Large scale low-carbon development: from inception to delivery Woodbrook biomass community heating scheme Stephen Ward
November 11, 2009
AECOM – About us • AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services • Our mission is to enhance and sustain the world’s built, natural and social environments
• No. 1 pure design firm in the World, by revenue with over 45,000 staff worldwide, working in over 100 countries • In Europe, more than 4,500 engineers, designers, architects, scientists, planners and project managers in 19 countries
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AECOM – About us • Our services cover master planning and design, architecture, building engineering, water, environmental services, energy, transportation • Combining the expertise of Faber Maunsell, EDAW, Earth Tech and Savant into the new AECOM • Global expertise and experience combined with local knowledge to provide the most efficient, costeffective and well-designed solutions
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AECOM – Our services for low carbon development • Large scale development and infrastructure projects require range of skills to deliver integrated, sustainable solutions.
• Our range of services includes all disciplines required to progress a project from initial feasibility through to completion
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AECOM – Our services for low carbon development • Feasibility assessment for wind power, waste to energy, biomass and low carbon district heating/CHP • Integrating reduction of energy use and energy generation into sustainable master plans
• Support with EIA, ecology, LVIA, permitting and consenting • Support with performance specification, procurement of ESCO/ MUSCO services, detail design of energy networks • Strategic advice and assessment for Code, BREEAM, and zero carbon November 12, 2009
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Woodbrook - overview • Woodbrook residential development - part of Brokers Town Village on edge of Lisburn, Northern Ireland
• The Carvill Group are developer • The scheme has been awarded a grant under the DECC Low Carbon Buildings Programme
• AECOM acting as Technical Support Consultant to Carbon Trust • Comprises 358 units covering 25 acres of land, 120 now built • Mix is 241 houses (6 house types), 111 Apartments, 5 retail units & crèche November 12, 2009
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Technical details • 4 off 500kW moving grate Binder biomass boilers • No back up gas boilers in energy centre, no gas supply to dwellings • No thermal store – system runs 24/7 • Each dwelling has HIU, with prepayment meter and heat meter • Boiler room below fuel store – gravity feed into hopper, walking floor in store • Separate energy centre building with 25m flue • 72% reduction in regulated CO2 November 12, 2009
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Woodbrook – management and operation • Developer paid for all capital costs • Vital energi contracted to maintain and operate the system
• Vital also did design, install and commission of system • Vital responsible for selling heat, arranging fuel supply and collecting income – have contract with householders • Currently, open book arrangement – developer guarantees to cover Vital costs plus mark up, while load develops • Residents charge up pre-payment card in local shops November 12, 2009
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Woodbrook – management and operation • At present, Carvill still own system and have overall responsibility for operation • When scheme fully built out, will set up management company which residents will own • This will protect their consumer interests
• Management charge to be paid by residents will go into replacement fund • At start, first dwellings fed by temporary gas boiler feeding into network (up to 50 dwellings)
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Woodbrook – fuel supply • Fuel comes from local willow coppice – 18% moisture content • A selection of local wood fuel suppliers available • 5 tonne deliveries at present – would mean 1 per day in peak heating season
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Woodbrook – customer and developer perspectives • High sustainability standards have been led by developer • Want to establish themselves in the market as a leader in sustainable, zero carbon development • For residents, have been some issues with slow response time of heating – training needed in how to use systems (lower output over a longer time) • Plots have been selling well, despite market turn down
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Thank You
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