Eden Project Launches Funding Application for adoption of biomass heating
The Eden Project has launched a funding application which would enable the adoption of biomass heating, following a Buro Happold study which identified that the Eden Project site could provide the boost needed to generate a local biomass supply network.
Work on an Education and Resource Centre (ERC) started on site in February and marks the latest phase in the development of the Eden Project. The design scheme features a number of plans in keeping with the Eden ethos that support environmental and sustainability strategies. In developing the design, Buro Happold, as the project’s building services consultants, conducted a detailed study into possible alternative energies. The findings have led Buro Happold to recommend the adoption of a number of alternative energy technologies, including biomass heating to contribute to the centralised site heating strategy.
The ERC will demonstrate and communicate the overall Eden culture, to promote the understanding and responsible management of the vital relationship between plants, people and resources leading to a sustainable future for all. The ERC is to be a world-class example of sustainability in its approach, design and materials and will demonstrate available forms of alternative energy generation.
Currently, Eden’s energy needs are met by centralised natural gas-fired boiler plant and power bought from a “green” electricity supplier.
As part of the ERC project Buro Happold were asked to complete a detailed review of all alternative energy technologies. From this review a further study was conducted into the feasibility of using locally-grown energy crops as an alternative energy source, replacing the need for fossil-fuelled energy systems. The results suggest that Eden’s location presents an opportunity for biomass to be a viable local and environmentally friendly source of energy that also supports the local economy and improves agricultural biodiversity.
This in-depth study considered the feasibility of delivering biomass energy to provide an important part of the energy needs of the Eden Project. It compared the use of cultivated energy crops and woodfuel from forestry cuttings and wood processing as potential sources of biomass. The energy crops considered potentially suitable were Willow and Poplar forms of Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) and Miscanthus (elephant grass). Use of these crops can provide benefits such as: use of agricultural land set aside; improvement to the use of agricultural land; help to the local economy; local environmental benefits and local amenity; provide landscape variety and a habitat for many species of plants, birds and wildlife.
“The study’s analysis was more accurate than any previously conducted, because we had the benefit of being able to gauge the performance of real, live Biomes and make comparisons against data from the project’s first two years’ gas bills. The use of biomass should ensure low running costs at the Eden Project. Possible long term benefits include reducing energy costs by,” notes Buro Happold’s Steve Williamson, who has led this initiative.
There are significant shorter term environmental gains to be made from using biomass at the Eden Project. Using locally produced fuel will boost the region’s economy, help to balance farm workloads as biomass requires labour outside the normal peak farming seasons, and the development of a supply network at Eden would help provide a secure system that could lead to further local use.
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Overall Design Strategies
The ERC is separated into three floor-plates on different levels spiralling up around the centre of the building. The timber canopy roof is analogous to the canopy of a tree with a central trunk as structural support. The grid of the timber canopy is a direct representation of a phyllotactic pattern, which is the most common mathematical pattern of plant growth. The roof covering provides dappled, natural lighting and shelter, while the use of photovoltaic panels that mimic the function of photosynthesis in plants is now under consideration. The PV cells would also serve as an educational focal point for the building.
Environmental strategies focus on thermal comfort through heating and natural cooling, indoor air quality is maintained by natural and mechanical ventilation, geothermal earth tubes, renewable energy and water conservation. Key to the solutions is the need for careful design of the building fabric to conserve energy in winter, reduce heat gain in summer and generally provide adequate fresh air and daylight in all rooms. Glazed elements will be optimised for low heat loss, good daylight provision and solar protection. Energy and water usage will be monitored and fully integrated into the future site Building Management System (BMS).
Sustainable Design
As part of the design team’s overall sustainable design strategy, the following options were also considered:
• Ground loop/heat pump and solar thermal heating to provide space and water heating where both considered. The development of a site wide strategy is not likely to suit these technologies.
• Anaerobic digester to produce energy from waste (restaurant food and greenery).
• Fuel cell CHP
• Wind power to supply part of the ERC’s electricity demand.
Buro Happold has been appointed as building services consultant on phase 4 of the Eden Project.
Project Consultants
Architect: Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners
Structural Engineer: SKM Anthony Hunts
Building Services Consultant: Buro Happold
Main Contractor: McAlpine Joint Venture
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