Environmental considerations in NEA Projects
The primary aim of NEA projects is to tackle fuel poverty and improve the lives of low-income households. However, NEA recognises the importance of developing projects that also benefit the environment and stresses that creating affordable warmth is an important component of sustainable energy strategies.
NEA have also recently produced a guidance note outlining the synergies between affordable warmth and sustainable energy. This can be viewed by clicking the link: Affordable Warmth and Sustainable Energy
Saving energy from our buildings
Identifying potential energy savings and encouraging greater sustainability
Energy audits have been completed for 13 community buildings in south Cumbria. This has assessed how energy savings can be made at each building given the existing patterns of use. This will include using heating controls correctly and upgrading to more efficient appliances.
The potential to utilise renewable technology at each site was investigated. This includes micro-wind turbines, heat pumps (air-source and ground-source) and solar panels. The surveys also address many of the difficulties associated with installing renewable technologies on old buildings.
Where appropriate, alternative technologies offer the opportunity for free, clean energy, reducing the amount of carbon emissions from running the building. Encouraging local action where feasible can also demonstrate to local communities that renewable technology is viable and very beneficial.
Partnerships to promote renewable technology
Domestic properties are responsible for a large proportion of carbon emissions in the UK. If the government is to achieve its targets set out in the Kyoto protocol this sector must undergo significant changes. This is in terms of how the home is heated and running electrical appliances
NEA works in partnership with other organisations to run initiatives piloting new technologies. This provides a framework for wider scale implementation by organisations such as local authorities and housing associations. Primarily, NEA projects operate to address the issue of fuel poverty but energy savings that are achieved will also contribute positively upon the environment. NEA is currently looking at the possibility of installing micro-wind turbines on houses with vulnerable occupiers on low income. This can provide up to 1.5kW of energy to significantly reduce fuel bills.
These projects are funded through Scottish & Southern Energy
NEA is also looking at setting up a supply chain to utilise waste wood pellets as a heating fuel for domestic properties. There are some district heating schemes using these methods. Using woodfuel is environmentally sustainable and actively helps to manage forests and woodlands. NEA will identify low-income households where using wood as a fuel can provide affordable warmth to the property.
For further information on the projects please contact Arthur Scott(Technical Manager)