Design methods which take account of renewable resources Wind Turbine Antrim Area Hospital

Sustainability Defined by BRUNDTLAND as: “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs” The Energy White Paper Issued 2003 Defines a long term strategic vision for energy policy combining our environmental, security of supply, competitiveness and social goals. Increasing the take up of renewable energy sources. Commits the UK to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by 60% by the year % of carbon emissions relate to building occupation. EU Directive on energy rating for buildings. Revisions to regional building regulations.

Sustainability – Low Carbon Design A Shift Towards Energy Sources and Generation Technologies that Produce much less or no Carbon Sources which are derived from the sun or other natural processes or that are replenished by those sources over relatively short time periods e.g. Sunlight, Wind, Water, Sustainable Biomass, Waves, Tides, Geothermal. Something that is seen as inexhaustible.

Wind Energy These images show the wind turbine at Antrim Area Hospital. In the first year in which it was installed this generating plant saved the Hospital approximately £ from its electricity costs. This was about one fifth of the cost which was required to install the turbine.

Geothermal Ground Pumps Ground source heat pumps are one of the most common types of heat pumps. Typically a cold fluid at about 5 degrees Celsius is circulated around a network of plastic pipes buried in the ground. As the fluid passes through the pipe it absorbs heat energy from the surrounding earth. The fluid returns to the heat pump slightly warmer than it left. The heat pump upgrades the heat to a higher level of 40 to 50 degrees Celsius to provide heating in the home. This water can then circulated round radiators, under floor heating pipes or provide domestic hot water.

Solar Energy Energy from the Sun can be harnesses to generate Electricity or heat water. This photograph shows the large solar panels on the roof of the ECOS centre Ballymena. The energy from these panel is used in this office building.

Biomass Biomass is the harvesting of willow to provide fuel for a central heating burner. The willow is grown in a short crop rotation which is harvested every 2 to 3 years. The willow is harvested with a self propelled forage harvester with a specially adapted head. The willow which has been harvested is then burned directly in a specially designed burner or compressed into pellets which have a higher efficiency. These pellets are then burned. This type of willow crop can be seen growing at the ECOS centre Ballymena.

Willow growing at the ECOS centre Ballymena.