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The Future's Looking Greener

Posted on: Monday, 26 September 2005, 06:00 CDT

The small Mid Wales town of Machynlleth already has a reputation for being distinctly different to other Welsh towns. The population is an eclectic mix of the traditional and the not so traditional, and even the town itself represents the old and the new.

Once the home of the first Welsh parliament building, the town now has a reputation for being at the cutting edge of alternative technologies and new eco-friendlier concepts.

In the town's award-winning Dyfi Eco Parc, situated on the site of the old railway yard, a new project has been established that aims to bring all these alternative and eco-technologies to the masses - but, as Louise Owen, project manager, points out - the aim isn't to 'convert' all and sundry into tree-hugging environmentalists.

Rather, she states that the objective of the Greener Homes & Buildings Project is to enlighten the masses of the multitude of green-er possibilities that exist in the DIY, housing, building and architectural world - possibilities that are real solutions (as opposed to 'alternatives') to those embarking on any aspect of home or building project.

'People still tend to think of eco-friendly or green concepts as things that belong to an 'alternative' world,' said Louise. 'In fact, an increasing number of these concepts fit in far better in the everyday world as solutions to energy efficiency within the home - solutions that offer real world savings on energy expenditure over a short to medium term when compared with equivalent 'mainstream' products. We aim to highlight these facts and bring them to the fore.'

To this end, Greener Homes & Buildings held a flagship event on September 2 and 3. The exhibition aimed at two distinct sectors - the first day of the event was focusing on the professional or trade end of the spectrum, and will allow exhibitors direct contact with architects, planning officers, housing executives and construction companies. The second day aimed far more generally and will cater for individuals who have an interest in this field, as well as hopefully drawing in interest from the general public.

Throughout the show demonstrations, workshops and seminars were held to offer more in-depth information on why energy efficiency and 'green-er' concepts fit in perfectly with the concept of modern homes and buildings.

'A home is one of the biggest investments most of us will make in our lives. What's more, a majority of us live in a home that is far from energy efficient. With an inevitable increase in the cost of heating and electricity looming all the time, energy efficiency should be quite high on the list of priorities we have. Greener Homes & Buildings could help people attain a level of energy efficiency that is far more than they ever imagined possible,' said Louise.

Mr and Mrs Richard Rhodes's home, Solstar, has a geothermal heat system below their lawn, meeting their specification of high- efficiency, low-cost heating and electricity.

Whilst outwardly looking very much like a perfectly 'normal' or 'average' home, the building is in fact extremely dynamic.

It is generating well over 100% of its electrical requirements via 18 solar photovoltaic panels on it's south facing roof (far more than their initial expectations), the property's heating requirements are supplied by a geothermal heating system, which takes out heat from approximately one metre below their lawn.

For further details, or to exhibit at the event, contact Greener Homes & Buildings on 01654 703064, or register your interest at www.greenerhomesandbuildings.co.uk Exciting development setting the pace: The Dyfi Eco Parc, Machynlleth, built on a brownfield former railway goods yard, is setting the standard for energy efficient, 'green' industrial buildings around the UK.

The seven-unit business park is located some 300 yards from the town centre, close to public transport and a national cycle route, and as well as the BREEAM 'Excellent' award, units have won a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Regional award, a gold medal at the National Eisteddfod, the Millennium Marque and an award from the Association of the Environmentally Conscious Building (AECB).

The use of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic panels, passive solar heating, together with high levels of insulation, passive ventilation and use of locally-sourced materials where possible, shows how sustainable energy solutions can make a significant contribution to the environment, climate protection and economic development.

In a bid to maximise renewable energy, photovoltaic cells were fitted in units 4 and 5. Each panel is fixed to the south-facing roof and is 174 square metres, giving a peak output of 13kW. Each roof generates about 12,000 kW hours a year, which could potentially make any occupier virtually self sufficient. The Welsh Development Agency believes the success of the park will mean that future projects will be modelled on this exciting development.

Source: Western Mail

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