Energy saving and renewable energy in the Dales
As climate change becomes an ever more important issue, the National Park Authority is keen to promote ways to minimise its effects such as encouraging energy efficiency and supporting appropriate small-scale renewable energy developments to meet local needs.
Our energy fact sheet offers tips on how to obtain further information on energy saving and renewable energy in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Click on the link below to download a copy.
Our Planning Department is able to offer pre-application advice and determine whether planning permission or Listed Building Consent is required for installations.
The Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) can support a wide range of innovative projects including energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes that benefit the National Park and demonstrate economic, social and environmental sustainability. Grant rates for voluntary groups are up to 75% of a project’s costs and up to 50% for all other types of applicants.
Below are examples of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects funded by the SDF in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. They include everything from awareness raising activities, to advice services, to training, to feasibility studies as well as installations of a variety of renewable technologies. Technologies installed include biomass boilers, small-scale domestic wind turbines and hydro-powered turbines.
Installations of renewable technologies:
Gayle Mill
SDF has provided two grants for this important local project which will enable the mill to become a demonstration project in alternative technology use, offering training/employment in renewable light industrial energy systems.
Phase 1 Feasibility Stage
SDF assisted with the repair of this Grade II* cotton and sawmill, exploring the possibilities of reinstating its waterpower system to full operation.
Phase 2 Development Phase
This phase developed a renewable energy heating system and power generation resource for the mill and purchased equipment to allow income generation. This will be achieved through the purchase and installation of a new water turbine, works to the substation and grid, the purchase and installation of a wood/biomass fuel boiler and installation of a wet heating system.
Sustainable Woodchip Heating System – Sunhill
A woodchip fired central heating boiler and distribution pipe work is to be installed at Sunhill, Rylstone. Wood fuel will come from the farm’s own woodland and will heat the Sunhill Conference and Activity Centre and seven business units. The site will become self-sufficient in fuel and more economically and environmentally sustainable. With ever rising fossil fuel prices, changing to wood fuel will enable the owner to provide cheaper heat for the business units which are rented out to local businesses. The project will be carbon neutral as new woodland will be created and old woodlands on the farm will be regenerated so that extraction is matched by new tree growth.
Sustainable Farm Energy Project, Phase 1
The National Trust has received funding from the SDF to install renewable energy systems at two farms within the National Park. These include photo voltaic panels and the upgrading of an existing hydro scheme at one farm and to the installation of a small scale domestic wind turbine at another.
These will be used as demonstration projects by the National Trust to show other tenants and other interested parties what can be achieved in a protected landscape.
Clapham Bio-diesel project
The Clapham Community Co-operative operates as a social enterprise and its members will produce bio-diesel by using the trans-esterification process from used vegetable oil. Based at the organic nursery, ‘Growing with Grace’ the members will be able to purchase the bio-diesel for personal and organisational use.
Funding has been provided to purchase the equipment and the initial raw materials required to produce the first batch of bio-diesel. This is a first for the National Park and offers the potential to show other communities what is possible on a small-scale.
Awareness raising activities:
Dales Renewable Energy Roadshow – ‘A Little Bus with Big Ideas’
This project funded a mobile unit touring the Dales for 10 days in the summer of 2003. The bus contained interpretation and information about renewable energy technology suitable for small-scale domestic use. Information, contacts and advice were available in the bus which will be an on going resource for the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in York - linked to the Energy Saving Trust, a national organisation.
Advice Services:
Business in the Environment Forum Co-ordinator for Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks
This project aims to reduce the negative environmental impact of small medium enterprise's (SMEs) based or operating in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North York Moors National Park through the employment of a dedicated National Park environmental co-ordinator.
Employed in the summer of 2004 the environmental co-ordinator, Laura Backhouse, is working with businesses and organisations by visiting them to identify environmental issues including waste, energy, water pollution and legislation and help them reduce their environmental impact. So far over 50 businesses in the Dales have had direct contact with Laura. The businesses also benefit from wider forum activities including environmental topic and legislation seminars, network groups and waste exchange. Contact Laura on 01904 554406 or mobile 07789 966 783, email laurab@4sustainable-energy.co.uk for help and advice.
Dales Biomass Facilitation Service
A biomass facilitation service in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty started in January 2007. The service aims to develop biomass as a renewable energy source amongst rural communities and others interested in using the technology, providing market opportunities for local woodlands.
It will generate a wide range of benefits in terms of improved biodiversity, landscape and access within Dales’ woodlands, as well as reducing carbon emissions and safeguarding and creating a number of jobs throughout the supply chain.
Andrew Kitching has been employed as a facilitator and promoter of biomass in the area. He will also provide support for associated supply chains to work together, stimulating economic growth and ensuring that the potential of biomass as a viable energy source is realised.
Contact Andrew at Yorwoods on 01765 609355 or email andrew@yorwoods.org.uk
Assessing capability:
Developing Renewable Technology in North Yorkshire
This project produced a report on the existing renewable energy generation within North Yorkshire identifying the area’s ability to manufacture and install renewable energy installations. It also looked at the existing academic research into renewable energy locally and the available support agencies. Future development of the renewable energy technology industry has the potential to increase the prosperity of North Yorkshire communities as a whole, but has increased value in the National Park environment which currently can only be supplied and serviced from outside. The report has increased understanding of North Yorkshire’s existing supply chain and will hopefully assist with the development of the region’s renewable energy generation sector and stimulate the creation of new local enterprise.
Training:
Renewable Energy Survey – Malhamdale
This project aims to equip a team of residents with the necessary know-how and experience to enable them to give sound practical advice to householders regarding appropriate energy conservation measures and micro-generation projects, and to encourage implementation of community renewable energy projects.
Once trained the residents are to carry out an audit of existing energy consumption and energy efficiency in Malhamdale, and to survey the potential of producing energy in the form of heat or electricity from renewable resources. The ultimate aim of the survey is to achieve improved energy efficency of buildings, and to identify potential effective community and domestic renewable energy projects. Community consultation within Malhamdale showed that whilst most people are concerned at rising energy prices and greenhouse gas emissions, they have uncertainties about the different renewable technologies and their suitability for the special environment of the National Park. This has inhibited the uptake of sustainable energy and micro-generation projects in the area - this project seeks to address this issue.
Sustainable Farm Energy Project - Phase 2
A three day energy training course was held in the Dales and delivered by the Centre for Sustainable Energy based at the CREATE centre in Bristol, who provide professional energy training nationally.
Twelve people were trained in general energy efficency awareness in the workplace aimed at local businesses. The remaining day and a half provided more specialised energy auditing training including practical on-site energy auditing.
Once trained, the auditors are to visit each of the 15 National Trust farms to conduct a full energy audit which will include energy and water efficiency measures and highlight renewable energy potential. The recommendations will form a farm energy strategy which would be progressed as funds became available. The auditors will also be equipped with the necessary skills to carry out energy audits in domestic properties identifying practical actions individuals can take to improve energy efficiency and energy conservation in their own homes.
The project is to culminate in a training event for planning and building conservation staff employed by the National Trust, the five northern National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty on 1 March 2007. For more details of this event click on the menu item on the left.
Feasibility studies and development phases:
Nethergill Farm Sustainable Energy Generation
This project will study the technical and financial feasibility of harnessing the water, wind and solar energy resources available to Nethergill Fram from within its own boundaries. If the development of any one or more of these resources is found feasible, the aim would be to provide the farm with sustainable energy, so reducing its dependency on the National Grid.
A further aim would be to utilise excess energy for the production of other sustainable energy sources such as kiln dried wood or barn dried hay. The owner also intends to use the assessment to make decisions on what further developments (such as accommodation, bunk barn, study centre, etc) could be implemented as part of a farm diversification plan.
Yore Mill: turbine feasibility
Yore Mill at Aysgarth (a Grade II Listed Building) is in urgent need of repairs to the roof, guttering, timbers and stonework. In order to provide some revenue funding for this work the owner is re-instating the turbines and plans to produce and sell green electricity back to the National Grid. The SDF funded a feasibility study on the Yore Mill turbines to determine whether they could be re-activated to produce enough green electricity and revenue.
Thanks to this funding Yore Mill secured £52,000 from Department of the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Rural Enterprise Scheme enabling the turbines to run again. They should be commissioned early in 2007.
Dales Powerhouse
The proposed Dales Powerhouse project aims to develop community recycling and renewable energy schemes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The development of this venture is in three phases, the first of which, a feasibility study, was completed in June 2006. This included looking at the impacts of developing a renewable energy and waste reduction technology suitable for environmentally sensitive areas such as national parks. It established that the project is theoretically viable and has great potential for the area, giving an opportunity for innovative, sustainable development in the National Park.
The project proposes using the anaerobic digestion of food and farming waste as the power source (anaerobic digestion produces methane gas which will be used to power a generator) by which local energy supplies can be strengthened, landfill waste reduced and animal food and waste management improved.
If a suitable site(s) can be established and the project's viability confirmed a second development phase will take the project through to construction, commissioning and operation. This second phase is now underway following further SDF funding. An architectural scheme for the Power House will be developed along with preparation of a planning application. A business plan will be written to establish the Dales Powerhouse as a community interest company.
A range of groups and bodies will be consulted including the local community to explain the project and encourage participation; the local authority about waste collection, delivery and waste disposal; local farmers on the potential for land-spreading of fertiliser; and other technical and educational consultations.
For further information on any of these SDF projects contact the SDF Project Officer, Isobel Hall, on 015242 51002 or email Isobel.hall@ydmt.org
