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The
energy systems at Earth Balance are a showcase in
the area of sustainability.
Visitors
are welcome to stroll through the site and observe
the various examples of Renewable Energy on the
several walks around the site.
All
of the buildings are rented by the Charity to a
range of businesses and organisations. The buildings
themselves are a practical demonstration of sustainable
development. The building on the west side of the
courtyard was built using a prefabricated 'modular
log' system, manufactured in Finland especially
for Earth Balance 2000, using timber from accredited
forests managed in a sustainable way.
The
building directly opposite was designed to be self
ventilating, with very high insulation standards
to reduce energy use. It was made out of as large
a proportion of recycled and natural materials as
possible, for example recycled plastic chains were
used to take water from the gutters!
Willow
Biomass is a term used to describe the growing,
coppicing and burning of willow to produce energy
through the use of a gasifyer. At Earth Balance
2000 there are 30 acres of various willow species
which is coppiced - cut at the base of the withie,
every one to three years. The total amount of carbon
dioxide produced by burning the willow is the equivalent
to the amount of CO2 absorbed by growing trees ie
CO2 Neutral.
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A
Fedge at Earth Balance
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The
wood harvested from the willow is also used for
basket making, living fence (fedge) construction
and hurdles often seen for sale in your local garden
centre.
A
Water Turbine is driven by water from a lake
on site which then flows back into the river Sleekburn
which forms the southern boundary of the site.
Sculptures
by Gilbert Ward can be found around the site and
represent the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth,
reflecting the rhythm of the seasons.
Since
the planting and 'laying' of over 4 kilometres of
Hedges, (Hawthorne, Blackthorne, Hazel, Dog
Rose and Holly), and the organic management of the
land there has been a marked increase in wildlife,
such as birds and insects.
The systems on site include:
- A 60kw wind turbine "Windharvester"
- A 30kw Bio diesel generator
- An array of solar and photovoltaic panels
- A thermal storage facility
- A small "stand alone" proven wind
turbine to charge batteries for low electrical
demand.
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