Wed, 22 May 2013 21:10:07 +0100 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10688 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10688 Mon, 20 May 2013 07:03:00 +0100 SteamyTea
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/money/Consumer/article1260843.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2013_05_18]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10677 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10677 Wed, 15 May 2013 11:33:57 +0100 gustyturbine A friend has been approached by a company wanting to install a 50kW turbine on his farm. Planning should be fine as the farm next to him has fitted one already. Thjey have told him that all costs (£350,000) would be paid for by the company. The grid connection would go over his land for around .5 miles. Does the installation cost seem high at all? If the cost was lower he may try and fund it himself.
I am used to the larger scale turbine operation and the MW price installed is much cheaper then than £350,000 for 50kw quoted although I can understand why to a degree.
What is the opinion of the wind turbine operators we have on the forum? Does £350,000 seem high to them. The turbine is Endurance.
Many thanks.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9761 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9761 Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:35:23 +0000 peterpanel22
Is it making solar thermal look like yesterday's technology? as this works all year round therefore you do not rely on secondary source.

Their website looks professional but not sure to go ahead with them http://www.sks-thermo.co.uk" >. Does anyone have any experience with this company?? I found a few positive reviews of them.

Also they said this system qualifies for the RHI but it does not come into action until summer 2012, but I do not know how much I would get.

The price they quoted was just above £6000 for this for my needs, how long will it take to get an ROI?

Sorry for multiple questions, me and my partner are in this dilema and I could not find any information to this as this is a new thing, and having free hot water heating really would help us out.

:neutral:]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10588 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10588 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:49:23 +0100 Triassic
Can't say I’m very enthusiastic?! Can't imagine what they will bring to the table, lower prices?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10633 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10633 Sat, 04 May 2013 22:30:02 +0100 Nick Parsons http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10555 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10555 Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:48:33 +0100 ferdinand2000
I'm looking for thoughts on mounting solar panels directly on a house wall, or building a supporting "porch".We don't have any *really* suitable roofs for PV in our new house, so I'm wondering about a solar brise soleil made of PV solar panels along across our garage and front door - about 8-9m run.

The only one I have seen was in the episode of Grand Designs called Stealth House, here:
http://tinyurl.com/brisesoleil

This is our southern facade. It is a reasonably well specified recent (2009) conversion of a 1940s bungalow, reduced to 3 outside walls and rebuilt inside. Unfortunately that row of lime trees along our eastern boundary are TPO'd.
http://tinyurl.com/ferdinandfacade

I quite like the idea of having it 12 feet off the ground rather than 25, for installation, maintenance and for the convenient jet washing of pigeon poo. The electric meters are in the garage, so cabling etc will be simple.

Does anyone have any experience of doing anything similar, or thoughts on the idea?

Thanks in advance.

Ferdinand]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6841 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6841 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:24:58 +0000 tony
Seems they dump heat in the summer to increase pv efficiency/output by cooling the panels]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10573 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10573 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:18:12 +0100 Sprocket
http://eetimes.com/electronics-news/4412642/IBM-Airlight-boost-solar-energy-10X

Though, am I missing something?
Don't you think they sound a bit big for 25kW?

25kW of regular 20% efficient PV isn't all that large.

So with micro-fluidic cooling and 80% efficient triple-junction PV cells I would expect to get 25kW from something more like the size of a suitcase.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8549 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8549 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:25:21 +0000 gavstamp http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10441 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10441 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:07:33 +0100 mightyworthit Please a little advice, does any one know if any solar thermal panel is suitable for use in drainback system?
My seraches so far have informed me that evacuated tubes are not ideal but can be used. Flat panels are beter but are restricted to a parallel?? internal pipe configuration as opposed to a meandering layout. Meandering layouts do not drain back fully so present a risk...is this so?
Are there any other things I should be looking for?
I have already purchased some worcester bosch greenskies fkt panels off ebay but i believe these meander and the man at bosch said that they have not been tested in a drainback system and wouold therefore be unsuitable.
If I wish to use a drainback system will I have to buy some different panels?
I am looking second hand, in ebay, preloved etc.

Many thank
tim]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10517 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10517 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:54:19 +0100 gustyturbine A friend of mine has been approached by Fine Energy with regards to the installation of a small turbine. Their web page states that they install Endurance machines. I am in the big turbine game so this is not my boat. Anyone know of Fine Enery? I have heard that Endurance are pretty good. Again, any pointers or problems I should mention? The usual blade issues etc. Was it Endurance that had the recent blade problems?
Many thanks.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2227 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2227 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:38:44 +0100 fostertom Can include brief outline of what it's about and why significant.
But this topic should NOT be used for discussion about energy storage - it should just be a concise resource - a library index, kind of.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10461 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10461 Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:07:40 +0100 tony
They would be able to provide energy at constant rates in linked in pairs (high and low) would be in the sea do not look ugly like wind, have a lot going for them.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10409 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10409 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:14:52 +0000 CWatters
It seems that something is changing the mercury in the bulbs and it might be an unexpected nuclear reaction...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2013/03/14/tiny-nuclear-reactions-inside-compact-fluorescent-bulbs/

"Harmless low-energy nuclear reactions may be taking place routinely inside of compact fluorescent lightbulbs, according to a physicist whose theories have NASA researchers abuzz with the prospect of cheap, non-polluting energy."]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10368 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10368 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:57:42 +0000 Billy-J
I was wondering if anyone on here has a small/micro wind turbine?
When I say small I mean something that could power your average house and be grid connected directly not via batteries.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10402 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10402 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:21:07 +0000 pbib I am researching public perceptions of smaller wind turbines and I would be grateful for your views on this subject.
There are only ten questions, but they are open so please feel free to voice your opinions. You don`t have to have had any experience with wind turbines to complete the survey it is just about perceptions. It is totally anonymous and there are no personal questions.
I hope you find the questions stimulating and I will of course post the findings of my dissertation which members may find useful, (or at least start a lively debate !)
Again many thanks for your participation.

To access the survey copy and paste the following link
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NGXJ79H]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10086 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10086 Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:23:48 +0000 Triassic New wind energy record for Great Britain

4 February 2013

A record amount of electricity has been generated by wind energy in Great Britain, according to National Grid.

The new high was reached on Sunday morning, when wind generated more than 5 gigawatts for the first time – more than 12% of the nation’s electricity needs for industry, businesses and households – enough to power more than ten million British homes.

It’s the first time that wind energy has exceeded the 5 gigawatt threshold in Britain.

RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Maf Smith said:

“This new record proves that Britain is generating an increasingly significant amount of clean electricity from wind. The quantity of low-carbon energy that wind is feeding into the grid is continuing to surge upwards. We’re set to generate at least 15% of the UK’s electricity from wind by 2020.

http://www.renewableuk.com/en/news/press-releases.cfm/2013-02-04-new-wind-energy-record-for-great-britain]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7563 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7563 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 19:37:49 +0100 CWatters
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2011162/Wind-farms-whoom-whoom-whoom-noise-drove-mad-farmers-claiming-3m-tell-High-Court.html

Quote:
Lawyers for the couple say they are now seeking an injunction to bring about modification of the operation of the wind farm, plus some £400,000 damages to compensate them for the noise nuisance that has blighted their lives.

Also in the Telegraph..

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/8615569/Noisy-wind-farm-drove-couple-out-of-their-home.html

and The Times but that's subscription only.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10337 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10337 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:38:19 +0000 Henry Sears
I remember Viking House mentioning this as something he does, but can't find the thread now. Can anyone point me in the right direction, or help with other sources of information on this, please?

Ta,

Henry]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10306 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10306 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:20:46 +0000 CWatters
http://www.ebuild.co.uk/topic/11828-advice-needed-please-re-heating-with-wind-turbine/

Quote:

The SAP assessor has just informed us that the house will fail as it stands, because of using an immersion heater. It would only pass if we either installed an air source heat pump or:

To enable the dwelling to pass using electric space/water heating the following would be required:•Electric under floor heating throughout

•Electric instantaneous water heating

•100% low energy light fittings

•Pressure test at 3.8]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10300 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10300 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:25:12 +0000 Triassic
At Ecobuild I noticed a company selling solar PV slates, sand blasted to a matt dark grey finish so as to blend in with the surrounding natural slates. Unfortunately I failed to get the companies details. As our proposed PV will be on the front of the house facing the road, I have a feeling the planner will have something to say and my wife hates the shiny look of standard PV panels, I was thinking of using matt PV tiles to reduce the visual impact.

Anyone got any thoughts on sand blasted panels, will the matt finish affect the output, are sand blasted panels a good idea?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10240 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10240 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:19:37 +0000 Nick Parsons http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10253 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10253 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:26:33 +0000 SteamyTea
http://www.treco.co.uk/blog/2013/03/06/

"Other changes to the RHI announced on Wednesday include flexible tariffs to control the budget of the scheme, sustainability requirements for new and existing biomass installations, tariff reviews, and the simplification of metering requirements."

Seems to me they can pull the plug on it if they feel like it.

Also heard on the news that there is going to be a review about biomass in general (Scotland has already had a debate on it)

http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/news150113

All interesting stuff going on.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10258 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10258 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:10:14 +0000 Pile-o-Stone
I live in a listed building and so I can't put solar panels on the south facing roof of the house. I can however put panels onto an outbuilding at the rear of the house, but its roof is east west facing. The roof is also shaded by the house in the winter months when the sun is low, I guess from November to Feb. I have a heatbank connected to mains gas and to a multi-fuel stove. The heatbank has an unused solar coil installed.

The questions are:

1. Am I better to install solar water heating connected to the solar coil (with a buried solar duo pipe between the house and the outbuilding, or better to install solar PV with a buried cable between the house and outbuilding?

My thoughts are that solar thermal is a much more efficient way to heat water, but PV gives me a wider range of uses and I can export unused electricity to the heatbank via an immersion heater (there is an unused immersion heater boss low down on the heatbank that I could use - separate from a higher immersion heater connected to mains).

2. The west facing roof of the outbuilding receives sun for about an hour longer, so should I go for panels on both sides of the roof or just on the Western side?

3. If I opt for solar water heating, does anyone know if I would have problems with heat loss by burying the solar duo pipes underground between the house and outbuilding? I measure the run of the pipe to be 20 meters underground.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10005 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10005 Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:22:55 +0000 renewablejohn Would a mobile wind turbine be exempt from all this planning nonsense]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9742 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9742 Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:18:10 +0100 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10195 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10195 Sun, 24 Feb 2013 11:52:31 +0000 colin440 I don't skill or knowledge (or time!) to research and build the kit myself so looking for a good supplier. This is for a house in Southern Spain and would be shipped out with some other items from the UK.

The Solar requirements would be to power lights/TV/laptop/ but more importantly run the water pumps for the underfloor heating (and I think I will need an electric pump for the 24 tube solar collector for DHW (as can't really be positioned above the thermal store on 2nd floor). I think I need around 2500Wh/day from a system, but any advice is appreciated. thanks]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10191 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10191 Sat, 23 Feb 2013 11:13:57 +0000 welshjim99 Yes it works but its effectiveness I assume is governed by the I*I*t relationship (Joules Law?), bearing this in mind I am assuming either a MPPT or switchable 120V battery bank between the PV and immersion would help, to ensure max current is going to the immersion in bursts rather than low current trickle charge throughout the day?
I am new to the forum, I have looked but cannot find this in any previous threads.
Thanks]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10136 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10136 Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:05:16 +0000 jms452
At the time this was because lofts can get hot and many of the failure modes of inverters seemed to be due to over temperature. It also made fixing/replacing the inverter easier (and hopefully cheaper) if and when it breaks.

However I have since realised that between October and March we get about 100kWh of heat from the inefficiencies within the inverter.

I know this is small fry but given our (i.e. GBF's) tendency to worry about things like air leakage through key holes 100kWh is actually quite a lot of free heat. To put this into perspective 100kWh over 6 month is ~20W - The same power consumption as a decent MVHR...

SAP2009 asks if the central heating pump is within the heated space (presumably for this reason) but doesn't care about the PV inverter.

Is this detail ever considered - I think it should be.

Discuss!]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8867 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8867 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:08:38 +0100 EmmaG
"You are interpreting the phrase "so far as practicable" in relation to the efficiency of the installation however this term refers to whether or not the panels can be installed in such a way as to minimise the effect on the building/amenity of the area. For example to comply with these conditions we would usually expect the installation of solar panels on a mid-terraced property to be on the rear rather than the principal elevation. Whilst most properties benefit from permitted development rights not all householders are able to utilise them."

Does anyone have any ideas where I go with this next?? I did (& do) truly believe I am in the right here!
I have already copied in her boss, so presumably he agrees with her (shes an enforcement officer)

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
:cry:]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=658 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=658 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:33:18 +0100 edwinvanek My preferde boiler would be the Austrian ETA boiler which I have seen in operationa t various locations in Germany, but the boiler itself without heat store and other component, flue and installation is close to 6K, which is too much. The middle way would be a Baxi Solo Inova. Does anybody have any experience with Vigas and Atmos boilers, which are the most economically priced boilers. The pros are: renewable ennergy, affordable fuel the cons are: costly, not as instantly controlable as oil and gas, bulky and expensive to install.

Before finally making my mind up I was wondering weather anybody who has already installe a log gasification boiler would be willing to share their experiences and or frustrations?

Edwin]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9380 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9380 Sat, 21 Jul 2012 09:45:47 +0100 Jeremy S
I've been researching collectors - both flat plate and evacuated tubes - and using efficiency as a function of mean panel temperature [Tm: 10-90degC] and global radiation [G: 300-1000W/sq_m] as a means of comparison (calculated from eta0, a1,& a2 per method in EN12975/Solar Keymark). As might be expected, the resulting plots exhibit two main trends corresponding to tubes and flat plates and, generally speaking, there's not a great deal to choose between the particular models in each group, although some (older?) models are definitely perform more poorly...

EXCEPT: there is one product that appears to perform as well or significantly better than it's competitors, being a clear outlier on the graphs; comparing efficiency, across the ranges I've looked at, against the mean of the other 27 units, one product exhibits between 0 & 60% better performance.

So, why isn't everyone raving about Baxi Solarflo tubes?

Since this is a clear outlier, I was initially sceptical; the data I've used are drawn from product brochures; in some cases manufacturers publish the actual EN12975 reports. I obtained the EN12975 report from Baxi and the test results are indeed as presented in the brochure. When I've figured out how to do it, I'll put graphs and data up; in the meantime, anyone who cares to check my calculations (please), get in touch and I'll email the spreadsheet (.ODS format, but can do .XLS). Currently I've gathered data for: Navitron, SusTech, AES, BAXI, Worcester-Bosch, Genersys, Clearline, Dimplex, Consolar, Thermomax, SonnenKraft, & Gasokol. If anyone cares to suggest others - or better still: post eta0, a1, a2 - I'll add them to the mix; for completeness, the parameters I've collected are: type (plate/tube), aperture area, eta0, a1, a2, IAM50_long, IAM50_lat, H, W, D, kg.

Finally, I'd welcome advice on other important performance measures, e.g. when does stagnation temperature become critical? should we be lobbying for all manufacturers to present the off-axis correction factor (IAM50)?

Best wishes - Jeremy]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10115 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10115 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:12:07 +0000 mark jackson http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10109 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10109 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 08:37:10 +0000 Jeremy S
we've had some trouble finding a heating engineer locally with sufficient experience of solar thermal, so I'm hoping for some feedback on our proposed circuit (attached as PDF).

We've overspecified the collectors and the store in order to a) gain a greater winter contribution, and b) to offset the lower contribution on frequent cloudy days in western Perthshire.

We've been heating our well-insulated and air-tight 57sq.m 2-bedroom cabin with the occasional use of a 2kW electric radiator on the cold (sub-zero) nights - installing a 4kW solid fuel stove (c/w 1kW back-boiler) will a) reduce reliance on electricity, b) contribute to DHW, c) improve air-flow (via window trickle-vents), and d) be cosy!

Due to roof pitch and topography, we're intending to install the collectors on a shed some 25m from the store (see below); 12vDC thermal differential control, pump, expansion vesel, and pressure relief will be in the shed, with solar PV alongside the collectors. Thermal store, other valves, and heat exchanger for stagnation-preventing heat dump will be in the cabin.

Any comments are welcome, bur specific questions are:
1) can anyone recommend a H.E. in 50-mile radius of Crieff?
2) are there any safety concerns with the proposed schematic?
3) how does a 'filling loop' work? what's the procedure and hence, required plumbing?
4) for the 25m run, we thought to not use std s/s corrugated due to pressure loss; should we go for copper and just deal with thermal expansion somehow, or instead use s/s tube at extra expense?
5) suggestions for valves?

Links to kit:
Thermal store: http://jouleuk.co.uk/Cyclone_Thermal_Stores/299
Collectors: http://www.kingspansolar.co.uk/products/16/df100.aspx
Stove: http://shop.salamanderstoves.com/small-stoves/hobbit-stove
Pump: http://www.solarproject.co.uk/page2.html
Thermal differential controller: http://www.reuk.co.uk/buy-SOLAR-PUMP-CONTROLLER-CIRCUIT.htm or http://www.solarproject.co.uk/controller%20detail.html
Plate heat exchanger: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-Heat-Exchanger-Plate-Heat-Exchanger-20-Plates-44-kW-/330867777183?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Hearing_Cooling_Air&hash=item4d09419e9f

In the longer term, I'm looking to investigate programming a dedicated 12v Linux 'intelligent' controller using Raspberry Pi (http://www.raspberrypi.org/) - see: http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=31455&p=272911

best wishes - Jeremy]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6914 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6914 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:24:51 +0000 abogas
Cheers.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10064 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10064 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:12:29 +0000 candlemaker
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/9837026/Wind-turbine-collapses-in-high-wind.html

Faulty bolts (my guess)? Reported gusts of 50pmh seem no more than it must have faced over the last 3 years. Again a shame that these things happen and then get blown (excuse the pun) out of proportion. it will be interesting to see what really caused the failure.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9897 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9897 Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:09:56 +0000 jamesingram Possible benefit for those in developing world

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/282006
"Following the initial inspiration of using gravity, and years of perspiration, we have refined the design and it is now ready for production. We need your help to fund the tooling, manufacture and distribution of at least 1000 gravity powered lights. We will gift them to villagers in both Africa and India to use regularly. The follow-up research will tell us how well the lights met their needs, and enable us to refine the design for a more efficient MK2 version. Once we have proved the design, we will be looking to link with NGOs and partners to distribute it as widely as possible. When mass produced the target cost for this light is less than $5."]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10030 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10030 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:31:44 +0000 woodgnome My new build will be not too far from it. I was considering using the pond for my GSHP, but still to be decided. If i don't do this, i was thinking about using the spring for our water supply, subject to testing.
Anyone done this? Any ideas on cost of pumps and filters etc. is it worth it?



Thanks]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10028 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10028 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:59:40 +0000 windymiller
I had heard that they were all switched off (In November last year http://goo.gl/HocLp ) and that there was an owners meeting scheduled before Christmas, but I haven't heard anything about what is happening now. Are people back on? Have any changes been made?

I'm a bit surprised that there haven't been lots of angry posts about this....]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10001 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10001 Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:31:57 +0000 Noodle
As my house is listed and in Dartmoor, solar thermal or PV on the roof is a big no no. I am planning an approx 4kw pv array on one the outbuildings - direct south aspect.

Question is can I do the same with solar thermal? Would too much heat be lost over pipe run outside - estimate approx 10 - 15m from outbuilding to proposed location of thermal store. Obviously would propose to highly insulate the pipe run, even bury it 4ft underground it recommended? I assume the solar thermal doesn't "have" to be higher than the store as its pumped round isn't it?

Perhaps daft questions but would be useful to know the answer.

Thanks!]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9970 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9970 Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:05:07 +0000 peterpanel22
I have been debating over why people buy into renewable technology when it is so expensive especially without grants and incentives?

I know it depends on house type and usage, but I want a discussion based majority of people. I have a typical semi detached house with 3.5 bedrooms (32% houses in UK), gas for heating, and normal electric meter. I have a central heating system that is say 7 years old. I have 2 teenaged kids and in my early forties. I have paid 50% of my mortgage, paying it off comfortably (current low interest rate) and have some savings about £20K. We pay about £700 in Gas and £500 (if that) on electric. Using it generously.

Are people buying because of incentives attached, or are they really looking at longterm energy security? 10, 20 or 30 years? To me personally I am looking at less than 10 years, god knows what I will be doing after this, I may move.

Is the industry eagerly waiting for the new RHI incentive? to motivate people to buy or a people really ready to pay 10-15K and hope to see a return after 15-20years.

What is your situation how much would you spend, what would be your max payback time.

Is renewable energy mostly beneficially to heavy users?

I think we owe it to confused people and misleading sales people to have a thorough break down.

Products I have looked into

Solar PV - Electricity
Solar Thermal - Heating and Hot Water
Biomass - Off Grid heating and water
Air to Air - Looks like simple system, for mainly open space living
Ground Source - Not sure about this
Air to Water - Looks new heats house and water
Auto Energy Monitoring System - Does this only help monitor electric or gas? cost/benefit raito?
Infrared Panels - New tech, movable, fairly cheap, DIY install
Thermodynamics - heats water and now home, no RHI
VO5 - Cost/Benefit ratio?

What is the average cost range, payback period, savings amount, is it retrofit, grants available, is it now a good time to buy or wait?

I know this is massive, but choosing something is confusing, people keeps saying it depends on this and that. Please help me, please help other people.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9966 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9966 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:05:24 +0000 sarahhughes thanks
Sarah]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9948 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9948 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:25:00 +0000 Ed Davies
At £100/m² they're already cheaper than windows by area, I think. Windows are similar technology but with more oxygen and less doping in one of the layers and no backing plate :-).

So, it seems to me that if you can use them immediately then there's no point in waiting - buy now. If, on the other hand, you can't use them for a while it's a difficult question when to buy. Delaying might save a small amount of money but it's entirely possible that the current glut will dry up or EU anti-dumping threats will be acted on or something so the price would go up resulting in bigger losses.

Anybody got any up-to-date thoughts on what prices are likely to do this year?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9953 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9953 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:28:08 +0000 owlman
http://www.evoenergy.co.uk/i/uk-solar-pv/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Evoenergy&utm_campaign=2024458_Newsletter+January+2013+Domestic+Prospects&utm_content=infographic&dm_i=QTQ,17E2Y,4IKGSU,42MYU,1]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9944 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9944 Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:48:39 +0000 williedrumliah http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9911 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9911 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:45:41 +0000 Pile-o-Stone
Opposite our home is a former mannor house that used to have its water provided by a natural spring. The manor house was connected to the mains many years ago and so the outlet was severed and now empties into a stream that is at the rear of our garden. I've been monitoring the outlet for the last 3 years and it seems to have a constant flow regardless of the season. I'm seriously thinking of using the water to power a turbine and was wondering if anyone had information on how this can be done technically?

We currently have a heatbank connected to a woodburning stove and ma9ins gas condensing boiler (solar is an option but due to shading could only provide HW in summer) and I was wondering if the hydro could be connected to the heatbank either by emersion heater or GSHP?

Which would be the better option? I know that GSHP are supposed to have a RHI payment next year and the micro hydro would have a FIT, so would this be the most cost effective solution? What sort of power output would the micro hydro have to produce to power a GSHP?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9895 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9895 Sun, 09 Dec 2012 12:47:48 +0000 Si.min http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9888 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9888 Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:19:16 +0000 jon
The idea is to form bays of segmented mirror spheres to generate high grade heat to supply turbines for day demand. Excess heat and electricity production can be sent to air fuel synthesis or compressed air storage (for night-time demand). I've put up some 3-D Google Earth concept models in the link below (great fun to play with but not easy to transfer from AutoCAD format)

http://flyingoven.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/concept-drawings-california-array.html

The spherical idea is inexpensive and good from a land-use perspective. From the figures I got from our test prototypes (long time ago but they're on the forum somewhere), this could potentially supply the USA or Europe with its energy needs (in the future sometime). Technically, there's no dispute about whether or not it could work (largely because a variant on it is already operational at the Auroville Solar Bowl: http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Auroville_Solar_Bowl)

Can anyone see a fatal flaw with the arrangement.. a reason why it couldn't work better than the various other large scale solar projects which are being tried?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7432 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7432 Sat, 28 May 2011 10:17:23 +0100 windy lamb
Don't need it for the installation as that is covered by contractors but does anyone have any pointers to where I should look for operation insurance?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6241 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6241 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:08:12 +0100 jamesingram
Discussion paper
http://www.aecb.net/new_releases/detail/?nId=9

press release below here
http://www.aecb.net/new_releases/detail/?nId=10

"Biomass – not a green fuel after all?

Defining biomass as a low-carbon fuel is not only mistaken, it is also the cause of higher carbon dioxide emissions and lower building efficiency, according to a paper published today.

The discussion paper, commissioned by AECB, argues that it is fundamentally wrong to define biomass burning as low-carbon, when burning biomass leads to similar carbon dioxide emissions per unit of heat as burning coal.

As the UK prepares to scale up initiatives encouraging more and more biomass to be used as fuel, the AECB decided that it needed to think more rigorously about the issues arising. While it is true that trees do take up carbon dioxide when they grow, this does not mean that the best use for biomass is to burn it.

Instead, the paper argues, the timber can be left unburnt, and put to other uses - for example, as structural timber or other wood products like insulation. Meanwhile we could use other heat sources, that emit a good deal less carbon dioxide than the trees have absorbed, to provide for the same heat requirements.

There is certainly not enough biomass available to both usefully sequester and burn. The paper does not argue that we can sequester our way out of climate change by planting trees and stimulating wood product industries alone. However it clearly makes the case that burning wood is one of the least sensible things to do.

The paper, commissioned by AECB from Nick Grant and Alan Clarke, both experienced building energy consultants, shows how the low-carbon definition for biomass burning is used as a "get out of jail free" card in project design – a biomass boiler then becomes a substitute for good design and energy efficiency. By specifying a biomass boiler, design teams feel they have met their carbon targets, and investing time and budget into efficient, truly low-energy design and construction seems superfluous.

According to the authors, the consequences of current mainstream thinking on biomass as a fuel leads to a ‘lose-lose-lose’ situation:

· Once when the biomass is burnt, releasing twice as much carbon as burning gas for the same heat output

· Again when the building leaks energy, because insufficient attention was paid to energy efficient building fabric and plant design – i.e., the biomass boiler "did it all".

· And further, there is a risk that the timber price is pushed so high by the competition from a growing number of biomass burners, that concrete, bricks and steel have to be created, at very high energy and carbon costs, to make building components that could otherwise have been made from wood.

Explaining why he had written the paper, co-author Nick Grant commented: 'There is a lot of confusion around, with people mixing up the terms renewable, sustainable and low carbon. We need to take a step back from the seemingly endless arguments about the definition of zero carbon, and ask ourselves – what are we really trying to do here? I believe when you do this, it is clear that we need to go back to the simple principle of using less energy, in whatever form.'

The paper "Biomass: a burning issue" is available as a pdf download from the new releases area of the AECB website; go to http://www.aecb.net/new_releases/

In order to gain valuable feedback from AECB members on the issues discussed in this paper, and to invite questions and challenges to the thinking, the AECB has set up a thread on its online discussion forum. Non members can watch the debate – members can post.

Please go to http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php?topic=2649.0
"]]>