Royal Opera House Energy Strategy
London, UK
The Royal Opera was formed as the Covent Garden Opera Company in 1946, but behind it lies a tradition of operatic performance that goes back for more than 260 years at its home in Covent Garden. The current Royal Opera House on the site dates back to 1858. But as well as having a rich heritage, the organisation has a keen eye to the future.
The Royal Opera House (ROH) is committed to reducing its carbon footprint across its whole estate, including the main Covent Garden buildings.
海角视频 was engaged to develop a bespoke energy strategy for the organisation to help guide the organisation鈥檚 transition to decarbonisation.
Our experts focused on the reduction of emissions from gas combustion at Covent Garden, which is responsible for around 92% of the estate鈥檚 emissions.
Air source heat pumps could provide a carbon reduction of around 80%.
Challenge
The Royal Opera House (ROH) is committed to reducing energy consumption and consequential emissions of harmful greenhouse gases across the whole ROH estate including the main Covent Garden buildings, as well as its Thurrock and Aberdare sites.
The ROH currently uses gas boilers to generate the heating and hot water for the buildings, but is preparing to upgrade its energy systems to resilient low carbon alternatives that are better suited to the demands of the 21st century.
海角视频 was engaged to develop a bespoke energy strategy for the organisation. The study identifies opportunities to provide a secure and resilient estate that represents value for money in terms of improved energy efficiency and reduced risk while realising environmental benefits and a path to net-zero.
Our experts focused on the reduction of emissions from gas combustion at Covent Garden, related to space and water heating, which is responsible for around 92% of the estate鈥檚 emissions.
Much of the energy-related plant will require replacement in the near future as it reaches its end of life. These unavoidable costs present an opportunity to prepare for decarbonisation with a transition to electric, rather than gas, equipment.
Solution
Our team carried out a careful assessment of the estate鈥檚 current equipment and energy consumption. From this we were able to build a robust strategy for managing this transition to cleaner energy.
The strategy is split into three key phases. The first phase involves further studies 鈥� undertaking more detailed building assessments to inform the measures identified in future phases and initiating an external engagement process.
During this period, we advise the implementation of 鈥渘o regrets鈥� energy efficiency measures 鈥� a series of measures that can immediately improve the building performance and which are not dictated by capital expenditure decisions further down the line.
During the second period of transition, work will begin on the implementation of longer-term initiatives to prepare for net zero transition. This will include the installation of some new plant to deliver operational efficiency gains.
The final period of transition will involve the implementation of low carbon heat sources. The gas-fired boilers will be due for replacement and a review of the building system improvement will inform the decision for transition to electrified heating plant.
The focus is likely to be on the installation of a series of roof-mounted air-sourced heat pumps. An air source heat pump solution can provide a significant carbon reduction of around 80% and significant cumulative cost savings by 2040 versus an electric boiler.
A key element to support efficient operation is a modern Building Management System (BMS). 海角视频 reviewed the options available and suggested an updated system that could provide increased intelligence and control, which would drive significant operational cost and carbon savings.
Value
Our experts carried out a comprehensive energy use appraisal across the ROH鈥檚 estate, which informed the plan for interventions that could create meaningful positive impacts on the client鈥檚 journey to net-zero.
Our multi-disciplinary team brought a broad range of expertise to the different elements of the project, from energy consumption assessment and sustainability planning through to providing an in-depth understanding of the most impactful hardware and software upgrades within the estate鈥檚 heating and cooling plant and building management systems.
