| Original Technology | Potential NZ Technology | Variation Considerations |
| Gas/Oil Boiler | Air or Ground Source Heat Pump | The connection and powering of a Heat Pump is significantly different to a traditional boiler installation requiring additional modifications to wider systems and to the building to allow successful installation. These modifications would be considered a Change and would likely require additional funding. |
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| District Heating Network | Where feasible there is potential to add PPP assets to district heating networks as an alternative heat source. Where this occurs the cost impacts may be limited however depending on the length of the remaining project term, contractual amendments may be required to offer Project Co protections around risks that are specifically linked to district heating networks. |
| Gas Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) | Air or Ground Source Heat Pump and Photovoltaic Panels | A key benefit of CHP is its combination of onsite electricity generation and utilising waste heat as a heat source heat. CHP viability has always been heavily linked to market conditions for utility supplies, but a further consideration is the decarbonisation of the electricity grid making electricity a greener source than gas. These combined factors mean a direct NZ replacement for CHP does not readily exist and would require a combination of measures that would achieve the same benefits. As noted above such measures require additional modifications to wider systems and the building to allow successful installation. These modifications would be considered a Change and would likely require additional funding. |
| Air Handling Unit | Introduce smart Air Handling Unit (AHU) technology and motor controls | Where components linked to the building's environmental controls are subject to replacement, consideration should be given to the drivers for these components. Authorities should consider the current and future function of any building subject to handback and consider whether environmental parameters that were derived 20-25 years previously are still applicable and justified. Where they are no longer required, a variation of such requirements might allow smaller scale replacements to be installed reducing energy consumption and subsequently carbon emissions. Evidence continues to suggest that in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, airborne aerosols are a possible transmission route of SARS-CoV- 2, and the precautionary advice remains valid. Maintaining good levels of ventilation remains the key focus, even in colder weather conditions, whilst minimising occupant discomfort due to draughts and lower indoor temperatures. Any proposed changes to airflows and/or air handling equipment should be risk assessed to decide which appropriate actions to take. Authorities would need to carry out an appropriate COVID-19 risk assessment, just as you would for other health and safety related hazards recognising current guidance and good industry practice. |