This year's winner of the Peter Parker Award demonstrates the importance that is being placed on renewables. With CO2 emissions and energy security being two major concerns, renewable energy is becoming an increasingly important step towards sustainability.
Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) is a UK-based company demonstrating outstanding environmental performance in one of the world's fastest moving industries. Formed in 1981 as a part of the Sir Robert McAlpine Group it is now one of the biggest and most successful renewable energy companies in the world.
It was chosen as this year's winner for creating the world's first zero-emissions commercial office development. It used the most up-to-date technologies, building techniques and energy efficiency measures to provide all heating, cooling and power needs. This also includes a visitor centre to promote these ideas.
There is a 225 kW wind turbine, 1,400 m2 underground heat store, 170 m2 photovoltaic array and biomass boiler with 5 hectares of Miscanthus as an energy crop, among other things.
Sustainability was considered in all aspects of this build. Using an existing building instead of building, from scratch, sustainable architecture was used to reduce resource use; building techniques and locally sourced materials were considered and the zero emission running of the building are all examples of this. RES is also concerned about its impacts outside the site. Staff are actively encouraged to use public transport. Travel tickets are subsidised, the pool car is a hybrid and interest-free loans are offered for staff to purchase bikes.