2 October 2008
ParcLife and Worktrack to carry out feasibility study into combined heat and power.
A £130,000 feasibility study taking place in Craigmillar, Edinburgh could pave the way for residents to make savings in their power bills, reduce their environmental impact through significant carbon savings and reap the benefits of new employment opportunities.
The study into the use of combined heat and power (CHP) as an energy source will examine the potential for three local energy units to supply heat and power to the new developments, including homes and schools, being built as part of the regeneration of the area.
The study has been awarded a £65,000 grant from The Scottish Government Climate Change Fund. PARC, the company spearheading the £200 million regeneration of Craigmillar is matching this with a further £65,000 funding.
John Quinn, general manager for PARC Craigmillar said: “Energy from a CHP source is typically twice as efficient as conventional power stations. In a CHP scheme rather than waste the heat generated it is used to heat homes and other buildings in addition to producing electricity. Implementing this innovative technology in Craigmillar would bring big benefits to the local community and we look forward to working with the people of Craigmillar to bring this project to fruition”.
The initial phase of the study, to look at the technical, financial and commercial viability of the project, will be completed in October this year. If successful, this will be followed by a more detailed financial study and then a period of community consultation.
The study is being carried out by Ramboll, a Danish consultancy with experience in designing and implementing CHP schemes in both Denmark and the UK. Further consultancy is being provided by the CHP Association and the experience of Aberdeen Combined Heat and Power, which was the large scale first initiative in Scotland, will be important to the project.
Martin Smith, chief executive of Worktrack said: “The implementation of a CHP scheme would bring a number of new job opportunities to the local community, with opportunities in both the construction phase and in the ongoing maintenance of the project.”
If successful in the new developments in Craigmillar, CHP can be utilised to heat homes in existing developments in the area, replacing existing gas boilers when replacement is due.