Centre for Energy Policy Energy Conversations:

How Feasible is the Ambition to Dramatically Reduce Energy Demand in our Non-Domestic Buildings? (chaired by Alf Young)

Registration and welcome refreshments from 5:30pm.

Event will run 6:00pm-7:30pm, and will be followed by a drinks reception.

Conversationalists include: Dr Daniel Costola, Engineering, University of Strathclyde; Andrew Maw, Senior Building Surveyor and Commercial Energy Assessor, Arbnco; and Warren McIntyre, Programme Manager, Zero Waste Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s Climate Plan, published in February 2018, sets a target for Scottish buildings be near zero emissions by 2050. The Plan also sets out that by 2032, improvements to the building fabric of non-domestic buildings will result in a 20% reduction in non-domestic heat demand, and an ambition for the remaining heat demand to be decarbonised, with 70% of demand met from low carbon sources.

There are around 200,000 non-domestic premises in Scotland, including around 20,000 public sector buildings. In its Energy Efficient Scotland route map, the Scottish Government proposes moving to a benchmarking system for assessing energy efficiency in non-domestic buildings. Further, the proposal is to extend current regulations (which apply to buildings over 1,000m²), in a phased manner, to all non-domestic buildings by 2040 and for all non-domestic buildings to be improved to the extent this is technically feasible and cost effective.

At this Energy Conversation, we ask ‘how feasible is this ambition?’ How can we dramatically reduce energy demand in our non-domestic buildings? We will be joined by conversationalists from academia and the private sector who are working to solve the challenge of reducing energy demand in the non-residential sector. We will consider:

What technologies are already out there that can help meet these targets, and how widespread are they?
What more is needed – which new technologies or occupant behaviours need to be rolled-out?
How can policy help?
Are building owners and occupiers up for the challenge?

Energy Conversation: Reducing Energy Demand in Non-Domestic Buildings