introduction
We work with housing associations, local authorities, non-governmental organisations and private companies to provide solutions for assessing, installing and commissioning sustainable energy technologies to improve the communal plant rooms of their properties.
challenge
Nabarro Court is a sheltered housing scheme of 42 flats in Calverton close to Nottingham. The boilers in the communal plant room were reaching the end of their working life and Gedling Borough Council were concerned about the running cost of the system and the possibility of tenants falling into fuel poverty. Conventional practice would have involved the replacement of the boilers with more efficient modern units and better controls and would have yielded significant cost benefits and emissions reduction. The opportunity however was there to look beyond this and consider the integration of alternative technologies to provide a more sustainable solution in the long-term.
solution
We carried out an Energy Options Appraisal containing a detailed technical and economic appraisal of all the different technical options considered. All of the options available looked at improving the efficiency of the communal heating system, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and running costs to tenants. Replacing the old gas boilers with new modular units and CHP, supplemented by 40m2 of solar water heating gave the best overall improvement in energy efficiency.
outcome
We subsequently carried out detailed design and specified the equipment in conjunction with Gedling Borough Council, the main contractor H&V Services, and the specialist solar contractor Southern Solar. We provided technical advice throughout installation of the project and commissioned an XRGI 13KWe Gas CHP unit through EC Power, a specialist CHP provider.
Estimates of the carbon dioxide emission reductions for the replacement system are shown below. A heat meter has been installed to monitor the solar and total energy savings and compare actual performance with the estimated savings.
- Replacing the existing gas communal boilers with a new CHP and gas boiler set-up - 9.7 tonnes CO2/annum
- Integrated communal 40m2 solar thermal system - 5.2
tonnes CO2/annum - Total carbon emission reduction - 14.9 tonnes CO2/annum
- Total carbon dioxide savings over 20 year life cycle
Approx - 300 tonnes CO2.
We were shortlisted for the Project Award for Carbon Reduction at the Edie Awards for Environmental Excellence for this project.
The Edie Awards for Environmental Excellence aim to highlight the vital work being carried out by environmental consultancies in the UK and further a field.
They reward real examples of how diverse organisations can cut their carbon footprint, slash waste and boost recycling and develop buildings which do not cost the earth.
