Renewable Energy

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Renewable Energy

• Robert Williams MRICS
• Adviser Eco-Enterprise Project

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Renewable Energy Context - procurement
The commitment of candidates to sustainable
delivery is critical. The ODA will apply a
weighting to evidence of environmental and
sustainability management systems and
socio-economic commitments as appropriate to the
procurement taking place The Olympic Delivery
Authority www.london2012.com
Specifically, we see CSR as the voluntary
actions that business can take, over and above
compliance with minimum legal requirements, to
address both its own competitive interests and
the interests of wider society. Margaret Hodge,
Minister for Industry and Regions www.csr.gov.uk
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Renewable Energy Context - legislation

• Energy Performance Certificates mandatory for all
  house sales after 1st June 07 (England and Wales)
• Grade A only realistic with renewable energy
• Each EPC has specific recommendations for
  improvement
• Radical change in home-buying market (at present
  were only 20 of buyers commission a survey)
• Estimated to be 1.2m 1.5m sales pa (5-7 of
  total housing stock)
• Calculations for Energy Efficiency and CO2
  Emissions
• By Jan 2009 applies to all buildings let or sold

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Renewable Energy Context - economics
With increasing energy prices several renewable
technologies have become price competitive
Projected Oil Price

Wholesale Gas Price



Sources Bank of England, Bloomberg and New York
Mercantile Exchange. May 2006
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Top 3 Renewable Energy Systems
Having considered the social, legal and economic
drivers for Renewable Energy, which technologies
make sense?
Solar Thermal (Hot Water)
Micro Wind Turbines
Biomass Boilers
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Solar Hot Water - principles

• 2 basic types
• Flat plate (generally cheaper and less efficient)
• Evacuated Tube (generally more expensive and more
  efficient)
• Usually connection to hot water system is similar
  for both

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Solar Hot Water important issues

• Best heating potential on any given day is when
  the sun is at its highest point (58o above
  horizon at mid-summer and 11o at mid-winter)
• Best orientation south facing at an angle 35o
  (similar to the average pitched roof)
• Avoid any shading trees, chimneys other
  buildings etc.

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Solar Hot Water costs and savings

• Install cost 2,500 for average house
• Grant support available
• Savings could be
• 350 pa for oil
• 250 pa with gas
• Payback 6-10 years
• Example of local installation www.solarkent.co.uk

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Micro Wind Turbines - principles

• Two basic types (VAWT and HAWT)
• Many of products available (400w upwards)

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Micro Wind Turbines important issues

• High wind speed is critical (energy increase is
  the cube of any rise in windspeed)
• Avoid obstructions which cause turbulence
• Most turbine manufacturers quote rated output
  in kW but better to obtain a performance curve
• Windspeed data has been mapped by the DTI and can
  be obtained from www.bwea.com/noabl
• Always best to record actual data at proposed
  locations for 6-12 months

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Micro Wind Turbines costs and savings

• Install cost 1,000 to 50,000
• Grant up to 30 for lt5kW machines
• Payback 5-10 years
• Example of local installation - Shorne Wood,
  Gravesend www.kent.gov.uk

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Biomass Heating - principles

• 2 basic types
• Wood chip (cheaper fuel but less convenient)
• Wood Pellet (more expensive but easier to use)
• Can be a direct replacement for gas or oil
  boilers
• Biomass boilers are usually more expensive to buy
  and larger for a given output than gas / oil
  types
• Other fuels can include straw, veg oil, wheat /
  barley, cake, energy crops (willow and miscanthus)

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Biomass Heating important issues

• Fuel quality is critical
• Pellet supply should meet the British Biogen
  standard
• High moisture content of wood chip has caused
  several failures
• Biomass boilers work best with stable demand
  well suited to large installations
• Fuel is bulky - needs storage and access for
  deliveries
• Fuel produces ash (but as little as 1 with
  pellets)

Local examples at Wildwood, Herne
Bay Betteshanger Colliery Godinton Park,
Ashford Kenward House, Yalding
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Biomass Heating costs and savings
Cost per kWh of heat output (taking into account
boiler efficiencies) for different types of fuel
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Renewable Energy - local installations

• Examples of renewable energy installations mapped
  at www.see-stats.org
• Software for renewable energy project analysis at
  www.retscreen.net
• Grant info at www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk or at
  www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/funding/
• Lists of accredited products and installers at
  www.clear-skies.org

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Renewable Energy

• Robert Williams MRICS
• Adviser Eco-Enterprise Project