Renewable Energy
Countering the Threat of Climate Change
Fossil fuel combustion is still the main process used to produce energy in the United Kingdom. Burning these fuels (coal, oil, petrol and gas) produces carbon dioxide - a greenhouse gas which contributes to the phenomenon known as "climate change".Climate change in the UK has caused the average mean temperature to increase by about 0.5 degrees over the last 100 years. Continuing increases will effect flora, fauna and agriculture, and threaten the well-being of future generations.
To try to stabilise the trend of continually rising global temperatures, a reduction in the emissions of carbon dioxide is needed. This will require more use of renewable energy sources (such as wind power, solar power and bio-fuels) instead of fossil fuels. It will also require everyone to use energy more efficiently.
The Kyoto Agreement, signed in 1997 sets legally binding targets for individual countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases. The UK is committed to reduce its emissions by 12.5% of 1990 levels by 2008 - 2012. In addition, the Government has set its own ‘domestic’ target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2010.
Regional Energy Strategy
The North East Regional Energy Strategy was published by the Northern Energy Initiative (TNEI) in 1999. Durham County Council is responding to the objectives set out in the strategy in a number of ways:- Improving energy efficiency in its own buildings and services.
- Promoting and demonstrating aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy through other key plans and strategies (e.g. the County Durham Economic Development Strategy, the County Durham Local Transport Plan and the County Durham Sustainable Waste Management Strategy).
- Organising events for raising public awareness about energy issues, technologies and good practice.
Energy Management in County Council Buildings
The Energy Management Unit at County Hall is responsible for managing the energy use in approximately 500 council properties, with a combined annual energy bill of over £3.5 million. The County Council has a good record on energy efficiency.The following are examples of the measures taken in recent years - many of which could be repeated by other organisations.
- Boilers at 24 sites have been converted from solid fuel to gas firing, reducing energy consumption by 25% and CO2 emissions by 40%. Maintenance costs have also been substantially reduced. A policy is in place to to completely phase out solid fuel and oil-fuelled boilers by 2005
- Boiler plants at 4 schools have been converted from solid fuel to run on wood pellets derived from clean waste wood
- A state of the art biomass boiler plant has been installed at Cassop Primary School
- A 50kwh wind turbine has been installed at an existing school, and a 20kwh wind turbine has been installed at a new school
- 2 new schools have been designed to utilise rainwater for flushing WC's
- The installation of cavity wall insulation at schools and social services residential homes has improved comfort and reduced energy consumption by 10%
- Installation of swimming pool covers at 22 pools has reduced energy consumption by 20%
- 29,000, 100 watt tungsten light bulbs have been replaced with 23 watt compact fluorescent lights, each saving £60 over its life
- A microturbine combined heat and power unit has been installed at County Hall
Durham County Council joined the Display Campaign of Energy Cities European Municipal Buildings Climate Campaign which helps local authorities display the energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and water use of their public buildings in a way that is easily understood by both their own staff and members of the public and now 3 of its projects have been selected as "shining examples" of good practice. Display Campaign shining examples
The Environment Agency - Water Efficiency Awards 2007 - RTPI Public Sector category
Durham County Council - Water Reduction Programme 2005 - 2006 has been awarded a commendation in this category. The judges felt that it was a "fine example of water monitoring"
through Form F1 monthly meter readings and instant "smart metering" at three locations any irregularities are investigated immediately. This has resulted in a saving of 48,500 cubic meters of water and a financial saving of £34,000. The judges felt the project has the "potential to make a future impact on savings"
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For further details please contact Graham Garrity at the Energy Management Unit on 0191 3833216.
Public Lighting
Road lighting and illuminated signs consume over 30 million units annually at a current cost of £1.3m. Energy consumption for public lighting is increasing due to the adoption of lighting associated with the expanding highway network, together with meeting the demand for additional and improved lighting as a community safety measure. The increase is being limited by employing the latest technology in efficient electronic control gear and dimming techniques at times when traffic flows are minimal. The use of "white light" sources is being investigated which may allow lower lighting levels to be employed without detriment to night-time visibility.Renewable Energy
County Durham is well placed to benefit from the development of renewable energy as clean and cost-effective source of power. Wind energy, landfill gas, solar energy and biofuels all represent areas of opportunity, and their potential contribution to the County's energy demand is estimated in the Renewable Energy Strategy (1995) and the study "Renewable Energy in County Durham" (1994).
However, the exploitation of these 'environmentally friendly' resources must be balanced with careful attention to the physical and social environments. Planning decisions for renewable energy projects are subject to the same Government guidance as all other types of development.
The importance of developing sources of renewable energy was identified in the 1995 Renewable Energy Strategy. Several demonstration projects have been implemented, and most significantly England's first wind turbine on a school site connected to the national grid. The County Council is currently working with another school on the installation of photo-voltaic cells to produce electricity from solar energy and a heat-pump scheme using mine water to heat a museum. New demonstration projects will be identified and developed as part of the County Council's response to the Regional Energy Strategy.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
All organisations generate carbon dioxide through the use of energy. To reduce this contribution to climate change, most could reduce their energy-use substantially. Beyond this point, it is also possible to seek energy from sustainable sources which do not produce carbon dioxide, such as wind, water or solar power. In theory, any remaining carbon dioxide emissions could be neutralised by planting trees which ‘fix’ the carbon out of the atmosphere.
The chart in the image above shows the Carbon Dioxide emissions (tonnes) from energy use in Council buildings, to be under 75000 in 1996 - 1998 and over 7500 from 1998 - 1999.
Durham County Council has set a target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from energy use in its buildings by 2% per year between 2003 and 2008
The current level of carbon neutrality for the County Council's energy use (excluding transport) is estimated to be 13%. (i.e. about 13% of carbon dioxide emissions are being absorbed by the trees planted over the last 20 years). The County Council will strive to increase this figure to meet a target of 20% neutrality by 2005.
This could be achieved by:
- Reducing the overall amount of energy used.
- Increasing the proportion of energy used from renewable sources.
- Increasing tree cover by planting trees on County Council land.
Display Campaigns
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.Energy Use 2006 -2007
This document summarises the statistics on energy and water consumption and prices in County Council buildings for 2005-06.
Energy Use in Durham County Council buildings 2006-07 (8 pages, 61kb) Publication date: September 2007
Display Campaign Certificate
This is an example of the poster which will be displayed in all Durham County Council buildings showing its energy rating.Typical Primary School Energy Certificate.pdf (1 page, 501kb)
Publication date: November 2005
Display Energy Performance Certification 2006-2007
The following table shows how each property is rated in its use of energy and water and its emissions of CO22.Display Energy Performance Certification 2006-07 (12 pages, 33kb) Publication date: Septemberr 2007
