NEWSREVIEW Solar powered runway for Gatwick
ORTA SOLAR has announced that it has successfully completed the construction of a 50kW Solar PV system next to the main runway at Gatwick Airport. This is a UK first- no other UK Airport has solar power generation on site- let alone within 150 meters of the runway.
The Project was initiated by Joe Attwood, previously Gatwick’s Sustainability Manager, and involved a wide team covering legals, utilities purchasing, engineering facilities and UKPN’s High Voltage engineers. It was supported throughout by Gatwick’s CEO Stewart Wingate. Both the Civil Aviation Authority and the National Air Traffic Service were involved and consulted extensively to ensure that issues surrounding ground radar and potential glare were not a problem to the Airport’s safe operation.
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Joe Attwood said, “for a long time Gatwick Airport Ltd has been working hard to increase its sustainability and adding 100% carbon free electricity generation into our operations is a positive step. Although only at the 50kW trial stage at present, the system will
save 25 tonnes of CO2 on our operational carbon footprint per annum.’
The PV system is a forerunner to Gatwick’s longer term ambition to further reduce its carbon footprint by a combination of measures including onsite power generation. A site has already been identified for a much larger Solar PV system and Orta Solar are working step by step with the Gatwick team to bring that project to reality ASAP. Orta acted as a developer and introduced Blue Energy to Gatwick to fund the project who they have expressed great interest in going on to fund a much larger system going forwards.
Orta Solar’s Managing Director Nick Pascoe said, ’Given the sensitive nature of the location of this solar installation
there was a long list of interested parties interested to witness how it’s development construction and operation would interface with a commercial airport environment. Another unique feature of the system is that it is connected at 3 phase low voltage transformed up to 11kV to hook into Gatwick’s high voltage private wire electricity network. The on- site team at UK Power Networks were closely involved throughout the systems construction and connection lending great support throughout and it posed a few challenges for OFGEM during the FIT registration process.’
As for the carbon fee electricity generated, that is purchased directly by Gatwick and consumed within their operations. Feed in Tariff payments are supplied by Good Energy Plc directly to the systems owners Blue Energy Co. Nick Pascoe added, ‘The system breaks new ground regarding the acceptance of Airport based Solar in the UK and all involved have learned a lot regarding challenges & solutions specific to the location. We’re already speaking with other leading airport groups in the UK about bring Solar PV into their operations.
Community-Based Solar Scheme Is National First
MIDLANDS solar panel expert Eco2Solar has installed a solar power array at Stratford upon Avon Hospital – the first time a community-based renewable energy project has been installed at an NHS site. The innovative scheme has been put together by local energy co- operative Community Energy Warwickshire and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stratford and Warwick Hospitals. Eco2Solar was selected as project installer following a detailed competitive tendering process organised by Community Energy Warwickshire.
Over two dozen members of Community Energy Warwickshire joined Eco2Solar Managing Director Paul Hutchens and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Glen Burley just before Christmas to celebrate the installation and discuss future plans. The 10 kilowatt array at Stratford is the first phase of the project, which will also see a further 50 kilowatts of solar power
installed at Warwick Hospital early in 2012.
Community Energy Warwickshire, which was set up by Warwickshire residents to invest in renewable energy and help local communities save energy, has already raised over £100,000 of its target of £120,000 to fund the installations. The fifty-two Suntech STP190S-24Ad+ panels installed at Stratford are expected to produce over 8,000 kWh a year of renewable energy for the hospital.
Paul Hutchens, managing director of Eco2Solar, said: “We were delighted to help Community Energy Warwickshire achieve their target of completing the Stratford installation before the Government’s December 12 deadline for reductions in feed-in tariffs. Eco2Solar deals with a number of community organisations who are working together to ensure renewable energy plays a larger role in their local area. We are also pleased to be able to help South
Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust realise energy savings at a time when public spending is under pressure.”
Keith Sinfield, the Chair of Community Energy Warwickshire, said: “Eco2Solar worked hard and efficiently to help us get the Stratford installation completed on time. We are delighted our innovative partnership with South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust is already generating renewable energy and look forward to working with the Trust on energy saving initiatives.”
www.solar-pv-uk.com Issue I 2012
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