BCSD-UK Decentralised Energy Guide

This guide aims to provide specific and practical information to support
your implementation of decentralised energy systems.
The guide will help you understand the right solution for different situations
and help you understand which groups of people you will need for delivery.
Use the buttons below to navigate around the guide.

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context for DE and key scenarios for reasons to key enablers and which parties you links to sources of
the technologies the application of consider DE current business may need to deliver further information
involved DE models a DE scheme

What

This section provides some introductory information defining
the context for decentralised energy and some of the main
technologies involved.

Definition of DE What you need to do first Technologies ESCo


Definition of Decentralised Energy
There are many different definitions of “decentralised energy”.
The Government takes a broad view using the term “distributed energy” to refer to the wide
range of technologies that do not rely on the high-voltage electricity transmission network or the gas
grid.
This includes:
•All plants connected to a distribution network rather than the transmission network.
•Small-scale plants that supply electricity to a building, industrial site or community, potentially selling
surplus electricity back into a distribution network.
•Microgeneration, i.e. small installations of solar panels, wind turbines or biomass/waste burners that
supply one building or small community, again potentially selling any surplus.
•Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants, including:
o Large CHP plants (where the electricity output feeds into the transmission network but the heat is
used locally).
o Building or community level CHP plants.
o ‘Micro-CHP’ plants that effectively replace domestic boilers, generating both electricity and heat
for the home.
•Non-gas heat sources such as biomass, wood, solar thermal panels, geothermal energy or heat
pumps, where the heat is used in just one household or is piped to a number of users in a building or
community.
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Local Generation

Distributed energy schemes
use a range of fuels to
generate heat and
electricity more efficiently by
being close to the point of
use. The heat is distributed
and used in district heating
networks, can generate
chilled water for cooling and
be used in industrial
processes. The electricity is
sold locally or exported onto
the grid.


Energy Efficiency Measures

• Should be the starting point of any energy strategy.

• Most important in achieving targets.

• Insulation Technology.

• Innovative solutions applied to all the micro renewable technologies.

• Ongoing source of business opportunity.

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Hierarchy of Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Across our cities and communities these are the routes to lowering carbon emissions, reducing
energy use and improving energy security, beyond central generation.


Energy Companies (ESCos)

What is an ESCo?
The precise role and responsibilities of an ESCo are tailored to meet the needs of the specific project
or initiative. In general, ESCo’s are used to deliver the following objectives:
• CO2 reduction;
• Renewable energy projects;
• Energy savings;
• Energy efficiency services;
• Energy advice; or
• Tackling fuel poverty.
However, this list is not exhaustive and one of the main benefits of an ESCo is
its flexibility.
ESCo’s may be used to oversee the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the
system. However the precise responsibilities of the ESCo will be tailored to meet the needs of the
individual scheme.
An Energy Service Company (ESCo) is not a magic wand that makes an unviable project viable,
however, an ESCo may take a different view on acceptable rates of return and risk than other
companies.
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ESCos 2

ESCo and risk management
An ESCo can spread the risk by transferring responsibility to those stakeholders best placed to
manage them. In the case of financial risk, an ESCo may choose to enter into a fixed cost
arrangement and incur the risk of project overspend.
Not only can an ESCo reduce the risk involved in a project, it can also ensure a much more rapid
outcome. By forming a group whose sole purpose is the specified project, it can provide a
focussed delivery. In contrast, for example, a local authority has many responsibilities and so time
management issues may result in delays to the scheme.
Furthermore an ESCo can ensure that the parties managing the project have sufficient knowledge
about the topic. By involving either public or private entities with previous experience implementing
similar schemes, the outcome of the project can be much more secure.
In some cases it can be useful to produce a risk matrix containing the risks at all stages of the
project. This ensures that all eventualities have been considered, all involved parties are aware of
their responsibilities, and that each stage of the project is successful. This matrix will be tailored to
the specific project and include only the relevant risks.

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ESCo Case Study 1
ESC
o
Thameswey Energy Ltd (est. 2007)
Aim: Install a range of sustainable and renewable
energy projects to meet the Council’s Climate
Change Strategy objectives. Improve the
environment within the Borough of Woking for the
benefit of local residents.
Mechanism: Thameswey Energy Ltd was
established, a joint venture company between
Thameswey Limited (a company wholly owned by
Woking Borough Council) and Xergi Ltd. The
ESCo was setup to finance, build and operate
small scale CHP stations, to provide energy
services by private wire and distributed heating
networks to institutional, commercial and
residential customers.
Outcome: A CHP system provides heat,
electricity and chilled water to district buildings.
Further expansions will provide energy to other
residents and revenue generated is being invested
into similar schemes.
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ESCo Case Study 2
ESCo
2
Aberdeen Heat & Power (est. 2000)

Aim: Improve the local authority’s housing stock and reduce fuel costs for tenants. Find a more energy efficient
heating method than mains electricity in the city’s multi-storey blocks.
Mechanism: An ESCo was created to manage the scheme, and it in turn employed contractors and consultants to
construct and install the CHP plant.
Outcome: 288 flats are now connected to the community CHP scheme, which has created an annual cost saving of
£83,396 for residents. The carbon savings from the scheme, compared to the existing heating systems, equate to 411
tonnes per year. next ›


ESCo Case Study 3
ESCo 3
Southampton Geothermal Heating Company (est. 1986)

Aim: That Southampton City Council “must not only advocate sustainable development, but demonstrate its commitment”
by investing in energy efficient services.
Mechanism: Southampton Geothermal Heating Company Ltd was created in a joint agreement between Southampton
City Council and Utilicom (a specialist energy management company). The ESCo is solely owned by Utilicom so as to
minimise risk for the local authority.
Outcome: A geothermal well is used alongside a CHP generator to provide energy to local residents and businesses.
10,000 tonnes of carbon emissions are avoided annually and the council receive revenue of
£10-15,000 a year from the sale of surplus energy. next ›


ESCo Case Study 4
ESCo 4
Mill Energy Services Ltd (est. 2003)
Aim: Meet the commitment of the developer to
ensure that the refurbished apartments are
carbon neutral and that carbon emissions from
ground floor properties are minimised.
Mechanism: An ESCo (wholly owned by the
residents and tenants of the building) was
created to operate and maintain the renewable
energy generating assets, and to create revenue
to cover ongoing costs.
Outcome: A 50kW photovoltaic system and
biomass CHP provide heating, electricity and
drinking water to 130 apartments and several
ground floor businesses. This results in
approximately a 600 tonne reduction in carbon
emissions annually. Various energy saving
measures, including high specification windows
etc, were also installed.


Technologies

Combined Heat & Power Heat Pumps (Ground & Air)

Biomass Heating Small Scale Wind Small Scale
Hydro
Solar Water Heating Solar Photovoltaic

Fuel Cells Combustion Gasification

Anaerobic Digestion Energy from Landfill Gas


Combined Heat & Power
How it works
Burns gas to produce heating and hot water. Uses internal combustion technology. Prime mover is
an engine, with heat output a bi-product of electrical generation.
Generation & heating equally prioritised (compared to micro CHP which is heat demand lead).
Space, noise and output constraints are less of an issue (compared to domestic customers; due to
plant room availability).

We will ensure that your CHP is correctly sized to meet
the majority of your demand for heating. It is usually
more cost effective to undersize the CHP to provide the
majority of your base load and use another appliance
(such as a gas boiler) to provide supplementary heating.

Control panel optimises electrical & heat generation.
Power unit is a combustion engine.
Burns fuel (nat. gas) to drive generator.
Heat exchangers extract energy from exhaust and oil to
provide useful heating in the premises.

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‹ return to technologies


Combined Heat & Power 2
Specification
Product Microgeneration
Product Type Combined Heat & Power
Classification Low Carbon
Output 13 kW(e)
29 kW(t)
Efficiency% 70% (gas)
26% (electricity)
Generation 87,600 kWh(t)/yr
39,426 kWh(e)/yr
Carbon Saving 75% reduction compared to Gas alone.

Technology Benefits
Low Carbon – Uses fossil fuels to generate heat and power in a highly efficient manner, ideal for
carbon reduction and operational efficiency improvements. If fuelled by a bio fuel, then CHP can be
considered a renewable or carbon neutral technology.
Combined Heat & Power – The plant installed is ideal for high heating and electricity
requirements. Leisure centres, schools, hospitals all fit this category. Heat requirement needs to be
low temperature (<100 deg); not suitable for chemical or manufacturing processes. next ›



Combined Heat & Power 3

Typical Installations
Schools - Good requirement for heat all year (especially with swimming pools) and high electrical
demand.
Hospitals - High heat and electrical demand throughout the year.
Small scale heat networks – high electrical demand throughout the year. Small heat demand in
summer but CHPs can be undersized with addition of efficient boilers to ensure electrical demand is
sized adequately.

NB addition of chiller units will improve heat demand and therefore the options are increased.



Ground Source Heat Pumps
How it works
Solar energy stored in ground is extracted by ground loop and pumped
into compressor.
Compressor pressurises low temperature refrigerant to convert into high
temperature thermal output for CH and DHW.
Carbon & renewable credits can be earned.
Government backed with grants and central funding available to offset
high capital cost.
Recognised in building regs and Code for Sustainable Homes.

Pressure
Temperature Connected
Volume

Solar energy is captured by ground loop water and pumped to HeatPlant.
Heat transfer vaporises refrigerant in Heat Plant.
Compressor compresses vapour into liquid.
Low grade energy in vapour is captured as high grade heat.
High grade heat is pumped around CH system.
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Ground Source Heat Pumps 2
Specification
Product Type Heat
Classification Renewable
Output up to 40 kW(t)
Efficiency CoP 4.0 CH
3.5 DWH
Carbon Saving up to 40% compared to Gas

Technology Benefits
Renewable – Although GSHP uses grid supplied energy to operate; it is collecting solar energy via the
ground which acts like a huge battery, storing the energy as heat. If coupled with a renewable energy
tariff, or electrical generating renewables; a GSHP could be totally renewable in operation.
All electric – A GSHP only requires an electrical connection to operate; ideal for off gas installations.
Comparative running costs vs LPG or oil are very favourable.
Grant funding applicable – Several grants, including the LCBP Phase 2 are viable for this technology.

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Ground Source Heat Pumps 3

Schools – Mainly new build with efficient heat circuits (underfloor or low temp rads).
Village Halls – Any requirement to heat large areas with low temperatures.
Offices – Any underfloor heating system or low temp circuit is ideal for improved CoP’s.

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Air Source Heat Pumps
How it works
Alternative to Ground Source Heat Pump installation
Ambient heat from air is extracted by evaporator in compressor unit.
Compressor pressurises low temperature refrigerant to convert into high temperature thermal output for
CH and DHW
Can work to temperatures of -20 deg.
Installation is simpler than GSHP, but efficiency is less.
Same technology as GSHP, only different heat source

Pressure
Temperature Connected
Volume

Energy is captured by fan unit from temperature in air.
Heat transfer vaporises refrigerant in ASHP
Compressor compresses vapour into liquid
Low grade energy in vapour is captured as high grade heat
High grade heat is pumped around CH system next ›



Air Source Heat Pumps 2
Specification
Product Type Heat
Output up to 14.6 kW(t)
Efficiency CoP 3.3 CH
2.3 DHW
Carbon Saving up to 30% compared to Gas

Technology Benefits
Renewable – Although ASHP uses grid supplied energy to operate; it is collecting ambient energy via the
air which acts like a huge battery, storing the energy as heat. If coupled with a renewable energy tariff, or
electrical generating renewables; an ASHP could be totally renewable in operation.
Invisible heating solution – Although efficiency isn’t as high as GSHP, the installation costs and ease of
integration (no ground loops or boreholes) make ASHP an attractive proposition for retrofit applications.

Offices – Mainly for warm air heating systems and air handling systems. (Some heat pumps can provide
air conditioning but for this reason ASHP won’t attract grant funding).



Biomass Heating
• Burning biomass does not consume fossil fuels, but it does
release CO2 into the environment. Biomass boilers require
management and maintenance, take time to heat up and cool
down.

• There is increasing concern that biofuel production may divert
land from food production and forestry and this could raise as
many sustainability issues as it is trying to solve.

• For small-scale domestic applications of biomass the fuel usually
takes the form of wood pellets, wood chips or wood logs.

• The cost for boilers varies; a typical 15kW (average size
required for a three-bedroom semi detached house) pellet boiler
would cost around £5,000 - £14,000 installed, including the cost
of the flue and commissioning. A manual log feed system of the
same size would be slightly cheaper. A wood pellet boiler could
save you around £750 a year in energy bills and around 6
tonnes of C02 per year when installed in an electrically heated
home.
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Biomass Heating 2
Specification
Product Type Heat
Efficiency 90% fuel efficiency.
Carbon Saving Up to 56% compared to Gas.

Technology Benefits
Renewable – Wood is deemed a renewable source of fuel, especially with short rotation coppice (SRC)
sources such as willow.
Different Market Conditions – Wood fuel will not follow the gas demand curve and price fluctuations
will be driven by different market conditions in short term.
Grant funding applicable – LCBP Phase 2 funding of up to 50% project value is available for this
technology.

Schools, visitor centres, office buildings, civic buildings. Local factors to consider are availability of
fuel supply and space for fuel storage. next ›



Biomass Heating 3
How it works
• Wood pellets are created from waste in manufacturing processes. These are deemed carbon neutral as they
have the carbon content from the photosynthesis process – i.e. the only carbon emitted is the carbon
captured while the tree is living (excludes embodied carbon from manufacture, transport, etc.)
• Carbon & renewable credits can be earned
• Government backed with grants and central funding available to offset capital cost
• Recognised in building regs and Code for sustainable homes.
• Best utilised as base load heating with separate appliance to provide peak load heating (such as a gas
boiler).
• Large hopper holds wood pellets which are driven into local hopper.
• Pellets are slightly heated to remove moisture while in transit to
combustion chamber.
• High temperature (initially from a heat gun, but then self sustaining
from combustion) breaks down wood into composite parts.
• Combustible material ignites from the heat providing energy to
heat building.
• Heat is passed into distribution system via plate heat exchanger.
• None toxic Ash is created (<2% fuel volume) and can be used as
a fertiliser.



Small Scale Wind

• Generally < 50kw. May be only 4-500w.

• Ideal way to generate clean, renewable energy.

• Established technology.

• Normally 3 blades driving a generator.

• Stand alone independent often in remote locations.

• Grid connected for higher use applications.

• Mast and Building mounted Planning issues.

• Wind power is a clean, renewable source of energy which produces no carbon dioxide emissions or
waste products.

• Larger systems in the region of 2.5kW to 6kW would cost between £11,000 - £19,000 installed.

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Small Scale Wind 2

Technology Benefits
Renewable – Powered by wind; an abundant and renewable source of energy.
Multiple Revenue Streams – As well as offsetting grid supplied (and purchased) energy, reducing
utility bills; ROC credits can also be sold to utility suppliers, increasing earnings potential.
Visible – Visible green endorsement has many CR benefits. Schools can benefit from added
curriculum material.
Grant funding applicable – LCBP Phase 2 funding of up to 50% of the cost of purchase and
installation is available for this technology.

Schools – Tend to have plenty of room to maximise energy yield (turbulence from close buildings,
trees, etc. has negative impact on energy capture). And can offset capital cost using LCBP Phase 2
funding. Good use as an educational tool and as a visible commitment to renewable energy.



Small Scale Hydro
• Hydro power systems use running water
turning a turbine to produce electricity. A
micro hydro plant is one that generates
less than 100kW.

• Typically used in hilly areas or river valleys
where water falls from a higher level to a
lower level.

• Turbine mounted in the flow generates
electricity.

• Electricity produced depends on volume
and speed of flow.

• For medium heads, there is a fixed cost of
about £10,000 and then about £2,500 per
kW up to around 10kW - so a typical 5kW
domestic scheme might cost £20-£25,000.
Unit costs drop for larger schemes.
Maintenance costs vary but small scale
hydro systems are very reliable.



Solar Water Heating
How it works
Solar energy heats collector, transferring heat into heat transfer medium (glycol).
Glycol is pumped through distribution circuit through a pump station into a specially designed twin coil solar
cylinder.
Cylinder is heated by solar coil and any additional heat
required is provided by existing heating appliance
(gas boiler, etc.) via the upper coil in the cylinder.
Temp sensors on plate and in cylinder operate pump sets
by detecting when supply and demand are available.
Pumps circulate heat from solar panels to lower coil to
heat domestic hot water supply.
DHW tank stores this energy until a demand is required.

Specification
Product Type Heat
Efficiency 50%
Generation 6000 kWh(t)
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Carbon Saving up to 1.2 tonnes compared to electricity alone



Solar Water Heating 2

Technology Benefits
Renewable – Operated by the most abundant renewable resource – the sun. Ideal for sites with
high hot water demand (leisure centres, restaurants).

Schools – New build or retrofit with access to southern elevations. Can be installed on roof, in roof
or even on a building façade.
Leisure centres – Has a constantly high demand for hot water and can utilise high yield periods
(summer months).
Offices – Any offices with central hot water systems and/or catering facilities for hot water demand.



Solar Photovoltaic
How it works
Solar Radiation (Photons) strike mono or poly crystalline structure in PV panel.
This photon energy ‘excites’ unpaired electrons in atomic structure and some are released from structure,
creating electron flow or direct current electricity.
DC electricity flows into inverters where it is inverted into grid compliant 230v supply.
Inverters are closely sized to the panel to ensure that the system is designed to run efficiently. The Inverter
efficiency is key to the overall installation.

Specification
Product Type Power
Efficiency 12% at panel
96% at inverter
Generation 14,000 kWh(e)
Carbon Saving up to 6 tonnes pa compared to grid supplied electricity
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Solar Photovoltaic 2
Technology Benefits
Renewable – Operated by the most abundant renewable resource – the sun. Ideal for all sites with
little shading and good electrical demand.

Offices – Any with good solar yield (i.e. little shading from trees or other buildings). Most offices have
high electrical demand in summer due to IT equipment and air conditioning.



Fuel Cells

• Based on a chemical reaction.

• Combines hydrogen & oxygen.

• Forms electricity, water & heat.

• Silent operation.

• Low maintenance.

• High efficiencies.

• Very low (even zero) emissions.

• Commonly reforms natural gas or other fossil fuel.

• With operating temperatures as low as 80°C, fuel cells can be installed in private households and light
commercial operations as well as meeting all the energy requirements of large industrial operations.



Combustion: Energy Recovery Incineration

Combustion of a fuel, most often waste , under controlled conditions in which the heat released is
recovered for a beneficial purpose. This may be to provide steam or hot water for industrial or domestic
users, or for electricity generation. Combined heat and power (CHP) incinerators provide both heat and
electricity. The fuel value (calorific value) of household waste is about one third that of coal.
The most widely deployed ERI process is called ‘mass burn’. Waste is burned on a moving grate in a
boiler with little or no pre-processing. The boiler and grate system therefore have to be large and robust
enough to withstand all conceivable articles in the waste stream.

The basic components of a plant are the:
• waste bunker and reception building where waste is delivered
by road, potentially rail, or occasionally by river and stored prior to use
• combustion unit(s) which burn the waste
• heat recovery and power generation plant
• flue gas cleaning equipment which cleans the combustion gases prior
to discharge to air
• ash collection facility
• exhaust stack which discharges the combustion gases to the air.



Gasification
Gasification is a manufacturing process that converts any material containing carbon—such as coal,
petroleum coke (petcoke), or biomass—into synthesis gas (syngas). The syngas can be burned to
produce electricity or further processed to manufacture chemicals, fertilizers, liquid fuels, substitute
natural gas (SNG), or hydrogen.
Gasification has been reliably used on a commercial scale worldwide for more than 50 years in the
refining, fertilizer, and chemical industries, and for more than 35 years in the electric power industry.

Power Generation with Gasification
Coal can be used as a feedstock to produce electricity via gasification, commonly referred to as
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC). This particular coal-to-power technology allows the
continued use of coal without the high level of air emissions associated with conventional coal-burning
technologies. In gasification power plants, the pollutants in the syngas are removed before the syngas
is combusted in the turbines. In contrast, conventional coal combustion technologies capture the
pollutants after combustion, which requires cleaning a much larger volume of the exhaust gas.

Pyrolysis is the thermal degradation of waste in the absence of air to produce char, pyrolysis oil and
syngas. e.g. the conversion of wood to charcoal.



Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a biological process defined as the breakdown of organic matter by naturally
occurring bacteria in the absence of air into biogas and biofertiliser and at a temperature, either in
the mesophilic range (35-42°C) or in the thermophilic range (52-55°C).
There are broadly three uses for biogas:
• In a conventional boiler to produce hot water or steam.
• In a stationary engine to produce power.
• As biomethane for vehicle fuel.

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Anaerobic Digestion 2
Food Waste Digesters
• The weekly collection of source-separated food waste is now being recognised by the Waste &
Resource Action Programme (WRAP), a Government funded organisation, as being the most
successful way of diverting this waste from landfill.

Farm Digestion
• Anaerobic digestion has a natural place on the farm, not just as a process within a cows
stomach, but as part of a waste management system enhancing the recycling of nutrients, and
as a source of renewable energy.
The emphasis will come from one or a mixture of the following;
• Feedstock, for example you may have a specific product to treat that is currently costing you a
lot of money to deal with or you may want to import food waste and charge a gate fee.
• Biofertiliser, for example you may want to enhance the management of your manure producing
a more homogenous material to apply accurately to land or alternatively you may want to bring
in feedstocks, which contain nutrients that will eventually be utilised on your land making
mineral fertiliser savings.
• Energy, for example, you may have high energy requirements on site which could be met using
anaerobic digestion, making electricity savings while claiming renewable obligation certificates.



Energy from Landfill Gas

• Power generation from the gas captured in landfill sites.
• Landfill gas is a mixture comprising mainly methane and carbon dioxide, formed when
biodegradable wastes break down within a landfill as a result of anaerobic microbiological action.
• The biogas can be collected by drilling wells into the waste and extracting it as it is formed. It can
then be used in an engine or turbine for power generation, or used to provide heat for industrial
processes situated near the landfill site.
• Landfill sites can generate commercial quantities of landfill gas for up to 30 years after wastes
have been deposited.
• Recovering this gas and using it as a fuel not only ensures the continued safety of the site after
landfilling has finished, but also provides a significant long term income from power and/or heat
sales.



When

This section provides some milestones at which a
decentralised energy solution could be considered. It also
provides some case studies to bring the topic to life.

Waste Spatial Planning / Regeneration

New Build Refurbishment or Extension


Waste

Business and Domestic Waste is an important potential feedstock for Decentralised Energy
generation.

When you have a waste stream with a significant calorific value.
When the cost of landfill makes DE economically viable.
When you have a significant source of waste near to a requirement for energy or heat.


Spatial Planning / Regeneration

Local Authorities should give full consideration to the suitability and application of Decentralised
Energy provision in all of their Spatial Planning and Regeneration Strategies.


New Build

DE solutions to provide Heat and Power should be fully evaluated in any New Build proposition for
Houses, Schools, Hospitals, Office complexes or Factories.


Refurbishment or Extension

DE solutions to provide Heat and Power should be fully evaluated in any proposition for Houses,
Schools, Hospitals, Office complexes or Factories to be extended or refurbished.


Why

This section identifies some of the key reasons for
considering a decentralised energy solution.

• Economics, i.e. Energy savings, penalties, • Company Image
charges, taxes, CRC
• Security of Supply
• Business Opportunity
• Increased Demand for Energy
• Comply with legislation
• Climate Change adaptation


How

This section suggests some key enablers for decentralised
energy schemes and suggests specific business models that
others are using in the market place.

Business Models Contracts Steps

Planning Regulations Grants / Subsidies / Tax


Planning

Small / Micro Wind

Solar

Anaerobic Digestion

Not Required


Planning Small / Micro Wind
• Due to legal technicalities the current statutory instrument (SI) does not cover micro wind. Once
these issues have been resolved, it is expected that roof mounted and free standing micro wind
turbines will be permitted at detached properties that are not in conservation areas.

• Further legislation is expected later this year.

• Until then, you must consult with your local authority regarding planning permission.

‹ return to planning


Planning Solar
• Solar PV and solar thermal (roof mounted):

• Permitted unless.
o Panels when installed protrude more then 200mm.

o They would be placed on the principal elevation facing onto or visible from the highway in
buildings in Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites.

• Solar PV and solar thermal (stand alone):

• Permitted unless:
o More than 4 metres in height.

o Installed less than 5 metres away from any boundary.

o Above a maximum area of array of 9m2.

o Situated within any part of the curtilage of the dwelling house or would be visible from the
highway in Conservations Areas and World Heritage Sites.



Planning Anaerobic Digestion

As with any industrial facility, anaerobic digestion plants are subject to a number of regulations and
administrative procedures designed to protect the environment and human health. Depending on
the circumstances of the individual plant, these might include:
• Planning Permission,
• Waste Regulations,
• Animal By-Products Regulations (ABP) Regulations,
• Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) and
• OFGEM accreditation.



Planning Not Required

• Permitted development rights.

• In England, changes to permitted development rights for renewable technologies introduced on 6th
April 2008 have lifted the requirements for planning permission for most domestic microgeneration
technologies.

• The General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) grants rights to carry out certain limited forms
of development on the home, without the need to apply for planning permission.

• Biomass boilers and stoves, and CHP:

• Permitted unless:
o Flue exceeds 1m above the roof height.

o Installed on the principal elevation and visible from a road in buildings in Conservation Areas and
World Heritage Sites.

• Ground source heat pumps - Permitted.

• Water source heat pumps - Permitted.



Regulations
Renewables Obligation (“RO”)
Various Renewables Obligation Orders have been enacted since the original Renewables
Obligation Order was introduced in April 2002. In brief the RO was set up by Government to
encourage the development of new renewables generation projects in the UK through a market
support mechanism. The RO requires licensed suppliers to provide an increasing percentage of
their electricity supplies to customers from qualifying renewable sources and this obligation runs
until 2027 although proposed legislation if passed will extend this period to 2037. The RO as a
support mechanism differs from the feed-in tariff which is used in Germany and Spain to encourage
development of new renewables projects.

Energy Act 2008
This Act includes provisions strengthening the RO as well as enabling the Government to introduce
a tailor-made scheme to support (via feed-in tariffs) low carbon generation of electricity in projects
up to 5MW; it also enables a new Renewable Heat Tariff to be introduced to provide a financial
support mechanism for renewable heat which has so far been lacking in the UK and its absence
has proved a disincentive for the development of renewable heat projects in the UK.
[see the website- www.decc.gov.uk for more on this Act].

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Regulations 2
Planning and Energy Act 2008
This Act enables local planning authorities to include in their development plans requirements for
a proportion of the energy used in developments in their area to be from renewable sources; to
be low carbon energy from local sources; and for developments in their area to comply with
energy efficiency standards exceeding the building regulation requirements.

Planning Act 2008
This Act also affects energy developments and how they will be treated within the planning
regime. [see the website- www.berr.gov.uk for more on this Act].

Electricity Act 1989
This Act sets out the licensing regime for the electricity industry and is important in relation to any
DE project development as regards the electricity aspects, most notably the distribution and
supply aspects of any such project.

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Regulations 3
The Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) Order
2001 (as amended)
These Orders provide exemptions, in specified circumstances, from the requirement to hold licences
for generation, distribution and/or supply of electricity which would otherwise be required under the
Electricity Act 1989 (as amended). This area has been subject to a large amount of work over recent
years mainly through the Distributed Energy Working Group but a legal case which was decided last
summer by the European Court of Justice (the Citiworks AG case) has put into doubt the validity of
such exemptions which affect third party suppliers’ ability to use networks to supply end customers.
The ramifications of this case are still being considered by the UK Government to see if the Orders
will
remain valid following this decision.

Other Relevant Government Policy Documents
Regional Spatial Strategy
Local Government Act of 1999
Code For Sustainable Homes
Supplement to Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 1 on Planning and Climate Change
Energy White Paper
Local Government White Paper


Grants / Subsidies / Tax
• It is recommended that, in the very early stages of considering a decentralised energy scheme,
suitable grants, subsidies, tax advantages etc are explored.
• Some of the technologies described in this guide are new and are supported in order to make them
comparable to their well-established competitor technologies.
• Fiscal incentives of this nature could be related to:
o Location – certain regions may attract regeneration funding e.g. Objective 1 funding from EU.
o Technology – some new technologies are subsidised or supported e.g. Low Carbon Buildings
Programme (LCBP).
o Who you are – some benefits relate to specific industries, sizes or organisation or, for example,
the public sector.
o Local – in addition to regional approaches above (location), there may be specific individual
scheme grants that may be available e.g. from Regional Development Agency (RDA).
• A comprehensive list is not provided in this guide, due to its complexity and relatively fast-moving
nature but you may find some of the following resources useful.......


Business Models

Energy Performance Contract


Implementation of Decentralised Energy Generation –
The Energy Performance Contract
Model: Energy Performance Contract between ESCO and Energy User
Concept: ESCO designs, pays for, operates and maintains the optimum mix of energy efficiency and
decentralised energy generation systems. The ESCO guarantees a level of performance increase
based on the difference between the pre and post implementation performance levels.

Key Advantages:
All
1)End user can retain its capital for its core costs: Energy
business purpose rather than energy Equip.
Studies
savings
generation assets O&M
Energy
2)Operational and performance risk not consumption
taken by end user
3)Operational and Maintenance resources
not required from end user
Before During After
4)Non finance benefits such as internal and
Contract Contract Contract
external marketing


Contracts
Introduction
In relation to any DE project there will be a requirement for a number of contracts and agreements to
be put in place.
Given that there are an almost infinite number of variations in the type of DE projects which can be
set up, this section deals with contracts and agreements which are commonly used in such projects.
Alongside the contracts there will be a number of regulatory requirements which will need to be met
by any DE project developer or sponsor and these will be dealt with in the section of this Guide
entitled “Regulations”.

SPECIFIC CONTRACTS FOR GENERIC DE PROJECTS

1 Land Contracts and allied rights etc
1.1 It will almost always be the case that the land on which the DE plant and infrastructure is
to be placed will need to be leased or licensed to the DE project sponsor or developer and/or
operator. Much will depend on who owns the land and whether this is in public or private hands. At
the very least a DE project developer should be looking for rights over the relevant land which are
exclusive rights and which will last for at least the duration of the DE project plus a further period to
cover any works etc which will need to be carried out after the end of operation of the DE project.

next ›


Contracts 2
1.2 The typical documents which would be put in place in relation to privately-owned land
would include either a lease or some form of licence agreement between the freeholder(s) of the land
(and there may of course be instances where the land affected by the project is owned by more than
one entity) and the project company/sponsor. It is also usual for relevant easements to be sought
from landowners where infrastructure is to pass over, under or through their land. Finally, it is
essential to ensure that rights of access are also obtained to enable access to land during both
construction and the operational period of the DE project.

1.3 In relation to public land there may in addition be arrangements and rights relating to land
set out in the Concession Agreement entered into between the DE project company and the public
entity as well as the entry into of specific leases/licence agreements with such entity.

1.4 It is particularly important for DE project developers to ensure that they have acquired the
relevant land rights to all land required for the purposes of the project where the project is being to
any great extent project financed as the financing entities will require these aspects of the project to
be watertight and to cover the full duration of the project’s life.

next ›


Contracts 3
2 Construction Contracts
2.1 Much here will depend on the model chosen for the DE project. Many such projects will
involve the setting up of a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) which will enter into various contracts with
contractors for different aspects of the project. A classic case is the letting by the SPV of a Design
and Build Contract where tenders will be sought from suitable companies to put together either the
main plant for the project or the main plant and allied infrastructure.

2.2 In some cases, particularly where the project sponsor is a public sector entity, the
Concession Contract will include an obligation on the sponsor to carry out the entire project and to
deliver to the public sector entity specific services (which will generally be the delivery of heat and
power to designated buildings at agreed cost levels). In these cases there will be a further series of
contracts and sub-contracts between the project sponsor and third parties for the design and
construction of the relevant plant and infrastructure.

3 Supply Contracts
3.1 One of the main drivers behind DE projects is the provision of cheaper, often sustainable and
more reliable energy supplies to customers who are connected to the local DE networks for both heat
and power. For this to work there need to be in place contracts for the supply of these services to
such customers which enables the SPV or DE project company to charge for such supplies and
hence derive income for the DE project. Therefore standard form supply contracts for both electricity
and heat supply will need to be prepared. next ›


Contracts 4
4. Other Contracts

Various other contracts will need to be prepared depending again on the structure of the project
chosen at the outset. Operation and Maintenance contracts may need to be let in relation both to the
plant and the allied infrastructure if the SPV or project company does not have the skills in-house to
carry out this work. Meter reading and billing arrangements may need to be outsourced as well by the
SPV requiring contracts to be entered into with these entities. Finally, contracts will need to be
entered into with external suppliers for electricity and heat supplies for periods when the on-site plant
is either out of commission for routine maintenance or where there is an unexpected outage of the
plant which affects the supply of electricity and/or heat.


Steps
Success in the implementation of decentralised energy schemes is no more difficult that doing the
basic steps in the right order and making the right decisions at the right time. The town-level
example of Gussing exemplifies the step by step process.

1. Consider what you want to achieve by implementing a scheme. This could also be described as
‘defining the objectives’ for the project. Objectives could include; securing or sustaining local
employment, security of supply, mitigating future energy price rises, consume local waste locally,
achieving competitive advantage, regulatory compliance etc.

2. Identify both the local context and local resources. The ultimate solution should ‘fit’ into the locality
in terms of scale, desire to have it there, local fuels and organisations. Consider which companies
or buildings, commercial or residential, could use or benefit from energy that the scheme produces
or could produce resources for the scheme. Consider wider than your individual site to identify
other supply or demand factors and to benefit from economies of scale.

3. What are the appropriate technology types and manufacturers? Having established 1. and 2.
above, what type of solution(s) are most suitable? Which ones can you eliminate? Focusing on a
smaller technology type and, within it, which specific equipment will save time and be easier to
communicate.


Who

This section identifies the groups of people that you will need to
deliver a decentralised energy scheme. It describes their role
in the process. It also provides names of specific
organisations, from the BCSD-UK membership, who are
engaged in this activity.

Funders Technology Providers Legal Advisors

Customers Design Engineers Energy Companies


Funders
• As the name suggests, funders pay for part or all of the scheme and will recover costs by:
o Retailing downstream energy
o Lowering their energy consumption or cost
o Regulatory compliance and avoiding penalties and fines
o Other charges e.g. local taxes etc
• Different funders invest for different motives. Some may be on the project day to day, be a remote
‘investor’ or be a customer.


Technology Providers

• There will always be technology at the heart of a DE scheme. Therefore, there is always a need for
a technology provider.
• Some technologies (and their manufacturers) are established and some may be newer, providing
often superior performance but without the established customer base.
• Technology providers may or may not take performance risk on the technology – that is take the
risk on whether the equipment works, as stated. It is important to ensure that the goals of the
technology provider’s are aligned to that of the overall scheme to improve chances of success.
• It is suggested, as per HOW, within the STEPS section, that the specific technology for the scheme
is considered as the third step after objectives and resources have been covered. This will ensure
that companies are engaged, offering the right technology rather than the promotion of a
technology that may not be suitable.
• Technology providers, following the point above, should be engaged early in the scheme so that
the equipment is suitable to the required function.


Legal Advisors
In relation to all projects which focus on the whole area of “decentralised energy” (“DE”) there will be
a requirement for a thorough understanding of both the regulatory and legal frameworks under
which such projects will be developed. This [section] will look at some of the key areas which will
be encountered on a journey to a positive outcome in developing a project in the DE arena from a
regulatory and legal perspective and will detail some of the success stories with projects which
have succeeded. These examples will include certain Energy Service Company schemes
(“ESCOs”) which have been set up and which are currently active in the UK.

It will therefore be necessary to enlist the assistance of consultants and/or lawyers who are familiar
with the regulatory and legal framework which covers decentralised energy and who have
experience in advising on the relatively complex structures which will need to be put in place for a
successful project including the raft of agreements and other documentation which will be
necessary for the project to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

From experience it is often beneficial to engage consultants in the early stages of any DE project and
particularly in relation to ESCO structures and the contractual framework which will need to be
considered and then put in place to enable these schemes to function properly.

See also under Contracts within how


Customers
Stand alone users of substantial energy and/or heat e.g.
Hospitals

Schools

Office complexes

Industrial applications

Concentrations of Energy Users e.g.
• Housing associations

• Industrial estates

• Communities

Remote sites without grid access e.g.
• Farms

• Water pumping and extraction


Design Engineers

• There will always be technology at the heart of a DE scheme. Therefore, there is always a need for
a technology provider.
• Some technologies (and their manufacturers) are established and some may be newer, providing
often superior performance but without the established customer base.
• Technology providers may or may not take performance risk on the technology – that is take the
risk on whether the equipment works, as stated. It is important to ensure that the goals of the
technology provider’s are aligned to that of the overall scheme to improve chances of success.
• It is suggested, as per HOW, within the STEPS section, that the specific technology for the scheme
is considered as the third step after objectives and resources have been covered. This will ensure
that companies are engaged, offering the right technology rather than the promotion of a
technology that may not be suitable.
• Technology providers, following the point above, should be engaged early in the scheme so that
the equipment is suitable to the required function.


Energy Companies
• Energy companies are intrinsic to schemes of this nature. They may have a ‘renewable obligation’
which drives them to generate electricity from renewable sources and certainly have an interest
and knowhow in selling the resultant energy to large and residential customers. If an energy
company is a generator, they will be used to funding, building and owning operating assets.
• An energy company may seek to be the sole or part owner of an ESCo and may seek to engage in
the scheme from start to finish.
• Energy companies have the systems and people to retail to customers for the energy (including
heat). This would include; billing, customer service, credit management etc.
• However, energy companies are unlikely to have all the skills required to deliver a DE project end
to end. They will need support from others at different stages, especially the early ones.
• A limited role for an energy company may just be to buy the energy that comes from the scheme in
a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or similar.


Where

This section contains links to sources of further information.

BCSD-UK Contributory Organisations

Guidelines / Regulations Further Information


BCSD-UK

• BCSD-UK :
www.bcsd-uk.co.uk

• BCSD-UK Midlands branch:
www.mebconline.com

• BCSD-UK Yorkshire & Humber branch:
www.bcsd-uk.co.uk/Regions/YorkshireandHumberside/tabid/145/Default.aspx

• BCSD-UK Scotland branch:
www.bcsd-uk.co.uk/Regions/Scotland/tabid/110/Default.aspx

• World Business Council
www.wbcsd.org


Contributory Organisations

• www.arup.com

• http://www.bcha.co.uk

• www.eonenergy.com/sustainable

• www.lafarge-cement-uk.co.uk

• www.newworldsolar.co.uk

• www.selfenergy.co.uk

• www.wspenvironmental.com

• www.yorkshire-forward.com


Further Information
• www.berr.gov.uk/energy
• www.bwea.com – The British Wind Energy Association
• www.bre.co.uk – Building Research Establishment
• www.carbontrust.co.uk
• www.chpa.co.uk – Combined Heat & Power Association
• www.decc.gov.uk – Department of Energy & Climate Change
• www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
• www.fuelcellstoday.com
• www.gasification.org
• www.greenfinch.co.uk
• www.lep.org.uk – London Energy Partnership
• www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
• www.r-e-a.net – Renewable Energy Association
• www.tcpa.org.uk – The Town & Country Planning Association
• www.wolseley.co.uk


Guidelines / Regulations

Relevant Government Policy Documents
• Regional Spatial Strategy
• Local Government Act of 1999
• Code For Sustainable Homes
• Supplement to Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 1 on Planning and Climate Change
• Energy White Paper
• Local Government White Paper


Case Studies

Combined Technologies Combined Heat & Power

Biomass Heating Small Scale Wind Small Scale
Hydro
Solar Water Heating Solar Photovoltaic

Fuel Cells Güssing Eco Village

Anaerobic Digestion Energy from Landfill Gas

ESCos


CS Combined Heat & Power

Combined Heat & Power

Tipton Learning Skills Centre
Office block with workshop requiring electricity to offset high
usage from workshop heating and power tool usage.
Two CHP units offsetting grid supplied electricity and heat output
powering wet radiator based central heating system. Heat is
further utilised with Absorption chillers, where heat creates
chemical reaction to produce chilled water for a chilled water air
conditioning system.


CS - Biomass

Biomass
Type of Building: Industrial
Location: Sintra (near Lisbon)
Type of Technology: Gas reciprocating engine
Size (kWe): 800kW
Investment required (€): 1.100.000 €
Investment by Self Energy: 85%
Projected annual savings in kWh: 7GWh (increase in gas) and 5GWh (electrical savings)
Projected annual savings in €: 350.000

Type of Building: Hotel
Location: Algarve
Type of Technology: Biomass boiler
Size (kWth): 300kW
Investment required (€): 120.000 €
Investment by Self Energy: 75%
Projected annual savings in kWh: Approx 1,6 GWhth
Projected annual savings in €: 180.000


CS – Small Scale Wind

Small Scale Wind
Sandwich Technology School
Situated on the south coast and has good access to the prevailing
wind (South West).
A 5kW turbine on a 15m tower will generate 9MWh over the course
of a year, saving 6 tonnes of CO2 .

Encraft Warwick Wind Trials
The report contains case studies of 26 varied sites, enabling
customers to examine in depth how a small wind turbine might
work for them, and helping inform choices between competing
micropower technologies so that you can select the optimum
configuration for your site.
Read more at www.warwickwindtrials.org.uk


CS - Small Scale Hydro

Small Scale Hydro
Small-scale hydroelectric scheme - Garbhaig, Scotland
Operated by Garbhaig Hydro Power Ltd, the small-scale hydroelectric site is within a National Scenic Area,
adjoining Loch Garbhaig in Slattadale Forest, south of Lake Maree, Rosshire, Scotland. The water source
is natural water storage at Loch Garbhaig, enhanced by a 2-metre weir at the loch’s mouth. From there, it
is supplied through 1,400 metres of buried pipeline to the 1,000-kilowatt Newmills Hydro Pelton Turbine,
driving a synchronous generator of the same rating.
The scheme feeds into the power grid via a 415-volt to 33-kilovolt transformer. By December 1994, it had
supplied 9 gigawatt hours to the grid – sufficient electricity to meet the average needs of 750 homes. When
compared with the equivalent output from a fossil-fuelled power station, the scheme has saved 2,200
tonnes of carbon dioxide, 130 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 15 tonnes of nitrous oxide gases.
Highland Regional Planning Authorities, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Forestry Commission and the
Highland River Purification Board were all involved in planning consultations. Tree screening was used at
the turbine house and transformer yard, mounding was used to hide the access road, and local stone was
used for the intake structure and access road. Local opinion is supportive – access to a site of natural
beauty improved without disturbing the attractiveness of the area. Fishing is unaffected and the loch is
more accessible for fishermen.
An electricity purchase contract, including a premium for renewable energy, was awarded in July 1991.
This enhanced its financial viability and revitalised the original project. Original construction work cost
£555,000, with a further £600,000 invested in 1992/93.


CS – Solar Water Heating

Solar Water Heating
Greets Green Partnership's Sustainable Warmth project,
Sandwell
In 2008 New World Solar installed 75 Solar thermal hot water systems on behalf of
Sandwell warmzone, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.

Residents have managed to reduce their water heating costs by up to 45 per cent
by converting to solar power.


CS – Solar PV

Solar Photovoltaic
E.ON UK headquarters in Coventry
Currently has one of the largest combined solar arrays in
the UK. 84 Schuco premium PV panels installed on a
façade kit is providing supplementary power to the building
while offsetting 6 tonnes of CO2 through electricity
reduction alone.


CS – Fuel Cells

Fuel Cells
A hydrogen fuel cell system powered house in Lye in the West
Midlands
Black Country Housing Group (BCHG), in partnership with the University of Birmingham
launched the hydrogen fuel cell system which is powering the homes electricity, water and
central heating.
The fuel cell unit is housed in a shed in the back garden of one of their newly-built homes in
Stocking Street – a quiet residential cul-de-sac.
The £2 million project has been jointly funded by regional development agency Advantage
West Midlands and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
This installation uses the natural gas infrastructure. The gas is converted into hydrogen by
a reformer and the hydrogen is then used in the fuel cell.
Hydrogen produces no carbon emissions unlike coal or gas and is much more efficient in
operation. In the future, a hydrogen infrastructure – hydrogen piped to individual buildings
and residences – will make this type of technology ideal for domestic use.

next ›


CS – Fuel Cells 2

Fuel Cells 2
The University of Birmingham is leading the research project to learn more about
hydrogen and fuel cells in a domestic context. By remotely monitoring the equipment at
the house, researchers can find out more about the hydrogen fuel cell system, its
efficiency, performance, operation, and durability.
A supply chain in the West Midlands is also being established to allow small companies to
manufacture components for the growing market in this new technology.
The new fuel cell is a Baxi Innotech unit that generates 1.5kW of electricity and provides
3kW of heat suitable for domestic heating and hot water that is transferred to a 600-litre
water tank heat store next to the fuel cell.
The heat is circulated through conventional radiators and to the hot water cylinder in the
house, while the electricity generated by the fuel cell powers the house.
If the house needs less electricity the extra generated is exported to the National Grid. If
the house needs more electricity, the additional amount required is imported from the
grid.


CS – Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic Digestion
Project funded by AWM and by Defra under the New
Technologies Demonstration Programme, investigating
processes to divert biodegradable municipal waste from
landfill.
Partnership between Greenfinch and South Shropshire
District Council, a collection authority covering 19,000 rural
& market-town households.
Biowaste digester recycles 5000tpa of sources agregated
kitchen & garden waste into pasteurised biofertiliser for
local agriculture.
Biogas is used to produce electricity & heat.
For more information visit www.greenfinch.co.uk


CS – Energy from Landfill Gas

Energy from Landfill Gas
Landfill site - Greengairs, Scotland
Opened in 1990, Greengairs landfill site is the largest contained landfill site in Scotland. It
currently handles 750,000 tonnes of waste a year. Around 55 per cent of this is domestic
waste, 30 per cent is commercial or industrial waste, and the remainder is inert waste.
Methane is produced as the biodegradable waste within the landfill site breaks down. This is
collected and used as the fuel source for the site’s power station. The power station also
exports 3.8 megawatts of power to Scottish Power’s electricity network. This is due to increase
by about 2 megawatts as the plant develops.
The gas collection system is designed to take the maximum amount of gas from the waste,
reducing the risk of gas migration from the site and any problems with landfill gas odours in the
local village. Three thousand cubic metres of gas per hour is taken from over 60 operational
gas collection wells drilled into the waste in fully filled areas of the landfill. These wells are
connected to the site’s gas flare compound by over 6,000 metres of underground pipework.
The collection system controls the emission of gas from the site, and maximises the quality and
volume of gas to be used as fuel for the generators.
The landfill gas system at Greengairs works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with projected
availability of 90 per cent. About £2.5 million has been invested in the gas collection system
and the power station.


CS – Combined Tech 1

Combined Technologies

next ›


CS – Combined Tech 2

Combined Technologies 2


CS - Gussing

Güssing, South-east Austria
Güssing is a model of decentralised, regionalised economy as well as energy.
Peter Vadasz became Mayor of Güssing only 3 years after the Iron Curtain was lifted. He wanted
to turn Güssing’s economic situation around. Being a small town on the borders, it did not retain
its younger generation or financial economy.
The first decision was to build a number of demonstration energy plants in the town and in the
region: – bio-diesel, biomass district heating from wood fuel supplying Güssing town and then in
2001 the biomass-steam gasification plant in Güssing built on all new technology.
The second step was to do research work on these plants in connection with the University of
Vienna. This self sufficiency in energy also benefited the region’s economy.
In the town of Güssing this has meant 50 new companies, more than 1,000 new jobs, and total
increased sales volume of 13m Euro/year.
In the district of Güssing the actual added value with 45% self sufficient use of renewable
energies is 18m Euro/year and 37m Euro Potential added value with 100% self sufficient use of
renewable energies.
An “eco tourist” business has been developed which now sees 1600 visitors per week eager to
learn and this contributes directly to the local economy.
Güssing has the first photovoltaic panel manufacturing plant in Austria.
All public buildings in Güssing are connected to the district heating system.


CS – Eco Village

Summerfield Eco Village
Largest renewable technology retrofit project in the UK
The Summerfield Eco Village project evolved when local residents became concerned
about their rising fuel bills and desire to tackle climate change a local level. Between
February 2007 to March 2008, solar panels, super insulation, energy efficient heating and
lighting were fitted completely free of charge to 329 owner occupier homes to help reduce
fuel poverty for people on low incomes. It is estimated that the eco installations will deliver
60% of each household’s hot water per annum and significantly reduce fuel bills. The
project also created a number of employment opportunities for local residents.

Eco office & six eco homes
Part of Summerfield church hall has been transformed into an eco office, which is now also
a community facility for local people and 6 houses in multiple occupation have been
converted from flats into much needed large family eco show homes, demonstrating what
can be achieved when modernising older Victorian Homes. The first of the deconversions
achieved an Eco Homes ‘excellent’ rating and the subsequent 5 homes have achieved
code 3 and code 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.


CS – Eco Village 2

Summerfield Eco Village 2
Local schools
The project also opened up the opportunity to work with children from six local primary
schools as part of the City Council’s Housing Education Initiative, helping them to develop
an Eco website, Eco radio station and energy advice DVDs.
More details are at www.eco-radio.co.uk and www.tntnews.co.uk.
Family Housing Association (Birmingham) Ltd www.family-housing.co.uk


BCSD-UK Decentralised Energy Guide

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