E-Si Blog

PRobox (H)

2012-02-21T06:40:00.000-08:00

We are currently developing plant rooms in a box to specifically work in conjunction with Air Source Heat Pumps, the plantroom in a box will make the installation easier, cheaper and better. Eradicating PTFE and using new deaeration techniques.

PRobox (H) prototype is under pressure test in our workshop ready to be shipped out.

E-Si's latest Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump install.

2012-02-15T01:43:00.001-08:00

Heat Pumps final position.

The Plantroom Setup

The final controls setup.

And the final plantroom setup, all lagged.

Oil boiler out, Heat Pump in, good move and another happy customer.

Happy New Year from everyone at E-Si & we've moved!

2012-01-05T09:12:00.000-08:00

What a great year 2011 was and here's to killing off more gas, electric and oil boilers in 2012! Building on the sucess of last year, we have moved to bigger and better premises with a full showroom and training room displaying all the latest in renewable technology on the way and opening soon. We have moved to: Dyson House Southside The Bridge St Sampsons Guernsey GY2 4QJ

Le Clos Bourel Energy Project in Sark

2011-08-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

Clos Bourel is a small holding with 2 flats, a house, library and several out buildings that together consume a lot of energy.

The property is slowly but surely becoming less and less reliant on external energy by implementing renewables installed by E-Si. This video will show you the work E-Si have done on the site and the benefits of the implementation of Renewables.

The Eddy GT Wind Turbine at the Vale Earth Fair music festival.

2011-08-30T06:56:00.000-07:00

E-Si have recently installed the Eddy GT wind turbine at the Vale Castle for this years Vale Earth Fair music festival which is happening this weekend.

The turbine will be up for a few weeks producing electricity which is fed into the grid to offset the music festivals carbon footprint.

Craig and Dave attend Solyndra training course in London.

2011-06-13T02:31:00.000-07:00

3kw Solyndra Solar PV array which the team installed and wired in 24 mins.

Craig and Dave recently travelled to London to attend a training course held by Solyndra to learn how to install their PV arrays. They were joined by engineers from South Africa, Kuwait, America, Germany and India aswell as the UK.

Solyndra designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, comprised of panels and mounts, for the commercial rooftop market. Solyndra’s technology is a proven and scalable solar solution that offers strong ROI and economics for the rooftop owner. The company has installed its systems on more than 1000 rooftops in more than 20 countries.

In 2010 Solyndra was named “One of the 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World” by MIT’s Technology Review Magazine. Using innovative cylindrical modules and thin film CIGS technology, Solyndra systems are designed to provide the lowest levelized cost of electricity and the highest kilowatt hour production per rooftop for typical installations. The unique Solyndra form factor is designed specifically for the commercial rooftop, offering the fastest and easiest installation, a non-penetrating mounting system, and superior wind, snow and soiling performance. In addition Solyndra offers energy and conservation advantages when installed in conjunction with a white or “cool” roof.

Founded in 2005, today the company manufactures its products entirely in the United States in a state-of-the-art 300,000 square foot front-end manufacturing factory and a 500,000 square foot back-end facility. The manufacturing facility has helped Solyndra drive costs down dramatically allowing the company to offer highly competitive “all in” installed cost on the rooftop. In 2011 Solyndra will double it’s production capacity, ramping toward 300MW. The company employs approximately 1050 employees around the world and has offices in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and France. Revenues were approximately $140 million in 2010.

http://www.solyndra.com/

Clos Bourel Energy Project, Sark. 08June11 visit.

2011-06-09T03:04:00.000-07:00

AIR turbines outputting 200 watts each into batteries.

We have seen the turbines peak at 300 watts today.

Dave Thomas Tech man E-Si setting up the Sunny Island.

Heat Recovery Ventilation from Brink Climate Systems arrives!

2011-06-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

E-Si going even greener! REE's Richard Fionn & Liam go over the plans for the just delivered WHRV system supplied by brink.

Visit Brink Climate Systems

1kW UGE ‘Eddy’ Wind Turbines have arrived!!

2011-06-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

Wind Turbines from Urban green energy arriving on the back of a truck.

They are extremely heavy so had to be lifted off by crane.

The 1kW UGE ‘Eddy’ turbines have finally arrived from Urban Green Energy! A customer of ours is investing in them and taking the risk, if they work out we will go into partnership and promote them. We are UK agents at present
Visit Urban Green Energy based in the US.
http://www.urbangreenenergy.com/

Completion of HYBRID Heating for Swimming Pool.

2011-05-25T01:41:00.000-07:00

Paul "in the trenches" studying the new innovative high temperature pipework design by E-Si

We designed a way of getting hi-temp solar heat from 100m away to a pool house for hot water and central heating in a one-piece pipe, comprising of stainless steel, 22mm thick insulation, in a water-proof and vermin-proof duct. This is the connecting chamber for the 2 x flows and 2 x returns, each pipe a diameter of 25mm, before it goes into the pool house.

We had to strip down the modulating pump as water had through the factory seal into the electronics and it was tripping out the elecs. Dave, tech geek, put it back together after drying it out with a hairdryer and all is now fine.

We discovered the pump has got more brain cells than its installers and more computing power than first man's spaceship on the moon!

Paul lays his hand on the pipe, which we had waited for weeks - in the end we sent Craig to France to collect it ourselves.

400 metres of 90mm duct.

The Duct with pipe stuffed in it, snakes under the first greenhouse on its way to the second - the 'solar collection' greenhouse.

It was Jamie's job to connect two lengths (50+10m) here to extend to where the kit sat.

To the ASHP/Solar heating hybrid source.

Pauls Blog: Heat Pump / Solar Energy Solutions

2011-05-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

I did some heat calcs for a new home/extension in Jersey today. The results and solutions will be of interest to many.

The Design Heat Loss @ -1C outside and 21C inside = 12.7kW. Allow for Hot Water at the same time, add 3kW = 15.7kW

Allow for Secondary Hot Water circulation at the same time, add 2kW = 17.7kW. There are several heating alternatives, depending on requirements. 1. Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) boreholes. 2. GSHP slinkies. 3. GSHP ground panels. 4. Air Source Heat Pump(s).The IVT GSHP comes with ‘direct electric’ backup built into the machine in case of high loss in cold weather or failure of the heat pump and requirement for extra hot water. The Mitsubishi ASHP are ‘modulating’ as standard, which give flexibility in design and come in 5, 8.5 and 14kW variations. The IVT heat pumps come in outputs 9, 11, 13, 17kW and are ‘on-off’ types, so rely on the direct electric immersion for design flexibility.

Completion of 1kW Pv installation at Le Clos Bourel, Sark.

2011-05-06T03:12:00.000-07:00

The newly completed 1kW installation, there will be a concrete plinth poured later under the panels around the blocks. This method enable our 'Away Team' to achieve a quick install, allowing the local maintenance team to complete the building works later.

Fionn and Connor, 'Renewable Energy Engineers', make final electrical connections having completed the mechanics, showing how important it is to be multi-disciplinary.

Fionn and Connor complete the mechanical installation of the BP Solar grid tie installation in Clos Bourel, Sark. This is a unique install, see next photos and Situation Reports.

The Grid Tie Inverter produced 420W at 5.15pm as last wire was attached, with some shadow from a nearby apple tree. In full sun the output will be around 900 to 1000 watts.

The latest newsletter from Sark Electricity. Very positive, but very interesting the tone that really oil is becoming a big issue. Why does the e in their logo look like ours?!!!

The digital thermostat showing the Air Source Heat Pump heated hot water temperature of 54C.

Air Source Heat Pump 4th May 2011. I remember changing this over in the cold windy winter on my own!!! (Paul Fletcher, author).

Over time the terminal on this battery corroded. Today I repaired it by cutting away the lead around the screw threaded stub and reconnected it.

The battery room of Clos Bourel, 24 x 2V BP Solar battery cells, making 48V DC, feeding a 230V AC output Trace Inverter.

The Trace inverter output from the batteries peaked at 17A under observation. The assistance from the Trace ('grid-tied') SMA Sunny Boy greatly assisted the battery powered inverter under great load, and maintained good stability.

The normal 'base load' of Clos Bourel, 2A at 230V AC, demonstrating a constant input of at least 460W of Renewables are required to power the property in the summer. All other Renewables and the batteries are required to overcome the peaks (17A at 230V AC = 3.9kW). The main Trace Inverter is rated 4.5kW. This does not include the ASHP which at max will consume 3.5kW (we have tested batteries and 4.5kW inverter under load and its good). And at min will be 1kW input, intermittent. The next stage is to introduce a 1kW wind turbine to deal with the ASHP load specifically.

The beautiful and awe inspiring walk from the top of Sark down the hill to the Harbour.

CEO of E-Si and the Captain of the Sark boat (see in bridge) leaves the harbour.

Fionn the thoughtful on his way through the paradise of the channel islands. After a good days work in Sark back to Guernsey.

Approaching St Peter Port.

Luminaire, Torteval.

2011-05-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Photos from the final works at 'Luminaire' in Torteval, Guernsey. The system will be commissioned tomorrow!

Liam completing hydronics at Luminaire, Torteval, commissioning tomorrow.

Fionn putting finishing touches to electrics over the top of Ground Source Heat Pump.

The Ghost in the Machine - the Niko Home Automation system box.

"The neatest Niko lighting control box I've ever seen" says E-Si CEO.

Daniel's magnificent house. A feat of modern, energy efficient, ecological architecture and mechanical and electrical installation. Heating and power went on today, client moves in tomorrow night! Hurrah!!!

Luminaire will be added to the Projects page at e-si.com very soon for more.

Jacks Blog: Le Clos Bourel and Sark away day.

2011-05-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

I recently visited E-Si's R&D site, the Clos Bourel Energy Project in Sark to help build an alluminium frame for some Solar Photovoltaics. Although it's not out of the norm to find me occasionaly on site, I am mostly always at the E-Si offices, so it was exciting as well as educational and interesting for me to take to the tools and best of all visit a small beautiful island as a bonus!

The jobs in hand for the day were constructing the frame for the Pv's and erect two wind turbines.

The team arrive on Sark and await the tractor coach to pick us up.

Renewable Energy Engineer Dave preparing the 1st Wind Turbine.

REE Fionn sorting cables for connection of turbine.

And the first one is up.

Fionn preparing the second.

Paul begins work on the frame.

Myself bolting the frame to the temporary concrete blocks. The eventual plan is to have a concrete plinth poured later under the panels around the blocks.

Solar panels by BP

The team discussing the next stage.

Panels already previosly installed on site by E-Si.

Back home to a much larger island.

Very enjoyable day and quite "Sark burnt" at the end of it. Works to complete installation of turbines and panels are still required, expect some more bloggage on this soon.

Jack

HYBRID Solar Heating and Air Source Heat Pump for Swimming Pool, UFH and Hot Water.

2011-04-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

Commencement of a HYBRID Solar Heating for Swimming Pool, UFH and Hot Water with ASHP

Our client dug the trenches for us, pool plant in background.

Paul helping Jamie insulate the pipes. We were not happy with the solution provided to us by a supplier so we devised an innovative new solar piping run for long distances.

Basically we were provided some great pipe by hydraquip, but felt somewhat ripped off by their DIY insulation attempt which was supposed to be beyond building regs! Not. Okay for inside an insulated space in the home, but not for a bare attic or underground as suggested by the web info an pic. We are double insulating and wrapping the highly insulated pipe in a 90mm one-piece plastic duct from plant room to solar plant.

The solar thermal panels come from Sundwel in Sunderland, designed and built by my old friend Keith. We have not done a lot of these but have been supplying and installing this model for over 6 years. I have identical ones on my roof at home. The frame was built out of old greenhouse timbers disguising its age and function!

We had to create a 100m run of solar/heat pump pipe, across an underneath greenhouse land. This is a major engineering job!

We like these valves with MI and FI ends, 1", able to directly fit solar 1"

couplings to go to stainless steel pipe. This type of pipe will withstand high temperatures should there be a failure of the system.

Plant room under construction by Paul Fletcher (author).

Evening sets in. Time to go home.

Certain bits of equipment such as the duct from France had not been delivered by Easter - the deadline for heated water - so we piped up over land temporarily.

Solar energy, snaking its way through the grass, like a subversive oil line.

Fionn, Renewable Energy Engineer, suffering in the high heat of Thursday 21st April, half way through the day and just a few hours to the switch on deadline.

Completed, Dave, Tech Manager and Fionn, commission the system electrically.

Hurrah said the resident peacocks.

More Stunning Technology from E-Si

New innovation with New techniques utilising Stainless Steel pipe, flexi connectors, interconnecting service valves, deaerators, and TF1s. Also includes our first 'Control Room in a Box' with indicators so customers and engineers can see what is going on. This will lead to 'Plant Rooms in a Box'.

This is the first of our new solar thermal innovations with modulating heat pump.

Eradicates the need for inefficient heat or 'thermal' stores. Locally, flying in the face of conventional wisdom where many people have installed Ecostores in Guernsey homes.

Our poor experiences with thermal stores such as 'heatstor' 'ecostor', 'Powertanks' and our own thermal buffers have led us to obviate the buffer - in the case. In some cases they are still required in cases where there is a lack of heat energy at peak use time. However careful design can 'design out' the requirement.

Project Bramble Cottage, Guernsey's second Ground Source Heat Pump.

2011-04-27T02:28:00.000-07:00

Commencement of a new project combined with an old project the second Ground Source Heat Pump in Guernsey being moved to make way for an extention.

August 2006, the ground works start.

The panels arrive ready to be installed in the trenches.

September 2006, the panels go in.

Ground works complete.

After 5 years happy operation the heat pump which was temporarily housed in an outdoor closet is being drained down for installation in its final resting place. We are all waiting for the water to drain!!! A lovely hot Guernsey sunny day April 23rd 2011.

Project Bramble Cottage: Guernsey April 23rd 2011. The old extension is being demolished, the new about to be built. We are still waiting for the water to drain out of the 160L hot water 'shell tank'! The 7 Kilowatt output Mitsubishi compressor and the IVT steel hot water tank was Heavy and needed

4 people to carry the unit. Once reinstalled it will run happily for another

15 long years.

Draining an IVT type C Heat Pump

As we had to move HP from shed to inside we had to drain all water out of the internal HW cyl to make the HP 200kg lighter!

Roof slates generate green power for future house

2011-04-21T03:21:00.000-07:00

Click on image for bigger view

Proposed Solar PV's for Royal Bank of Canada.

2011-04-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

We are currently acting as consultants for Royal Bank of Canada with a view to installing somewhere between 2kW and 5kW of solar photovoltaics. We are looking at ‘Solyndra’ solar PVs, a new solar innovation (cylindrical modules) or ‘BP Solar’ PVs (standard flat panel modules). BP are the largest solar company in the world, and whichever wins the contract we will be very happy to be associated with them.

Click to view larger

Good news, E-Si are now the Channel Islands agent for Solyndra!

2011-04-08T01:47:00.000-07:00

Clean and Economical Solar Power from Your Large Rooftop

Solyndra’s solar power solutions offer strong return on investment and make great business sense. Their cylindrical technology was designed for the rooftop and offers the benefit of light weight, low cost and the fastest, easiest installation of any solar technology. In more than 1000 installations around the world our customers are converting underutilized rooftop space into clean energy from the sun.

http://www.solyndra.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Solyndra-Inc/133384956689208

http://twitter.com/SolyndraCorp

http://www.youtube.com/user/solyndracorp

Guernsey’s first Solar Century solar slate array.

2011-03-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

We are two thirds way through Guernsey’s first Solar Century solar slate array. The largest slate array installed in Guernsey so far (none in Jersey! So the largest in the Channel Islands). Each slate panel is rated 52 watts, with 54 slates in total that’s a 2808W peak. We will be plugging into the grid next week and generating electricity whilst the rest of the build continues, offsetting energy cost of build throughout the rest of the works.

C21 solar slates manufactured and supplied by Solarcentury.

Each ‘unit’, or slate has an output of 47 watts each, and each system has 1 x ‘Inverter’ that ALL units plug into to make ONE system.In this case we have a maximum spread constrained by the installation method across all the useable South West roof areas.The aim is to integrate into the building structure the system such that it is normally NOT noticeable, and becomes PART of the building itself, not an external feature.

Chief Renewable Energy Engineer Craig installing solar slates.

One Day, all roofs will be like this and there will be no requirement for a planning application.It will be natural and encouraged by government. It will likely be law to install.

The finished product.

Guernsey Electricity pays the homeowner a ‘Feed in Tariff’ or FiTof a value equal to the cost of GE’s generating or purchasing electricity.

This is approx 6p a unit at this date, and varies monthly.

Why are solar photovoltaics important to both the local and global economy?

•4 Times less energy than conventional electric systems is used by heat pumps.

•This makes it possible for solar photovoltaics on homes to displace electricity used for heating.

•Meanwhile, energy costs will rise, whatever we do, oil more-so, contributing to higher running costs for society and continued recession.

•We have to all invest ‘above the bottom line’ in Renewables to reduce the cost of energy to society to enable a robust economy.

http://www.solarcentury.co.uk/
http://twitter.com/solarcentury
http://www.e-si.com
http://twitter.com/E_Si_projects

The latest hybrid Air Source Heat Pump install by E-Si.

2011-03-17T02:45:00.000-07:00

Renewable Energy Engineer Jamie, was responsible for leading the team and handling customer liaison. The system comprises of Mitsubishi Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump; integrated with back up oil boiler (customer says however "I never want to burn another drop of oil after this"); Central heating rads; Geminox 300 litre hot water tank; Geminox 300L solar preheat tank; Swimming pool and hot water can be heated by solar, ASHP or oil boiler; all controlled by Dataterm intelligent heating controllers, looking after ASHP or Oil Boiler needs; solar HW tank has a unique thermo control which says:

solar heat tank to high temp; solar heat tank to med temp'; solar heat HW tank not at all and heat all my pool.

The latest most sophisticated hybrid ASHP install achieved yet by E-Si.

Every time we install there's an evolution, a forward step into new ways of connecting stuff.

Glimpse the cleverly disguised solar system dwelling behind the lamp post, sitting between pitched roofs. A few days ago the solar water heated went to a nice 50C (end of February).

E-Si Projects: Installation of Hybrid Renewable Heating system at Malorey House

2011-03-11T06:54:00.000-08:00

Malorey House (before the works) - one of the most energy efficient homes in Jersey

This interesting project was the first of its kind for E-Si because we're using many of our common techniques in this situation, the instalation of rads, underfloor heating, air handling unit, buffer tank and intelligent heating controls. Although we have used all of these in many situations before it was our first opportunity to engineer the intergration of all of the systems together. The lovely Malorey House property is part renovation part new build and now one of the most energy efficient homes in Jersey.

The air handler in the state we found it.

Our structured hot/cold water distribution system.

Heat pumps on the wall but not yet connected.

The un-finished plant room.

The original electrics in the plant room.

The finished product.

Plant room all commisioned and lagged with a refurbished air handler.

Underfloor heating and radiator manifolds.

More of the finished plant room.

The finished electrical controls.

'The triple bottom line'

2011-03-10T03:12:00.000-08:00

We work at the cutting edge of mainstream business and the most important issue to address we feel is the economy. This needs to be sustainable and to be sustainable it needs to be powered by renewable energy. The result of getting ‘off oil’, not using it and converting the economy from ‘un-sustainable’ to ‘sustainable’ would automatically mean a cleaner ‘bio-sphere’ (i.e. the part of environment we live in), and a happier society. This is what is known as the ‘triple bottom line’, meaning the three aspects of the same one thing: sustainability.

Renewable sources of energy.

2011-03-10T02:14:00.000-08:00

You can only offset fossil fuels by solar heating (and energy efficiency of course) and cannot power your oil or gas boiler with renewable sources of energy. The issue with solar heating is when you want to be warm in the winter, at night, there's no sun. Heat pumps collect solar energy from the earth, air and water and electricity is only used for the conversion process – this is available all year round, day and night, whatever the temperature.

Paul Commisioning 3 x 17kW ground source heat pumps last week, attached to house, swimming pool and hot water

1kW Wind Turbines

2011-03-10T01:47:00.000-08:00

E-Si Ltd one of UGE's newest distributors.

A planning application is required in the normal way, there are no exemptions for wind turbines as solar. In Jersey there are exemptions but very narrow almost not worth having.

We have two 1kW UGE ‘Eddy’ turbines on their way from US for research and experiment to gauge their quality. A customer of ours is investing in them and taking the risk, if they work out we will go into partnership and promote them. We are UK agents at present, but UK-wise MCS approval is about a year away, but that does not affect us here.

Link to site: http://www.urbangreenenergy.com/ they are working very hard to be global leaders in ‘urban’ turbines, the truth will be in functionality, ease of install and robustness. We will know the answer shortly.

Innovative design approaches with heat pumps......

2011-03-10T01:39:00.000-08:00

Innovative design approaches with heat pumps can lead very high performance if one wishes (always dependant on how much cash one wishes to part with of course!). For example, now, in 2011 it's possible to heat a large house by air, ground or water source heat pumps and realise a 10 minute reheat time for 200 litres of 60°C hot water, meaning virtually 'combi' or continuous and ‘instant’ hot water supply for a very low running cost. This performance is possible at operational outdoor temperatures of down to -20°C. Smaller properties may utilise low output heat pumps with large hot water tanks for longer heat up times and high storage, whilst performance is not what one would class high, performance is very ample.

Simple to use Intelligent Heating Controls can ensure higher comfort levels with heat pumps than with conventional heat sources. These heating systems are 400% efficient using approx 4 times less energy than conventional heating systems. This means they can easily be offset by on-site solar electric cells. If one uses electric boilers the investment in solar or even tidal technology would be four times greater. So for on-site generation, rather than £10k to £25k for 1kW to 3kW of PVs you would be looking at £40k to £100k to offset the same power output of an electric boiler with gas or oil.

Electric Boiler & Thermal Store Concerns

2011-03-08T03:21:00.000-08:00

Heat pumps attached to wall with Ecotube solar heating above

Mitsubishi Ecodan Heat Pump by E-Si

Heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels provide sure paths to robust economic sustainability and reduction of long term running costs for all. Electric boilers whilst preferable to oil, gas or coal heating should only be used as minor backup or as an interim measure towards implementing heat pumps as main heat source. Careful design and robust implementation tied with the right product ensures successful performance for any home or business.

Why You Should Buy a Mitsubishi Electric Air Source Heat Pump

2011-02-28T08:57:00.000-08:00

E-Si as a heating solutions provider install Air Source, Ground Source and Water Source Heat Pumps. Here is some reasons why you should invest in a Mitsubishi Eco-dan! Air source heat pumps offer some great advantages over gas and oil heating systems.

Here are 10 reasons why you should consider buying the Mitsubishi Electric as a replacement or alternative to fossil fuel boilers.

1) Save Money on your Fuel Bills

When compared with mains gas the Mitsubishi Electric will save you up to 40% on your gas bills (when heating your home with the same amount of thermal energy)

2) Reduce your carbon emissions from your home’s heating by up to 50%

We’re all conscious of having to reduce our CO2 emissions and by installing a Mitsubishi Electric air source heat pump you will reduce your home’s heating emissions by up to 50%.

3) Leader in its Field

The Mitsubishi Electric inverter driven technology matches the heat demands required of it efficiently and economically.

4) Low Noise Levels

Stand next to Ecodan and be amazed at the very low levels of noise it creates, in this sense it really is a world leader.

5) Easy Installation

The installation is just as easy as a standard oil or gas boiler and you do not need expensive gas safe registered or refrigeration engineers.

6) Low capital cost of Installation

Payback of the small extra capital cost of the heat pump over fossil fuel boiler is relatively short giving significant savings on running costs.

7) Three different models to choose from

There are three different sizes of Ecodans meaning a solution is available from small flats to large 4-5 bed houses and beyond.

8) Low Maintenance and 3 year warranty

Low annual maintenance is another star feature of Mitsubishi Electric air source heat pump, being little more than a visual check of the external unit. Mitsubishi Electric also offer a 3 year warranty to give you peace of mind.

9) Renewable Heat incentive and MCS

Ice Energy and each heat pump model is accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) which will allow you to claim the Government’s proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

10) Award Winning Design

The Mitsubushi Electric recently won the Environment Energy Product/Service category of The Environment and Energy Awards. The judges praised the product saying it was “A neat unit that could prove acceptable to the environmentally-savvy domestic user who want to do their bit to cut carbon emissions.”

lifted from our Supplier Ice Energy site: http://www.iceenergyecodan.co.uk/why-you-should-buy-an-ecodan/

Pauls Blog: The Isle of Sark running on Renewables?

2011-02-11T06:40:00.000-08:00

Views from the beautiful Island of Sark where our R&D is based @ Clos Bourel. Could this Island be entirely run on Renewable Energy?

I am in Sark at the moment and I’ve been working at our R&D site here and attending a Renewable Energy Talk. Everyone was very excited and excitable. However lots of talk but no real understanding.

I think the time is right to hit Sark with a grand proposal.

The Sark Electricity Company owner is basically saying oil is going up and will continue to do so and there is an urgency to move to Renewables. However there are a lot of misconceptions and misunderstanding. He has been using the University of Southampton to research a number of proposals he has which includes a tidal watermill. They have looked at PVs and wind but have been largely dismissive.

The way I see it Sark needs to:

Install a Sunny Island / Battery system.

Utilise their existing diesels sets as backup to the battery/island.

Encourage other ‘islands’ around the island at strategic points.

This would enable micro-scale grid connect by others

Change SEL policy to allow buy back (crucial). Electricity is about 40p a unit and islanders would love to be paid just something....however trials so far with Sunny Boys have not been very successful. I need to bring my laptop and measuring equipment over next time and have a serious go at monitoring the mains. So a duel issue: a) reliability of existing mains supply b) changing the way it all operates to allow others to add to the grid with PV and wind.

Up to that point that’s a good start. However Sark waters has some of the best tidal currents in the world, so it can’t be ruled out of the renewable energy mix. I have noted in the past the claim that the Proven wind turbines can be used as water turbines in rivers. It would follow through that they could be used as tidal turbines. My belief is that several small scale turbines would be very cost-effective, using tried and tested technology which could be serviced by local service industries: there are experienced fisherman and divers used to working in deep waters and extreme weather conditions. 10 x 6kW Proven machines could generate 60kW peak. Combined with PVs, Micro-wind, batteries and Sunny Islands this would be hugely beneficial.

Because Sark has steep high cliffs the island is also suitable for pumped storage systems.

There are streams and so we cannot rule out ‘mill ponds’ and Pelton wheels.

If Sark gradually moved to low carbon, lower cost electricity and get off oil there would be a move to do three things: a) electrify the heating systems (using heat pumps) b) use more electricity (it always happens), for appliances and comfort needs c) electrify the transport system.

Heat pumps are interesting. We have huge experience in this area and whilst Air Source is the likely choice, Water source form sea water is also a good choice. There is plenty scope for traditional ground source (particularly boreholes into granite), but also there is plenty of water available under the island for water source via boreholes, but most people are close to the sea!

Mitsubishi Air Source Heat Pump which could be the likely choice to electrify the heating systems and move away from fossil fuels.

I think that’s about it. That covers my thoughts about Sark in a penultimate plan that has spanned 12 years of experience of working in the island.

Meanwhile we have the aim to complete the Clos Bourel Energy Project in Sark to a fairly conclusive milestone which has taken years of work to get to. Essentially it has been our base for R&D where it has all gone full circle, having started from Clos Bourel, worked out to current clientele and working back into Clos Bourel.

Plant & Boiler room at the E-Si R&D site at Clos Bourel, Sark.

Eco-Builds

2011-02-11T05:23:00.000-08:00

Eco-Homes and Eco-Developments

We are looking for partners to finance some eco-projects or an existing developer to co-develop truly advanced and real eco-houses (unlike some of those that purport to be so), from 50% Carbon Zero to 100% Carbon Zero to 120% Carbon Zero - what we call Carbon Zero+ Homes (homes that produce more energy than they use).

We want to partner in creating one-off homes, groups of 3 and up to 9 homes. We are not interested in low cost bottom end of market. We want to build high quality, technologically advanced, ecologically sound homes at differing levels of the market above low cost. The eco-builds could be new-build, conversions, renovations or apartments. They can appear on the outside and inside as normal as any other building or we can accentuate the eco-credentials by visual design.

We want our homes to be simple, aesthetic, easy to build or convert, high quality, with low running costs and easy to run, setting an example to builders, developers and architects on the island of Guernsey, Jersey, UK or France - and of course make a good profit.

We have an experienced team of expert Renewable Energy Engineers with core skills consisting of hydronics, electrical engineering, carpentry, and project management supported by our technical services department able to handle initial designs, the build itself, installations and post-build service and maintenance. We have access to architects and conveyancers who would work as members of the team internal to our organisation, keeping as much of the burdensome work within our directly managed framework. All of our staff are trained in eco-builds under our E-Si Academy umbrella.

We believe we can achieve a build only slightly more expensive than conventional builds, simply because our experience and understanding makes it possible to get every detail right first time, with everything integrated into the build from first design.

jack.fletcher@e-si.com

E-Si Innovative Heating Upgrade

2011-01-26T05:17:00.000-08:00

Paul working on the spanners in run up to Christmas.

E-Si innovative rad upgrade using tectites and unipipe for best flexibility in jointing and fast installation reducing risk for water leakage and fire issue for home and installer.

Unipipe up through floor, jointed to tectites under. Using Unipipe insert connectors to rads similar to UFH methodology.

The connection underfloor, minimising issues.

As its standard white Unipipe you don't even have to paint the pipe.

In this case we were able to extend the copper directly into unipipe and create rock solid unipipe joints underfloor in seconds, then tee into the rads using Unipipe inserts. Robust, fast, simple.

The conversion from copper to Unipipe in one easy joint.

Renewable Engineer Richard and Trainee REE Seb discussing the finer points of the plant room with CEO Paul Fletcher.

Jamie and Fionn finalising the controls.

A finished radiator = comfort from Renewables.

Setting up timings with trainee REE watching and learning.

Pauls Blog: Henley Heat pump reinstall.

2010-12-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

Because of the rainy weather I had an opportunity to fabricate necessary pipe work and valves in Mr Henley's new workshop! I was the proud first person to use the work bench.

As we have been upping the quality of our installs and I intended to change the Fernox Boiler buddies for Fernox TF1 dirt separator I had the opportunity to change the pipework and valves and simpifly the install original plumbers installation - which I was never happy with.

We will be using lever valves from now on. Easier to operate, less sore muscles trying to turn butterfly ball valves. Not Pegler - the Crane valves are a beauty to install, use and look at. Higher quality higher price but well worth it. They are also 'Climate Change Ready' - they will withstand operation under the sea!!!

Because of the ease of fabricating in a workshop one of our aims is to fabricate hydronic systems in a workshop and take it to site once tested and link one-piece Unipipe runs at the site into our completed hydronics, saving mess, increasing quality and reducing the amount of 'standard' plumbing required. Was that 'sub-standard standard plumbing'??? Or is it all like that.

Pauls Blog: Resolving lightning strikes and airlocks in the Isle of Sark

2010-12-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

I was called out to Sark to resolve a life threatening emergency, no heating. During the week 18 inches of snow had fallen on Sark and lightning storms hit Clos Bourel, an energy project that has been running for 13 years and E-Si's offical R+D centre (renewables Research and Development). At the same time as 2 out of 3 controllers being taken out an airlock had developed leaving the two flats and main house without heating. First available boat I was able to get on was 8am Wed, with no hope of a day return to weather. I stayed on until Friday as the only other boat back was thurs at 11am. All resolved. Next job, hot water and battery upgrades.

Filled system, dearators whizzed out the air like a dream, switched on controls, more air out dearators, switched heat pump heat came through, switched parallel oil boiler all coming through, all circuits operating perfectly every flow massively hot, no air locks. Wonderful.

The excellent Spirovent dearator! We have and Mitsibushi ASHP and Worcester Bosch condensing oil boiler in parallel the oil boiler for backup in extreme cold weather only each with a Spirovent dearator.

The 28mm version of the Spirovent on the ASHP.

Paul commissioning the ASHP.

The scaffold ready for wind turbine erection.

Sarks main form of transport.

Further air eradication techniques. Watch the bubbles! Flush system with fresh water.

Simple but effective, look for bubbles and dirty water turning clear.

Bypass valve pushes water to heating system and back to purge outlet.

Leaving Sark harbour.

The magnificent Sark cliffs from the boat.

Leaving Sark with Jersey several miles in the background.

Arriving back at St Peter Port.

Radiator Upgrade

2010-11-30T08:33:00.000-08:00

This is a typical issue with old central heating systems, badly fitted connection under floor gradually leaking for many years. This leads to air in the system and to early boiler and radiator failure.

Paul connecting the hydronic supply to a new radiator at Millvues St Martins, Guernsey. We have just insulated loft and eaves spaces to increase comfort and efficiency now adding higher output and larger rads to increase comfort further. In turn this will make the condensing boiler we fitted 5 years ago work more efficiently.

Upgrading the oil condensing boiler connections to enable easy annual flushing and E-Si's bespoke easy fill, drain and air eradication system

Finished result

The new rad goes on

Heating and efficiency upgrade solution par excellence!

The filling loop exiting Air!

Pauls Blog - Les Hubits Farm Survey

2010-11-19T07:59:00.000-08:00

Paul Fletcher visited Les Hubits Farm today and studied the energy and farming cycles of the farm with a view to implementing a renewable energy strategy. The first concept ideas are to cool the milk and heat the hot water required for the parlour cleaning process. Any further heat generated from a Water Source Heat Pump by incoming water from borehole would be diverted to heat the home’s hot water on 24hr standby.

On examination of the slurry pit it was thought we could use the slurry pit to obtain heat for the water source heat pump. We would divert between the borehole and the slurry pit depending upon heat source available and channel the slurry heat into the nearby home.

Cows and Slurry Collection

The Slurry Pit

Food Store

Heffers

Milk Cooler

Milk Transfer Container

What's the pay back? Seminar at the OGH.

2010-11-15T03:05:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all those who attended our Exhibition, Seminar and Tutorial held last Thursday. It was a great success and excellent turn out! A video of the whole event will be up in the next week for those who missed it or if you want to see the interesting discussions again. There will be videos of each of the panel giving there own view on what the payback is.

photo by Richard Lord

What you think the Payback is........

2010-11-02T03:42:00.000-07:00

Following our distribution of our What's the payback? postcards. We have received some more interesting answers to the question. Here are some more answers we have received..........

The recipient needs to fill in the three answers and send it back FREEPOST to the address pre-printed on the postcard. We will compile and scan every entry card and post it on the “What’s the Payback?” Facebook page. A collective world vision is required to take human society beyond its present situation. In one sense we’ve never had it better! However we could quickly go the route of other failed societies in the past.

The campaign will culminate in an evening seminar’s at the OGH, Guernsey with key note speaker Andrew Hillier, CEO of Ice Energy, the largest distributor of heat pumps in the UK. Doors will open at 4pm to the public where there will be an opportunity to view the latest renewable energy equipments from ground source heat pumps to solar photovoltaics and talk directly to UK technical staff as well as our Renewable Energy Engineers. Each speaker will be putting their personal spin on what they think the ‘payback’ for Renewables is. We will be filming the event and uploading the resultant informative film to You Tube.

Please turn up from 4pm onwards for the Exhibition and if you would like to book a place on the seminar please either email: payback@e-si.com or phone E-Si offices on 01481 200388.

Guernsey’s first water source heat pump!

2010-10-26T04:20:00.000-07:00

We switched on Guernsey’s first water source heat pump. This system, powered by QuaarQ technology, developed and installed by E-Si heated radiators and hot water by circulating water through a ground source heat pump heat exchanger in what we call LTB’s (Low Temperature water Buffers), into the HTB (High Temperature Buffer), and then into the home. This is a bespoke design and now operational can be duplicated in many other homes not just in Guernsey, but across the world. Yet again we have installed advanced tech with the help of Ice Energy, our staff and most importantly our customers.

Looking for bubbles in Glycol

Gaggle of vans

Finishing Touches

Paul examines LTB's

HP Room

First Mitsubishi modulating ground source heat pump installation in Guernsey

2010-10-25T01:33:00.000-07:00

First Mitsubishi modulating ground source heat pump installation in Guernsey and second in Channel Islands, Paul Fletcher CEO E-Si Ltd, is completing the plant room install. Modulating heat pumps ensure flexibility in design and higher efficiency than other types of heat pumps. This is also a first for our partners Ice Energy in UK.

Paul Fletcher CEO working on hydronics

10 x 33m slinkies, one metre deep in the back garden of a home in St Andrew’s Guernsey.

System to be commissioned in two weeks time, the main controller, a Dataterm intelligent heating control will match the high efficiency of the Mitsubishi GSHP, making it the most efficient ground source heat pump package available in the world.

What’s the Payback? Postcard replys.

2010-10-21T03:05:00.000-07:00

We have sent out 3000 postcards, if you receive one, fill in the three answers to what you believe the 'Payback' to be and either scan and send us the postcard, or post it to us.

Following our distribution of our What's the payback? postcards. We have received some interesting, thoughtful and mixed answers to the question. We will be posting the replys we've received here on our blog.
Here are some of the answers we've received..........

If you've received a postcard fill it and send it off and if you haven't you can download one off our website by visiting http://www.e-si.com/payback.html

Competition Rules

Competition Closes 8pm 11th November.

Valid name, tel. no and email address.
You can enter as many times as you like.
Your entries will be posted on our 'What's the payback?' Facebook, Twitter, Website and Blog.
All contact details will be hidden from the public.
Winners living in Channel Islands other than Guernsey will be offered £50 towards their travel expenses to Guernsey.
Winners outside of the Channel Islands will be offered £100 towards their travel expenses to Guernsey.
The trip to Sark remains free of charge.
A winner living in Sark will get the tour of Clos Bourel, but a trip to Guernsey instead plus free lunch for two and a tour of our installations in Guernsey!
No immediate spouses, family members or partners of employees or employees can enter.
In the case where we have more than one set of correct answers, we will pull the winner out of a hat.
If there is a case where no-one gets all three questions, but say 2 out 3 correct, that will be the winner. If there is more than one set of answers in this respect, we will also pick the winner from a hat.

All final rulings by competition judge Paul Fletcher, CEO, E-Si Limited.

Energy from Nuclear Fusion?

2010-10-14T01:27:00.000-07:00

La Société Guernesiaise are holding a lecture om Energy from Nuclear fusion........

Astronomy Section

Public Lecture

Energy from Nuclear Fusion?

Dr David Falla, Department of Physics, Aberystwyth University

Monday 25^th October 2010

8.00 pm at the Frossard Centre, Candie Gardens

It is generally believed that nuclear fusion occurs in the central region of the Sun, and is the primary source of the Sun’s light and heat radiation.

What progress has been made so far in thermonuclear research; and what are the prospects of building a nuclear fusion reactor that would provide a plentiful and controllable supply of energy for the future?

Dr David Falla is one of the founding members of La Societe Guernesiaise Astronomy Section. Dr Falla obtained his PhD at the University of Bristol and then held research posts at Manchester and London (Queen Mary College). He has now retired from a lectureship at the University of Wales (Aberystwyth), where he is currently an honorary lecturer in the Institute of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

For further information, please contact Colin Spicer on 721997