Power Requirements

Energy Management

The UK has in place regulations that would permit (encourage) a community energy company. This should be an early consideration in the Master Plan. Such a decision would determine the best strategy going forward.

Large Scale Generation

If large scale "on site generation" is to be considered, the role of the local network operator and local network will need to be studied.

Subject to the availability of proven technologies, within the timescale of this development, then a biomass CHP could form the basis of sustainable power generation. This could contribute to the developments waste management strategy. This option delivers high sustainability and creates jobs in the local community.

If the technology is deemed unavailable to meet the time scales of the project, then a high efficiency gas fired CHP could be considered.

In both large scale generation options, the use of the heat needs to maximised. This could include for district heat, absorption chilling and energy intensive enterprises.

Medium Scale Generation

If the large scale generation option is not considered appropriate for the development, a single, or small cluster of large scale wind turbines could provide a significant contribution of on site generation.

Smaller biomass or gas fired CHP units could be an option for employment zones, leisure centre or shopping precinct..

Small Scale Generation

PV and small wind turbines could be considered to provide a contribution to power requirements and provide un-interruptible power supplies where this is critical to users. PV should be "buildings integrated" wherever possible.

The uses of PV "Shingles" which give the appearance of Welsh slate could be considered for architectural merit.

PV panels can be used for covered walkways, bus shelters etc.

The application of micro turbines needs to be further investigated.

Heating

In consideration of the application of sustainable energy technologies to this development, a fundamental question is the availability of a natural gas infrastructure. In a number of European countries, natural gas is not available in domestic properties and a community heating pipe work system has been installed.

A district heating scheme based on a large scale CHP could provide for all the developments heating requirements. This would need a back up supply and that could be achieved using a separate biomass heating plant.

For commercial centres, shopping precincts or other grouped property, biomass heating probably offers the best sustainable technology that is dependable and flexible enough to follow demand. Large scale solar water heating could be considered for both direct heat or pre heating the feed water for a biomass heating system.

At domestic level, biomass heating and solar water heating offer cost effective technologies. Solar water heating installed in a new development will produce reasonably good payback and has a high sustainability contribution. Visual impact of solar heating on buildings could be greatly improved by working with solar heating suppliers at an early stage of design.

The opportunity to use selected waste materials or sterilised refuse derived fuels, to produce heat, should be seriously considered.

The application of heat pumps merits further investigation.

Water Management

Rainwater harvesting is a simple, low cost technology that could be applied on a broad base across this development. A key issue would be the integration of the holding tanks into the building design, to minimise or avoid visual impact.

Grey water recycling should be considered. This would require a careful study, and perhaps the focus
should be initially on employment zones, commercial centres, schools, community centres etc.

Use of reed bed sewage treatment will be constrained by the availability of suitable land.