Energy Performance revolution in the Outer Hebrides

To understand the concept behind Greenspace, you don't have to under­stand the technology — which is just as well. Even someone with a fairly advanced understanding of computer systems would be left baffled by a pro­gramme which conducts  a comprehen­sive energy evaluation of any building at the click of a mouse. It feels a bit like the realisation of a future in cyberspace, but not an altogether unpleasant one.

The aims of the Greenspace project are entirely commendable and, in a world of carbon footprints and energy awareness, absolutely vital. In the space of two years it has grown from a laudable and ambitious notion to an entity which supports the work of 12 people, all based at Lews Castle College in Stornoway.

Their collective mission: to market and develop new technology which will radically reduce the carbon emissions of buildings, focusing initially on the public sector before eventually being rolled out to the private sector. It works on the basis of providing a computer programme which assesses the energy-efficiency of a building and gives practical advice on how it can be improved.

As an example, Dr Neil Finlayson, one of the Greenspace leaders, conducted an evaluation of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's offices in Stornoway. It's a two-floor building with four wings, loosely in the shape of a cross. The programme revealed that a simple alteration to the building's alignment, without any changes to design, would have significantly cut energy emmissions by making more use of the heat of the sun. Of course, the council are not going to knock their offices to the ground on the strength of this, but as a means of making a point it was certainly, well, efficient.

"There's the building orientation idea, which is easy to identify at design stage but impossible to rectify once constructed," said Dr Finlayson. "Glazing orientation is one of the aspects which are very important. There's the heating systems, ventilation, heat dectectors and sensors and it's also to do with people — how people actually use the building they are in. It's also closely tied in with renewable energy, like photovoltaics and ground-source heat pumps.

"In order to become carbon-friendly you've got to know where your energy comes from and how you use it. There are obvious financial advantages in reducing energy consumption, particularly with the cost of fuel so high."

The speciality of Greenspace is not so much in the actual engineering of buildings — "though we are branching more and more into that," says Dr Finlayson — but in making available the computer software for general use. They received a major boost early on in the process when they secured a formal agreement to act as the UK partners of Green Building Studio in California, one of the world's leading lights in this highly-specialised field.

"One of the big challenges — and indeed opportunities — is the introduction of legis­lation which is happening all around Europe," said an excited Dr Finlayson. "It's going to mean that every building will require an energy certificate before sale, change of tenancy or change of use. It will be the law with a pass-or-fail element.

"This is going to translate into 240,000 buildings in the UK alone. So it's a huge and growing sector and it's happening right across Europe and worldwide. American architects, for example, are aiming for a cut of 50 per cent in carbon emissions in buildings by 2030."

Dr Finlayson and his team are first of all looking a bit closer to home, however. They are currently involved in discussions with the comhairle and Western Isles Health Board over the design of the new £5.6 million Harris House, a residential home being developed near Tarbert. It's all being kept under wraps at the moment, but the intention is that with the help of Greenspace it will become the islands' first ever carbon-neutral building.

Greenspace are also working with community-owned estates to help address issues such as fuel poverty,  recognised as one of the biggest challenges currently facing the islands.

THE GENESIS of Greenspace can be traced back to Donald MacRitchie, a former senior employee of the comhairle, who is steering the organisation along with Dr Finlayson.  Mr MacRitchie, more than any other single individual, is credited with the whole concept.

While working as a public building engineer he was becoming more and more aware of the need to address carbon efficiency, but found that the tools available in the marketplace fell short of the required standards. That sparked the proverbial lightbulb and with the assistance of Neil Finlayson — a native of Ness with an awesome academic pedigree — and the co-operation of the college, they put together a successful European funding bid which provided the launchpad.

"Low carbon challenges in the built environment are on a big scale, so we need scaleable solutions," said Donald MacRitchie. "It starts with good early-stage design, looking at the passive elements of the building fabric, incorporating natural ventilation and lighting strategies, and using heating and air-conditioning plant sparingly. There's plenty of renewable energy in the vicinity of buildings, especially combined with well-designed energy storage solutions.

"Energy certification will bring this topic home to the public in a big way over the next few years and we're looking forward to making a real contribution."

Apart from the admirable environmental credentials of Greenspace, it is helping to create a reputable research capability for the UHI Millennium Institute, which it is hoped will soon gain full university status. A major part of the project's work concentrates on bringing in students to carry out specific post-graduate research work. For a college that traditionally catered for vocational quali­fications, this is a welcome step in a whole new direction.

"Looking at the last two years there's a possbility to have a really ambitious port-graduate research programme," said Dr Finlayson. "We already have two students who are from the island and came back, but we hope to have a lot more."

One of those currently at Greenspace and doing a masters degree is 25-year-old Victoria Silver from Lewis. She gained a degree in environmental science at Glasgow University and after a period teaching abroad set her sights on embarking on a new career.

"I initially started on a short-term contract, working on models and their carbon impact, and they asked me if I was interested in doing a masters," she said. "I am interested in the environment side of things and this is a booming area at the moment, so it's good in terms of job prospects. I'm working on becoming an energy consultant and this will be a good stepping stone to other areas."

It is fairly safe to assume that with Ms Silver's educational background a return to Lewis on a professional basis would have been nigh on impossible without the existence of Greenspace.

Understandably, college principal David Green is hugely enthusiastic — not only because of what it will mean in attracting high-calibre individuals in a new and exciting field, but also in a very practical sense.

"We intend to be one of the first colleges in Scotland to have an Energy Performance Certificate for our campuses and to have an action plan that will make us more efficient in our use of energy and other resources, more sustainable, and an example to the rest of the sector," he said.

"The development of Greenspace Research has given Lews Castle College a new strength in research and associated development and commercialisation. The interest from potential customers throughout the UK and beyond, and from international businesses willing to partner us in the development of unique on-line services, is very encouraging.

"The college will benefit in a number of ways. In the future we will be able to offer a range of commercial services that will generate income and ensure that we can offer sustainable and exciting job opportunities. In doing this, we will also complete the virtuous circle of research that leads to com­mercialisation and, even more importantly, to education and training. Future generations of students from the college and from the wider UHI partnership will have marketable skills related to renewable energy and energy conservation, especially in relation to the built environment."