Even sustainable buildings have scope to improve
How Greener Energy Futures helped charity arts centre build on their sustainable roots
Despite being a sustainably constructed building, Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) needed a roadmap of improvements to reach its net zero goal. With new benchmarks for energy performance, KWMC Trustees required a plan for decarbonising the building and supporting Bristol City Council’s 2030 Net Zero target.
A Greener Energy Solutions audit highlighted seven projects that would reduce the organisational carbon emissions by 68%.
With a prioritised plan to meet KWMC’s new goals, we worked together to:
1. Identify and coordinate installation partners to help deliver the work
2. Uncover an additional grant to support the installation costs
3. Secure the grant at short notice
4. Use the audit findings to apply for a more significant grant for the remaining recommendations
“Even some of the most sustainable buildings can be improved upon, and it was fascinating to find ways to help Knowle West Media Centre both find projects and source funding to decarbonise. We’re excited to see the building transform and to help important organisations like this!”
Knowle West Media Centre: Built with cutting-edge sustainable technologies
Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) is an arts centre and charity based in South Bristol. Using technology and the arts to create creative solutions to problems, KWMC supports people to make positive changes in their lives and communities and offers digital skills training to young people and entrepreneurs. Its latest venture is 'We Can Make', an innovative, existing asset-based approach to the construction of affordable homes in Knowle West.
The centre was constructed 15 years ago with cutting-edge sustainable technologies, such as straw bale insulation, solar panels and a biomass boiler. It earned plaudits for its construction and high-rated energy performance.
A changing landscape with new goals
Whilst the centre was a sustainably constructed building, there was plenty of scope for improvement. The most recent EPC assessment in 2012 rated the building as ‘B-50’, which put it above its peers at the time. But new energy efficiency standards in 2021 meant the building wasn’t meeting new benchmarks. And with current annual carbon emissions of 17.89 tonnes, KWMC wanted to move to the next level of sustainability.
With one of its key stakeholders, Bristol City Council, now targeting Net Zero by 2030 and the evolution of energy-saving technology, KWMC wanted to strive to reach that Net Zero target but needed support identifying the best ways to do so.
Bristol Energy Cooperative recommended Greener Energy Futures consultants to help KWMC continue to decarbonise their building, and our journey together began with an energy savings audit.
7 Projects to reduce 68% of carbon emissions
Our report outlined 12.2 tonnes of annual carbon savings from investing £120,257 in energy measures. This would reduce the organisational carbon emissions by 68% and enable the site to reach complete energy decarbonisation by 2035 through commitments for a Net Zero National electricity grid.
The 68% reduction in carbon emissions would result from the implementation of the following seven projects:
1) Lighting upgrade to replace current fluorescent lights with LEDs
2) Install an air source heat pump for heating
3) Lag the plant room pipes. Whilst many pipes are well-insulated, valves and flanges aren’t, leading to notable heat loss
4) Install EV charging to help decarbonise staff transport. Each mile switched from fossil fuels to electricity saves around 150g of CO2.
5) Reinstate a broken Biomass Boiler which generates more efficient heat than the condensing gas boiler
6) Conduct a thermal survey to determine where heat is being lost and in-turn where building fabric can be improved
7) Improve the roof insulation
Securing the funds
Undertaking an energy audit is only part of our work at Greener Energy Futures. We recognise that implementing change and sourcing installation partners takes time, money and expertise. So we help companies, charitable organisations and community enterprises to source the funding needed to meet their goals for a sustainable business.
For the KWMC project, the audit itself was funded by the Quartet Community Foundation , which connects local donors with local community projects. And following the recommendations identified, we helped secure another grant from Thrive Renewables <link> to fund the lighting upgrades. Thrive are a renewable energy company which connects people to sustainable energy, offering opportunities for individuals and businesses to invest in clean energy projects.
With a prioritised plan in place and initial funding sourced, KWMC is now applying for the Bristol City Council Community Resilience Fund, again using the findings from our audit. This will allow them to keep moving on their journey to a decarbonised building and support Bristol City Council’s 2030 Net Zero target.
Looking to build on your sustainable roots?
If, like KWMC, your location was built sustainably but needs to continue to evolve as regulations change and new technologies emerge, a Greener Energy Futures audit will identify ways to improve. We’ll even help you to identify and apply for grants to make your net zero aims a reality.
“Getting expert advice on how to achieve Net Zero has really helped us to focus on the most effective measures, and we were delighted to secure the grant from Thrive for a lighting upgrade. Working with Greener Energy Futures has helped us to support Bristol’s 2030 Net Zero commitment, and we hope it will make our building a more comfortable, low-carbon and lower-cost hub for the local community.”
The cost for the audit will always be less than the savings we identify, and we’ll introduce you to highly regarded solutions partners.
Call Simon on 07796 412769 for more information or advice to make your business a positive player in a greener energy future.
BIO: Knowle West Media Centre
Knowle West Media Centre supports people to make positive changes in their lives and communities, using technology and the arts to find creative solutions to problems and explore new ways of doing things. They focus on working collaboratively with people from different backgrounds to develop new and innovative models for achieving positive social change – and supporting people to develop the skills and confidence to be change-makers themselves.
Current projects include skills training and employment opportunities for young people, supporting community organisations across Bristol in their work, and a diverse range of creative programmes exploring issues from housing to health.