Alloa based CADmeleon has developed an innovative web-based virtual simulation tool that enables organisations to see the business value in building refurbishment as a front to a carbon reduction strategy.

According to the firm energy modelling to calculate efficiency in the built environment is a "vitally important process" in the efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the built environment and now a new concept based around energy efficiency facilitated through a SaaS (Software as a Service) driven business model is generating significant buzz within the sector.

Carbon Estates has caught the attention of major utility provider Scottish and Southern Energy, which has participated closely in the proof of concept for the system.

The unique methodology of an online data model is a fresh approach that challenges traditional enterprise models.

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Set to launch officially this month, the development of Carbon Estates comes at a pivotal time for organisations that, following the launch of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme last month, now have to account for their carbon emissions.

The UK mandatory CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) from the UK’s top 5000 organisations.

Bernard McKeown, managing director of CADmeleon, said: “With buildings currently accounting for 45 per cent of our carbon emissions, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is central to the UK’s strategy for improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.

"Measuring an estates energy performance is just one side of the focused retrofit equation. Measuring its potential efficiency and quantifying those gains with real numbers, letting people see the ‘what ifs’, is just the beginning of what Carbon Estates can do.

"The development of Carbon Estates allows users to monitor energy use both on an individual building level and on an estates level. Buildings can be compared on a like-for-like basis using parameters such as age, construction type, usage and floor size. A key feature of the software is that it allows an instant comparison to be made on how the building should perform optimally against how it is actually operating."

Scottish and Southern Energy is a long term customer of CADmeleon and has contributed to the development process of the energy benchmarking software.

(GK)