BACKGROUND
The hall was constructed as one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the country. Alternative energy sources are ideally suited to the low energy, environmentally friendly ethos of the building.
Oil is running out. Energy is becoming increasingly expensive. There is now a sense of urgency in the quest for alternative energy sources. We must “Save Carbon”
We have lower charges than most other halls. We have over 30 different community groups using the hall. We wish to ensure that this continues, and do all we can to keep our costs down. Everyone then benefits.
The technology is available, the funding is available, the time is right to do something.

SCHEME SUMMARY
To install a 6Kw wind turbine backed up by 6Kw photo voltaics. This will theoretically meet our own needs, but in practice, we will sell surplus to the national grid to provide funds for the community. Use the green electricity to link to a ground source heat pump to save oil for heating.

MORE DETAIL
We are in an exposed site, and our new hall was designed to be very environmentally friendly. It was always intended to install a wind turbine when the technology was available. It now is.  Mean wind speed is 6.7 m/s, so we should take advantage! A turbine will not be adequate for our needs, and is variable. We will balance this with photo voltaics, to give us a more reliable supply. We have a large south facing roof area, at 40 degrees.
Ground source heat pumps use considerable amounts of electricity, so are not as carbon or financially economic as the theory sounds. With zero carbon, low priced electricity, it becomes a completely logical “add on” to the renewable sources.
This mix of technology will also create an excellent demonstration site.

 

OBJECTIVES

To maintain the high use of the community building, by keeping costs down
Rising power costs are the main threat to our community building.  We have 35 hall user groups, and it is important to maintain and increase these. Especially as transport costs escalate. Renewable power sources will enable us to keep costs down, and to provide sport & entertainment in our own community.

 To be an environmental flagship for our own community, and others.
Our hall was completed in 2001, and is one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the country. It has won awards for this. Our community takes a pride in this design, and it’s features. Renewable energy sources is a totally logical progression for us.

To provide an environmental educational resource for the school and community.
With a range of renewables, and detailed monitoring, we can provide information that the local community, and especially the school, can use for positive benefit. We already have display panels to show our “environmental credentials”. This will now include the renewables.

PLANNING PERMISSION
This has been granted

COSTS
The scheme will cost about £65000 – and we do not have that sort of money!!
Fortunately, there are external sources of funding, and we have requests in to 3 of these – hopefully they will like us!
As soon as we have positive news, we will tell you.

 

All of this will save something like 12t of CO2 a year

And that is good for our children’s future