a strategic approach to energy generation on site, a new community or mixed-use development should not be granted planning permission unless it has an integrated, decentralised energy provision as part of the scheme, unless you wish to proceed with the lights out! This is currently not legislation, and the planners are as yet not considering this as part of the approval process, but on the basis it is simply not possible to build, build, build without generating the energy to supply the intended development, it is only a matter of time before the law catches up.

With infrastructure investment having been badly neglected in the UK for decades, we are now facing the reality that energy provision and site-specific decentralised systems have to be not just considered but delivered as part of any new build or substantial regenerative project. No doubt many will be in denial of this fact and doing their very best to avoid the associated costs.

In an economic climate where we are told we have to do “More with Less!” the thought of developers and financiers spending more on infrastructure appears counter intuitive. However, if there is simply no access to energy to fuel the new development or regenerative scheme, then what other option is there if we are to get anywhere near the housing targets projected by local Councils and informed by Westminster. Whatever your political persuasion, if the grid cannot cope with the demands of these new developments, then either the government or the developer will have to fund the required infrastructure to allow the scheme to be built.

The next issue or challenge we then encounter is that current knowledge and experience in energy self-sufficiency in terms of design and delivery in the construction sector is the knowledge of only a few. Here at ep architects and our wider EP Group, we are focussed on positive impact, regenerative and energy efficient solutions, so we are blessed with such knowledge. We are not unique, but we are by no means the norm and we need many more practitioners and the industry to upskill to rise to the challenge that we will very soon be faced with.

As a business we see this whole subject and challenge as a huge opportunity to work on designing and delivering energy infrastructure on all manner of projects. Whether regenerating existing buildings or designing new, we aim to integrate solar systems over the whole roof, partner this with the latest battery technology and storage and where appropriate have a hybrid system that may also include GSHP, ASHP or other proven technology. Such hybrid systems with the aim of being decentralised are deliverable, achievable and practical.

So, to the inevitable question: HOW MUCH! Our findings with recent and current projects is that if you are an owner occupier, developer with intent to hold onto your asset once complete or indeed a financier with some reasonably patient capital, you can certainly see ROI of less than 10 years and dependent upon the deal you do with tenants and your usage, this could be several years less and a great way to generate profits.

When applied this approach to site “power stations” will effectively create at “District and local” scale an energy delivery solution which is resilient and independent and that is future proofed, we are simply awaiting the first client to ask us to DO IT!

Do you agree, please enter the discussion.

Please contact ep architects with any thoughts or questions via: info@eparchitects.design