Introduction

To provide two 150 roomed block of flats in Stechford with energy from a CHP power unit adjacent to a leisure centre in Stechford, Birmingham

Objectives and target audience

The objectives of this project were:-

• To provide residents of the multi-story homes with economically gaining heat and electricity;
• Improve the quality of heating within the households;
• To reduce CO2 emissions released from that of the original multi-storey homes and the leisure centre.

The target audience of the project were the residents of the multi-storey flats and the function of the leisure centre.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The total capital cost for the CHP unit, two boilers and the new boiler house was £345,000.  Birmingham City Council spent a further £1.86 million on new heating systems for the 150 homes and the refurbishment of the fabric of the three blocks.

Process

The CHP unit contained within the leisure centre produces 180 kW of electricity to power the leisure centre complex.  350 kW of heat is also produced some of which is utilized to supply heat to the homes.  200m long heating mains were also constructed underground to supply the three housing blocks.  A new heat exchanger was installed at the ground floor of each housing block.  New heating and hot water systems were installed in each home, together with metering and control equipment, including a system of prepayment for heat using tokens.  The new energy plant located at the leisure centre was installed (at no capital cost to the council) and is now operated and maintained by an independent company under a ten year energy services contract.

As well as the introduction of the new CHP unit, the council also decided to improve the thermal performance of the homes by encasing subsequent opened balconies, increasing insulation to the three buildings and adding new double glazing.  This was part funded by the Government’s Green house programme.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The main factors that made this project critical for its success were:-

• The engagement of the council to provide substantial financial support for the implementation of the project.  Without this backing, funding for the project would be difficult due to their being more claim requests and several partners being involved to gain a suitable capital sum.
• Support from the home owners was also critical as the public had to be willing enough to accept change and have building works implemented to their homes as during construction times, disturbances to energy sources could be of major worry.