CALOR LPG PLAYS VITAL ROLE IN WORLD’S FIRST COMMERCIAL BIOSNG PLANT C


Calor LPG will play a key role at the world’s first commercially


viable bio-substitute natural gas (BioSNG) plant in Swindon, which is set to convert 10,000 tonnes of household waste a year into renewable energy. The plant, developed by Advanced


Plasma Power, will process household waste from the local area, converting it to BioSNG that can then be distributed through the existing mains gas network to compressed natural


gas filling stations for use by heavy goods vehicles. However, before the gas can qualify for injection into the mains gas grid, it must be ‘spiked’ with LPG to achieve a high enough calorific value. As a result, Calor is supplying and installing three 2,000- litre above ground tanks and associated pipework to the new facility. The 10,000 tonnes of waste


processed by the plant per annum will produce 22GWh of BioSNG. This is


enough to fuel 75 heavy goods vehicles or heat 1,500 homes each year. Funding for the new £27m facility


has been supported by £17m of grants, with £11m awarded from the Department for Transport’s Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Competition and £6m from Ofgem’s Network Innovation Competition. Andy Cornell, Director of Finance at


Advanced Plasma Power, said: “Once operating, the plant is set to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by


more than 5,000 tonnes a year. We believe that eventually the technology has the potential to generate 100TWh of BioSNG from waste each year, enough to fuel all of the UK’s buses and lorries. “We hope the facility will be the


first of many to generate BioSNG from waste, helping the UK take significant steps towards decarbonising heat and transport, which is worth 74 per cent of energy usage in the UK.” www.calor.co.uk/business


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n this month’s issue a focus on the Minimum


Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and what landlords can do to meet these features on p6. A look at how businesses can benefit


from demand side balancing services (DSR) technology is on p8. An insight into what has caused the surge in the renewables sector for battery storage sites features on p10. Ways in which to solve the challenges of using natural refrigerants in cooling system design is on p12. Don’t miss how demand-based ventilation is reducing HVAC energy costs on p14. Having the right skills and resources needed to make flexible energy buying a success can make all the difference, find out why on p18. Plus all the regular news and industry updates. Michelle Winny - Editor


A global partnership between UK- based Morgan Advanced Materials and FZSoNick Switzerland is utilising innovative new materials to help store and harness excess energy generated from renewable sources. The two businesses have


partnered on a long-term project to manufacture modular energy storage solutions for use globally in residential housing, large energy grid support systems, and light


NEW MATERIALS FOR ENERGY STORAGE


commercial vehicles. These solutions are being used to supply, manage and store energy without the need for maintenance, granting communities and businesses greater independence from national grid networks. Key to the high performance of


these systems are the materials used. FZSoNick manufactures the systems using Sodium Nickel Chloride batteries, a technology which is relatively new to the market. Not only is this material in good supply, but its high energy density characteristics, together with its fully recyclable properties, result in storage systems that are highly sustainable. morgansealsandbearings.com


BCAS has made its “Pressure and Leak Testing of Compressed Air Systems Best Practice Guideline” free to download from its website: www.bcas.org.uk. Tim Preece, BCAS Technical Officer says: “One of the major ways that you can reduce the energy consumption and therefore cost of a compressed air system is by identifying leaks and taking action to reduce them. A 3mm hole for example could cost your organisation over £600 per year in wasted energy. “This best practice guide covers the most commonly encountered commissioning situations where you need to establish the compressed air system’s safety and efficiency.” The guide outlines the importance


of choosing the right supplier and assessing their competence, agreeing an acceptable leakage rate and the procedures for testing installations.


www.bcas.org.uk


PRIORITISE RENEWABLE & LOW CARBON TECHNOLOGIES IN HEAT NETWORKS


renewable energy, waste heat, or low carbon technologies. The issue is particularly prevalent in small and medium-sized developments, comprising of 200 dwellings or fewer. According to Pete Mills (pictured),


Alleviating fuel poverty by reducing bills for end-users and cutting carbon emissions are two of the core aims of heat networks, yet current design practices are putting these ambitions at risk, according to a leading expert in the field. Those designing heat networks


and district heating schemes, whether due to budgetary concerns or technical considerations, are all too often opting out of using


4 WINTER 2017 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT


Commercial Technical Operations Manager at Bosch Commercial and Industrial, end-users will often see no perceivable benefits in their bills without these technologies and in the worst cases the costs of energy can actually increase. Mills advises: “It has become


increasingly common for heat network design plans to feature little or no low carbon and renewable technologies. As well as producing a poor result for building operators and users on an individual scale, controversy around poorly performing


schemes is calling into question heat networks in general, which if implemented correctly can make a significant contribution to decarbonising the UK’s building stock, as well as alleviating fuel poverty.” “It’s integral that, as an industry,


we take a user-first approach in the design and implementation of heat networks, incorporating those technologies that are going to have the greatest benefit for building operators and end-users. As a necessity that would involve the use of renewable energy, waste heat, or low carbon technologies.” Pete continues: “To increase the


uptake of renewable and low carbon technologies it is also beholden upon developers and housing associations to include low carbon and renewable


technologies, as part of their heat network specification, in order to ensure fairly priced heat.” Challenging the perceived barriers


of technical competency and cost, Pete adds: “While the broad-based knowledge of heat network design is still lacking in the UK, there is help available. At Bosch we have considerable experience in the development of heat networks, and particularly in combining them with renewable technologies using standard hydraulic and control arrangements. Working closely with developers early on, it has been possible to develop solutions that ensure the best return in terms of reduced costs and lower CO2 emissions.” www.bosch-industrial.co.uk


/ ENERGYMANAGEMENT


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