Regen SW receives a record breaking number of nominations for the 2012 South West Green Energy Awards

17 September 2012

Once again the south west’s commitment to renewable energy is made clear as the Green Energy Awards receive 135 nominations - more than double the amount of entries compared to last year.

The South West Green Energy Awards are organised by Regen SW. Now in its tenth year, Regen SW, the south west’s centre of sustainable energy expertise, continue to promote the many positives that renewable energy can provide. Hosting the awards provides Regen SW with the perfect platform to showcase the pioneering work that the region produces. The awards feature six categories, allowing the variety of innovation, collaboration and good working practices to be recognised within the sector.

The shortlisted nominees (listed below) will now go through to the final stage of judging, where an expert panel of judges will carefully select this years overall winners and runners up. With so many quality entries to sort through, this years judging will prove difficult.

Merlin Hyman, chief executive of Regen SW, said: “I am so pleased to see the popularity of the awards grow at such a pace. With so many fantastic nominations the judges will have a difficult task in selecting the winners and runners up. What is really clear from these nominations is that the south west continues to lead the sector, delivering innovation in product development, service offered and collaboration between people, local authorities and organisations.”

The winners and runners up of the awards will be announced at the South West Green Energy Awards, held at the Assembly Rooms in Bath on Tuesday 20 November. Spaces are still available.
 

Details of the shortlisted south west entrants are as follows:

Best Business Innovation

FaB Test

The FaB Test is a nursery wave energy test facility, situated within Falmouth harbour. The scheme enables wave energy device developers to test components, concepts or full scale renewable energy devices. The site offers water depths between twenty and fifty metres and a variety of seabed types; rock, gravel and sand. FaB Test allows for up to three devices to be deployed concurrently.

Fred Olsen

The BOLT-2-WAVEHUB Collaborative Project has the aim of directly tackling the development of the design of an innovative wave energy device to deliver the significant cost reductions in terms of equipment and deployment techniques that will lead to a competitive energy price offer from this technology. The project succeeded in bringing together a project team comprising of technology developers Fred Olsen and Scotrenewables together with the advanced engineering design and fabrication skills of Supacat and the academic expertise of the University of Exeter.

PAPA Pumps

PAPA Pumps are low cost, minimal maintenance pumping systems which use the power of water to operate a patented pumping operation to move water long distances. Over 600 PAPA Pumps are currently in use around the world.

PAPA Pumps have recently launched a more efficient, l'Advanced Composite' unit for wider applications.

Woodpecker Energy

Investment from J Leon facilitated an intensive R&D programme to develop commercial boilers in the 150 kW - 300 kW range; the Woodpecker Thermon.

During the last 12 months 10 Woodpecker Thermon boilers have been installed in the UK including installations at the Weymouth and Portland Olympic Sailing Village. It is estimated that, in comparison to heating oil, the heat generated by burning wood pellets will provide an annual carbon saving of over 871 tonnes.

Best Community Initiative, sponsored by The Landmark Practice

Bath and West Community Energy

Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE) is a Community Benefit Society. In 2011 BWCE raised £722,000 from nearly 200 people and established a loan facility with SSE of £1 million. They installed a 362 kWp solar PV array and delivered energy efficiency projects in local schools. They are developing a 250 kWp solar PV, a 300 kW hydro, a 500 kW wind and assessing a 300 kW biomass system. Over the next 3-4 years they aim to increase their installed renewables capacity to 5 MWp.

Their goal is to deliver 25% of the local renewables target.

Community Power Cornwall

Community Power Cornwall (CPC) acts as an at risk developer, working closely with local communities to design, develop and deliver low carbon initiatives, minimising inherent development risks.

In 2011 CPC launched the first ever public share offer in Cornwall and installed its first two 80 kW community wind turbines. In the first year the turbines have produced 360,000 kW, saving 188 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The first share of the turbines revenue is now being used for education and an eco makeover for the village hall.

TRESOC

Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC) has grown into a professionally managed, community owned, renewable energy company acting for, and in close communication with, it’s 500 local members.

TRESOC has secured an agreement to develop the optimum site for commercial wind generation available in the TRESOC locality with community ownership. It has also worked with partners, Infinergy, in preparation, submission and consultation on the planning application for the Totnes Community Wind Farm for 2 x 2.3 MW wind turbines between Totnes and Harbertonford.

Best Renewable Energy Scheme, sponsored by The Crown Estate

Alliance Homes - Photo Voltaic Framework Agreement

Alliance Homes’ successful Photo Voltaic Framework Agreement is one of their recent initiatives which was awarded to Low Carbon Exchange based in Weston-super-Mare and Poole. This framework has been used by 13 independent social landlords to deliver over 4,000 PV systems, mainly in the south west.

To date the Framework has generated 4,900 MwH of energy and saved 2,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions with an installed capacity of 903 MWp.

Ecofirst Consult, ZeroC and Woodpecker Energy - Officers Field, Portland

Working closely with their parent company, the sustainable developer ZeroC, Ecofirst Consult has provided the sustainability, energy, and code level 4 consultancy for a highly sustainable and contemporary residential housing scheme at Officers Field, Portland, currently being used as the sailing events Olympic Village. The 77 homes are run on both district heat and individual biomass systems, designed and installed by Yeovil based Woodpecker Energy, providing completely carbon neutral heating.

Langage Farm

In 2011 Langage Farm and Dairy Produce factory integrated an Anaerobic Digester into their operations. The AD plant now provides enough heat and energy to run both the farm and the dairy produce factory, while managing waste. The bio-fertiliser output is then applied to the farm land which grows the grass, which the cows eat and use to produce milk, which is then used to make dairy products, creating a carbon neutral, closed loop.

Further benefits include supplying other farms with bio-fertiliser, exporting of renewable energy to the national grid and management of organic waste arising from various local authorities.

SunGift Solar and Met Office - solar PV array on Met Office energy centre roof

SunGift Solar installed a 1,000 panel, 250 kW solar PV array on the roof of the Met Office Energy Centre. The scheme is one of the largest roof-top solar PV installations in the UK, generating enough electricity (221,000 kW hours of electricity per year) to meet the demand of one of the Met Office’s powerful new supercomputers, which run research into climate change.

83% of the instillation work was carried out by SW companies, with the project generating media attention, resulting in the BBC and ITV running news features on the installation.

Fullabrook Wind Farm

Fullabrook Wind Farm is situated between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe in North Devon and consists of 22 turbines, each of up to 3 MW, creating a combined output of 66 MW. Each turbine is 65 metres high to the hub with 45 metre blades, making the total height of the turbines 110 metres.

Construction of the wind farm took place in 2011 and it has been producing electricity for export to the grid since autumn 2011. It is estimated that the wind farm will provide sufficient electricity for nearly 30,000 domestic households.

Installer or Supplier of the Year, sponsored by YouGen

Blue Flame Gas

Blue Flame Gas is a Cornish based heating solutions provider, focussing on renewable heating products. Over the past year they have won numerous national awards for their service and quality.

Enact Energy Renewables

Cornish based Enact Energy Renewables Limited manages the supply and installation of high quality energy saving and renewable energy products across the UK. 

Enact Energy Renewables have installed more than 14,015 energy saving measures, a five times increase from the previous year. These instillations have saved 200,000 tonnes of CO2.

Fair Energy

Fair Energy offers biomass solutions both for the domestic and commercial markets. Fair Energy has recently doubled their workforce to 20 and entered three new markets: education, historic houses and healthcare. Fair Energy is responsible for 10% of all successful RHI applications in UK.

Optimum Heating

Optimum heating are a traditional heating and plumbing company, established in 1992. Five years ago they saw the biomass light after working alongside an installation in Mid Devon.

They have been biomass MCS accredited for 3 1/2 years; biomass currently forms 50% of their turnover, with 12 engineers now engaged in biomass projects at some point throughout the year.

Rudge Renewables

Rudge Renewables have designed and now manufacture a power divert relay which enables people to generate hot water from their excess PV generation. This idea has now been widely adopted by other manufacturers across the UK.

Rudge Renewables are also now actively installing MCS approved small wind systems, solar thermal and biomass with their own HETAS trained staff.
 
Solarsense

Solarsense is a leading renewables company in the south west. Recent instillations have included Bristol Zoo, the Glastonbury Festival site and At-Bristol. Solarsense have also recruited an additional 20 staff.

Source Renewable

Source Renewable is a family-run renewable energy business based in South Molton, Devon. They specialise in the installation of renewable energy systems for domestic properties, businesses, organisations, and communities and offer a full energy consultation process to provide tailored renewable energy solutions.

SunGift Solar

SunGift Solar was founded in 2005 by Gabriel Wondrausch. SunGift Solar are renewable energy enthusiasts who offer a variety of renewable technology, and were amongst the first in the UK to receive accreditation under the Government's micro generation Scheme.

Most Proactive Public Sector Body

Bournemouth Solar Partnership

The partnership between Bournemouth Borough Council and Mouchel was formed in 2010. Among its objectives is to establish Bournemouth as a Centre of Excellence for Carbon Management by reducing carbon emissions, reducing energy costs and improving revenue, generating inward investment and creating jobs in the local Green Knowledge Economy. A key project for the partnership has been its solar PV Programme, featuring 750 houses and 3 large systems on corporate buildings.

Bristol City Council

Bristol City Council's Energy Management Unit has installed 568 kW of solar PV, with arrays on 36 schools in a £1.1 million project, thought to be the largest of its kind in the country. The scheme provides annual savings of nearly 500,000 kWh. Each PV array has monitoring in place allowing school students to access generation data.

Long-standing initiatives were accelerated in 2011 to improve the energy efficiency of schools, leisure centres, council homes and street lighting. This builds on recent work including the UK's first large-scale wind turbine development by a local authority, the creation of one of the UK's largest biomass boiler clusters and the UKs first Hydrogen ferry.

Bristol City Council has also jointly hosted the Tidal Energy Forums which highlight Bristol’s position as a global centre for leading tidal energy research. The council understands the enormous energy potential that the Bristol Channel presents and are looking to utilise this in the best possible way.

Exeter and East Devon Growth Point

Devon County, East Devon District and Exeter City Councils came together in 2007 through the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point to support the delivery of a major development programme centred on Exeter and extending in to the west end of East Devon.

The scheme features a district heating network to serve the Cranbrook new community. In conjunction with E.On, this network will ultimately extend to 75 km and will serve both homes and commercial space.
 
Green Cornwall Programme

The Green Cornwall programme looks at tackling the challenges of climate change while maximising opportunities of low carbon technologies.

The programme focuses on reducing the areas environmental impact and carbon footprint, providing a revolving loan fund to support building wind turbines or solar installations and to develop geothermal and marine technologies.

Mid Devon District Council

The council installed solar panels on the roofs of their offices and three leisure centres. Estimated figures indicate that the instillations will save up to £58,000 on annual electricity bills.

With private sector partner, Anesco, the council fitted 13,000 solar panels on more than 1,100 council homes, a third of the housing stock - to help tenants who are facing fuel poverty.

South West Energy Centre (South Devon College)

Phase 1 of South West Energy Centre forms a hub to meet the growing demand for high quality accredited training in renewable energy and sustainable building. Combining this with raising awareness amongst business and domestic consumers Phase 2 of South West Energy Centre, which is planned to open in Spring 2013 with support from the Regional Growth Fund, will fuel the cornerstone of an economic recovery in Torbay and South Devon, driving demand and ensuring manufacturers, suppliers and installers have the skilled workforce needed, directly leading to the creation of 407 private sector jobs.

South West Sustainable Energy Champion, sponsored by Rudge Renewables

John Rigby

John Rigby was the former Director of Development at Exeter City Council. He has returned to chair the Low Carbon Task Force in an entirely voluntary capacity. The Task Force is a coalition of the willing and aims to deliver a range of low carbon projects in the Exeter and East Devon area. Johns drive and enthusiasm has galvanised the activities of a wide range of partners and has ensured that real progress is now being made. In addition to the district heating network at Cranbrook John is the driving force behind ensuring that plans for three further networks are moving towards a successful conclusion. He has a formidable ability to understand complex initiatives and situations and ensure that these are translated in to practical steps forward.

Mareike Schmidt

Mareike Schmidt, strategic energy programme manager at Bristol City Council, won £2.5 million to implement an Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy Programme, to a total value of £140 million that will transform Bristol and the wider area. Thanks to Mareike, Bristol is the first council outside of London to win this phenomenal grant. She was also instrumental in establishing the Bristol Solar Group and in securing £2 million capital funding for a Green Deal pilot in Bristol and the wider South West region. Mareike has also championed the green agenda within the Council and wider city.

Steve Edmunds

In 2007 Steve presented to the rest of the board of MVF (a rural supply company run as a co-op) with his conviction that renewable energy could become very important to the rural economy and environment. Steve then spent two years of his own time researching, understanding and assessing the various technologies and likely incentive schemes.

To gain experience of these new technologies and regulations and to show them working with ‘real’ production figures Steve built an on-farm demonstration site, at his own time and expense. Steve installed a range of different PV systems for comparison, with around 2,500 people visiting the site, including planners, insurers and others to help educate/influence them. The site also features wind turbines, biomass heating and GSHP.
 
Cathy Debenham

Cathy Debenham set up You Gen. YouGen provides a wealth of practical information and an opportunity to ask experts and green energy pioneers questions, YouGen helps business owners to make informed decisions about green energy decisions.

YouGen also champions local installers and offers them an affordable platform to promote their businesses and invite customer feedback on an independent site.

Dr Lars Johanning

Dr Lars Johanning is the Senior Lecturer in Renewable Energy (Hydrodynamics and Marine Operation) in the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science at the University of Exeter. He is the academic lead for the Renewable Energy group and leads the offshore Renewable group at the University. He has established a leading role in the international research community in many areas of research relating to marine renewables. He has led in the development of several unique research facilities aimed at near to full-scale testing of marine renewable energy devices or sub-components. As PRIMaRE lead (UoE) he supported the development of facilities in the field characterisation and modelling of environmental resources.

-ENDS-
Notes to editors

Interviews
To interview Merlin Hyman, Regen SW chief executive, or to contact one of the shortlisted businesses, contact Rachel Hayes on the number below.

About Regen SW
Regen SW is a not for profit company working to enable business, local authorities and other organisations to deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency and build a prosperous low-carbon economy in the south west of England. www.regensw.co.uk

For further information
Please contact Rachel Hayes, Regen SW events and membership manager on 01392 494399 or email intern@regensw.co.uk.