Our approach
We recognise that clients need to minimise risk, avoid needless expenditure, and avoid undue additional calls on their own time.
To that end, we advise our clients to follow a step-by-step approach for any decarbonisation projects. The emphasis is on risk-reduction and avoiding wasting time and money on dead-ends or expensive mistakes.
Each step qualifies the risk entailed in the next step, so that clients can make properly informed investment decisions as a potential project is developed.
The net effect of this process is that there is no requirement for a major capital commitment until there is technical confidence that the proposed installation(s) will work as intended and reasonable confidence that the financial outcome will be as expected (bearing in mind that nobody can be certain of the future).
We usually manage all these steps on a client’s behalf, recognising that otherwise this is all additional extra work for the staff, as well as being specialised in its nature.
Step 1. Initial Assessment
The first step is to identify the broad potential for worthwhile projects.
This is free of charge because until done we cannot reliably advise whether it’s worth spending any money at all on further investigative work. It usually includes:
- An online meeting to learn how the estate works, the client’s strategic intent, development plans, key concerns, and any practical considerations that would have a bearing on the suitability of different installations across the estate.
- Identifying the broad potential for worthwhile projects.
- Providing general advice on net-zero.
- Advising on financing options, including possible grants or subsidies.
Develop the Estate Decarbonisation Plan
Step 1 may have identified a range of potential options, or just one or two. Step 2 goes into much more detail. It includes some or all of the tasks described here, all depending on what the client wants:
- Measuring the carbon footprint across Scopes 1 to 3 and drafting the related net-zero strategy.
- Determining the scope, design concepts, cost versus net benefit and potential delivery programme for a range of options; in other words developing the estate decarbonisation plan (EDP).
- Supporting financing and grant applications as required.
- Advising on next steps.
Results are presented in a concise, comprehensive report, intended to be suitable for governing bodies and estate management staff alike. The content at this stage assumes no prior knowledge of low-carbon technologies, to ensure no reader will be left behind in the ensuing discussion. The report includes an executive summary and recommendations for those readers short on time.
Step 3. Technical Confirmation / Project Definition
For each project arising from Step 2 there will usually be some issues that require further investigation before the client and ReEnergise staff can be sure that it’s safe to proceed to tendering for the required contractors. Tasks include:
- Resolving any technical issues arising from Step 2.
- Confirming the design concept.
- Further developing the project programme.
- Providing technical support to any planning applications required.
- Continuing to support project financing bids, if applicable.
- Liaising with other agencies and potential stakeholders who may have a bearing on project execution, e.g. the local planning authority and the grid Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
- Reassessing the business case for the intended project, if any significant issues have come to light.
Step 4. Project Tendering
We always recommend running a competitive tender unless there is a clear reason not to do so. In most instances the client’s own procurement rules will require it anyway. The Step 4 tasks include:
- Identifying a shortlist of potential tenderers.
- Drawing up a requirement specification in sufficient detail for the tender exercise.
- Drawing up draft installer contract(s) to be included in the tender pack. (There may be more than one contractor involved in major projects).
- Organising the tender exercise & assessing bids.
- Confirming project financing arrangements with finance providers, where applicable.
- Supporting the planning application process, when required.
- Negotiating installer contracts on behalf of the client, through to the point of sign-off.
Step 5. Project Delivery
This step is the major capital commitment within any project. Tasks include:
- Arranging for all contracts to be signed. Installation contracts will usually be between the client and the contractor(s), with a separate project management contract put in place for ReEnergise.
- Managing the programme; witnessing commissioning.
- Setting up the required O&M framework.
- Supporting the client in drawing down grants in step with the installation programme, where applicable.
Post-delivery Quality Assurance
We want to be sure that each project is delivered successfully but also that each client is deriving the correct benefits from it: when a new and probably unfamiliar technology is introduced there are usually some procedural or operating details to be ironed out.
To that end we will organise client familiarisation and training. In addition, at a suitable stage after each installation has been commissioned, we will review progress with the client and if necessary call a site meeting for the client, installers, and any other relevant agencies involved. This is additional to the servicing and maintenance regime that will have been put in place as part of the original installation. It is an opportunity for the client to be completely candid about any issues that have arisen, so that they can be rectified, and so that we can all learn lessons from each job done.
We would expect any faults to be covered by warranty – either parts or workmanship – but by being proactive about this, faults are likely to be resolved that much more quickly.
Our full range of services
We don’t just organise low-carbon energy schemes: we’re keen to help clients make savings on energy in any way possible. Our full range of current services is listed below. If there is something else you need and you don’t see it below, get in touch – we’re adaptable:
Consultancy
- Carbon footprint.
- Net-zero strategy.
- Heat decarbonisation plan.
- Estate decarbonisation plan.
- Energy usage benchmarking.
- Project scoping and cost/benefit analysis.
- Technical feasibility studies.
- Advice on government net-zero targets and legislation.
- Planning advice and applications.
- Drafting business case proposals for Board approval.
- Energy supply tax and allowances reviews.
- Advice on financing, grants, and subsidies.
Project Management
- Multi-project programme management.
- Technical scoping and project budgeting.
- Design concepts & designs for low-carbon systems.
- Tender management and installer selection.
- Installation project management.
- Witnessing commissioning.
- Reviews of low-carbon installation performance.
