Sustainable Direction Ltd

University of Bristol MSc and Alderney Renewable Energy

sustainabledirection — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 07:27:09 +0000

SDL, in its support to both the University and ARE, has been able to provide Dissertation projects for 7 MSc Students to investigate background information on the potential impacts of the marine turbines and pumped tidal storage projects that ARE is proposing, a true win-win. The Course Director Nicholas Howden, Coordinator Philippa Salsbury, and John Henry took the students to Alderney for a week to see the sites, meet the Commission and ARE, and also meet key people involved in the areas of interest of the projects, so the fishermen, the Alderney Wildlife Trust, the Harbour Master and more. The outputs from the MSc will help improve the environmental assessment of the marine turbines and help this and following projects.

Gloucester City Council – PV Review

sustainabledirection — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 06:41:58 +0000

SDL provided a cost benefit review of several tenders GCC had for implementing PV on the roof of the Oxtalls Tennis Centre. The Council Specialist had delivered a clear and transparent process and wanted a third party review and recommendation for the outcome, so that the Members could clearly see the Carbon and Financial Benefits to the Council of this investment that they were making themselves.

Llynfi Biomass Power Station Public Exhibition

sustainabledirection — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:39:58 +0000

Sustainable Direction Ltd managed the successful Public Exhibition for the Llynfi Biomass Power Station:

As seen on BBC News Wales! Please see the link here.

Morgan Credit Energy Wales Ltd invited all interested members of the public to a public exhibition detailing plans for the redevelopment of the former Llynfi Power Station site. Morgan Credit Energy is seeking planning approval from Bridgend County Borough Council to build and operate a biomass-fuelled power station on the site.

The former Llynfi Power Station site, located to the north of Coytrahen, adjacent to the River Llynfi. It started operating in the 1940’s and finally ceased operation in the late 1970s. Since then the site has deteriorated and now resembles an abandoned brownfield site primed for improvement.

The proposals would return the site to its former use using the latest clean technologies. The facility will generate 25 megawatts of renewable electricity – enough to supply 53,000 homes or almost all the houses in Bridgend – using a combination of wood sourced from managed forests and clean waste wood. The biomass power station will reduce Wales’ dependence on non-renewable energy sources and increase the proportion of the UK’s electricity generated from green technologies: a priority for the Welsh Assembly and central Government. The project will also involve the construction of a new roundabout junction at the entrance to the site on the A4063, and reinstatement of former railway sidings.

During the planning application process, a team of experts undertook an Environmental Impact Assessment. The assessment considered the potential impact of the development on a range of environmental issues including flooding, local air quality, noise, visual impact, traffic and ecology. These issues have been assessed in great detail to deliver a project that has a minimal impact on the local environment and contributes to a greener, more sustainable community. A full copy of the Environmental Statement describing the Environmental Impact Assessment and a non-technical summary can be downloaded from the Bridgend County Borough Council website - please see here for the link.

Hosted at the Coytrahen Philip Squire Community Centre, the public exhibition will provide the opportunity to find out more about this exciting and sustainable scheme through talking directly to the people behind the project.

The exhibition was open on Saturday 25 June 10am until 3pm and Friday the 1st July 12pm to 7pm.

By getting involved, and about 60 people came along, the public contributed to shaping Bridgend’s sustainable future.

Finding funds moves Otter Brewery in a sustainable direction

sustainabledirection — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:33:09 +0000

It is possible for businesses to save money, increase profits and reduce environmental impact by making your business sustainable and environmentally sound – a founding belief of SDL and one that SDL demonstrates doesn’t have to cost the earth.

Recently SDL provided services to Otter Brewery, one of the South West’s leading craft breweries and was able to arrange Manufacturing Advisory Services (MAS) funding and Improve Your Resource Efficiency (IYRE) funding for the project.

Wherever appropriate SDL will bring savings directly to you by working with MAS and IYRE. MAS is a government funded initiative whereby funding can be put toward the consulting costs. IYRE is a European Regional Development Funded programme aimed at small to medium sized enterprises and the funding can be used in a number of areas. This year IYRE want to give away £1.5 million in Generic Vouchers. The Generic Voucher system allows ‘open’ vouchers through which extra funds can be gained if necessary and SDL has experience in this area.

SDL were contracted by Otter Brewery to update data on Effluent Flows and Quality and advise on best future practise. With SDL Otter Brewery was able to improve their systems sustainably and by working proactively with expansion in mind forged good relations with the Environment Agency.

John Henry Looney, Managing Director, said,

“Sustainable Direction is committed to finding sustainable solutions for 21st century business that directly benefit the business and our environment in ways you can see. By staying at the cutting edge of our industry we see the solutions for tomorrow now.”

SDL combines professional experience across the environmental and sustainability disciplines to offer quality, unbiased solutions that can revolutionise your business and improve the environment we live in.

Sustainable Bottoms Up!

Looking to move in a Sustainable Direction? Call John Henry, Becki or Emma today on 01452 382218

Francis Construction – ISO14001 and ISO9001

sustainabledirection — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 06:40:16 +0000

SDL works regularly with SME Construction Companies, on their own and as part of the Larger Company’s Supply Chains. Francis Construction, who we met via SECBE, asked for support to get them to a linked ISO14001 and 9001 EMS and QMS system that worked easily and practically. Francis has engaged particularly and is seeing the benefits of a system that works for them. In some areas of the UK SDL has arranged grant funding towards this type of programme.

Westons Cider – Client Engineer

sustainabledirection — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:35:10 +0000

Westons asked SDL to help them oversee the implementation of the recommended effluent improvements, including front-end pre-treatment, to reduce solids and equalise the effluent; and the final treatment prior to discharge to meet a difficult Environmental Permit from the EA, using MBR. SDL is providing technical and commercial support to the Operations Director on practical and best practice.

Alderney – Marine Turbines and Pumped Tidal Storage – EIA

sustainabledirection — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:17:50 +0000

SDL was appointed by Alderney Renewable Energy (ARE) to provide EIA, Permitting and related support for the initial c3MW Marine Turbine and Pumped Tidal Storage Facility on the Channel Island of Alderney. SDL provided initial support at a Public Consultation in February on the Island, met with the Alderney Commission for Renewable Energy (CRE) and the States of Alderney, as well many other stakeholders and in March provided the draft and then final Scoping Report for ARE to submit to the regulators, consultees and the public. This has lead to very good and helpful feedback that has been incorporated into the scope for the project, and included the helpful comments from the third party reviewer on behalf of ACRE. SDL is working closely with the Alderney Wildlife Trust Enterprises (AWTE) who are carrying out all of the ecological surveys for the work, marine and terrestrial.

MAS – SW – Plastics Manufacturer

sustainabledirection — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 15:13:30 +0000

MAS – SW appointed SDL to review the energy efficiency of a SME Plastic Manufacturer in Devon. SDL identified potential opportunities to do this and recommended the installation of new gas meters per oven first. MAS SW provided funding support for the work and Business Link provided IYRE grant towards the meter installation. Data gathering is proceeding before the next stage.

Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) SE – Medical Equipment Company

sustainabledirection — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:59:05 +0000

MAS – SE had asked SDL to help a medical equipment company in Crawley to assess its opportunities to improve energy efficiency and to meet their needs with renewables; SDL completed this work reviewing a full range of potential reductions as well as all practical renewables. The recommendation was for c200kWp of PV which would meet about 25% of the operational electricity requirements. This was supported by a MAS – SE grant.

Gosport Borough Council – PV Contract Support

sustainabledirection — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 14:48:21 +0000

Gosport Borough Council (GBC) requested support from SDL, following on from the Hampshire Partnership work, to help them with contractor selection for the implementation of PV onto Local Authority owned housing. SDL provided technical, financial and contractual review and support, including calculation of the full financial benefits to all parties based on the work SDL does with Renewable Energy Funding LLP. This work continued into a second phase of support on selection.