20 South West Building & Construction
Autumn 2012 ENVIRONMENT Energy issues under the spotlight by Chris Verney
As detailed in my previous article (South West Building & Construction magazine, June- July 2012 issue), the Feed-in Tariffs are gradually being eroded by this Government, making renewables not such an attractive investment as they were.
The last Government introduced these payments and we were told that they would encourage uptake of renewable energies - and reduce the need for, and costs of, building more fossil fuel and nuclear power stations. A vision of true excellence. However, the Government didn’t allow for speculative business investment companies building large-scale wind and solar ‘farms’.
Due to our ideal location for such systems to work, many large-scale solar/wind installations obtained planning approval and have been allowed to spring up like mushrooms in our lovely Westcountry. Where will it all end?
*Unfortunately, many people seem to demand energy as a right but are not interested as to where or how it is produced.
The nuclear image has recently been severely damaged again by events in Japan, making designers have second thoughts on all safety issues. However, work is already under way in the UK to create a new generation of nuclear power stations. Hinkley Point in Somerset is due to be the site for one of them. I can only hope and pray that they have got it right, being that Hinkley Point is right on our doorstep. Meanwhile, hydro-power is much underrated and needs further exploitation and investment.
*Sensible energy use and
conservation have been promoted worldwide by many bodies and implementation of renewable energy systems in the home is always emphasised.
Surely it is not up to the public alone to have to spend their hard- earned money on green energy schemes - but also the energy
companies themselves, by installing large-scale renewable energy generators at the power stations. We have a site and the remains of a redundant coal-fired power station in North Devon at East Yelland, so why not build a combined wind and solar power station there, incorporating all the latest hi-tech battery storage and fuel cell technology? *Another step towards non- dependence on the National Grid and self-sufficiency is available, enabling self-generated electrical power and heat or cold to be stored for use at a later date/time. The system uses hi-tech batteries and fuel cells with overall efficiencies of up to 90 per cent. Domestic-type models are
available rated at up to 7.1kW/hour of storage capacity. They are designed to operate in conjunction with renewable energies and also to provide a mains fail back-up support system.
Further enquiries, please contact: Chris Verney, Barum
Solarheat, tel 01271 343377. Web
www.barsol.co.uk.
■ ASBESTOS comes in many forms from soffits and pipework installations to wall panels, external roofs and outbuildings including garages.
It can also be found in textured coatings as used in decoration. All forms have the potential to cause fatal health problems if not handled in the correct manner. Atlas SW Ltd based in
Tavistock has many years’ experience of dealing with asbestos.
Director Alan Townend said: ‘Our team is professional and efficient, providing a safe and thorough service. We are licensed by the Health and Safety Executive to deal with all types of asbestos removal and remedies.’
Based at 7 Atlas House, West
Devon Business Park, Tavistock, Altas SW Ltd can be contacted on 01822 617265 or mobile 07800 607053.
The Institute of
Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management
■ Barnstaple
■ Bristol
■ Taunton ■ Yeovil ■ Exeter
St Austell ■
Falmouth ■
H ES Tel/Fax (01752) 662280 e-mail:
info@hydroenv.co.uk
Hydro Environmental Services Ltd The Water Treatment Specialists
Making Water Work
South West Fires and Flues 62 - 64 Plymstock Road, Plymouth Tel: 01752 408151 Fax: 01752 480060
Email:
pcfsltd@btconnect.com www.southwestfiresandflues.co.uk
Mobile 07889 784783
www.hydroenv.co.uk
ISO 9001 REGISTERED FIRM Torbay ■ ■ Plymouth
◆ Gas fireplace installations
◆ Templating service available for fires and hearths
◆ Hole in the wall style fireplaces ◆ Electric fireplace installations
◆ Gas Fires and Fireplaces including LPG, wood and multi Fuel burners with fire surrounds
Hydro Environmental Services Derwent House 5 Vapron Road Mannamead, Plymouth PL3 5NJ
◆ Flue Systems all Fuels ◆ Flashing and Heating accesories ◆ Chimney Pots and Cowls
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