But we never lose sight of the architectural response to the brief.
The National Grid is responsible for working out the carbon factor for the entire grid.They have scenario modelling and are aware of where things could end up in the best case scenario.
However, they also look at what’s happened over the last year.This means we know what’s happening in the UK in terms of energy balance.We can use that data when considering sustainability in our designs to give a very detailed, current understanding of what the electricity grid is, and what that means for buildings.. We can also use their predictions to understand how the grid is going to decarbonise over the next five to ten years.
Importantly, the trajectory for that decarbonisation looks healthy.What it really comes down to is different scenarios, related to levels of investment, and what that will consist of.
Decarbonisation of the electricity grid is a very large-scale endeavour.
Massive wind turbines, all the way through to the PV panels on individual homes; all of these elements contribute to the electricity carbon factor and will play an important role in creating a more sustainable future.. Net zero by 2050.Welfare facilities will need to be provided somewhere in the building, with food, drink, toilets, showers, and break areas typically kept outside the main lab space.
Furthermore, given the increasing competition to attract talented scientists and lab technicians, more luxurious social spaces such as gyms and chill-out areas are becoming the norm.Office buildings that already provide these facilities may be more cost-effective overall..
Complications can arise where elevators, corridors, and external areas used to store or transport critical, sensitive, expensive, hazardous, or large volumes of materials are then shared with office or other lab tenancies.In some cases these issues will be covered by regulations and can therefore impact health and safety or quality compliance.