Zero and Low Carbon Energy Feasibility Studies and Strategies

New developments are increasingly required to incorporate zero and low carbon energy technologies, some of which can also be retro-fitted to existing properties. Our energy specialists can provide advice on the suitability of renewable technologies to a site, as well as other considerations such as cost and predicted carbon savings.

The Government expects all planning authorities to compile policies requiring a percentage of the energy in new developments to come from on-site renewable sources (such as solar panels or wind turbines). This is typically translated within local policy as the requirement for a 10% or 20% decrease in carbon emissions or energy usage, resulting from the use of such technologies. Low carbon technologies such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, which are more energy efficient than traditional systems, can also have a role to play in reducing carbon emissions.

RPS provides commercial advice on zero and low carbon (ZLC) energy technologies to be incorporated into new or existing developments. Typically, an energy feasibility study would be undertaken to assess the suitability of various options, based on factors such as expected energy output, carbon reductions and cost. This information can also be used to compile an Energy Strategy for the development, to be submitted to the planning authority.

The incorporation of ZLC technologies can also assist the achievement of higher BREEAM or Code for Sustainable Homes ratings. Whilst developers can improve energy usage through improvements to the building fabric, such as enhanced insulation, ZLCs are frequently required to achieve the higher ratings under these schemes.