Welcome to Concept Energy Solutions
Concept Energy Solutions provides a comprehensive range of energy management services to clients throughout the UK.
With a broad base of experience and expertise, our consultants, project managers and support services staff work with private and public sector organisations to reduce and control energy consumption, costs and emissions.
Our range of services is designed to meet the varying needs of our clients. We can provide a complete, tailored solution from strategy development through to practical implementation, or we can deliver individually each component part of a structured energy management programme.
We welcome enquiries regarding our services, or relating to energy matters generally.
Energy/Carbon Strategy Development
Developing an energy/environmental strategy that is appropriate for an organisation is not straightforward. Concept can work with you to put in place an effective strategy – from drafting the energy policy document and putting in place the delivery team right through to advising on external CSR reporting procedures, ensuring that staff are fully engaged throughout.
Following the Kyoto Protocol (1997), in the UK the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002), modified Building Regulations and the Climate Change Act (2008) have all been clear indications of a move towards more energy-related legislation and regulation – affecting all organisations. The Sustainable Buildings Policy is likely to be the next area of attention.
We make it our business to ensure that we are constantly in touch with the policy makers and decision factors so that we are aware of the timings and implications of all new regulation. This enables us to give our clients the best advice at all times.
Most pressing at present is the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which will impact on many larger, non energy-intensive businesses. Concept is able to provide full guidance and support with this initiative, which will be effective from April 2010.
More information here
The UK’s Sustainable Buildings Policy is still at the consultation stage. For organisations who are keen to investigate low/zero carbon (LZC) opportunities, Concept’s consultants have considerable experience and expertise in this area, including the feasibility of incorporating renewable energy sources into new buildings or refurbishments.
We can provide design advice, conduct feasibility studies and project manage implementation work.
We have BREEAM-accredited consultants and are also on CIBSE’s Low Carbon Consultants Register.
Carrying out an effective energy survey is a fundamental of energy management and we pride ourselves on the quality and benefits derived from our surveys and the reports we produce from them.
The surveys are tailored to meet the needs of the client and may take the form of a general assessment, or a detailed study of a specific area or aspect of energy use. Pre- and post-survey analysis are also essential elements of the study.
Our reports are clear and comprehensive, setting out our findings and recommendations with clarity that aids the implementation process.
Sample energy survey reports, can be supplied upon request. More Information here
Energy Data Management (including Invoice Management)
Accurate and comprehensive energy data is essential for the effective monitoring of performance. In our Support Services team we employ experienced staff to manage the collection, processing, analysis and reporting of energy data in all media – half-hourly data, meter readings, invoices, etc. Many of the team have an extensive background in the energy industry and are experienced in dealing with data and all the various agencies involved.
We offer a range of reporting tools, from a complete, web based service through to simple monthly reporting in PDF format.
Invoice Management: Some of our clients prefer to use our expertise and outsource their invoice management requirements to us in entirety. This involves receipt of utility invoices by us, thorough checking/validation and dealing with (frequent) supplier invoicing errors, to obtain credits and refunds where applicable. We are also able to manage the invoice payment process and so provide a total invoice management solution.
We would be pleased to demonstrate or discuss with you the services we can provide
Implementation - Proposal Development and Project Management
Where analysis has identified opportunities to improve energy performance, we are pleased to assist with the process of implementation. This can include:
Detailed feasibility studies
Design advice
Life cycle costing and analysis
Equipment specification
Tendering processes
Project management, using recognised PM software/disciplines
We always recognise the importance of ensuring that projects are completed effectively, within budget and on time.
Once improvements in energy performance and a reduced carbon footprint have been achieved, sustaining the improvement is vital.
We can provide a full monitoring and targeting service, to ensure that an organisation continues to benefit from the investment in energy management. From our energy surveys, we build up a true understanding of building operation and performance and work with our clients to define realistic but challenging future energy usage targets, with a real-time monitoring capability if required.
Sub meters and smart meters are important for data gathering and for understanding how a building, or a manufacturing process, operates. We can design an effective sub metering strategy to optimise the meter function and the data collection capability.
Our software and our M & T consulting services can provide real benefits to organisations who are genuinely keen to manage their energy usage. The services are also entirely scale-able, to match the requirements of our clients, currently ranging from single-site businesses to Government departments and retail organisations with over 500 operational sites.
Remote Monitoring/Bureau Services
Our customers often require 24/7 access to their energy data and buildings information, so we have set up an in-house bureau service linked to a web-based facility, to meet these requirements.
We provide real-time monitoring of buildings energy performance, with a range of both financial and carbon reports available for interrogation/download.
We can include remote access to a site BMS in our service provision, for example, so that our consultants can assist in identifying problems and working with our clients to optimise building performance at all times.
A demonstration of our range of bureau services is available upon request
Increasingly, buildings are being equipped with some form of building management system to control plant and equipment, but we find that the degree of effective control imposed on buildings varies greatly.
In managing the performance of a building, we believe that understanding the controls and the control strategies within the BMS are essential and for this reason we employ several consultants who have a specific background in building controls and BMS operation.
In our experience there is often a disconnection between the maintenance and control of plant and energy efficiency. We work with our clients and their engineering service providers or maintenance teams – and with BMS contractors – to review and optimise plant operation, maximising equipment lifecycle and increasing energy efficiency.
Where an organisation is considering investment in Combined Heat & Power, it is essential that they receive sound advice on the project, from the feasibility study stage through to installation and operation. Correct sizing of CHP plant, for example, is a key consideration which is often given inadequate detailed attention.
Where a CHP scheme is already installed, optimising system performance requires specialist expertise which we are equipped to provide.
Concept has experience of the design, installation and operation of CHP schemes and can offer comprehensive advice, independent of manufacturers.
For an energy/environmental strategy to succeed it is vital that staff at all levels are fully informed of both the ambitions and the results. To contribute, they need to have an understanding of energy and the role that they can play in improving efficiency and limiting waste.
Concept has provided bespoke energy awareness and training programmes to organisations of all sizes – from small hotels to Times Top100 companies.
We can provide training sessions, seminars, toolbox talks and supporting material – posters, etc. that complement an overall Carbon Reduction Strategy.
Communicating progress with the programme to staff is important and we can assist by tailoring reports and other communications to the requirements of the client.
After the extreme price rises in 2007/8, energy costs have fallen again, but the underlying trend continues upwards in the medium to longer term.
No organisation can ignore the impact of energy costs and buying electricity, gas and other energy requirements at competitive rates is essential.
Concept provides a full procurement service for electricity and gas. We have a network of contacts throughout the industry and daily dealings provide us with excellent market intelligence, so that we can secure competitive supply contracts for our clients and offer general guidance on market trends and associated issues.
Concept has consultants who are accredited to produce Display Energy Certificates and Energy Performance Certificates for commercial properties.
Condition-Based Asset Monitoring
We have a team within Concept who specialise in buildings consultancy. We have developed a unique remote monitoring system which has condition-based asset monitoring at its core.
With our system the condition of plant and equipment is monitored constantly, so that maintenance is carried out when required, not simply by routine. The quality and effectiveness of the maintenance practices can be validated through the monitoring system, as plant condition/performance is visible at all times.
With our system not only is plant monitored but we can also build in the analysis of energy consumption – main meters and sub meters – together with remote access to the BMS and other important areas. In this way the client has remote access to all the essential elements in operating a building efficiently, reducing running costs and extending plant lifecycle.
Effective building maintenance management goes hand in hand with energy management. Our specialists can provide consulting services on maintenance strategies, statutory compliance and associated issues.
Working with our customers, we achieve real improvements in maintenance performance and cost savings by putting in place an effective maintenance strategy that is appropriate for the site.
Water is becoming of increasing significance both as an environmental consideration and as a cost to businesses.
We provide water conservation services in line with those for energy management, including full water surveys, feasibility studies and water reporting. As a matter of course we will consider options for rainwater harvesting, and other energy-efficient initiatives.
We have partnership arrangements with specialists to advise on all aspects of trade effluent agreements and also leak detection specialists who can identify and repair leaks that might previously have been undetected but which could be adding significantly to water costs.
Vacancies
Energy Engineers/Consultants
We are currently seeking to recruit additional energy engineers to join our team.
Our primary requirement is for experienced energy consultants with a sound background in the management of energy and related activities. Successful applicants are likely to be degree-educated or equivalent and able to demonstrate a successful career to-date in the provision of consultancy services – good communication skills and a conscientious approach to customer service are as important to us as technical competence and a genuine interest in energy and environmental issues.
We have an immediate requirement for staff who would be based at our offices near Basingstoke, but we will also consider applications from home-based employees throughout the UK.
We pay a competitive salary, linked to experience and expertise, with the opportunity for career development within the Company.
In the first instance, please send your CV to Sue Melville, our Office Manager at:
sue.melville@conceptenergy.org
or alternatively submit your application by post to our office address.