Buildings
Council owned buildings produce a quantity of carbon emissions due to the use of energy which burns fossil fuels. Since 2009 a number of programmes have been completed to reduce these emissions from our offices, schools, leisure centres and care facilities. However, to achieve Net Zero Carbon we need to reduce the emissions even further.
- Installed low carbon and renewable energy systems in over 50 of our own buildings including offices, schools and leisure centres. Technologies include solar PV, solar thermal, wind turbines, heat pumps, biomass boilers and combined heat and power.
- Non domestic energy generation systems met approximately 10% of the Council’s energy demand in 2018-19.
- Installed low carbon and renewable energy systems in its own housing since 2009 including solar PV, ground and air source heat pumps and battery storage. There are now over 700 homes with solar PV and the Council was one of the first authorities to trial the combination of air source heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage.
- Invested in innovative technologies such as transpired solar collectors and battery storage.
- Deliver an annual programme of energy efficiency measures, such as building fabric insulation, draught proofing, new boilers, new heating controls, lighting upgrades etc in the Council’s non domestic buildings since 2008.
- Investing and deliver energy efficiency improvements in our own housing through the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and Welsh Government/UK Government schemes such as NEST, Arbed, Warm Homes Fund and Eco (including improvements of private households).
- Rationalised our estate and moved staff to a modern, more energy efficient building at Ewloe.
- Building and renovating fit for future schools through the 21st Century Schools Programme.
- Replacing the Council’s streetlighting with LED lamps which use significantly less electricity.
- Large percentage of buildings are now included in the green energy tariff. The council’s Asset Management Plan has been reviewed in line with the climate change strategy and wider Council ambitions.
- Rationalisation of assets is ongoing and will consider carbon impacts.
- Mandatory requirement for new, extended and refurbished schools to be Net Zero Carbon in operation (NZCio). The first NZCio school in Mynydd Isa is underway. Ambitious plans also underway for first NZCio care home.
- Ongoing process identifying feasibility of potential green infrastructure projects on a case by case basis. Links have been made to ensure officers are consulted on potential of inclusion in future schemes.
- Toolkits are being developed for schools and Town & Community Councils to provide advice and guidance on carbon footprint calculation and mitigation measures. This will include aspects of technology, behaviour and best practice.
- The Domestic Energy Efficiency Team continues to provide energy efficiency advice and support with installation of energy efficiency measures.
- Decarbonisation network developed for Deeside industrial area to develop aims and objectives and share good practice. Funding secured through Shared Prosperity Fund to provide grants for commercial carbon reduction feasibility studies.
Future actions
The Council acknowledges that return of services and investment in some areas, e.g. EV charging infrastructure, will increase our demand for energy and therefore further investment around renewable energy generation is necessary within our buildings and assets and land use.
We will:
- Further review the rationalisation of our building assets and leases.
- Design and refurbish buildings for Net Zero Carbon in Operation / low energy operation, biodiversity net benefit and adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
- Support schools to reduce operation’s emissions.
- Ensure green infrastructure is considered throughout all existing Council assets and future schemes, e.g. allocation of green space, green roofs, habitat creation.
- Improve the standard of energy efficiency in our existing buildings and engage with building users to encourage positive behaviour change.
- Continue to carry out flood investigation and alleviation to identify proactive mitigation measures & prevent recurrent flooding.
- Petition the change needed to facilitate decarbonisation of buildings both within the Energy sector and Government.
- Prioritise nature based solutions to flooding remediation proposals.
- Explore feasibility for rainwater harvesting within Council assets, particularly on high water usage sites.
Constraints and Interdependencies
Within the Buildings theme there are constraints and interdependencies beyond the Council’s control. These factors will affect the Council’s ability to meet Net Zero Carbon by 2030.
- Decarbonisation of the National Grid
- Availability of funding, including Local Government settlement
- Availability of suppliers to design and deliver, and maintain schemes
- Lack of capacity within the National Grid to facilitate renewable energy schemes