Douglas Borough Council has won Most Innovative Project in the public sector category of the 2016 Energy Awards.

The Council was recognised for its scheme to replace the oil heating system for the greenhouses at Ballaughton Nursery with one using an air source heat pump.

 One of the greenhouses at Ballaughton nursery

The new system provides a sustainable and renewable energy form, supplemented by oil heating for extreme low temperatures.

Environmental Services Committee Chairman Councillor Ritchie McNicholl said: ‘This award is testament to our officers’ expertise in providing an exacting design brief and their careful oversight of the project.

‘The air source heat pump is estimated to provide a saving of approximately £8,834 a year on heating bills and, over the 20-year lifespan of the system, projected savings in the region of £200,000.’

Paul Satow, ccommercial sales at Global Energy Systems Limited, manufacturer of the air source heat pump, said: 'Global Energy Systems would like to congratulate Douglas Borough Council on their award of “most innovative project award in the public sector”. Global Energy were delighted that Douglas Borough Council selected their air source heat pump (ASHP) as their preferred equipment.

'Global Energy have designed and manufactured their range of ASHPs specifically for the UK climate with a number of unique features which differentiate our products. Manufactured in Lancashire the range consists of both domestic and commercial ASHPs which can be used for new build or retrofit.  Features of our ASHPs include a remote monitoring facility to ensure that our heat pumps are monitored 24/7, built for 25 years reliability and technology that enables high performance air source heat pumps.

'This installation demonstrates the importance of using technology that not only reduces fossil fuel use but also impacts on carbon emissions. With near zero carbon emissions on site Douglas Borough Council are reducing their carbon emissions.'

Council Leader Councillor David Christian MBE JP said: ‘Receiving this award underlines our commitment to innovation, reducing our carbon footprint and making long-term savings in energy consumption and costs, as set out in the Corporate Plan.

‘Reducing environmental impact presents exciting opportunities which the Council has been swift to seize as part of its strategy to challenge traditional technologies and achieve savings that will ultimately benefit the ratepayer.

‘By way of further example the Council’s floral displays around the town are created from bedding plants grown at Ballaughton Nursery in peat-free compost which is 100 per cent recycled green waste produced on site. This is a 100 per cent sustainable process, with around 600 loads of green waste producing some 80 tons of compost a year.

‘In addition, from February 2017, rain water will be harvested and stored at the nursery in underground storage tanks that can collect enough rain - around 200,000 litres a year - to water the displays and the nursery’s production of some 185,000 plants.

‘I congratulate everyone involved in bringing the air source heat pump project to such a successful conclusion and am pleased that once again the Council has been publicly recognised as a pioneering local authority.’