Delivering a Sustainable Future

Strategic advice to meet environmental standards

Renewable energy now forms an important part of the energy assessment that is required for planning applications. Richard Hodkinson Consultancy has detailed knowledge of renewable energy systems and their incorporation within housing and mixed use development projects. Many planning authorities require that a proportion of energy used within proposed developments comes from renewable sources. These support meeting the Code for Sustainable Homes’ requirements.

The practice has detailed technical knowledge on low carbon homes. Projects range from stand alone houses to large developments with decentralised community energy systems. Combined Heat and Power experience has been obtained through Millennium Community projects and the practice has undertaken extensive market testing for community energy systems. These have included a proportion of renewable energy.

Local electricity generation from renewable sources represents the largest challenge for low carbon homes. Solutions such as photovoltaic solar panels, wind power and biomass combined heat and power are potentially viable. All the solutions carry a significant capital cost increase above current housing standards and therefore procurement forms a key component in the selection of suitable approvals.