Electricity and the built environment of the future

Buildings account for nearly half of the UK total energy use and it is therefore imperative that the best energy technologies are adopted in both new and refurbished buildings. The author discusses energy efficiency in heating and air conditioning systems. Energy storage by use of ice storage, eutectic salts and by using the fabric of the buildings, is discussed. The author then discusses `healthy´ buildings including the need for fresh-air ventilation and heat recovery, displacement ventilation, and the control and monitoring of air quality