Energy Innovation award for Council
8th September 2014
The Highland Council's Energy and Sustainability team have won the best innovation prize at the annual Energy North Awards which were held in Inverness last week.
The Council has embarked on a project entitled Carbon Saving Capital Works for Council Buildings and Properties, with a specific emphasis on biomass, and in doing so has become an innovative leader in the renewable energy and low carbon sector.
75 biomass plant installation projects have been completed and are expected to attract an income of around £850K annually. The Council has also introduced a supply and maintenance contract to provide on-hand expertise for all servicing and maintenance issues and come up with an effective way to overcome logistical challenges. Biomass energy cabins are now used for many of the installations which means the cabin itself is transported onto site, connected and commissioned as a self-contained unit.
As well as installing domestic and non-domestic biomass units, 90 sites across the Highlands have had solar photovoltaic installations which are expected to receive feed in tariff payments of around £100K.
The Council's Director of Development and Infrastructure, Stuart Black attended the award ceremony to collect the award. He said: "The judges praised the work of the team in supporting biomass in the Highlands and finding solutions to the challenges of making existing buildings as energy efficient as possible."
This programme contributes towards achieving a low carbon Highlands and is a main factor in support of the Council's Carbon CLEVER programme.
Chairman Councillor Thomas Prag congratulated staff for their work. He said: "This is an excellent result and follows on from our success of achieving 1st place in the CES Scottish National Renewables League and 3rd in the RES European Champions League. Making our buildings more energy efficient is a priority as not only does it make substantial reductions to running costs but it also reduces our carbon footprint.
"Our stance towards embracing renewable and sustainable technology and becoming Carbon CLEVER has led us to become a significant leader in public sector renewables and this forward thinking approach offers long term benefits for the Highlands."
PHOTO
Auchtertyre Primary School
Related Businesses
- Dornoch Service Point - Highland Council
- Brora Service Point - Highland Council
- Durness Service Point - Highland Council
- Golspie Service Point - Highland Council
- Lochinver Service Point
Related Articles
Public opinion sought on Golspie Flood Protection Study
The Highland Council has invited people in Golspie to attend a public exhibition highlighting results from an ongoing study into the risk of flooding along the Golspie coast, including potential options to mitigate the risk of future coastal flooding in Golspie. The exhibition on Thursday 31st January from 2-7pm at Golspie Community Centre, 2 Back Rd, Golspie KW10 6RN will present results of the study to date following detailed hydraulic modelling of the coastal flood mechanisms that affect Golspie, and outline potential options being considered to mitigate the risk of future coastal flooding.
New Chief Exec Appointed To The Highland Council - Donna Manson
The Highland Council has appointed a new Chief Executive. The successful candidate is Donna Manson, currently Service Director for Children and Young People in the Scottish Borders.
Young people sign up for first Sutherland Junior Warden Scheme
On 22 January 2015 twelve S1 pupils from Golspie High School will be the first in Sutherland to become Junior Wardens as part of a joint project between the school, The Highland Council and High Life Highland. The Junior Warden Scheme aims to provide an alternative and creative way to engage with young people and community groups, promote positive behaviour and encourage active involvement in the local community.Praise for top apprentice plumber
The success of an apprentice plumber from Dornoch who won the Student of the Year 2013/2014 title for SVQ 3 Domestic Plumbing 2nd Year from Inverness College has been recognised by Highland Councillors. At the start of the recent Community Services Committee, members learned of Andrew Fraser's success and took the opportunity to congratulate him and pay tribute to the support and training given by council staff.
Ceremony marks opening of A838 Laxford Bridge North approach road
A ceremony was held today (Monday) to mark completion of the 1km section of the A838 Lairg to Tongue road, north of Laxford Bridge. The £850k scheme realigned and widened the existing single track road to a modern two-lane standard.
Sutherland blue bins and calendars delivered for new service 
Over the next few weeks new blue recycling wheelie bins are to be delivered to all households in Sutherland, along with details of the new refuse and recycling service. Households in parts of Sutherland which saw a four-weekly blue bin recycling service introduced in 2009 and so already have the bins, will be delivered new calendars and guides.
Making It Easier To Pay Council Bills
The Highland Council is to consult with the public over plans to extend the number of ways the public can pay Council bills, such as Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and rent. A bonus for the Council is that it can save at least £400,000 per year through changing the way it collects payments.Offenders In Community Service Clean Up
Offenders subject to community service orders across the whole of Scotland will be busy collecting litter and cleaning up local areas this weekend to support the Keep Scotland Beautiful Spring Clean campaign. In Highland 75 offenders who are being supervised by the Criminal Justice Service within The Highland Council's Social Work Service are scheduled to take part in the first national-wide Community Service clean up event.Warning On Free Alarm Offers
Highland consumers are being 'cold called' at home with the promise of free household alarm systems. However, the offer may sound too good to be true and Highland Council Trading Standards Service are warning householders to be on their guard.Golspie Office Offers New Services Under One Roof
A new public office has opened in Golspie, which offers a wide range of services under the one roof. Olsen House is home to The Highland Council's Service Point and Money Advice Service as well as to staff of Northern Constabulary and the East Sutherland Citizens' Advice Bureau.Search Our Site
Information
What's On
Submissions
