Design concepts for a new energy centre have been unveiled by Solihull Council.
The Energy Centre will be part of a planned network which will generate and deliver low carbon heat and power to town centre buildings. Using a range of renewable and low carbon energy solutions, including air source heat pumps and gas combined heat and power, the centre will be able to provide heat and power to nearby customers, including council owned buildings, education campuses and commercial offices.
This scheme forms part of a wider strategic approach the local authority is developing to decarbonise the borough over the next twenty years. Residents are being asked to comment on the proposed designs ahead of a formal planning application being submitted in late February.
The designs on show have been developed by the council’s in house architectural design team, Building Design Studio in consultation with Sustainable Energy Limited, who have been appointed as technical advisors on the project.
Cllr Andy Mickiewicz, portfolio holder for climate change, planning & housing said: “In Solihull 57% of our greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy we use in our buildings. The Energy Centre will provide a unique opportunity to distribute low carbon and affordable heating across Solihull town centre, reducing building energy emissions while providing customers with a highly efficient and affordable heat supply.
“As a Council we have committed ourselves to playing our part in tackling the climate change emergency. Through our ambitious Net Zero Action Plan we are developing a strategic approach to the challenge of decarbonising the borough over the next twenty years. Innovative schemes like this will have a significant role to play in helping us to achieve our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2041.
“As well as considering renewable energy schemes we are also looking at how we can support the transition to electric vehicles, the role we can play in offsetting (such as tree planting) and the development of new skills required as a result of new technologies and innovation.”
- image from Solihull Council
