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Architects drawing of the new Elephant and Castle energy centre 

Climate change is rarely out of the news these days. Energy efficiency, the reduction of primary energy consumption and drastic curbing of carbon emissions are increasingly important considerations in the design of all new developments.

The regeneration of Elephant and Castle provides a unique opportunity to introduce a mix of sustainable energy infrastructure and technology to manage the output of carbon in the new development.

Working alongside London’s Climate Change Agency, Elephant and Castle is set to establish new standards of environmental responsibility in urban redevelopment, by undertaking the entire regeneration with a zero increase in carbon emissions.

Through the framework for development, Southwark Council is proposing demanding targets for energy efficiency, the introduction of renewable energy technology, and a move towards a decentralised low carbon energy supply, capable of delivering heat and power to 6.5 million square feet of mixed-use development.

Architects drawing of the underground strategic services corridor

Elephant and Castle has also been selected to become one of the London Mayor’s Energy Action Areas. The Energy Action Area programme will consider how a wide range of sustainable energy technologies can be incorporated into new-build mixed-tenure housing and existing private and social housing, as well as retail, commercial, leisure and educational uses.

Southwark Council’s sustainability proposals include:

Multi Utility Service Core
A combined infrastructure services trench will run under Heygate Street, integrated with the spaces left by the disused subway infrastructure beneath land currently occupied by the Elephant and Castle roundabouts.

Construction of this corridor early in the development process will provide an opportunity for environmental services to be incorporated into early development sites. It will also allow existing utility services to be extended and reinforced, providing an easily serviceable infrastructure corridor for the maintenance of services within the redevelopment area.

Combined heat and power
The sustainable community energy system will connect individual sites to a community heating network, compatible with many forms of renewable energy (including locally derived sources of renewable fuel), and capable of being extended to serve the wider community.

Green water supply
Non-potable (non drinking) ‘green’ water provision is a planning requirement for the whole of the Elephant and Castle redevelopment.

An area-wide, integrated water management system will be introduced to cut water consumption and significantly reduce the requirement for a fully treated potable supply.

Southwark Council has established that Elephant and Castle has a sub aquifer ground water source. Two groundwater abstraction wells at opposite ends of the core development area will enable residents to access an almost non-exhaustible non-potable water supply. This water can be used for construction, toilet flushing, public area cleansing, landscape establishment and street cleaning.

Data Infrastructure
The low carbon energy and ‘green water’ infrastructure will also incorporate a new information, communications and telecommunications (ICT) network.

As well as providing an asset for local people, the network will help deliver ‘next generation’ entertainment and communications to residents, and attract and retain businesses. It will also enable the Elephant and Castle development to achieve its zero carbon growth target, by supplying the necessary infrastructure for exploring intelligent buildings technology.