Biomass Heat for Thurlestone · 2019-11-13 · Wood Fuel Hub. Such a hub might allow local farmers,...

Biomass Heat for Thurlestone

A pre-feasibility assessment

March 2016

Thurlestone Village – March 2016

DARE is a not for profit company limited by guarantee No. 4189619 2

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Document control

Client name South Devon Woodfuel Hub

Site address Thurlestone Community

Report author Kirsty Tooke

Reviewed and approved by Shura Barnett

Date of sign off 15.04.16

Disclaimer Whilst all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the information contained within this report is correct, you should be aware that the information contained within it may be incomplete, inaccurate or may have become out of date. Accordingly, DARE makes no guaranties or representations of any kind as to the content of this report or its accuracy and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, accepts no liability whatsoever for the same including, without limit, for direct, indirect or consequential loss, business interruption, loss of profits, production, contracts, goodwill or anticipated savings. Any person making use of this report does so at their own risk. Nothing in this report is intended to be or should be interpreted as an endorsement of, or recommendation for, any supplier, service or product. All prices quoted are for guidance only and do not constitute a formal quotation for the supply of goods or services.



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Table of contents

1 Introduction and Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 4

2 The site ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Building descriptions ......................................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Site Ownership and Contacts ............................................................................................................................ 8

2.3 Current energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions ........................................................................... 9

2.3.1 All Saints Church of England School .......................................................................................................... 9

2.3.2 All Saints Church...................................................................................................................................... 10

2.3.3 The Church Meeting Rooms .................................................................................................................... 10

2.3.4 The Post Office & Stores ......................................................................................................................... 11

2.3.5 Thurlestone Parish Hall ........................................................................................................................... 12

2.3.6 Thurlestone Hotel and The Village Inn .................................................................................................... 12

2.4 Biomass ........................................................................................................................................................... 12

2.4.1 Logs ......................................................................................................................................................... 13

2.4.2 Wood chip ............................................................................................................................................... 13

2.4.3 District Heating ....................................................................................................................................... 14

2.4.4 Biomass at Thurlestone ........................................................................................................................... 14

2.5 Project Budget ................................................................................................................................................. 16

2.6 Non Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive ...................................................................................................... 16

3 Options for Ownership ............................................................................................................................................ 17

4 Next Steps ............................................................................................................................................................... 17

5 Potential Organisations to Approach to Provide Feasibility Study ......................................................................... 18

6 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................................. 18



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1 Introduction and Summary

This report sets out the concept and benefits of a community heating scheme in Thurlestone. The village is not

connected to the gas grid making the energy costs high and the sources of fuel limited. There is a high dependence

on heating oil in the village which, although economic at present, is not expected to remain so. In contrast, wood

fuel or biomass is a local source of fuel, readily available in our unique landscape and one that will prove economic in

the long term.

The report is one output of activity funded by the Devon Accelerator to investigate options for the South Devon

Wood Fuel Hub. Such a hub might allow local farmers, other land owners and the community to work together to

harvest and use wood fuel at reasonable cost, supporting the local economy and creating employment.

Within the village of Thurlestone there is an opportunity to investigate the feasibility of biomass heating for a

number of community buildings which form suitable clusters for heat networks. These form the focus of this report,

though it should be noted that only preliminary discussions have been held with the Executive Head of the Primary

School, the Clerk and Chair of the Parish Council and the Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

The prospective clusters could each be served by a central boiler, with heat delivered through a heat main and the

whole forming a mini district heating scheme. The fuel could be sourced from local hedges and small woodlands,

supplied by farmers or contractors, with support from the South Devon Woodfuel Hub. In addition to heating

community buildings, the schemes could help bring hedges and woodlands back into sustainable management, while

encouraging traditional hedge laying, and utilising a neglected woodfuel resource. They could also provide farm

diversification opportunities as well as create or sustain jobs, so assisting the local economy.

The potential cluster groups would include the following:

1. All Saints Church, Church Meeting Rooms and Thurlestone Post Office & Stores

2. Thurlestone Hotel and The Village Inn – Fuel supply contract only

3. All Saints Primary School and Thurlestone Parish Hall

The project which brought the schemes into being could be community owned and financed through community

investment. This approach has worked in several other communities in Devon and many across the country. Local

investors could buy a share in the project, and receive a return on their investment from the profit made by selling

the heat to the community users, and from income from the renewable heat incentive. If profit remained after

paying investors a return sufficient to gain the necessary capital, the balance could be distributed locally through a

community benefit fund. The community buildings and local businesses would receive heat at a discount, and

carbon emissions would be reduced if they used less fossil energy for heating, thus helping secure their

environmental and financial sustainability.



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This pre-feasibility assessment shows that there is a possibility of creating renewable heat networks in Thurlestone.

If the community is interested in taking the idea further, the next step would be for the council, or a local

organisation which has its own legal structure to apply for a Rural Community Energy Fund grant to commission a full

feasibility study.

2 The site

2.1 Building descriptions

Thurlestone is a village 5 miles west of Kingsbridge in the South Hams district in South Devon, England. The

population at the 2011 census was 1,886. The main buildings examined in this initial desktop assessment were

Thurlestone All Saints Church of England Primary School, Thurlestone All Saints Church, Thurlestone Parish Hall,

Church Meeting Rooms, Thurlestone Hotel and The Village Inn and Thurlestone Community Post Office.



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Thurlestone All Saints Church of England Primary School consists of the original Victorian School building

constructed around 1900 and a new building constructed in 2010 when the school expanded. The Victorian school

house accommodates the Reception and KS1 classes, with the other classes up to Year 6 and inclusive of Pearsons

Pre-School housed in the new building. The school has a gross internal area of 847m2 and has 127 pupils on its roll.

Heating is supplied to the site by an oil fired boiler and wet loop central heating system.

Thurlestone Parish Hall is a newly built hall with two rooms. Heating is supplied to the site by an oil fired boiler and

wet loop central heating system. The Main Hall is adaptable for a wide variety of uses, and can seat up to 150

people. There is a demountable stage, stage lighting and a full audio/visual system with a digital projector.

The Yeo room is smaller, and can be used for meetings, presentations, classes, and training sessions using the

interactive whiteboard. It connects directly to the Main Hall, and both can be used together, if required. The hall

and Yeo room are used regularly for various clubs, societies and community events, as well as private hire.



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Thurlestone All Saints Church is a grade II* listed church, dating partly from the 13th century, with major rebuilding

works carried out in the 15th century. The walls are solid slatestone, with a slated gabled roof and single glazed stain

glass windows. The church comprises of a West tower, South chapel, aisle, nave, chancel, vestry and porch. The

internal finishes include plastered walls and a wagon roof. Heating is supplied to the site by an oil fired boiler and

wet loop central heating system.

Church Meeting Rooms were built in 2004, and are located in the corner of the churchyard, adjacent to the church

car park. The main room, which seats approximately 40 people, is used for a variety of church activities and is also

available to hire. Heating is supplied to the site by an oil fired boiler and wet loop central heating system.



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Thurlestone Post Office and general store is located along the main street next to the church. There is customer

parking immediately outside the store. Heating is supplied to the site by electric blown air heaters, with hot water

supplied by LPG.

Thurlestone Hotel and The Village Inn are located opposite the Thurlestone Post Office and have 65 rooms, a spa,

swimming pool and golf course. Heating is supplied to the site by a biomass boiler and wet loop central heating

system.

2.2 Site Ownership and Contacts

All Saints Church of England Primary School is a Voluntary Aided (VA) school, and part of the Kingsbridge Area

Church School Federation. The federation consists of three church schools that have formed a partnership.

The other two schools are:

Charleton C of E Primary School

West Alvington Primary School

The Governing Body looks after the schools and premises, is responsible for health and safety and has a duty to

ensure insurance is in place. School governors can be contacted via the school: admin@all-saints-

primary.devon.sch.uk. The Executive Headteacher of the federation is Philip Medway: Philip.medway@all-saints-

primary.devon.sch.uk. Exeter Diocesan Board of Education approval is also required for any works at the school.

Whilst the site owner is the Exeter Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd, correspondence is via Richard Power, Diocesan

Surveyor: [email protected]

All Saints Church, Thurlestone - The Parish of Thurlestone with Buckland and Bantham is one of five parishes in the

Aune Valley Benefice and Mission Community, under the care of the rector, Revd Daniel Hartley:

[email protected]. The church itself is vested in the incumbent, in this case Revd Daniel Hartley.

mailto:[email protected]








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The Parochial Church Council owns the churchyard and can be contacted through its secretary Martin Webb:

[email protected].

The Friends of Thurlestone Church is formally constituted as the Thurlestone Parish Church Building Trust. The Trust

Deed of this registered charity was signed on the 1st June 1995. Its charitable purpose is to assist in the

preservation, repair and maintenance of the fabric, designated contents and the churchyard of All Saints’

Thurlestone, and also to maintain the church as a building of historical importance in the event of it becoming

redundant. The contact is Gillian Marshall: 01548-560214 or [email protected].

The Church Meeting Rooms are owned by the Parochial Church Council who can be contacted through its secretary

Martin Webb: [email protected]

The Thurlestone Hotel adjoins the Village Inn, and both have been owned by the Grose family since 1896. The hotel

can be contacted at [email protected]. Hotel proprietors and directors include Mr Peter Grose, Mr

Graham Grose, Mr Matthew Grose and Mr Charles Grose, and company secretary is Mr Peter Wyatt.

Thurlestone Post Office and Stores – Contact either Mr A Masters, the Postmaster or Sarah Tyers at the Post Office:

01548 561917.

Thurlestone Parish Hall – The hall is built on land donated by Mr Russell Yeo to the community for that purpose in

1936. It is held in trust by Thurlestone Parish Hall Committee. The contact is Diane Martin: 01548 560070.

2.3 Current energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions

At the time of writing this study we were unable to obtain up to date energy consumption data for all the buildings

noted. This information will be provided once it becomes available. However, we were able to examine some

historical data to provide some information on the on-site energy consumption.

2.3.1 All Saints Church of England Primary School

In 2013 the school used the following, according to its DEC report:

Fuel Type kWh per annum CO2 Emissions

Electricity 52,816 23.7 tonnes per annum

Oil 37,740 9.25 tonnes per annum

Total 90,556 32.95 tonnes per annum







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2.3.2 All Saints Church

The data for All Saints Church dates from 2015 and was supplied by All Saints Church





2.3.3 The Church Meeting Rooms

The Church Meeting Rooms has an oil boiler supplying a wet loop radiator system, it has electrical consumption

associated with lighting and kitchen facilities on site.





58%

42%

Energy Consumption

Electricity Oil

72%

28%

CO2 Emissions

Electricity Oil

13%

87%

Energy Consumption

Electricity Oil

21%

79%

C02 Emissions

Electricity Oil



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2.3.4 The Post Office & Stores

The Post Office and Village Stores has electrical heating, currently supplied by blown air, and LPG supplying hot

water. Due to both the heating and operational uses (refrigeration, lighting, I.T equipment) being provided by

electricity it is difficult to determine the consumption associated with heating.

With an annual cost of approximately £3,600 for electricity and £120 for LPG we can assume the following

consumption.



LPG 1,801 0.39 tonnes per annum


If we estimate the Post Office and Village Stores is approximately 48m2 in floor area and use the National Energy

Data Framework produced by the Department of Energy & Climate Change and it’s average heating consumption

figures for shops we can estimate a consumption of 20,000 kWh per annum.

44% 56%

Energy Consumption

Electricity Oil

59%

41%

CO2 Emissions

Electricity Oil

94%

6%

Energy Consumption

Electricity LPG

97%

3%

CO2 Emissions

Electricity LPG



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2.3.5 Thurlestone Parish Hall

Unfortunately no data was made available for Thurlestone Parish Hall, we were therefore asked to provide an

estimate of on-site energy use based on detailed assessments of similar sized community buildings we have

conducted in the past. We reviewed seven similar properties and have derived average consumption figures.

Estimated





2.3.6 Thurlestone Hotel and The Village Inn

Thurlestone Hotel and The Village Inn are already heated by a biomass boiler. No energy use figures could be

obtained before the submission of this report. However, it should be noted that in regards to the provision of a local

sustainable biomass supply chain, which the South Devon Woodfuel Hub are trying to establish with local

landowners and enterprises, this report has identified a potential end-user for local woodfuel production.

2.4 Biomass

Biomass includes a range of potentially combustible organic matter, either waste based or purpose grown, and

either processed into a clean, uniform fuel stock (e.g. wood chips or pellets), or essentially non-processed (e.g. logs

and carpentry waste), and consequently will often tie in with local small holders and farmers or local forestry and

timber processing interests. This is likely to be the case for Thurlestone, because there are many hedges and small

woodlands within a five mile radius of the village.

29%

71%

Energy Consumption

Electricity Oil

42%

58%

CO2 Emissions

Electricity Oil



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A purpose built shed housing fuel

store and 50 kW boiler

Wood is a fuel which generates very low net carbon emissions. When it is

burnt, it emits the same amount of CO2 into the atmosphere as absorbed

during the life cycle of the growing plant, and so the only carbon emissions

are those created by its harvesting, transport and processing (if any).

The burning of wood in heating appliances results in the release of

pollution. The actual levels of emissions in the flue gases depend on the

biomass boiler design, the fuel characteristics and how the boiler is operated. The impact of emissions on the

environment, in particular local receptors, is related to the dispersion of emissions, influenced by the height of the

boiler exhaust stack.

The air pollution emissions of concern from biomass boilers are particulate matter (PM10/PM2.5) and nitrogen

oxides (NOx). Other relevant emissions include poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and where treated wood is used

as a fuel, heavy metals, dioxins and furans can be released.

Air quality requirements for biomass boilers were introduced as part of the Renewable Heat Incentive in September

2013. These requirements include: new eligibility criteria for applicants with biomass boilers; new ongoing

obligations to ensure participants’ boilers do not exceed a maximum level of particulate matter (PM) and oxides of

nitrogen (NOx). PM and NOx are harmful pollutants caused by biomass combustion. To meet the requirements of

the scheme then a boiler must obtain an RHI Emissions Certificate. This provides certification for the installation and

the fuel type to be used and provides protection for local air quality.

Any biomass system used in Thurlestone could use either logs, wood chips or wood pellets as fuel. We would not

recommend pellets, because they cannot be sourced locally in sufficiently reliable quantities to supply a heat

network. Imported pellets carry a high embodied carbon penalty in the form of transport emissions.

2.4.1 Logs

A log boiler is ideal where there is easy access to woodland or hedges close by, as in the case of Thurlestone. Some

log boilers supply a central heating system directly, while others heat a large thermal store (accumulator tank) of

water. This water is then used over the day as required. The store will be highly insulated so heat loss over a 24

hour period is minimal. Some log boilers can be run as needed or as a batch boiler.

2.4.2 Wood chip

A wood chip boiler in Thurlestone could be fed by chips sourced from local

woodland or hedgerows. This model is commonly used in Brittany, and a number



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of organisations support its adoption in the UK. One reason for this is that it can provide a sustainable income to

farmers.

Wood chips need to be processed to a standard which makes them suitable for the wood burner in which they will

be used. Historically, this meant they needed to be of a uniform size, and dried to a particular moisture content. It

is now possible to source burners able to accept a wider range of material, though it remains important to reduce

the moisture content, to avoid wasting calories drying it whilst being consumed.

A wood chip boiler can be automated, but automation is only suitable in larger boilers, generally those over 30kW.

This is because a smaller boiler will be less able to cope with irregularities in the chip size. Woodchip also has a

much lower energy density per cubic metre (a bucketful of chip is lighter than the same bucket of logs or pellets

because of the space between the chips) and so requires a larger storage area or more frequent deliveries, where a

lorry/tractor and tipper trailer would need access to a silo.

2.4.3 District Heating

District heating (also known as heat networks) provides space and water heating to residential and commercial

properties from a central location, often using heat generated by a centralised biomass boiler. District heating

plants can provide higher efficiencies and better pollution control than localised boilers.

A district heating scheme can be split into zones, with clusters of buildings supplied by a single boiler, enabling large

savings in installation and operating costs, as well as providing flexibility.

Within a district heating scheme, a centralised boiler sends hot water to other buildings. A Consumer Interface Unit

(CIU) in each of these buildings gives the same level of control and features as offered by a full boiler system.

2.4.4 Biomass at Thurlestone

With the whole community being located off the mains gas grid there are significant opportunities for utilising

biomass heat, particularly for groups of local community buildings or businesses with a significant heat load.



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However, installing the heat mains needed to convey heat to different clusters of buildings is disruptive. The

disruption may be reduced if more than one boiler is installed, because the heat mains would not need to be laid

between the different clusters. In the case of Thurlestone, it might be appropriate to install two boilers.

One biomass boiler with district heating system could be in the area of the church. This could supply All Saints

Church, The Church Meeting Rooms and Thurlestone Post Office and General Stores (and potentially any domestic

properties in the vicinity).



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The second location for a biomass boiler and mini district heating system would be the Parish Hall and All Saints

Primary School which are in close proximity to one another, and could balance day time and week day use by the

school with evening and weekend use by the Parish Hall.

2.5 Project Budget

At this stage costing for a district heating system can only be preliminary, however, they enable the community to

understand the order of costs envisaged. Two systems could be considered suitable for Thurlestone:

1. A biomass boiler and heat main to heat the Church, meeting room, post office and any housing that could be connected into the system

2. A smaller system serving only the school and the parish hall

Pricing is included up to and including the heat meter at each site but not including any consumer side heat

distribution (radiators and etc.) Much of the existing wet systems within the buildings can be retained. A nominal

amount has been included for fuel storage and delivery however this is subject to a detailed appraisal once all the

site conditions and constraints are known. Prices exclude contingencies or VAT.

The estimated costs for each of the above three systems would be in the order of:

1. 200m plus heat main dug through the church yard and connected to the historic Church. A wood chip boiler, size to be determined or as a space saving alternative a pellet boiler. Approximate cost £120,000 installed.

2. 150m heat main. A fairly small wood chip or pellet boiler £80,000 installed.

2.6 Non Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) offers an incentive payment for non-domestic heat boilers. The government is

currently consulting on changes to the scheme, but it is likely to continue to support heat networks, though at a level

which will be hard to determine in advance of commissioning. Once the RHI becomes payable, it will continue to be

paid for 20 years, provided the installation continues to meet the requirements of the scheme, and payments are

index-linked.

Option Capital Cost kWh requirement

per annum (est)

RHI Income (est)

1 £120,000 53,638 kWh £54,300*

2 £80,000 56,070 kWh £48,700*

*The RHI income noted above does not take account of inflation.



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3 Options for Ownership

Biomass installations and their associated heat main networks are expensive, and the system discussed in this report

would cost over £100,000, and could well be in excess of this figure. While it is most unlikely that the building

owners or occupiers would be prepared to invest to this level, there is an alternative. This is for the installations to

be financed, installed, owned and operated by a community-owned organisation.

The organisation would take the form of a community benefit society, which is a legal structure with several

advantages for community energy projects. One is that it can raise share investment without the complexity and

expense faced by private companies. This is because it exists for community benefit, rather than for private profit.

Another is that all shareholders have one vote, irrespective of their shareholding. A third is that it is possible to

accept very small investments, perhaps as little as £50, allowing a large number of people to become owners of their

local renewable energy scheme.

There are several examples of community energy projects in Devon which use this model. They include:

Plymouth Energy Community (PEC)

South Brent Community Energy Society (SBCES)

Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC)

Exeter Community Energy (ECOE)

All of these have focused on electricity generation, rather than heat networks, but the model is available to either.

The government is known to be particularly interested in heat networks, particularly those which are community

owned.

The community ownership model may be particularly appropriate for Thurlestone, because the source of fuel would

be local from farmers and others within the community. If the project were seen as a shared endeavour between

both groups, it is more likely to raise the money needed, and be sustainable over the long term.

4 Next Steps

This pre-feasibility report is the first stage of a long process. We outline below a number of stages that must be

undertaken; they include drawing members of the community to champion the project and commissioning a

technical report to assess the opportunity in detail.

1. The community of Thurlestone, or an organisation within it, needs to decide if it is interested in taking

forward such a project idea.

2. If the community is interested, it should hold a public meeting to assess the level of local interest, and

recruit a group of enthusiastic people to take the idea forward.

3. All relevant stakeholders, landowners and organisations need to be engaged with, to see if they are

interested in investigating the feasibility of such a scheme.

http://www.plymouthenergycommunity.com/

http://www.sbces.org.uk/

http://tresoc.co.uk/

http://www.ecoe.org.uk/



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4. The community could then seek quotes to deliver a feasibility study, and prepare a funding application to the

Rural Community Energy Fund to support the technical feasibility study work, business planning and legal

advice. This funding does not require any match. The work could cover preparing a specification for

suppliers, and assistance in assessing quotes. It is particularly important for Thurlestone that the study also

addresses local sources of supply, both existing contractors, and nearby farmers. Quotations are required

from three or more organisations to carry out the technical feasibility, business planning and legal advice for

the project. DARE have access to ‘Request for Quotation’ documents that have been issued by other

community organisations and can provide copies, if this is helpful. However the process needs to be owned

and designed by the community to ensure all their needs are met by any chosen consultant.

5. Should the feasibility study and stakeholder engagement be successful in identifying a viable project then

the community could either form a Community Benefit Society, or work with an existing one. The society

would carry the project forward.

5 Potential Organisations to Approach to Provide Feasibility Study

1. DARE (Devon Association for Renewable Energy)– Contact: Kirsty Tooke, 12B The Square, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2EP Tel: 01837 89200 Email: [email protected]

2. CFR (Communities for Renewables) – Contact: Jake Burnyeat, Tremough Innovation Centre, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9TA Tel: 01326 567 161 Email: [email protected]

3. EA 361 CIC (Energy Action 361) – Contact: Paul Rogers, 116 South Street, Braunton, Devon, EX33 2AS Email: [email protected]

4. Midas Energy – Contact: Jonathan Davis, Midas House, Woodwater Park, Pynes Hill, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5WS Tel: 01392 370 633

6 Conclusions

This pre-feasibility study shows that there is an opportunity for a sustainable heat network project in Thurlestone

which warrants further investigation. If the people of Thurlestone are supportive, and if some are prepared to take a

lead in guiding the work of consultants and supporting any local community energy organisation, the idea should be

taken forward.




Biomass Heat for Thurlestone · 2019-11-13 · Wood Fuel Hub. Such a hub might allow local farmers,...

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