NEWS
BIOMASS SPECIALIST SEES RAPID GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR CONSULTANCY EXPERTISE
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North East biomass energy specialist has advised the UK Government on the future costs of biomass in a mass market as part of a growing demand for its expert consultancy services. Alnwick-based re:heat was approached by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to provide expert analysis of the likely future costs of installing and running biomass wood-burning heating in the UK.
The report ‘Potential Cost Reductions for Biomass Heating Installations’ - produced with Glasgow-based renewable energy consultant Steve Luker Associates - will help guide Government thinking on renewables sector costs at a time when energy and its affordability tops the political agenda. re:heat provides advice about the latest heat saving biomass technologies and has seen the amount of consultancy work it undertakes treble in the last year. With a further expected 50% increase within the next 12 months, the volume of specialist advice provided to the public sector, traditional estates and private companies is now worth six figures. Company director Neil Harrison said the
DECC report forecast a fall in the cost of wood supply and transport costs, coupled with a professionalising of biomass system installation, which could lead to a cost reduction of between 9% and 11% to install biomass heating.
“The increased professionalisation and developing skills of installers, coupled with better customer knowledge should improve the design project management of installations, and so this cost and business overheads should fall appreciably in a maturing market,” he said.
Now the firm, which employs six at its Cawledge Business Park site, is gearing up as increasing numbers of enquiries are received from customers for its consultancy services in the North and Scotland. The firm believes there is huge potential to provide expert advice to farmers, land agents and rural businesses who are unaware of regulations which apply to biomass schemes, or have the wrong type of biomass heating system installed. Neil says there’s been a lack of regulation in the sector with many across the north mis-sold boilers. He said: “We are seeing strong demand for our consultancy services
on the back of a growing reputation for practical and independent advice that delivers tangible benefits.”
re:heat was founded in 2011 by Neil Harrison and Ben Tansey to assist businesses of all sizes convert from fossil fuels to sustainable, low carbon wood fuel heating systems.
The firm’s team of experts can help clients with buying a boiler, designing systems, fuel supply logistics and material handling, fault-finding and problem resolution, and specialist training.
More at
www.reheat.uk.com
The full DECC report can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ the-scope-for-cost-reductions-in-a-mass-market- for-low-carbon-heating-technologies
re:heat co-founders Neil Harrison and B
LOGSTOR to provide over 3.5km of pipes at revolutionary energy project in Gateshead
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OGSTOR, the world leader in pre-insulated pipe systems for district heating and cooling has been signed as the approved supplier for an important energy project that will cut bills and carbon emissions for homes and businesses in Gateshead.
The first of its kind and scale in the North East, the construction of the new District Energy Centre in the Baltic Business Quarter, will include Logstor installing in the region of 3.5km of pipes across the new underground district heating scheme (with extensions planned for the future), over a period of 10 months.
The scheme will allow heat and electricity to be generated locally and fed directly to public buildings, businesses and local homes.
Comments Christopher Hill, UK Sales Manager for Logstor: “This is a ground-breaking project which will be of enormous benefit and we are thrilled to be working in partnership with The Clancy Group and Gateshead Borough Council. “Construction of the network of heating pipes has started with Logstor on site supplying the Series 1 Conti (diffusion barrier) – to meet heat loss requirements
4 across the project.
“Logstor pipes with diffusion barriers are leading-edge district heating systems and provide the best insulation and in turn make excellent economic sense.”
During the manufacturing process for the Logstor Conti pipes, the pipes are made by casting the insulation onto the service pipe in a moving mould, after which the casing is extruded onto the insulation. The production takes place in a continuous process. An effective diffusion barrier foil, preventing diffusion of insulating gases is embedded between the insulation and the casing. Consequently, continuously produced pipes with diffusion barrier foil do not age.
The method is suited for pipes with outer casing dimensions 90 - 315mm. The total heat loss is over a 30 year period is 10-25% lower than that of corresponding, traditional pipe. The smallest dimensions yield the greatest savings.
The pipes are supplied with two copper wires embedded in the polyurethane (PUR) insulation; these wires are used to identify any leaks in the system. The polyurethane (PUR) insulation has a guaranteed lambda value of 0.023 W/mK.
ENERGY MANAGER MAGAZINE • MARCH 2016
The general advantages of Conti Steel pipe systems are: •
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Reduction in the number of joints needed through the availability of long lengths
Reduction in the number of bends/ fittings needed as the piping can be factory curved to follow the best and easiest path
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Reduced operating costs due to diffusion barrier being fitted Fully welded system Alarm System
Fully compliant with CIBSE CHPA Heat Networks Code of Practice
It is expected that the Energy Centre will start producing heat and power from summer 2016, when all the initial buildings will be connected up. The project value is circa £6million with the District Heating element valued at £2.5m.
Gateshead Council has also been awarded around £200,000 of grant funding from the Government’s Heat Network Delivery Unit, to explore extending the town centre network even further and adding even greener energy sources, as well as exploring other potential areas for district energy schemes.
www.logstor.com
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