Low Cost Energy Solutions for the Fuel Poor
NaREC have provided National Energy Action (NEA) support and guidance on the development of a constrained capital cost, low running cost, low carbon emission heating scheme for off-gas grid home installation.
The project investigated alternatives to traditionally installed oil fired central heating as a way of tackling fuel poverty in non gas areas. The project, involving system integrations tests, aims to integrate a range of renewable and energy efficient technologies into existing homes in order to tackle fuel poverty and provide affordable warmth.
Project Aims;
To find a way of providing affordable heating for the fuel poor for off-gas grid applications To technically evaluate a combined system incorporating several renewable energy system components
To assess the financial performance of the system, and compare it to existing heating methods for these applications.
Equipment considered was an Air Source Heat Pump. Solar thermal panel, Wind Turbine and a heat store. The equipment was installed in NaREC's test laboratory, where individual components, single systems and the combined system was characterised.
The components of the Renewable Hybrid Heating System have been specified by the NEA with the aim of providing affordable heating in off-gas properties. NaREC is simulating the system and recording data from the various components to enable a robust, controllable solution to move the project towards realisation and implementation.
NaREC has been recognised for its contribution and recently won the North East award for innovation, under the Affordable Warmth- Sustainable World Award Scheme run by the NEA, Defra and Npower.
How has NaREC helped:
Installed and commissioned the proposed system in the EnergyLINK laboratory
Carried out analysis on individual components and combined system performance
Provided advice and recommendations on methods to improve the system
Carried out economic performance evaluation.
