Zero-Carbon Homes Development

RNS Number : 5636S

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC

13 September 2010

 



SSE zero-carbon homes development opened by Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP

The Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, today opened one of the UK's largest development of zero-carbon homes. SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) has developed 10 eco-homes in Chalvey, Slough, in a unique project designed to understand the changing role of the energy supplier in a low carbon society.

SSE, which supplies energy in England under the Southern Electric brand, becomes the first utility in the UK to build such a development. Over the next two years, this highly energy efficient community will be studied to better understand what customers will need as the UK moves to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.

The company has invested over £3.5million in this ground-breaking research project, aptly named 'Greenwatt Way'. The site, which used to house an SSE office building, features rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling, triple glazed windows, enhanced insulation and its very own renewable heat hub. Installed are four different renewable heating sources including air- and ground-source heat pumps, a biomass boiler and solar thermal panels.

Renewable electricity is supplied by the integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) tiles which entirely cover the homes' roofs, with excess power being sold back to the grid.

The development, a mixture of two and three bedroom family homes and one bedroom flats, complies with 'Code 6' of the Code for Sustainable Homes - the highest possible standard.

Tenants move in later this week and include staff from SSE and Slough Borough Council, and local residents.

The main aim of the project is to study renewable energy generation and consumption, along with finding out what the residents think about living in their energy efficient zero-carbon homes. The findings will contribute to studies which SSE is carrying out in collaboration with NHBC (National House Builders Association), BRE (Building Research Establishment) and the University of Reading.

Speaking at the launch event in Chalvey, Rt Hon Chris Huhne MP said: "Slough's project is a glimpse into the future of how we could all be living in years to come. Homes in the UK account for more than a quarter of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions so saving energy makes sense for the planet as well as the householders. With feed-in-tariffs, the micro-generation strategy, smart meters and the 'green deal', sustainable living will transform our community, create green jobs, cut emissions and fuel bills."

SSE's Chief Executive, Ian Marchant, added: "The aim of this project for us is to understand how our role as an energy supplier is likely to change in the future, by actually building real homes for people and meeting their real energy needs. It has already proved invaluable for us as we have learned a significant amount during the construction phase alone, and we can prove that constructing a zero-carbon home to 'Code 6' standard is entirely possible. Little is known about what it's like to live permanently in a zero-carbon home and so the real critical test starts now."

Other eco features contained in the homes include the latest energy efficient kitchen

appliances and smart meters which SSE will use to monitor the homes' energy and water usage. Outside, the houses boast their own private terraces as well as a communal garden, bike shed and space to grow vegetables. Charging points have also been installed for electric vehicles.

-ends-

Notes to Editors:

Code Level 6 in the Code for Sustainable Homes. All new social-homes built in England from 2013, and all new homes built in England from 2016, onwards must be zero-carbon and it is likely this requirement could be introduced at an earlier date for publicly funded housing. Code 6 is the toughest level in the new set of building regulations. A zero-carbon home is one that generates as much renewable power as it uses over the course of a year and so has net zero-carbon dioxide emissions. While this project will generate all energy on site, it is likely that the new regulations will become more flexible in future.

 

END

 

 

MSCBGGDCXGBBGGX