BISHOP’S CASTLE HEAT & WIND PROJECT GETS SOME WIND IN IT’S SAILS
The Bishop’s Castle Wind Turbine-powered Community Heat project has been awarded a substantial grant to carry out further studies. The work will include Ecology and Technical studies, and obtaining ’expressions of interest’ from the Town’s householders, organisations and businesses – including the Community College and SpArC, who wish to be connected to the Heat Network.
You can read the full details here BC H&W Press Release March24 v2
Congratulatory letter from Philip Dunne, MP, here Support letter from P Dunne Mar24
Community H&W Network Case Studies
Volunteers needed!
We are looking to study five or six properties as part of this work.
We will look at:-
Existing insulation, glazing etc and possible improvements to reduce energy use
Existing energy use, inc use of wood stoves etc
How the heat network could be connected into the property, including proposed location of a heat interface unit (HIU)
How the water is heated with consideration of need for a
possible new hot water cylinder
Householder interest in the heat network and any concerns that need to be addressed.
Consideration of alternative sources of heat, eg individual heat
pumps
An energy report will be issued to the occupiers of each property.
An overall report showing the findings will also be prepared.
We are also looking for a site for the solar panels.
To volunteer as a case study or if you have any questions
please contact Project Manager Dave Green, dave@sharenergy.coop
or text or leave a message on 07735 082417
Your can read the full leaflet here BC Heat & Wind flyer April 24v2
What’s it all about?
An update on the Community Heat & Wind Network
To find out all about the project, its background, who is involved and what’s happening next, see the attached document Heat Network publicity doc Feb24 Final v3.
If you want to help out, or have any queries, please e-mail us at climateaction@lightfootenterprises.org.uk
Bishop’s Castle carbon footprint: why we need this project
The average Carbon Footprint per household in Bishop’s Castle is about 9% higher than the national average. However, other markers: Consumption, Food and Waste are considerably lower. The stand-out difference is seen in the graph at the link below where energy use in Bishop’s Castle’s homes is 45% higher than the national average. The reason for this is that Bishop’s Castle is not on the Gas Grid and the majority of homes have to use oil, wood and even coal for their heating and hot water. Combined with this is the fact that the Town has many old and hard-to-heat homes that are not suitable for Heat Pumps. This project is the best way to enable more affordable and sustainable energy for Bishop’s Castle.
Impact | Community carbon calculator (impact-tool.org.uk)
Read or download the latest Heat Network FAQs here
There are two streams of project work: the Heat Network study (i.e. the location of the Heat Hub and the pipe network connecting it to the Town’s buildings) which began in May 22 (funds sourced by ‘Sharenergy’).
The second stream is the Wind Turbine which will power the Heat Hub which will require further Ecology studies and planning permission.
Adrian Cooper (Head of Climate Change, Shropshire Council) has expressed support for the project, hoping it will encourage similar projects in Shropshire.
The 2023 Feasibility Study can be downloaded here BC Heat Feasibility Study v7c 23.3.23
The results of the survey can be seen here BC heat & Wind, Details of 122 survey responses
The full Report can be seen here 1_H&W Planning submission v2b 8.10.21
If you are interested in helping with this project, or want more information, please e-mail <climateaction@lightfootenterprises.org>
You can see the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ here BC Heat & Wind Initiative FAQs 2023 v4
