They will each be fitted with a WhisperGen gas-powered micro combined heat and power (mCHP) system supplied by Powergen. The mCHP unit takes the place of a domestic boiler - creating heat used by the mCHP BoilerMate thermal store to deliver hot water and central heating – while at the same time producing enough electricity to meet the power needs of the average household. The mCHP BoilerMate, developed by Gledhill specifically to store the heat created through electricity generation, also controls the operation of the system to achieve maximum efficiency.
When the mCHP unit is not running the home will draw electricity from the National Grid as normal. Surplus electricity generated by the mCHP system will be purchased by Powergen to go back into the National Grid.
Combined heat and power has been endorsed by the Government as a major tool in cutting carbon emissions by reducing reliance on conventional power stations and increasing the efficiency of electricity generation and supply. It is predicted that by 2020, at least 30% of households will be using mCHP technology.
The highly efficient delivery of heat and electricity from a single system, combined with the surplus power buy-back means that total energy bills for the new homes could be reduced by an average of £150 per year.
The mCHP system will reduce the level of carbon emissions produced by each of the households by approx 20%, while providing residents with highly responsive central heating and mains pressure hot water. The mCHP BoilerMate also incorporates Gledhill’s unique ‘SWITCH’ emergency back-up system to provide heating and hot water in the unlikely event of the system failing to operate.
Paul Hulme, Regional Director of Lovell North West says: “This is an exciting opportunity for us, combining revolutionary technology with dynamic energy efficiency, perfect for ‘The Way’. This has helped contribute to creating a vibrant, sustainable and energy efficient community for new and existing residents.”
Gledhill Chairman Houghton Gledhill comments: “We
are delighted to be partnering Lovell and Powergen in this introduction
of exciting new technology. Innovation drives our business and our commitment
to the future of mCHP reflects our confidence in the technology being
embraced as the new standard in UK homes.”
Click on the image below for a mCHP system diagram.
Peter Westwood, Powergen’s General Manager of Home Energy Services,
adds: “This is the first large scale development that we’ve
worked on and we’re extremely proud to be leading the development,
and teaming up with Lovell on this exciting new urban regeneration development.
