Battersea Power Station Redevelopment

The proposed development of the site currently occupied by the iconic Battersea Power Station is on an under-utilized brownfield site that has lain dormant since the early 1980s.

In June the Guardian produced a useful pictorial history of the site which can be found at: Battersea gallery.

Being located within the Vauxhall/Nine Elms/Battersea Opportunity Area (OA), the site has been recognized as an area in need of redevelopment and renewal.
The developer is proposing a new riverside community with thousands of homes, shopping, a hotel, cafés, and office floor space. It will be a new urban quarter with a balance between homes and offices, so people can live within walking distance of their workplace. The Power Station building will provide culture and entertainment amenities, and will be a destination for Londoners and tourists to visit.
The developer is working with Transport for London and London Underground to deliver a new extension of the Northern Line from Kennington station, to link the site to the underground network.
The site is dominated by the Power Station building, one of the world’s largest brick buildings. It forms the cornerstone of the development proposals. The developer has established an aspiration to achieve a ‘Zero Carbon’ Power Station in use.
The primary energy for the building will be derived from a biofuel-fired combined cooling heat and power (CCHP) plant located in the Energy Centre beneath the Power Station Park. ‘Zero Carbon’ status will be achieved by:

• generating low carbon electricity, heating and cooling serving site-wide district heating, cooling and power networks on a phased basis;
• the export of low carbon electricity to offset high carbon grid supplied electricity;
• district heating connected to the proposed OA district heating network.
  

The CCHP installation will initially utilise a mix of biofuels and natural gas but with the flexibility to incorporate waste-derived fuel (e.g. methane from bio-digestion) should this become available and viable for the latter phases of the development.
The development will offer the following general sustainability features:

• a high density mix of uses on a brownfield site;a high quality, inclusive design and enhanced public realm;
• respect for the natural environment, with enhanced biodiversity and open space;
• minimum possible carbon emissions from both operation and materials to mitigate against climate change;
• accessible, usable and permeable for all users;sustainable, durable and adaptable in terms of design, construction and use;
• secure, safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder, including terrorism, and fear of crime do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion;
• practical and legible.

As well as the extension of the Northern Line from Kennington station to link the Site to the underground network, the following transport initiatives are currently envisaged:

• improvements to bus services;
• high quality pedestrian and cycle networks, including improvements to the Thames Path to improve connectivity to the river and the strengthening of east–west links to Battersea Park and Queenstown Road Station;
• potential extension of the river bus service.
  

Site-wide grey water recycling and the use of borehole abstraction will meet part of the potable water demand, landscape irrigation and fire hydrant services for the development. The construction will conform to current best practice standards for both site operation and waste management. Reused, recycled and prefabricated construction materials will be used, where practicable.
The development will form a new sustainable and creative district in Wandsworth, and will act as ‘a catalyst for [the] social and economic growth’ of the wider OA. The area surrounding the Site is a historically deprived area where environmental exclusion has brought down aspirations and achievements of the local populations for decades. The two Wards closest to the development, Queenstown and Latchmere, have some of the highest unemployment rates and lowest qualifications in the Borough. The Index of Multiple Deprivation classifies these neighbourhoods as severely deprived in the dimensions of employment, education, training and skills development.
It is estimated that the development will generate in the region of 25,000 net direct construction related jobs during the anticipated 14-year construction programme. Once the development is complete and operational, the opportunities for on-site inward investment through offices, retail, food and beverage, cultural and arts business represent an overall uplift of the OA area. These new businesses should create new employment for some 17,000 people in a diverse range of sectors, including services, catering, public services, with opportunities in sport, arts and cultural facilities.
A key aspect of building a sustainable community will be to ensure that the on-site public services are accessible and integrated to provide the best service for the local population. The development will include space for new social infrastructure, culture and community facilities, which is likely to include a health clinic, to expand and improve healthcare provision for all OA residents.
The development is likely to cater for all children requiring nursery school spaces through the provision of conveniently located nursery facilities. Play spaces across the development will be located close to residential areas with enhanced facilities closest to the larger family dwellings.
The Power Station Park to the north of the Power Station will link to the open space/public realm provided on the jetty. This will create a new ‘local park’, which will help to mitigate the known existing deficiency in this area.

Wandsworth Borough Council approved the scheme on 11 November 2010 and London Mayor Boris Johnson approved the scheme in mid-December. The next stage of the process will see the application considered by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. This represents the largest ever planning application in Central London. REO were reported in June to be planning to demerge the £4.5b Power Station redevelopment from their main business and are looking for a partner to take on 50% of the project.

Construction of Phase 1 is scheduled to commence in early 2012 with completion in 2016. The remaining phases, including the new underground station will follow, with the entire development scheduled for completion in 2024.

For a 'fly-through' of the latest scheme click on:

Integrated Sustainable Design of Buildings

POST UPDATED 12 JUNE 2011

My new book was published by Earthscan in December 2010. It is a major new work covering all of the stages of the design of sustainable buildings and communities, from concept through the masterplanning, design, construction and commissioning processes.

The book is intended as a guide for all involved in the masterplanning, design and construction of sustainable buildings, and is written with a global perspective. As well as by practising construction professionals it can be used as background reading for those undertaking relevant academic studies at all levels.

As can be seen from the Contents list below it includes a chapter on policy, legislation and planning which examines the history of sustainable design globally through to recent developments in statutory drivers. The chapter on assessment methodologies provides a survey of the protocols that have been developed globally, such as the UK-based Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and the US-based Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) schemes.

All aspects of sustainability are covered, including social, economic and environmental sustainability. Part 2 covers everything from the components of a sustainable community through transportation planning, to development of an energy strategy and massing of the buildings. Whilst Part 3 covers all aspects of the detailed sustainable design of individual buildings, using a sustainability strategy based around such assessment methodologies as LEED, BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH).

Although headed Sustainable Construction Part 4 deals in part with the relationship between the design and construction teams, covering as it does the tendering process, sustainable procurement, construction waste management, construction impacts, value management, commissioning and handover, all of which require collaboration between the designers and contractors.

Contents:

Part 1 Background
1.1 Introduction and Scope
1.2 Policy, Legislation and Planning
1.3 Assessment Methodologies
1.4 Environmental Impact Assessment

Part 2 Sustainability and Masterplanning
2.1 Sustainable Communities
2.2 Land Use and Density
2.3 Massing and Microclimate
2.4 Social Sustainability
2.5 Economic Sustainability
2.6 Energy Strategy and Infrastructure
2.7 Integrated Sustainable Transportation Planning

Part 3 Sustainability and Building Design
3.1 Sustainability Strategy
3.2 Operational Energy and Carbon
3.3 Thermal Comfort
3.4 Design for Natural Ventilation
3.5 Air Quality, Hygiene and Ventilation
3.6 Light and Lighting
3.7 Computer Simulation of Building Environments
3.8 Noise and Vibration
3.9 Water Conservation
3.10 Design to Reduce Vehicle Impacts
3.11 Waste Management and Recycling
3.12 Materials Specification
3.13 Pollution
3.14 Landscaping, Ecology and Flood Risk
3.15 Security and Flexibility

Part 4 Sustainable Construction
4.1 Tendering Process
4.2 Sustainable Procurement
4.3 Construction Waste Management
4.4 Considerate Contracting and Construction Impacts
4.5 Value Engineering and Management
4.6 Commissioning and Handover

In May 2011 the book was including in the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainable Leadership Top 40 Sustainability Books of 2010 http://www.cpsl.cam.ac.uk/Resources/State-of-Sustainability-Leadership.aspx. At No 19 it is the only book in the list that has 'buildings' in its title. Other titles by the likes of Al Gore, Sara Parkin, Fred Pearce, Lord Stern and Prince Charles primarily cover economics, politics, business, CSR and philisophy of sustainability.

For more information, latest reviews and to order a copy see http://www.earthscan.co.uk/Portals/0/pdfs/Integrated_Sustainable_Design_of_Buildings.pdf

UK Coalition Government Energy Policy

Like most governments worldwide the new UK Government has a massive dilemma: i.e. how to meet published commitments for carbon reduction without the money to pay for it? The Coalition published its first Annual Energy Statement on 27 July. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne introduced a Statement comprising 32 Actions that build on the previous Government's Climate Change and Energy Acts and associated Regulations and initiatives, including extending the Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT), bringing forward the introduction of smart metering and allowing Local Authorities to sell zero carbon electricity to the grid from 18 August 2010. http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/What%20we%20do/UK%20energy%20supply/237-annual-energy-statement-2010.pdf

The Coalition's 'big idea' is the Green Deal which, as outlined by Mr Huhne, will require Energy Companies to offer households the facility to improve thermal insulation, paid for by a loan which will be repaid from the reduction in energy bills derived from the resultant lower heating running costs. Currently there is no mention of this scheme being extended to cover investment in renewable energy equipment, although the Government is 'consulting on a micro generation study' and developing a renewables delivery plan. Detailed proposals for the Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/rhi/rhi.aspx that formed part of the 2008 Energy Act, and on which consultation closed on 26 April, will be published in the Government's Spending Review, due on 20 October 2010.

The Government wishes to encourage community renewable energy schemes and will be launching Community Energy Online this coming autumn. The bottleneck that currently slows down grid connection of renewable energy installations is being dealt with by the introduction of a key component of the Energy Act under the 'Connect and Manage' regime on 11 August.

The elements of the Government's statement that require new legislation will be enshrined in the proposed Energy Security and Green Economy Bill http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/legislation/energy_bill/energy_bill.aspx. As well as providing a framework for the Green Deal this is also likely to include provisions for regulating carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations; reforming energy markets to deliver security of supply and ensure fair competition; establishing a framework for the development of a 'smart grid'; requiring energy companies to provide more information on bills; easing exploitation of difficult to access oil and gas reserves in the North Sea; and establishing a green investment bank.

The July Energy Statement also commits the Government to reviewing Climate Change Levy in the autumn; as well supporting the development of marine energy; urgently exploiting the potential of bio-electricity, energy from waste, biomass etc.; and confirming their commitment to launching a demonstration project for carbon capture and storage as established in the 2010 Energy Act.

The Statement maintains the previous Governments support for a nuclear energy programme based on regulatory justification of new reactor designs and generic design assessment. The Statement confirms the 2008 Energy Act's requirement for operators to budget for waste management and decommissioning.

Carbon Emission Reduction Targets, Carbon Reduction Commitments and Climate Change Agreements are all under review. The Coalition is committed to extending the CERT from the current 2011 to the end of 2012, with lifetime CO2 savings being increased from 185 million tonnes to 293 million tonnes, covering 3.5 million homes. A new Super Priority Group of low income homes will be identified, representing 15% of the spend.

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme grew out of the 2008 Climate Change Act and is a mandatory scheme requiring all organisations consuming more than 6,000 MWh energy per annum to report their consumption and henceforth purchase carbon allowances. On top of this all organisations that use 'half hour meters', which applies to businesses having a peak electrical load of 100 kWh or more, are required to report their energy consumption. The first reporting date was April 2010 and allowances will be sold at a fixed rate of £12/tonne CO2 from April 2011 and auctioned from April 2013 http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/crc/crc.aspx. Revenues from the sales will be ploughed back into energy saving measures.

CRC does not apply to the energy-intensive industries already involved in Climate Change Agreements, which was introduced in 2001 and which the previous Government wanted to extend until 2017. It also doesn't apply to the installations of 20 MW or more that are signed up to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Ofgem and the Government published a Prospectus for smart meters alongside the July Energy Statement, launching a consultation process that will run through to the end of October. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/smart_mtr_imp/smart_mtr_imp.aspx.

This foresees a comprehensive roll out of smart meters across both domestic and small non-domestic sectors with a net saving of some £7.2 billion over a 20 year period.

The Statement also includes an assessment of the likely impact of Coalition policies on average energy bills in 2010, 2015 and 2020 depending on the price of oil (currently at $77 per barrel). For a marginal increase in oil prices an increase of 1% in energy prices is predicted for 2020, whereas if oil prices double a saving of 5% is estimated, compared to what energy bills would be in the absence of the proposed policies.

In parallel with his first Energy Statement Huhne also published his Government's 2050 Pathways Analysis and Calculation Tool http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/2050/2050.aspx. This visionary project enables interested parties to establish scenarios for achieving the UK commitment to achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. I will be reviewing this project in a later blog.

Strata Tower Integrated Wind Turbines

Strata is the first building in the world to incorporate wind turbines into the body of the building. It is a stunning residential building forming the nucleus of a major redevelopment of the Elephant & Castle. Although like Marmite, as many people hate it as love it!

In my role with URS as Sustainability Advisor to the design team I worked with the architects Hamiltons (now BFLS) and engineers WSP on the original concept and feasibility study.

Paul King, head of the UK Green Building Council is reported in a Guardian G2 article of 19th July as saying that: "You've got to take your hat off to the design team for delivering a building that captures the imagination. I doubt wind turbines will become a common feature in high-rise inner city projects, but without this type of bold innovation, how would we ever know? Developments like this show that sustainability is increasingly becoming mainstream. That's something everyone should celebrate."

The 43 storey, 147 metre high building contains 408 flats, including 25% affordable units, with a separate block provided for council tenants displaced from a nearby estate.

It is anticipated that the wind turbines will generate only around 8% of building's energy needs, although in the long term it is likely to be connected to the Elephant & Castle biomass district heating scheme. Their maximum rotational speed has been restricted to limit noise and vibration transmission to flats below. Although of fixed orientation the turbines have been designed to utilise a wide angle of wind incidence through the use of chamfered nacels. Jonathan Glancey writing in the Guardian says that "It reminds me of the super-modern city drawn by Antonio Sant'Elia, the Italian futurist architect, shortly before the first world war". His Citta Nuova inspiring such film makers as Ridley Scott for his landmark 1982 film Blade Runner. See http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/jul/18/strata-tower-london-green-architecture .