These reports are prepared to demonstrate the likely carbon emissions from the operational energy use of the development throughout its’ life. This requires an assessment of the likely energy demands including regulated and non-regulated uses.

The regulated uses are those assessed within the Building Regulations and can be considered from benchmark data or via the use of building energy modelling software. The unregulated uses include small power requirements from equipment use, appliances and cooking for example. Any energy report must consider a hierarchy often referred to as LEAN, CLEAN and GREEN. This is to:

• Reduce the building energy demand
• Supply the energy from low carbon district networks
• Provide renewable energy generation on site

The energy report must therefore consider the performance of the building envelope in reducing heat loss and controlling solar gain. It must also consider the fixed building services and how these will provide the required internal environment. District energy networks must then be investigated and finally the potential for example of using heat pumps, solar panels and biomass boilers must be considered.

The report requirements must be considered against the applicable planning policy. National policy is largely generic and is applied to all projects across the UK. Regional policy varies widely and must be understood and addressed. Local policy, including any supplementary policy documents, must be reviewed in detail for each project as these often set the performance targets which are required to be met or from which planning conditions are negotiated.