The investment concept focuses on the creation of smart solar PV integrated electric charging hubs to support wider adoption of electrified vehicle fleets at least cost. It will also enable high-capacity charging infrastructure by using of local generation and battery storage systems. Targeted sectors are Public Buildings, Building integrated renewables, Sustainable urban mobility and Innovative and energy infrastructure.
The technological measures will be Solar PV, installed on lightweight car port structures over parking spaces, battery storage, with EV charging cabling and points, building or grid connections where needed. Green Infrastructure to enhance biodiversity will be added (feasibility study already conducted). At the scale proposed, and for County Durham, c. 12.8 MWp of solar PV would be installed over 8762 parking bays, with 77 MWh of battery storage and 434 EV charging points. The latter alone would double capacity in the County. A local authority does not typically work on projects of this size, and must increase the capacity to do so, the investment concept is the next step to take. Durham has many car parks, with lower levels of sustainable transport use than the regional and national average.
Technology measures proposed for the retrofit include:
On completion, all dwellings will be at least EPC B (the London Councils standards) and ideally A (+) rated.
The properties of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil(HVO) are extremely similar to kerosene and diesel, and it is used as a drop in fuel in existing oil boilers. However, to support this some modifications are needed including changes to the spray nozzle, increasing fuel pressure and adjusting the air intake. The estimated conversion cost for making these changes is £500 per boiler, which is relatively low when compared to the average cost of heat pump installation (£10,000). Not only would the switch to HVO have an impact on residents in the area, but also on local supply chains. This is one of the gap areas that would be analysed in the creation of an investment concept. Within Humshaugh, there is an oil buying group that operates in the area – it would be essential to understand how the pilot would affect their supply chain and if they could be involved in the distribution of HVO. Currently, there are no manufacturers of HVO in the UK - this project would explore manufacturing capabilities in Northumberland.
The technology measures to be financed include LED-lighting, heat pumps, low-carbon heat grids, photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, access to local renewable heat sources (e.g. geothermal drilling) and charging stations for electric vehicles and bicycles. All of these technologies shall be used in a way that is compatible with the European Investment Bank (EIB) eligibility criteria.
The intended technology measures include: district heat networks for 2000 new homes, installation of integrated Solar PV/thermal (GSHP/ASHP package) on residential buildings using heating oil, energy efficiency (solid/cavity wall insulation, loft insulation etc.) on domestic households, renewable energy generation on domestic buildings, by solar installs (PV and/or thermal). Targeted sectors include
Public Buildings, building integrated renewables, Residential buildings and District heating.