The CIS tower, seen from below.
Background
In June 2005, CIS became the first insurance company in the world to launch a customer-led ethical policy to guide the ethical performance of its investments. In line with their aim to reconstitute the relationship between its business activities and nature, CIS asked Solarcentury to develop a solution for ventilated PV rain cladding for their HQ in Manchester. Arup then employed Solarcentury to act as PV consultants, providing specialised PV knowledge and design. The project creates the largest commercial solar facade in Europe, and will also be one of the largest solar power systems in the UK. The service core was traditionally covered in no less than 14 million one centimetre square, grey tesserae. The mosaic began to fail a mere six months after the building was completed. It has become a significant health and safety issue, and hence the need for it to be addressed. This project demonstrates how solar power can be easily incorporated into any building refurbishment to provide an extremely cost effective alternative to conventional building materials.
Solar design
Solarcentury provided specialised PV knowledge to design a weatherproof cladding solution by integrating photovoltaics (PV) around the tower's structure, offsetting building material cost of replacing the traditional mosaic tiles. In total, 7,244 Sharp 80W modules are used to clad the entire service tower. From this total, 4,898 PV modules are live, 870 'full size' dummy modules and 109 'medium size' dummy modules and 1,367 edge modules were used in order to optimise the system's electical generation and minimise costs.
Solarcentury worked with Plusswall to engineer a framing solution for solar modules and the main contractors, ISG to effectively install the solar cladding solution around the tower.
The completed solar cladding installation on the Co-operative group's headquarters - the CIS tower, Manchester.
Funding
The ambitious £5.5m solar project, the largest ever in the UK, is being supported by a £885,000 grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and a £175,000 grant from the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI).
Each megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated will also be eligible for benefits under the governments Renewable Energy Obligation Certification Scheme. Under this scheme, each MWh of renewable electricity generated is eligible for a tradeable certificate. The Government underwrites a minimum value for certificates of £30. Certificate values have risen steadily, and a forecast for certificate values is estimated at between £50 to £85. As such, using an assumed value of £50, the value of certificates is approximately £9,271 per year.
Summary of electricity comparisons
- Generates total electricity for 61 average three-bed houses each year
- Generates enough electricity each year to light an average three-bed house for over 305 years
- Generates enough electricity to make 6.8 million pieces of toast/9.9 million cups of tea every year
Summary of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) comparisons
- Annually saves over 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions, a major greenhouse gas, equivalent over 7 million party balloons or 63 Olympic swimming pools.
- Annual CO2 savings: account for 141 trees required to absorb CO2 over 100 years.
- To achieve the Kyoto Protocol, the UK is required to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2010. This installation offsets the contribution of 303 UK individuals to this target every year.
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The Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA) is an independent diamond grading laboratory. The DCLA is one of a growing number of diamond grading laboratories worldwide grading to the International Diamond Council (IDC) rules, (WorldFed Newsletter, Edition 6, August 2003, Page 8). The IDC is the governing body established by the (WFDB) World Federation of Diamond Bourses and The International Diamond Manufactures Association (IDMA). These two bodies are the worlds highest Authorities in Diamonds.
DCLA is the official CIBJO Diamond Grading laboratory for Australia and holds the official registered National Diamond Masterset for Australia.
The DCLA Diamond Grading Laboratory Certificate sets the standard for technical ability. The laboratory is equipped with the most advanced equipment in Australia. All diamonds graded are checked to ensure they have not been treated and are of natural origin. Therefore the DCLA Certificate assures the owner that the diamond is free of all known treatments and enhancements. It also confirms the diamond is natural and not a synthetic diamond. DCLA cold laser inscription links the diamond to the certificate providing added confidence.
Independence means the DCLA is autonomous from all Diamond and Jewellery businesses. The DCLA receives NO grants or funding from the Diamond or Jewellery trade it is completely self funded.
Why would I want my diamond certified by the DCLA?
The DCLA is the only laboratory in Australia endorsed by CIBJO and the IDC (International Diamond Council.) Anybody with a DCLA certificate can contact the laboratory to ensure their diamond matches the certificate as a complete database is kept of all diamonds certified.
I want to get a diamond certified before I buy it, what should I do?
It is strongly advised that you purchase a diamond that has already been certified. Most reputable jewellers will sell diamonds that have already been certified by an independent, recognised laboratory. If you want the DCLA to certify a diamond we will gladly assist you, please give us a call for more information.
I have a "valuation" is this not the same as a certificate?
No. A valuation is only done once the stone has been set in the ring. Impurities are hidden, colour is obscured and weight has to be estimated. This makes it impossible to determine the exact characteristics ("4 C's") of the diamond. Another worrying development is the introduction of new and more sophisticated synthetic diamonds that can only be detected in a sophisticated laboratory. A valuation should only be prepared AFTER the diamond has been certified
If I buy a certified diamond, how do I know that the diamond in my ring is the one described in the certificate?
A sure fire method of ensuring this is to laser inscribe the certificate number or a personalised message on the girdle (outside perimeter) of the diamond. Alternatively you can bring your ring into the laboratory and we can verify it for you.
Can laser inscription damage my diamond?
The DCLA uses cold laser technology, which is guaranteed not to damage the diamond. Beware of stones that have been lasered using a hot laser as this could damage the diamond.
What are “synthetic” diamonds?
Synthetic diamonds or “man-made” diamonds are created in a laboratory using either HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition). The DCLA will only certify natural, untreated diamonds and therefore will not certify synthetic stones. The DCLA has acquired the only DTC DiamondView machine in Australia. This machine was specifically developed by De Beers’s research laboratories to detect synthetic diamond.
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