Member Article

Green Guru NE wins contract with Allensford hotel

Local renewable energy company, Green Guru NE has won a contract to install one of the first wood-fired heating systems in a North East hotel.

As part of a substantial refurbishment programme, the prestigious Best Western Derwent Manor Hotel in Allensford chose to replace their ageing oil fired boilers with a state-of-the-art biomass heating system using wood pellets.

The hotel’s heating is now 100% renewable with the new system providing heating and hot water for the hotel, three holiday cottages, the leisure centre and indoor pool.

The new system will not only cut the Hotel’s fuel bill by around 30%, its carbon footprint will be reduced by over 140 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Many businessess don’t realise that the government will pay them for going green!

The Renewable Heat Incentive, or ‘RHI’ for short, was introduced in late 2011 to help businesses fund the change to renewable energy and kick-start the use of sustainable fuel sources.

This a particular boost to rural businesses, mainly with no access to natural gas, who have often suffered from high fuel costs.

‘Early adopters’ can receive very generous payments. In Derwent Manor Hotel’s case this could add up to more than £800,000 over the 20-year life of the scheme.

Add the fuel savings to the government payback and it’s a ‘no-brainer’ for many businesses struggling with rising fuel costs and concerned about their impact on the environment.

How does it work?

Although commercial wood fired heating is relatively new to the UK, its use has been widespread in mainland Europe for many years. The boilers Green Guru NE installed in Derwent Manor are manufactured in Austria by Windhager, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers.

Biomass wood pellet boilers produce heat by burning small wood pellets made from compressed sawdust. Pellets are easily handled and burn with very little ash. Windhanger boilers have automatic ash compression, meaning they require very little maintenance. The pellets are delivered by tanker to a purpose-built storeroom. From the store, the boilers automatically fill with pellets using a vacuum transport system.

More information

There is an opportunity to see this technology in action on 3rd July 2014 at Derwent Manor Hotel. Contact Green Guru NE to reserve your free place.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Green Guru NE .