Wind turbine study at University of York campus
Posted on 30 June 2009
It is working with Partnerships for Renewables on a feasibility study which will assess whether an area of the 117-hectare site is an appropriate location. The University is considering the idea as part of its commitment to using renewable energy resources.
Partnerships for Renewables was established by the Carbon Trust to work with public sector bodies to develop renewable energy projects which offer benefits to both the organisation in question and the local community.
These wind turbines could make a big dent in the city’s carbon emissions and bring financial benefits to the community.
Nick Rau, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth
The University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Estates, Elizabeth Heaps, said: "As with all significant developments, we wish to consult with the York community. I hope people will take this opportunity to let us know what they think as we explore the potential for this idea in the coming months.
“The extension to our main campus will be a tremendous resource both for the University and the community. Wind turbines could bring considerable benefits in helping us to meet our stringent renewable energy targets for the whole campus, but we need to be sure this is an appropriate solution.”
Jo Fleming, Regional Manager for Partnerships for Renewables, said: “We are currently undertaking feasibility work to establish whether we should progress to the more detailed environmental work that is ultimately required before a planning application can be made.
“We are committed to only developing wind turbines in appropriate locations and if we get results back from any of our studies that show that a site is not appropriate we will stop working on it.
“The development process is a long one and it is likely that even if the results of studies and consultations are positive it is likely to be two years before a planning application comes forward.”
Nick Rau, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: "It’s a really positive step that the University of York is investigating whether its campus is a suitable site for wind turbines.
“These wind turbines could make a big dent in the city’s carbon emissions and bring financial benefits to the community.
“Our new campaign Get Serious About CO2 is calling for many more local renewable energy initiatives like this to help avert runaway climate change and provide a far cleaner, safer and more secure energy supply than relying on imported oil and gas.”
Anyone with an interest in the project can keep up to date with the latest information at www.pfr.co.uk/universityofyork.
Notes to editors:
Location Map
Following the completion of initial assessments, if a decision is taken
to proceed with turbines it is likely that they will be located within
the area highlighted in red on the plan below.
Environmental Benefits
If two turbines are constructed they will generate approximately 11 GWh of green energy per year. This is equivalent to the amount of energy used annually by around 2,300 average households.
A wind energy development of this scale is expected to avoid approximately 4,700 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Note: The environmental benefit figures are based on two, 2.5 megawatt turbines, operating with a 25% capacity factor; average household electricity use of 4700kWh per annum; and the electricity generated displacing electricity generated from CCGT / average fuel mix - approx. 430gCO2/kWh
What are the Benefits to the Local Community?
A market-leading community benefit package will be provided alongside any future development. This consists of a community fund, receiving an annual payment. The fund is administered by representatives of the local community, to be spent in any way that the community sees fit.
What are the Benefits to the University?
In addition to the University making a positive contribution towards the fight against climate change, Partnerships for Renewables will pay rent for the site based on a share of gross revenues.
The green electricity generated by any wind turbines on University of York land will be supplied to the University at a reduced rate if directly connected, or fed into the National Grid to provide annual income for the University to invest.
What are the Environmental and Technical Issues Considered?
Partnerships for Renewables only develops wind turbines in appropriate locations. They work hard to ensure that their projects are responsibly developed and well designed. To achieve this they carry out a number of detailed studies during the development process to ensure that any inappropriate sites are not developed, and that good sites are accompanied by a complete and thorough planning application.
Our work with Partnerships for Renewables is being carried according to this policy.
The studies carried out include:
- Access: The aim of this work is to ensure that we can get all of the required machinery (turbine components, cranes etc.) onto the proposed site.
- Archaeology: This work identifies sites of archaeological interest in or around the proposed location. The information gathered influences the layout of the final proposal.
- Aviation: Potential impacts on radar is identified and addressed in consultation with the Ministry of Defence, the National Air Traffic Service and the Civil Aviation Authority.
- Civils: Requirements for onsite roads, foundations and other civil engineering work is identified and assessed.
- Cultural Heritage: Historic monuments and buildings are identified. The information gathered influences the layout of the final proposal.
- Ecology: Local plant life is identified and local biodiversity is assessed to ensure that the final proposal is designed sympathetically to the local environment.
- Grid Connection: The likely route and specification of the grid connection is identified.
- Hydrology: Water flow onsite is assessed and any potential impacts are identified to ensure that the final design will not have a negative impact on water courses and private water supplies.
- Landscape and Visual: The visual appearance of the proposal is assessed from agreed key locations. Photomontages are produced for the final planning application.
- Microwave links and Telecommunications: All microwave and telecommunication links across or adjacent to the site are identified. The information gathered influences the layout of the final proposal.
- Noise: A noise assessment is carried out to ensure that the amenity of local residents is not negatively affected by the development.
- Ornithology: Bird activity in and around the site is investigated including identification of nesting sites, flight patterns, migratory routes and feeding grounds. The information gathered is used to ensure that the proposal is designed sympathetically to the local birdlife.
- Wind Resource: It is important to gain a good understanding of the local wind resource to ensure that the final proposal is financially viable, turbines are located in good locations and the correct turbines are selected for the project.
University of York
The University of York is widely recognised as one of the country’s leading universities for both research and teaching and learning.
The University has a longstanding commitment to reducing its impact on the environment and the development of its Heslington campus, including a 117-hectare expansion, is underpinned by the same sustainable principles.
Working with City of York Council, the University has increased the proportion of waste it recycles to 39 per cent. In partnership with the Carbon Trust, the University is also working to cut its carbon emissions by 10 per cent against 2004 levels. Since 2001, a sustainable travel plan has encouraged staff, students and visitors to walk, cycle and use public transport to and from campus.
The buildings on the campus extension are designed to meet exacting carbon reduction and renewable energy targets. The site itself will be essentially traffic-free and is designed to ensure more efficient use of energy and water and the further reduction, reuse and recycling of waste. It will host a biomass boiler that will generate hot water using woodchip from sustainable sources, providing 10 per cent of the energy requirements of the new buildings. A new lake, woodland and other landscaping will increase the biodiversity of the area.
Find out more about the University of York at www.york.ac.uk.
Partnerships for Renewables
Partnerships for Renewables was set up by the Carbon Trust in 2006 to work in partnership with the public sector to develop, construct and operate renewable energy projects. By providing a one stop shop for the development of renewable energy projects focused on a project development process tailored to the specific needs of the public sector, Partnerships for Renewables provide a way for Public Sector Bodies to access the economic and environmental benefits associated with renewable energy and contribute towards the fight against climate change without diverting public sector resources away from frontline services.
Following the recent investment announcement by HSBC and the Carbon Trust, PfR is now 51% owned by the Carbon Trust and 49% owned by HSBC.