This is a summary of actions and activities we have taken to reduce carbon emissions in Bedford Borough and to encourage others to live more sustainably.
Boatside hydro power facility
The Boatside hydro power facility, which opened in 2012, utilises the power of the river to drive the equipment to generate electricity. This is what it has generated so far, from 1 April 2014 to 1 September 2017
- Total kWh generated - 447,280.2
- Total kWh exported - 430,303
- Total income from the feed in tariff - £107,756.13
Read more about hydro power facility (PDF) and the use of the Archimedean screw turbine (PDF)
RE:FIT conservation project
The RE:FIT programme is the largest energy conservation project ever to be undertaken by the Council, and signals a new approach to save energy and money in order to protect services and reduce the Council’s carbon footprint. Utilising the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) RE:FIT framework, we partnered with MITIE, an Energy Service Company responsible for designing and installing energy conservation measures.
A number of different energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies have already been installed within the Council’s estate. Works have been completed at:
- Allhallows multi story car park (PDF) solar PV project
- Allhallows multi story car park (PDF) lighting upgrade
- Borough Hall (PDF) solar PV project
- Borough Hall (PDF) oil to gas conversion
- Kempston Centre (PDF) solar PV project
- Jubilation Centre (PDF) solar PV project
- Bedford Central Library (PDF) solar PV project
- Robinson Pool (PDF) loft insulation
- Robinson Pool (PDF) heating and cooling component insulation
Climate Change Fund projects
The Mayor's Climate Change Fund, launched in 2010, was a grant funded scheme which provided 50% match-funding of between £5k and £20k for community group projects that contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions across Bedford Borough.
In total the fund supported 40 projects which collectively saved 380 tCO2 pa and £52,500 pa. The fund will also help generate an income of approximately £550,000 (over a 25 year period) as a result of helping some of the sites install Solar PV panels. Case studies can be seen below.
- The Place Theatre - ASHP (PDF)
- Pavenham - loft insulation and PV (PDF)
- Brickhill Schools - solar PV panels (PDF)
- Biddenham - low energy lighting (PDF)
Priory Country Park renewable project
The following measures were installed at the Priory Country Park Visitor Centre to reduce the centre's energy and water consumption, carbon emissions and utility bills. It was also used to raise awareness and understanding of the eco-technologies installed
Energy efficiency Improvements
- Low energy lighting (PDF)
- Triple glazed windows and doors (PDF)
- Loft insulation (PDF)
- Cavity wall insulation (PDF)
- Natural daylight system (PDF) to provide natural daylight to increase the lighting level and reduce electricity consumption from lighting
Renewable energy system:
- Solar Photovoltaic System (PV) to generate electricity
Water conserving technology:
- Rainwater harvesting system (PDF) to flush the public toilets
- The water cycle (PDF)
The project has brought together a range of energy and water saving measures in one building, which can be easily accessed by visitors, who are able to see the technology in action.
Interpretation boards are displayed in the Visitor Centre, to explain to the Borough’s residents, communities and businesses how the systems that have been installed work and to help them to consider the technology for their own homes and buildings.
