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Energize November 2006

Welcome to the November 2006 edition of Segen's newsletter, Energize.

You may also download this as a printable PDF version.

Powering Production

Kingspan Insulated Panels is a construction materials business focused on establishing leading market positions by providing innovative construction systems and solutions with a global reach. Kingspan contracted Adonis Construction to build their new Visitor Centre in Holywell, North Wales to be a showcase for energy efficiency and on-site generation, along with solar power and a ground source heat pump at the same site. Alan Ferriday from Adonis Construction said; “In our dealings with Segen, everything came together well, and we got exactly what we had asked for on behalf of our client.” The foundations and electrical installation was undertaken by Adonis with the tower and turbine being installed by Segen’s installation team over two days in mid July. Final commissioning was in late July and the turbine is now connected to the grid and generating clean energy for the Kingspan

Planning Permission

Some of the most frequent questions we get asked are about planning permission and what’s involved in obtaining it for a small wind turbine. Planners are generally very supportive and pro-active towards small wind generation projects, and are obliged under Government rules to consider them in a positive light under Government guidelines PPS22. Planners are now more aware of the issues and shouldn’t put inappropriate obstacles in your way.

Often just calling your local planning authority to explain you are looking at such a project can be worthwhile to get some initial feedback. They will advise you of what issues you will need to address in your application, especially if you are in a special area, like an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We have excellent and very successful supporting documents to help with your planning application.

Noise is often one of the most emotive issues for objections to large and small wind turbines, and unfortunately there is a lot of miss-information about it in the public domain. Segen will provide you with detailed information on the expected noise levels and provide evidence to support your planning application, including dispelling some of the myths around about wind turbines and noise. This will explain to your local planning officer how they should assess the application and provide detailed noise measurements from existing installed wind turbines so that an environmental health officer can make a full assessment of your application. Providing the Segen guidelines on turbine location are followed it is very likely that your planning application will be accepted.

It is essential in England and Wales to get planning permission to install a small wind turbine, but Segen will help you with this process and provide you with all the supporting information and advice you need. We have considerable experience of helping people through this process.

The Eden Project

Segen recently installed an Iskra AT5-1 small wind turbine to provide the world leading Eden Project with a suitable method of generating a renewable, sustainable and efficient energy supply for application in the rural location. Open to public access by 1.2 million people each year, the state of the art turbine is both innovative in the Eden tradition, economical, robust by design and extremely efficient with a carbon saving environmental footprint. The tree-sized Iskra Wind turbine was be grid-connected to provide an applied example of energy and sustainability, matching Eden’s mission statement; “to promote the understanding and responsible management of the vital relationship between plants, people and resources, leading towards a sustainable future for all”. The Eden Project promotes their mission with a wide range of education programmes.

Domestic Grants

The Government’s Low Carbon Building Program (LCBP) grants scheme is now in full operation, and proving very popular with the public with over £3m now allocated to small scale renewable projects. There has been growing concern recently that the funding will get rapidly exhausted, but a recent Government announcement seems to have reduced those fears, but full details have not yet been announced of the extra funding.

Segen’s Iskra AT5-1 5kW small wind turbine is eligible for the maximum domestic grant of £5,000 to offset the cost of your installation.

The application process is very simple and can be completed on-line on the LCBP web site in minutes and you will get an instant answer. http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/how/householders/

There are certain criteria for energy efficiency that you must fulfil to ensure that your house is efficient in the use of energy before you are able to claim your grant, but these are not too onerous.

1. insulated the whole of the loft of the property to meet current building regulations e.g. 270mm of mineral wool loft insulation or suitable alternative

2. installed cavity wall insulation (if you have cavity walls)

3. fitted low energy light bulbs in all appropriate light fittings

4. installed basic controls for your heating system to include a room thermostat and a programmer or timer.

Events

Segen is an active supporter of local renewable energy events across the country and will be supporting and exhibiting at the following locations:

· 9 and 10 November 2006 Brighton Racecourse. The South East Renewable Energy Conference.
http://www.serenewables.org.uk/

· Wednesday 29th November 2006, 4.30pm – 7.30pm, at Blenheim Palace, nr. Oxford. Energy for Today and Tomorrow – Turning Talk into Action’ http://www.ruraloxfordshire.org.uk/directory/page.php?id=20

Please visit the event web sites for more information or contact Segen if you would like to meet us at one of these events.