New Sustainable Energy Technologies For Housing

Key issues covered in the report are:-
Overview Of Uk Renewable Energy Supply
Analysis Of Existing Uk Markets For Photovoltaics, Solar Water Heating & Combined Heat & Power + Eu Comparison
Review Of Uk Electricity Supply At Overall & Domestic Levels
Review Of Uk Energy Consumption & 'Greenhouse' Gas Emissions At Overall & Domestic Levels
Overviews Of Markets For Domestic Space Heating, Water Heating, Insulation & Double Glazing
Assessment Of Market Drivers & Barriers In Domestic Sector For Micro-Chp, Heat Pumps, Fuel Cells, Photovoltaics, Solar Water Heating, High-Specification Glazing & Structural Insulated Panels + Eu Comparison.
Specification & Buying Processes Among Housebuilders & Housing Associations For Energy Related Products Plus Assessment Of Attitudes Towards 'New' Technologies
Identification Of Key Organisations & Initiatives

Of Particular Interest:-
Market size by volumes for CHP, photovoltaics & solar water heating
Specification & buying processes in newbuild & RSL sectors
EU comparisons with UK - existing/current markets for CHP, solar power etc
Opportunities & threats for 'new' energy technologies in domestic sector
Identification of key organisations for sustainable energy development
New EU Directives, UK legislation & changes in the Building Regulations relating to energy generation & consumption will be the key factors underpinning an increase in demand for renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies in the domestic sector. Some technologies are already being used, albeit at a niche level, but others are currently in development. This 130+ page report assesses the potential in the UK domestic market for certain 'new' technologies that are expected to have a key role in the development of sustainable energy use in the near future, identifying opportunities and market barriers.

Key areas of coverage in the report include:-

UK ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CONSUMPTION & EMISSIONS
Overview of UK electricity supply. Focus on domestic sector. Analysis of total & domestic electricity consumption trends 1996-2002. Identification of main areas of domestic electricity use.
Analysis of total generated 'greenhouse' gas emissions. Trends. Breakdown by type of gas. Breakdown by end-use sectors. Analysis of domestic 'greenhouse' gas emissions by end-use sector. Focus on carbon dioxide and domestic sector.
Overview of renewable energy sector. Trends by technology type 1996-2002. Identification of main legislation.
Focus on key areas of building-integrated electricity supply - photovoltaics and CHP. Overview of progress to data & future prospects. Assessment of market sizes by volume.

KEY 'NEW' TECHNOLOGIES FOR HOUSING
Space heating & cooling - overview of UK market for conventional central heating market 1998 -2002, with forecasts to 2006. Central heating systems market product mix. UK market for boilers, pumps, domestic heating controls, 1998 -2002 and forecasts to 2006.
Review of development of micro Combined Heat & Power systems and mini CHP. Overview of development in EU. Assessment of UK market potential in housing sector.
Review of development of heat pumps. Assessment of UK market by volume and market potential in the housing sector.
Water heating - overview of UK markets for gas direct water heating and gas water heating storage units 1998-1002 with forecasts to 2006.
Overview of EU and UK market for solar water heating by volume 1985 -2002. Market mix by end-user applications. UK production of solar water heating systems by type by volume 2001. Identification of main UK suppliers.
Building envelope - overview of UK market for insulation 1998 -2002 with forecasts to 2006. Overview of UK market for double-glazing. Household penetration levels 1995 - 2003. Market mix by end-use sector.
Assessment of 'new' passive energy-saving technologies. Evaluation of market potential for low-emissive glazing. Overview of EU market. Analysis of window installation in UK housing stock. Review of other types of high-specification glazing. Assessment of market potential for structural insulated panels

BUYING & SPECIFICATION PROCESSES
Key influencers in specification for energy-related systems and components in the housebuilder and housing association markets. Trends in self-build sector - volumes.
Review of 'general' specification criteria for energy-related systems and components in the housebuilder and housing association sectors - based on survey of leading players.
Review of specification processes and attitudes relating to sustainable energy technologies

FACILITATING ORGANISATIONS

Review of Governmental, trade and non -government organisations involved in developing the UK market for sustainable energy technologies. Descriptions of roles, activities

Identification of key initiatives and schemes specific to the energy sector aimed at developing demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency products.

Renewable energy is a major global issue with wide-ranging impact on the long-term use of alternative energy sources in industry, transport and domestic applications. This report focuses on the domestic/housing sector, reviewing sustainable energy technologies that are either 'new' to the domestic market, or have only achieved very low levels of penetration.

In terms of total renewable energy electricity generation, output has grown strongly since 1996. Output still accounts for a very small share of total electricity generation, and growth rates have slowed down considerably in the last 3 years.

In terms of the domestic sector, the report focuses on photovoltaics, combined heat and power (CHP), solar (water heating), fuel cells, low-E glazing, structural insulated panels (SIPS). Most of these technologies are not 'new' in commercial terms, but have not made any significant gains in domestic applications in the UK.

In general terms, the UK is behind most EU countries in the use of sustainable energy sources in domestic applications. Reasons for the slow uptake are varied, but include high capital costs, lack of public awareness or interest in energy-saving measures, lack of information or product standards, low level of impetus from housebuilders, lack of financial incentives etc.

In terms of photovoltaics, cumulative installed power is over 4000 kwp in 2002, an increase of over 100% over 2000 levels, but still very small in a overall context. Domestic usage is generally restricted to some social housing schemes and in the self-build market, coupled with some government-funded demonstration projects with over £20m support as part of the DTI's 'Major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme'.

Growth in CHP schemes appears to have stalled in the 2000-02 period, with output failing to achieve the 5000 MWe target set for 2000, with a target of 10,000 MWe set for 2010 - virtually all usage is in non-domestic applications to date, except for some community heating schemes.

Fuel cells are also predominantly focused on non-domestic applications, but the most likely domestic application is as a power source for micro-CHP systems in the longer term. Developments for micro-CHP systems are in place, initially as a replacement for gas-fired boilers, with long-term potential regarded as attractive.

Heat pumps are a relatively small market in the UK, but conservatories offer good potential as they require a mix of heating and cooling for year-round use. In addition, Powergen have recently announced plans to install 1000 ground source heat pumps for a range of social housing projects.

Solar thermal heating in the UK is much less-advanced than in other EU countries. In 2002, the UK had over 200,000 sq. metres of glazed and unglazed collectors, with a combined energy output of around 78,000 MWh, with the domestic market accounting for well over 90%.

In terms of passive energy-efficient building products, low-emissive (low-E) glass and Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) are key areas of development. Low-E glass, in particular, is set to grow strongly as a result of recent changes to Part L of the Building Regulations in the UK. SIPs are high-performance building panels for floors, walls, roofing applications etc., that are more widely used in Europe and USA. In the UK, most usage to date has been in the self-build market, supported by some developments in the social housing market.

While current usage of sustainable energy technologies in domestic applications is low, changes are emerging as a result of government regulations and funding. At present, the incentives for change amongst homeowners and builders is relatively low, primarily due to high capital costs, which necessitates continued government support.

Equally, for any major impact on energy consumption to occur, it will be essential that new technologies can be used in replacement applications, rather than relying solely on new build where current annual output is only around 175,000 units - equivalent to 0.7% of the total UK housing stock.