What is CHP?
The present use of carbon-based non-renewable energy is unsustainable,
because of the resultant CO2 emissions.
The government plans to reduce these emissions by 60% by 2050,
and Building Standards are set to require net zero carbon new buildings
by 2016. A net zero carbon home produces zero net emissions of
CO2 from all energy use in the home. Our
plant will generate heat and electricity using wood as the fuel
source. This will be locally sourced from sawmills and forests.
Wood is a ‘carbon lean’ fuel. This means that it does
emit CO2 when it is burned, but this is
equivalent to the amount absorbed from the atmosphere during the
growth of the tree. Space heating and hot water accounts for 83%
of domestic energy use. Accordingly, using wood to generate heating
and hot water will go a long way towards achieving the aim of a
net zero carbon home or building. Electricity produced will be
supplied to the National Grid. |
Why
CHP here?
Hill of Banchory is built in an area of commercial plantation,
and the Leys Estate, along with the North East of Scotland in general,
contains significant areas of woodland, so the local availability
of fuel is an obvious reason to use it. The site for the plant
has been chosen because of the central location within our current
and proposed developments at Hill of Banchory.
In addition to providing heat to new housing, |
the plant will provide heat
to the proposed new Leisure Centre, Neighbourhood
Centre and Banchory Business Park. |
The Benefits
|
Lower
CO2 emissions
Reduced maintenance costs against individual boilers
You only pay for what you use – inefficiencies in
generating the heat are not your problem
All the advantages of gas systems without the need for
a boiler or flue
Competitive and sustainable, your bill will not be at the
mercy of wildly fluctuating gas and oil prices as recently
experienced
Heat is instantaneous – available when needed
Reliable and safe form of heating – no flumes or
flames
Uses a readily available and sustainable fuel source |
|
What it Costs
| Dwelling |
2-bed
house
|
3-bed
house
|
4-bed
house
|
| Average annual heat
consumed (kWh) |
10,500
|
14,500
|
18,500
|
| Average unit cost
(p/kWh) |
4.10
|
4.10
|
4.10
|
| Indicative annual
heating bill |
£430
|
£595
|
£759
|
Proposed
area to be supplied by the CHP
|
