Collectively Speaking - Net Zero Neighbourhoods
In this episode of Collectively Speaking, Max Farrell, Chief Executive of the LDN Collective, discusses net zero neighbourhoods with Hannah Jewkes, a Sustainability Associate at AESG. They explore innovative strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment and share insights from groundbreaking projects.
Hannah shares her journey into sustainability, transitioning from civil engineering to focusing on ESG and sustainable construction after a pivotal realization about her studies' environmental impact. Together, Max and Hannah address the energy supply crisis in West London, caused by the growing demand for data centres, which stalled housing developments. This challenge spurred the LDN Collective to identify solutions in low-energy construction and decentralized energy systems.
Key takeaways from their discussion include ten principles derived from global case studies, emphasizing improved building fabrics, renewable energy technologies, and the use of data for efficiency. They highlight the “GreenHaus” project in Manchester, an affordable, high-density PassiveHaus development, and the Barnsley Community Energy Coalition, which implemented solar panels to aid vulnerable households.
Hannah also details innovative collaborations, such as South Dublin County Council’s initiative to repurpose waste heat from data centres and Cornwall’s Kensa Heat Pumps project, which connected multiple homes to a single ground-source heat pump, reducing heating costs.
The conversation shifts to a current project in Huntingdonshire, where Max and Hannah are helping design a sustainable community of 5,000 homes. Strategies include optimizing building orientation, integrating EV charging and solar energy, and fostering community engagement to educate residents on sustainable living.
Looking to the future, Max and Hannah discuss upcoming regulations like Future Homes Plus and innovations such as capturing waste heat from the London Underground. They also highlight Octopus Energy’s plans to offer affordable modular housing with integrated solar panels and no energy bills for ten years.
Access the full report on net zero neighbourhoods here https://westlondon.com/net-zero-neighbourhoods-report-launched-to-further-the-uptake-for-a-low-carbon-future/
Find out more about the LDN Collective at
https://ldn-collective.com/
Podcast Transcript: Collectively Speaking - Net Zero Neighborhoods
Max: Happy New Year, everybody, and welcome to the next episode of our second series of Collectively Speaking. My name is Max, and I'm the Chief Executive of the LDN Collective. As you may or may not know, we are a group of professionals with diverse skill sets working in the built environment on projects with a social and environmental agenda.
Max: Today's episode is about probably the most important topic—how we can collectively address the impact of the built environment on the climate and reduce our carbon footprint. One standout project we've been working on is centered on net zero neighborhoods, which launched earlier this year. I'm delighted to have with me Hannah Jewkes, a Sustainability Associate at AESG, who has been a key researcher, writer, and advocate for this work. Hannah, welcome!
Hannah: Thank you very much for having me, Max. I'm really excited to talk about this today.
Max: To start, can you tell us a bit about your background? Was sustainability always something you were passionate about?
Hannah: Not particularly. I began studying civil and coastal engineering at university, which followed a similar thread but in a different context. My interest in sustainability began during a diving course. I told someone about my studies, and they remarked that I was "killing the planet." That realization hit me hard. After completing my bachelor's degree, I decided to pivot to sustainability for my master's. Since then, I’ve focused on ESG reporting, carbon reporting, and, more recently, the built environment.
Max: That’s an inspiring journey. I think your multifaceted approach made the net zero neighborhoods project dynamic and compelling. For our listeners, this project began when Andrew Dakers, CEO of West London Business, highlighted a severe energy supply crisis in West London. It stemmed from the increasing demand for data centers, which stalled housing and development projects due to electricity supply constraints.
Hannah: Yes, Andrew reached out to the LDN Collective, and we started exploring innovations in low-energy construction, decentralized energy supply, and retrofitting. Our goal was to create case studies and identify common principles that decision-makers could adopt for renewable energy and retrofitting at scale.
Max: What key lessons emerged from those case studies?
Hannah: We identified ten key principles recurring across the ten case studies. These included:
- Building fabric improvements, like high-insulation materials and low U-values.
- Incorporating technologies such as renewable energy systems, energy storage, and heat pumps.
- Leveraging data to monitor energy use and track improvements.
Max: That’s a comprehensive list. Financial considerations also play a big role. Many funders are cautious about new technologies due to limited data. Part of our work was to instill confidence by showing measurable outcomes.
Hannah: Absolutely. Sharing data—both successes and lessons learned—is crucial. For example, in Barnsley, the Community Energy Coalition introduced solar panels (PV systems) through a retail bond. Their efforts helped vulnerable households while fostering social cohesion.
Max: Another compelling example was Manchester’s “Greenhouse” project. Can you share more about that?
Hannah: The Greenhouse project in Manchester showcased affordable, high-density Passive House standards. It’s a certified approach focused on building fabric to maximize energy efficiency. With triple-glazed windows and strategic building orientation, the project delivered 96 apartments that are both sustainable and affordable.
Max: Brilliant. In Dublin, there was also a fascinating project utilizing waste heat from data centers. How did that work?
Hannah: South Dublin County Council partnered with a data center to redirect waste heat to public buildings and new affordable apartments. This innovative approach reduced the energy needed for cooling data centers while heating homes efficiently.
Max: That kind of collaboration is so inspiring. It’s a great example of maximizing shared benefits.
Hannah: Exactly. Collaboration across sectors often results in win-win scenarios, both financially and environmentally.
Max: Speaking of collaborations, Cornwall’s pilot project with Kensa Heat Pumps was another standout. Can you explain?
Hannah: Kensa connected 98 homes to a single ground-source heat pump. There were no upfront costs for residents; instead, they paid a standard fee, which was lower than traditional energy costs. It’s a scalable model with significant potential for reducing heating costs.
Max: That’s fantastic. For new developments like the project west of Peterborough, where we’re collaborating, what strategies are being implemented to align with future standards?
Hannah: The Sibson project emphasizes:
- Building orientation for natural heating and cooling.
- Walkable layouts to reduce car dependency.
- Integration of PV and EV charging for all homes.
- Community engagement to educate residents about sustainable living.
Max: With regulations like Future Homes Plus coming, how are you preparing?
Hannah: We’re focusing on building fabric improvements, low U-value materials, and energy-efficient technologies. These measures ensure compliance with upcoming standards while prioritizing sustainability.
Max: Future innovations like using waste heat from the London Underground and initiatives by Octopus Energy are also exciting.
Hannah: Absolutely. Octopus’ commitment to reducing energy costs aligns with modular housing projects like those with Wates. Offering 10 years of no bills through integrated solar panels could transform affordability.
Max: That’s a game-changer. Hannah, thank you for sharing these insights. For listeners, the full report is available on the LDN Collective, AESG, and West London Business websites. Feel free to reach out to Hannah for more information.
Hannah: Thank you, Max. I’d be happy to connect with anyone interested.
Max: Thank you, Hannah. That concludes our episode on net zero neighborhoods. Stay tuned for more discussions this year.
