14/01/2005 - The Environment
Agency is shining the way in sustainable
building design as energy-generating cells
were installed on its new area office in
Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Photovoltaic cells, which generate energy
directly from light, will be fitted to the
Agency’s Red Kite House, due to be completed
in spring 2005 and is set to be one of the
most environmentally friendly buildings
in the country. Solarcentury, the UK’s leading
photovoltaics company, has designed the
panels and work to install them began at
the end of November.
The panels will produce around 20 per cent
of the building’s electricity and will double
up as a brise-soleil providing shade for
the building to maintain cool temperatures
during the summer months.
The Agency was able to incorporate this
green technology into its design after receiving
a £163,000 grant from the Energy Saving
Trust (EST). The funding formed part of
the Department of Trade and Industry’s £20m
Photovoltaic Major Demonstration Programme.
The Environment Agency’s project manager
Brian Hughes said: “I am very pleased that
we have been able to go ahead with this.
Not only will it show the Agency’s commitment
to more sustainable forms of energy production
but it will also complement the other ‘best
practice’ environmental features we have
incorporated into this new office.”
Kirk Archibald, Solar PV Programme Manager
at the Energy Saving Trust said: “Solar
power can play a vital part in any sustainable
building development. We are delighted to
see the Environment Agency taking a leadership
role and hope to see many others following
their example by making the most of the
significant grants available under the Major
PV Demonstration Programme.”
As well as the energy producing photovoltaic
cells the Agency will also be installing
a number of other environmental features
paving the way in sustainable building design.
A system to collect and use rainwater to
reduce mains-water consumption and a natural
ventilation system designed to draw air
through the building to keep staff cool
during warm summer months. The building
will also be fitted with solar panels on
the roof which will be used to heat the
office’s water.
It is estimated that the building’s carbon
emissions will be 26 per cent below that
defined in the Department of Environment’s
“Energy Efficiency in Offices” guidance
figure.
Architects Scott Brownrigg worked with
engineers Hoare Lea and the Waterman Partnership
on the design of the building, which is
being constructed by Moss Construction,
a division of Kier Regional Ltd. It is planned
that construction will be completed in the
early spring, where the building will be
in full use by the Agency by the summer
of 2005.
