Econergy delivers biomass district heating for Solihull housing
Econergy is working on the second phase of a project to install biomass communal heat for Solihull Community Housing under the British Gas ECO programme. This phase consists of multiple Ecoblox prefabricated biomass energy centres to supply 1156 flats in 21 high-rise buildings.
The first phase was completed in December 2012 and comprised a single biomass-fuelled district-heating scheme supplying heating and hot water to 120 flats in two 1960s high-rise social-housing buildings in Solihull.
The biomass systems replace electric storage heating and electric immersion heaters for hot water. Wet radiator systems with programmable controls are being installed in each flat.
Heat-interface units in each flat meter the energy used and provide instant hot water. Bills are expected to be 40% lower.
Ecoblox ‘plug-and-play’ solutions are made off site and include boilers from Austrian manufacturer Fröling. The energy centres include gas-fired boilers to provide full standby to the biomass systems.
Other work includes the installation of external insulation by ECL (also part of British Gas). The rendered system not only insulates but also allows the properties to dry out, reducing damp problems.
The schemes are expected to save over 100 000 t of carbon over their life.
