News
Staff Update their skills for Micro-generation Technologies
Our staff are now qualified to City and Guilds 2372 (Solar PV) after attendance at the Renewable Energy Academy based at the Sharp Manufacturing Plant at Llay, Wrexham, North Wales.
The training involved electrical theory, pv theory, design and practical exercises including roof work and a 2 hour practical examination.
We would like to thank the training staff at RE Academy and Sharp for our successful completion of the course.
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Government is proposing introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive, an initiative which will provide the necessary financial support to increase significantly the level of renewable heat generation.
The RHI is due to commence in April 2011. It is currently at consultation stage but some of the key points of the Incentive’s proposals are:
Makes payments for every kilowatt-hour of renewable heat you produce, in other words a “clean energy cash back”. Available for individuals, community groups and businesses in England, Scotland and Wales. Supports range of technologies, including air, water and ground-source heat pumps, solar thermal, biomass boilers, and renewable combined heat and power.
RHI payments to be claimed by, and paid to, the owner of the equipment. Both installers and equipment to be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent standard. Payments paid over a number of years; annually for installations below 45kW and quarterly for those above this level, and always subject to conditions such as continuing to operate and maintain the equipment.
Tariff levels have been calculated to bridge the gap between the cost of conventional and renewable heat systems at all scales, with additional compensation for certain technologies for an element of the non-financial cost (eg the inconvenience of digging up a garden to install a ground-source heat pump). Tariff levels are proposed to provide a rate of return of 12% on the additional capital cost of renewable, with a lower rate of return of 6% given to solar thermal. Payments to be calculated on the annual amount of heat output, expressed in kWh. Eligible installations completed after 15 July 2009 but before the start of the RHI will be allowed to benefit from the scheme.
Biofuel Plant goes into Production
Wales' first ever biofuel processing plant was opened at Derwydd Farm, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, near Cerrigydrudion on 12th June 2008.
Set up by three local farmers the BML Biofuel processing plant utilises a wind turbine as part of the manufaturing process.
Co-owner Llyr Jones said: "This will be the first cold press oilseed rape plant in Wales and we will be producing 1.3m litres of bio-fuel and over 2,500 tons of high protein pellets for the livestock industry every year.
"It's a very exciting development that can offer a lot of benefits to farmers across North Wales.
Not only are we looking for farmers who might be interested in growing oilseed rape to supply our raw material, but the biodiesel we produce will be cleaner and up to 40% cheaper than conventional diesel.
We'll also be using the presscake by-product left after extracting the oil from the oilseed rape to produce high protein animal feed."
D E Jones Electrical Solutions Ltd were appointed to carry out the electrical installation at the new plant. The work carried out comprised of lighting, emergency lighting, security and power to the manufacturing equipment.
The site also boasts a wind turbine installed on high ground above the processing plant. Dylan Jones of D E Jones Electrical Solutions Ltd said ' This has been a very interesting project for us as a company. It involved one site visit to a similar plant in Ireland and a great deal of forward planing before work commenced in April 2008.
During initial talks the owners had expressed an interest in a wind turbine and we eventually decided on integrating the turbine into the hot water system. The oil is indirectly heated during the manufacturing process using the wind turbine and this method acheived a cost effective way of offsetting their costs'.
Burning Issue!
D E Jones Electrical Solutions Ltd. have recently completed the electrical and security installation at the New Animal Incinerator, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, Conwy.
With the help of Objective 1 funding the local farming community have built a small animal incinerator to serve their disposal requirements.
Included in the installation was a 2 camera CCTV system with remote monitoring and a stand-by power supply to allow continual function of incinerator fans in the event of an electricity supply failure.
The project was officially opened on Thursday 9th March 2006.
Alternative Energy Developments
We are now in the process of establishing a department that will be dedicated to the development of small scale electrical generation using hydro and wind energy.
We are happy to advise any prospective clients of the potential generation capabilities of their natural environment.