Business innovation is powered by biomass

A combination of biomass and gas-fired condensing boilers supplied by Hoval meet the space-heating and hot-water requirements of the new Newark Beacon business innovation centre in Nottinghamshire. It is one of a network of business innovation centres in the region. Its 2884 m22 of accommodation across two floors comprises four light workshops and 27 office suites, as well as conference and cafe/break-out facilities. Sustainability and achieving a high BREEAM rating were key design criteria. The boiler plant comprises two BioLyt wood-pellet boilers, which will meet most of the requirement for heating and hot water. Operation, function control and fuel dosage are automated, with pellets from the 20 t storage silo feed to the boiler by an automatic pellet feeding system. Tim Miller of local contractor Miller Freeman, which installed the boilers, comment ‘The BioLyt and UltraGas boilers proved very easy to install, and we received a high level of technical support from Hoval. We worked closely with Instatherm [which supplied the boilers] and Hoval to achieve the optimum control strategy that used the carbon-neutral biomass boilers to their full potential.’ The two biomass boilers are supported by an UltraGas condensing boiler at times of peak demand. The operation of the biomass boilers is sequenced to achieve even use. The automated functions of these biomass boilers ensures that very little maintenance is required. They also have self-cleaning heating surfaces that avoid soot deposits and maintain heat-exchange efficiency. Ash is removed automatically to a container that requires emptying only once or twice per heating season. The biomass boilers and other sustainability initiatives enabled the project to qualify for funding from the then Clear Skies initiative, which is now under the umbrella of the Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

Related links:

• www.hoval.co.uk/