scholarly journals Opportunities and barriers to business engagement in the UK domestic retrofit sector: An industry perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 014362442097564
Author(s):  
Ben Butt ◽  
Rory V. Jones ◽  
Alba Fuertes
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Building Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Market Growth ◽  
Barriers And Opportunities ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Industry Professionals ◽  
Significant Opportunity

This paper investigates the opportunities and barriers to business engagement in the UK domestic retrofit sector. There are approximately 28 million UK dwellings accounting for 30% of UK total energy consumption. Almost all of the existing housing stock will require some form of retrofit in order to meet the UK Government’s Net Zero emissions target by 2050. However, adoption has been much lower than required. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with industry professionals to investigate the key barriers and opportunities for businesses in the retrofit market. The results suggest that there is significant opportunity for businesses, but engagement has been suppressed by three main categories of barriers: (1) Those that cause lack of consumer demand; (2) Those that constrain retrofit projects, limiting their volume and scalability; (3) Those resulting from a lack of government will or direction. Business opportunity for retrofit was seen to extend globally, with substantial market growth possible. The paper suggests potential roles and solutions key stakeholders could take to achieve the volume of retrofit required. The findings should be of interest to all stakeholders who wish to overcome the multitude of barriers to business engagement in the retrofit sector and realise the potential opportunities. Practical application: This study aims to understand the barriers preventing the large-scale adoption of domestic retrofit in the UK in order to identify avenues for increasing business engagement in the sector. Potential areas believed to present significant opportunity for businesses when engaging in, developing and upscaling the retrofit process and solutions are highlighted. This paper should be of interest to building industry professionals already or wanting to undertake domestic retrofit works in future. The paper also gathers the views of current building industry professionals through semi-structured interviews providing an industry centric assessment of the sector’s challenges and possible solutions.

scholarly journals Engaging UK repair–maintain–improve practitioners in improved building performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niamh Murtagh ◽  
Alice M. Owen ◽  
Kate Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Performance Modelling ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Carbon Reduction ◽  
Customer Care ◽  
The Uk

PurposeTo improve building performance and meet statutory carbon reduction targets, a radical transformation of existing UK building stock is needed. Much previous research on building performance has focussed on large-scale construction. However, retrofit of existing housing stock – which will contribute the majority of the requisite efficiency improvement – is carried out by practitioners in the repair–maintain–improve (RMI) subsector. These practitioners are the sole traders and micro-firms who constitute two-fifths of employment in the construction sector. The study aims to examine the factors influencing these practitioners in RMI work to understand how better to engage them with improved building performance.Design/methodology/approachA total of 31 semi-structured interviews were conducted with RMI professionals from around the UK and analysed using template analysis.FindingsThe analysis identified capabilities of the practitioners who influence building performance, including knowledge and co-ordination of people and resources; opportunities including state action and customer demand; and motivations including pride in work, customer care and satisfaction, maintaining a viable business and working relationships.Research limitations/implicationsThe participants were a small, mixed group in terms of firm size and specialisation. The qualitative approach adopted provided detailed insights but does not make claims for statistical generalisability or representativeness of the findings. Future work could look to extend the findings with a statistically representative survey.Practical implicationsFor a successful transition to high standards of building performance, modelling is not enough. Initiatives are needed to address the multiple factors which determine engagement in energy-efficient retrofit: capacities, opportunities and motivations. The desire of RMI practitioners to meet customer expectations could be used to develop pragmatic building performance evaluation, guided by householder satisfaction criteria.Originality/valueThe study examined the attitudes and experiences of an under-researched sector who are essential to the delivery of improved building performance. This study makes a novel contribution by applying an established psychological model of behaviour change, the capability, opportunity, motivation – behaviour model, for the first time in this domain.

Scenarios for examination of highly distributed power systems

2008 ◽  
Vol 222 (7) ◽  
pp. 643-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
C N Jardine ◽  
G W Ault
Keyword(s):  
Power Systems ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Power Flow ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Distributed Power ◽  
Distributed Power Systems ◽  
Network Operation ◽  
The Uk

A set of three scenarios has been created in order to examine the incorporation of extensive penetrations of micro-generators into electricity networks (termed ‘highly distributed power systems’). The scenarios have been created as a synthesis of the Future Network Technologies scenarios and the UK domestic carbon model, and yields energy use and carbon dioxide emissions of the UK housing stock from inputs of household numbers, house type, thermal efficiency, appliance efficiency, as well as the number and efficiency of micro-generators used. The centralized supply mix also varies between scenarios and features extensive penetrations of large-scale renewables. The scenarios illustrate the scale of change required to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2050, which has substantial impacts for electricity network operation. Moving from a centralized system to the one where one-third of electricity comes from distributed sources poses significant challenges including: reverse power flow on networks, load balancing, storage requirements, phase unbalance, harmonics, and ancillary services.

scholarly journals A gradual separation from the world: a qualitative exploration of existential loneliness in old age

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Carr ◽  
Chao Fang
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Retirement Communities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Existential Loneliness ◽  
The World ◽  
Physical Touch ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

This study sought to qualitatively explore experiences of existential loneliness (EL) in 80 older people living in retirement communities across the UK and Australia. Qualitative semi-structured interviews permitted in-depth exploration of issues such as biographical narrative, close relationships, loss, feelings of loneliness, and retirement living. It was our intention to conduct a large-scale, deep listening exercise that would provide further clues about existential loneliness in older people and the circumstances that give rise to such feelings. Data provided rich insight into older people’s inner lives. Core themes identified loss of close attachments, lack of physical touch and intimacy, deterioration of health and body, and lack of an emotional language through which to express EL as central to older people’s experiences. Furthermore, there was a suggestion that the move to retirement living was for many people inextricably connected to their experience of EL. Our data further support and extend the notion that EL can be thought of as a gradual sense of separation from the world and that ageing intensifies a myriad of social, emotional, and physical circumstances that prompt its emergence. This sense of existential isolation need not be thought of as exclusive to those experiencing extreme frailty or who face death imminently – our data pointed to a clear and gradual emergence of EL throughout later life.

Implementing change: the perspective of NHS change agents

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 667-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Massey ◽  
Sharon Williams
Keyword(s):  
Change Process ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Change Agent ◽  
Change Agents ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Implementing Change ◽  
Normal Functional ◽  
The Uk

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the change process that is required to support CANDO, a business improvement technique primarily associated with the manufacturing sector. It reviews the transferability of CANDO to a health setting and examines the effectiveness of this tool through the eyes of the change agents and implementers. The study draws on an ongoing empirical research study in the NHS.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is a case study, combining semi‐structured interviews, observations and reflexive accounts.FindingsThe results show that this improvement tool is an appropriate mechanism as a foundation for developing change agents and for creating change in health care. The capability and competence of the change agent is critical to the success of a change programme. Specific skills include developing people outside of their normal functional boundaries, redefining values and norms, motivating and energising others, translating terminology, setting the initiative within the wider agenda for change, and designing and communicating solutions and new systems as a result of CANDO activities.Research limitations/implicationsAs the research focuses on one NHS Trust within the UK this limits the generalisibility of the results. However, the results provide an important insight into developing change agents, their role while identifying enablers and inhibitors to the change process.Originality/valueThis paper records the early stages of what is a large‐scale and long‐term improvement programme from the perspective of the change agent. This is an important perspective that is often overlooked when examining change programmes.

Methods of Network Planning and Management when Implementing Territory Planning Projects

2019 ◽  
pp. 49-54
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Network Planning ◽  
Network Models ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Planning And Management ◽  
Planning Project ◽  
Complex Process

The success of the Program of housing stock renovation in Moscow depends on the efficiency of resource management. One of the main urban planning documents that determine the nature of the reorganization of residential areas included in the Program of renovation is the territory planning project. The implementation of the planning project is a complex process that has a time point of its beginning and end, and also includes a set of interdependent parallel-sequential activities. From an organizational point of view, it is convenient to use network planning and management methods for project implementation. These methods are based on the construction of network models, including its varieties – a Gantt chart. A special application has been developed to simulate the implementation of planning projects. The article describes the basic principles and elements of modeling. The list of the main implementation parameters of the Program of renovation obtained with the help of the developed software for modeling is presented. The variants of using the results obtained for a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of large-scale urban projects are proposed.

Bottlenecks in the Implementation of On-Site Wastewater Treatment Plants on a Large Scale in The Netherlands

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 291-298
Author(s):  
Frits A. Fastenau ◽  
Jaap H. J. M. van der Graaf ◽  
Gerard Martijnse
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Definition Of

More than 95 % of the total housing stock in the Netherlands is connected to central sewerage systems and in most cases the wastewater is treated biologically. As connection to central sewerage systems has reached its economic limits, interest in on-site treatment of the domestic wastewater of the remaining premises is increasing. A large scale research programme into on-site wastewater treatment up to population equivalents of 200 persons has therefore been initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and Environment. Intensive field-research work did establish that the technological features of most on-site biological treatment systems were satisfactory. A large scale implementation of these systems is however obstructed in different extents by problems of an organisational, financial and/or juridical nature and management difficulties. At present research is carried out to identify these bottlenecks and to analyse possible solutions. Some preliminary results are given which involve the following ‘bottlenecks':-legislation: absence of co-ordination and absence of a definition of ‘surface water';-absence of subsidies;-ownership: divisions in task-setting of Municipalities and Waterboards; divisions involved with cost-sharing;-inspection; operational control and maintenance; organisation of management;-discharge permits;-pollution levy;-sludge disposal. Final decisions and practical elaboration of policies towards on-site treatment will have to be formulated in a broad discussion with all the authorities and interest groups involved.

International pharmacy students’ transition to Nottingham: Semi-structured interviews (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yicong Liu
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Teaching Style ◽  
Cultural Adjustment ◽  
Independent Study ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
International Pharmacy ◽  
The Uk

BACKGROUND The transition from China to the UK can be challenging, and there is increasing concern among academics since cross-cultural learning and living may be a challenge for these students. OBJECTIVE To find out international pharmacy students’ worries and challenges as well as benefits on the transition experience from China to the UK. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were used to explore this group of students’ transition experiences. Selective transcription was done because of time limitations in the project. RESULTS The natural and cultural environment was the most pleasant experience for Tianjin students during this transition process. Cross-cultural adjustment and self-adaptability, as well as their autonomous learning ability were the main barriers for international students. CONCLUSIONS The difference between Asian and Western culture caused barriers for international students to fit into a new environment. In terms of integrating into local students, insufficient English language skills, culture shock and personality could be the influence factors. Moreover, the different teaching style and learning style could be the possible reasons for students having difficulty in an independent study. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

Origin and distribution of dolomite in Permian Rotliegend siliciclastic sandstones (Dutch Southern Permian Basin)

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (10) ◽  
pp. 1055-1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolaas Molenaar ◽  
Marita Felder
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Permian Basin ◽  
Advective Flow ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Carbonate Cement ◽  
Thin Section Petrography ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Pressure Dissolution ◽  
Dolomite Cement ◽  
Detrital Carbonate

ABSTRACT Dolomite is a common and volumetrically important mineral in many siliciclastic sandstones, including Permian Rotliegend sandstones (the Slochteren Formation). These sandstones form extensive gas reservoirs in the Southern Permian Basin in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and the UK. The reservoir quality of these sandstones is negatively influenced by the content and distribution of dolomite. The origin and the stratigraphic distribution of the dolomite is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study is to identify the origin of carbonate. The main methods used to achieve those aims are a combination of thin-section petrography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM and EDX), and XRD analyses. The present study shows that the typical dispersed occurrence of the dolomite is a consequence of dispersed detrital carbonate grains that served both as nuclei and source for authigenic dolomite cement. The dolomite cement formed syntaxial outgrowths and overgrowths around detrital carbonate grains. The study also shows that dolomite cement, often in combination with ankerite and siderite, precipitated during burial after mechanical compaction. Most of the carbonate grains consisted of dolomite before deposition. The carbonate grains were affected by compaction and pressure dissolution, and commonly have no well-defined outlines anymore. The distribution of dolomite cement in the Rotliegend sandstones was controlled by the presence of stable carbonate grains. Due to the restricted and variable content of carbonate grains and their dispersed occurrence, the cement is also dispersed and the degree of cementation heterogeneous. Our findings have important implications on diagenesis modeling. The presence of detrital carbonate excludes the need for external supply by any large-scale advective flow of diagenetic fluids. By knowing that the carbonate source is local and related to detrital grains instead of being externally derived from an unknown source, the presence of carbonate cement can be linked to a paleogeographic and sedimentological model.

scholarly journals Food support provision in COVID-19 times: a mixed method study based in Greater Manchester

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo Oncini
Keyword(s):  
Financial Stability ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Support Providers ◽  
Support Provision ◽  
Emergency Response Plan ◽  
Support Organizations ◽  
User Demand ◽  
Response Plan ◽  
The Uk

AbstractCOVID-19 has brought to light the severity of economic inequalities by testing the capacity of the poorest families to make ends meet. Food insecurity has in fact soared all over the UK, with many people forced to rely on food support providers to not go hungry. This paper uses a unique dataset on 55 food support organizations active in Greater Manchester during the first COVID-19 wave, and 41 semi-structured interviews with food aid spokespersons and stakeholders, to shed light on what they overcame, the complications and drawbacks of the food emergency response plan put in place. The results indicate that food aid organizations that remained open were surprisingly effective despite the growth in user demand and the decrease in volunteers. However, the necessity to maintain a timely supply food at all costs came with important drawbacks. The lockdown measures that followed COVID-19 not only affected the financial stability and management of the organizations, and the availability of food, but undermined the ways in which food support providers used to operate. Owing to physical distancing measures and to the increasing numbers of users, more or less intangible forms of support such as financial advice, empathic listening and human warmth were partially lost, probably when they were needed more than ever.

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