JUNE 2022 21
FMJ.CO.UK
FM CLINIC
Low carbon fuels such as
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
can help in the short term. HVO, as
a waste biomass-based product,
has 90 per cent fewer emissions
than diesel. As it is fully miscible
with diesel, it can be used wholly
in a system, or as a ‘top-up’ for
incremental change. For those
hard-to-treat assets, alternative
liquid fuels can provide a
transitional option.
As we decarbonise our buildings,
we will have to decommission
legacy fuel infrastructure such as
tanks, pipework, and containment. The added benefit of moving
to renewable energy is that other risks are reduced; The risk of
pollution incidents is mitigated, there are fewer
pipes liable to freezing, and maintenance
costs and downtime are reduced.
But there is also the chance
of unearthing historical
pollution issues which may
have gone undetected and
require remediation. Early
investigations help to
understand such risks to be
factored into the business case.
New petrol and diesel car
sales are to be banned from
2030. However, the electric
vehicle (EV) market is already
booming with nearly 473,000 now on
UK roads and EVs making up nearly 30
per cent of new car registrations in March
2022. Infrastructure needs to keep pace.
Workplaces, especially those in out-of-town locations,
will play a key role in the roll out of an e ective EV network. The
ability to charge an EV at work will become a greater priority for
employees and free charging will be seen as a value-added perk
to attract good talent.
Installing charge-points will increase a site’s energy demand
and may require electrical upgrades to accommodate larger and
faster charging installations. This additional progressive energy
demand arising from EV charging should be factored into any Net-
Zero Plan for an asset, ensuring that renewable energy is either
procured or generated on site to power them wherever possible.
Unfortunately, despite our best e orts in reducing absolute
carbon emissions, the e ects of climate change will continue
to impact us. Even if we achieve net-zero tomorrow, historical
emissions in the atmosphere will continue to heat our planet well
into the future.
Therefore, commercial building managers may need to adapt
their assets and strengthen resilience.
The changing climate means drier dry spells, more extreme
rainfall events, stronger storms, and increased flooding.
Higher temperatures mean equipment may have to work
harder and draw more power. E ective maintenance is key to
ensuring plant remains as e icient as possible. Existing critical
infrastructure that may have to remain in place for some time to
come, should be protected against physical risks. Where assets are
converted to low and zero carbon technologies – these too should
be future-proofed at the time of upgrade.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CEO’S VIEW
MATT COULSON,
CEO, CHISWICK PARK
ENJOY-WORK
We have a
range of
activities
already in
place to help
support the
sustainability
of our site.
Below is an
overview of the ways
the FM team is meeting
the energy crisis.
Chiswick Park is a 1.8
Mat t Coulson
million sq business
campus located in West
London. Developed in 1999, today it is made up of 12 buildings,
bringing together over 10,000 people from some of the world’s
leading companies such as Discovery, Paramount Pictures, IMG,
Starbucks and Pernod Ricard.
On the campus, we believe in responsible real estate. Our ESG
Da n Elli s
ADVICE & OPINION
Workplaces, especially those in
out-of-town locations, will play a key
role in the roll out of an effective EV
network. The ability to charge an EV at
work will become a greater priority for
employees and free charging will be
seen as a value-added perk to
attract good talent.”
Dan Ellis
FM and Property technology to power your organisation
and build a sustainable future
CAFM
Property Management
Workplace Management
Mobile Workforce
Energy Management
Coming together to change the future of FM, Real
Estate and Workplace software: download our guide