|
Linda McKeown from BRE reports how government incentives and grant schemes should encourage renewable energy usage in schools.
 Energy Minister David Kidney MP was at BRE’s headquarters in Watford in November to promote the government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 Extention. Funding for this renewable energy grants scheme, which is aimed at public sector and charitable organisations, has recently been extended with a further £45 million now available.
The scheme offers grants of 50 per cent towards the costs of installing small scale renewable energy devices like solar panels or wind turbines. Grants up to a maximum of £200,000 per site are available to schools, hospitals, housing associations, local authorities, charitable bodies, and community organisations.
Funding can be used for the supply and installation of any combination of the following microgeneration technologies:
- Solar thermal hot water
- Heat pumps
- Automated wood pellet stoves
- Wood fuelled boiler systems
- Micro hydro turbines
- Wind turbines
The Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 aims to stimulate the uptake of microgeneration technologies and help to lower carbon emissions from buildings which account for almost 50 per cent of the UK’s total CO2 output. The programme also demonstrates how the technologies can work in a wide range of organisations and building types.
Technologies explained
Solar Thermal hot water: solar panels, also known as collectors, can be fitted onto or integrated into a building’s roof. They use the sun’s energy to heat water, or a heat-transfer fluid, which passes through the panel.
The fluid is fed to a heat store (e.g. a hot water tank) to provide part of the hot water demand for the building. Usually another heat source will be needed to supplement collectors in winter months. Solar panels can also be used to heat swimming pools.
Hydro-power systems use a turbine to convert the energy stored in water flowing downhill into electricity. Useful power may be produced from even a small stream. The hydro-power source should be relatively close to where the power is needed or to a suitable grid connection.
Hydro systems can be grid-connected or form part of an off-grid power system. In a grid-connected system surplus electricity can be sold to electricity companies. In an off-grid system, electricity can be supplied directly to the devices powered or through a battery bank and inverter set up. A back-up power system may be needed to compensate for seasonal variations in water flow.
A wind turbine converts wind to electricity. The most common design is of three blades mounted on a horizontal axis which is free to rotate in the wind on a tall tower. The blades drive a generator either directly or via gearbox (generally for larger machines) to produce electricity.
Wind turbines can be mounted on masts that are free-standing or tethered with wire guys, or on buildings. The greatest amount of power will be generated if turbines have a constant supply of steady wind, and advice should be taken on where to site the turbine to optimise output.
The electricity can either link to the grid or, in the case of off-grid systems, charge batteries. Modern designs can be very quiet in operation.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps can be used effectively for space and water heating. Heat pumps take heat energy from a source such as the ground, a body of water (eg river, lake or well) or simply the outside air and transfer it to the building. The heat is upgraded by using a pump and compressor which removes heat from one side of the circuit and ejects it to the other side.
Heat pumps require electricity for their operation and users may consider buying this through a green tariff scheme, which promotes the use of renewable energy sources by power generators.
Automated wood pellet stoves and wood fuelled boilers. Wood burning systems, unlike other renewable energy sources, emit carbon dioxide. However, as the wood fuel is cultivated, it absorbs the same amount of carbon dioxide as is released when burnt. As such it does not add to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Programme benefits
Speaking at the first in a series of free nationwide events to promote the extended scheme, Mr Kidney explained the benefits of getting involved in the LCBP and government’s plans for increased use of renewable energy generation in the UK.
Monika Munzinger who manages the scheme on behalf of DECC said: “We all now recognise the crucial need for urgent action on climate change. More and more community projects are using technologies like solar panels and wind turbines with the help of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2. Small-scale renewable energy technologies can work for a range of organisations, not only helping to reduce carbon emissions, bit also helping to lower fuel bills. In these times of high fuel and energy prices which can be exacerbated by the cold spell we recently experienced across the UK, this is something that more and more organisations should be looking to do.”
Running in parallel with the LCBP2 throughout 2010 for possible match funding, the Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP) is a grant scheme for microgeneration and energy saving technologies to help community based organisations in England reduce their energy bills and environmental impact.
Funded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme, CSEP provides £8 million worth of grants towards the cost of technologies such as solar thermal systems, heat pumps and small scale wind turbines. It will also provide £1 million for project development grants to help community organisations establish a microgeneration and energy efficiency installation that will work for them.
Scheme objectives
The programme aims to achieve the following outcomes: - Reduction in CO2 emissions
- Increased community awareness of climate change and how changes to our behaviour can reduce it
- Increased skills base of local trades (for example, local builders and building-service subcontractors working on renewable energy projects for the first time)
- Reduction in energy bills
- Reduction in reliance on imported energy and increased independence from commercial energy suppliers
- Stronger partnerships within local communities with lasting social benefits
- Growth of local enterprise in new technologies.
BRE has been appointed by the Big Lottery Fund as an Award Partner, responsible for distributing funding through the CSEP scheme as part of the Changing Spaces programme. The programme aims to improve rural and urban environments and enable communities across England to lead healthier and more environmentally sustainable lifestyles.
Peter Wanless, Big Lottery Fund, chief executive, said: “The Changing Spaces programme is all about improving access to the local environment and empowering communities to make a positive difference to their surroundings. The CSEP scheme offers a great opportunity for community-based organisations – from schools to community centres – to come forward and apply for funding for energy saving equipment and technologies. Not only can they lessen their impact on the environment but reduce their energy bills to boot.”
Organisations may also submit applications for grants to fund feasibility studies to identify the most appropriate mix of measures for particular buildings.
Grants will require match funding that may be available from other grant schemes such as LCBP2.
Monika Munzinger of BRE, who also manages the CSEP scheme for the Big Lottery Fund, said: “These schemes enable community based organisations to take positive action on climate change. The organisations that make successful applications will have a vital role in both promoting and demonstrating the types of technology we all need to be installing on our buildings to lower carbon emissions and become more sustainable – it’s a great opportunity.” Empowering communities to make a difference
The Low Carbon Buildings Programme – Phase2E (LCBP2E) is a Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) scheme offering grants for microgeneration installations to public sector and charitable organisations.
From 1 July 2009 organisations have been able to apply for up to 50 per cent of the cost of installing approved technologies with grants of up to £200, 000 made available per eligible site. For further Information on Phase 2E of the LCBP, including eligibility criteria, please visit www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk, or call the helpline on 08704 23 23 13.
Deadlines for receiving applications:
Applications for electricity generation (non-PV) can only be accepted up to March 2010 when Feed-in Tariffs will be introduced.
Heating only applications can be made throughout 2010 but applicants will have to claim their grant by the end of February 2011.
Please note that this scheme ends on 1 April 2011 when the Renewable Heat Incentive will be introduced. For more information on the Renewable Energy Tariffs (RETs) please visit the DECC website www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/elec_financial/elec_financial.aspx The Community Sustainable Energy Programme
The Community Sustainable Energy Programme is a £10 m grant programme providing £8 million to community-based organisations for the installation of microgeneration technologies, such as solar panels or biomass boilers and energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation. It also provides £1 million for project development grants that will help community organisations decide if they could benefit from a microgeneration and energy efficiency installation.
Applications are being accepted now. Capital grants will be awarded on a competitive basis at quarterly Selection Panel meetings. Project Development grants will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis until all funds are spent. The programme was launched in April 2008 to provide funding for three years. Capital grant funding will continue throughout 2010, with the last deadline on 29 October 2010. Development grants will continue until the money has been allocated throughout 2010. www.communitysustainable.org.uk BRE
BRE has been building a better world for almost 90 years through cutting edge research, consultancy and testing services. Our unrivalled knowledge in regard to sustainability and innovation is now used across the construction industry and in the corporate world creating better buildings, communities and businesses. BRE is part of the BRE Group of companies owned by the BRE Trust, a registered charity. The profits made by BRE go to the BRE Trust the largest UK charity dedicated specifically to research and education in the built environment. http://www.bre.co.uk/ |
