Where we're up to 

April 2013

The April/May issue of Build magazine features three articles covering BEES research - Behind the energy-use figures, Computer secrets and Who cares about water and energy?

March 2013

We've just released three reports related to a study of the BEES modelling conducted by the Centre for Building Performance Research.

• SR277/5 Building Energy End-use Study (BEES) Year 5: Modelling detail analysis. The first report documents the outcomes of a study identifying which aspects of energy simulation models that must be carefully quantified to ensure accurate energy performance modelling. Read more
• SR277/6 Building Energy End-use Study (BEES) Year 5: Building design optimisation. The second report explores the means by which computer modelling might be used to determine optimum building energy performance. Read more
• SR277/7 Building Energy End-use Study (BEES) Year 5: Christchurch urban form and energy. The third report applies the results from the first and second reports to examine the likely energy and environmental effects of the proposed urban form in the Christchurch central city draft plan. Read more

February 2013

We've just released our latest report: 

• SR277/4 Building Energy End-use Study (BEES) Year 5: Estimating whole building energy usage. This report presents the method for estimating whole building energy usage data using the data collected in BEES. As BEES data is primarily collected on a per premises basis, this method will be used to estimate the whole building energy use, which includes premises and central services (or common area) energy use. Read the report

The latest edition of Build magazine features two articles covering BEES research - Commercial building use and Let the sun shine on Christchurch.

November 2012

We've just released our latest reports:

• SR270/1 Building Energy End-use Study (BEES) Year 5: Buildings - size, management and use. We've found that the majority of premises surveyed are tenants (only 13% are owner-occupiers), most premises pay for their energy directly to their supplier and, not surprisingly, nearly all premises reported having reticulated electricity. Read more
• SR 270/3 Building Energy End-use Study (BEES) Year 5: Energy use outliers. We've found that energy Use Intensity (EUI) normalises the energy use of the premise by floor area to allow comparisons between different sized premises, and the premise operation was found to have the greatest influence on EUI. None of the high or low EUI premises in BEES were offices - they were retail - and low EUI premises tended to have poor space conditions. However, many of the high EUI premises also had poor space conditions. Read more

Check out the latest BEES reports.

September 2012

The BEES team is currently working on the following reports, which are due to be released later in the year:

• Buildings - size, management and use: This report will provide a summary of the data collected in a recent BEES phone survey, covering over 800 premises.
• Barriers to uptake 
• Energy use outliers: This provides an investigation into premises that have high or low energy use per square metre.
• Appliances: Summary of basic statistics of the appliance information collected to date.
• HVAC: Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning methods of monitoring and analysis.
• Whole-building energy use: This looks at methods for determining the whole-building enegy use.
• Auckland's water use: Examination of Auckland's water use in buildings.
• Modelling detail analysis; Building design optimisation; Christchurch urban form and energy: Three reports looking at modelling and the effects different urban plan options will have on energy and environmental conditions.

July 2012 

Free BEES seminars around the country:

• Christchurch - 13 July 2012, 12-4 pm
  Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport, 550 Memorial Avenue, Christchurch
• Wellington - 19 July 2012, 1-4 pm
  Westpac Stadium, Waterloo Quay, Wellington
• Auckland - 23 July 2012, 1-4 pm
  Copthorne Harbour City Hotel, 196-200 Quay Street, Auckland

April 2012

After a couple of months with heads down and tails up, we have several exciting things on the boil. In July, we have three free BEES seminars happening. Results from the project so far will be on show, along with information on how the project is coming together and things that we've found along the way. The seminars are free of charge and will be in the afternoon - keep an eye out on the site for the details!

• Christchurch Friday 13 July
• Wellington Thursday 19 July
• Auckland Monday 23 July.

Dr Michael Babylon is back on the road shortly to do more detailed monitoring installations, most of which will be in large buildings (over 9000 m²). We will be asking the occupants in many of these premises to complete the quick 2-page Building Use Evaluation Surveys (also known as BUS Surveys). Some of the premises already monitored will also get a chance to do these surveys. This should give us a fascinating insight into what people think of their buildings. At this stage, we are working with tenants, building managers and building owners too. The enthusiasm that we've come across has been heartening - thank you to all those who have assisted us and continue to assist us!

The telephone surveying is now complete, with all the consent forms sent out to the businesses who have agreed to provide us with data on energy and water (where applicable). We would like to thank these businesses for their contribution - every premises that takes part makes a big difference. We are continuing to appeal for the return of outstanding consent forms that were sent back in February - these forms are essential to the project as they enable us to access the businesses' billing data. We have paper and electronic copies that we can send to those who can't find them - if you're in that group, please get in touch and we'll send you a new copy!

February 2012 

The majority of the team are back from their summer holidays - indeed some never left - and our work is continuing. The final phase of recruitment is happening via our telephone survey. Throughout February, we will be contacting around 1000 premises and asking if they can help us with our telephone survey. We'd love you to help us and take part. Your feedback will help us gain information on where improvements are most needed in non-residential building stock. The survey takes less than 15 minutes. If you are unable to take part in the survey when and if we contact you, we have provided you with the option to choose a time that works for you. Simply email bees@branz.co.nz. In addition, if you don't have your energy consent form, you can find a copy here.

January 2012

December 2011

The BEES team is helping to make life easier for people modelling commercial buildings. One practical application for the research is to create templates for energy models of the most common types of commercial buildings in New Zealand. Check out the new section on our website: BEES for energy modelling

August 2011 

Up to August 2011, over 100 premises/buildings had detailed monitoring equipment installed. We now have an extensive database filled with information to drill into.