Douglas Borough Council has become the first local authority to use renewable energy technology - an air source heat pump (ASHP) - to heat its greenhouses.

Councillor David Christian, fifth from right and Councillor Ritchie McNicholl, second from right with Global Energy's Paul Satow, fourth from left, Council officers and Simon Musgrowe and Allan Clague of installers Stewart Clague Services

The project to replace the oil-fired heating system at the Council’s Ballaughton Nursery with an ASHP unit also saw Douglas win Most Innovative Project in the public sector category of the 2016 Energy Awards.

‘The nursery’s oil heating system was coming to the end of its economically viable life,’ explained Environmental Services Chair Councillor Ritchie McNicholl, who first championed the ASHP proposal. ‘Investment was going to have to be made and after careful analysis it became clear an air source heat pump would not only reduce the Council’s carbon footprint, but would also lead to savings on fuel oil, estimated to be in the region of £12,000 annually from April 2017. In addition, electrical power for the pump attracts a reduced tariff from Manx Utilities, so this new system is not only environmentally responsible and cost effective but will also, in the longer-term, help to lessen the impact on the rates.’

Left to right Councillor David Christian, the park service's David Hewes and Graham Newsome and Councillor Ritchie McNicholl

The heat pump was supplied by Global Energy Systems whose commercial sales representative Paul Satow said: ‘Global Energy Systems congratulates Douglas Borough Council on winning their “most innovative project award in the public sector” by installing a Global Energy air source heat pump. This demonstrates their belief not only in the product but also in this renewable technology and Global Energy was delighted to be selected as preferred supplier by Douglas Borough Council.

‘Features of our ASHP include a remote monitoring facility to ensure that our heat pumps are monitored 24/7 and that they are built for 25 years reliability.

‘Douglas Borough Council is to be complimented on this installation that will not only reduce fossil fuel use but also carbon emissions to near zero, so the Council is not only reducing its carbon emissions but also saving money by reducing the spend on oil.’

Manx Utilities’ strategy and business development manager Dr Richard Bujko said: ‘Manx Utilities are very keen to promote low carbon heating solutions such as heat pump technologies in both the domestic and commercial sectors across the Island. The air source heat pump installed at Ballaughton Nurseries is probably the largest installation on the Island - and definitely the first horticultural application - and will make a substantial contribution to reducing the Isle of Man’s carbon emissions. It is forecast to deliver significant cost savings by removing the dependence on heating oil to keep the greenhouses and nursery plants warm during the cold winter months.’

‘A dedicated energy management system known as Energy Eye has also been installed by Manx Utilities to enable Douglas Council staff to maintain careful monitoring of the carbon/energy cost savings almost in real time.  

‘Douglas Council is clearly signalling its green credentials and making a positive environmental impact with the adoption of low carbon heating and I am hoping that there are many more heat pump installations in the offing.’   

Council Leader Councillor David Christian MBE JP said: ‘That Douglas has scored a first among local authorities with this project demonstrates the Council’s swiftness to recognise the opportunities new energy technologies present to function cleaner and smarter and to help to drive down costs. Harnessing the benefits of renewable energy is also embedded in our 2017-2021 corporate plan.

‘This project has been a successful partnership between local and central government and the private sector; it has also been about innovation, but innovation with a purpose: sustainability and affordability.’

To mark the commissioning and thermal efficiency of the new system the Parks Service planted 5,000 geranium seedlings several weeks earlier than in previous years.