The benefits of EcoCentroGen
Given the shortage of grid-provided power in many areas, it is clear that an efficient means of on-site power generation would be an advantage. Coupled to the government's intent to support energy efficient and environmentally friendly means of generation, turbine-based Combined Heat, Power & Cooling (CHPC) systems now come into their own. This type of facility can reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 50%. Their operating efficiency can provide significant operating cost reductions. This shows compliance with Central Government policy, the new Part L regulations and local Government policies, for example the Greater London Authority Energy Policy.

The CHPC systems are modular in arrangement loading up and down to suit on-site power, heating and cooling demands. With the base loads used to size the solution the Energy Centre can be constructed and operated flexibly to match a varying or evolving load. In critical load applications the design strategy can be based on multiple supply paths to provide highly resilient energy supply to those essential services. Clearly, the avoided capital cost of backup generation would be extremely attractive.

Financial benefits
The EcoCentroGen model is designed to make the most of the efficiencies of the plant and to capitalise on the legislation surrounding emissions reduction. One of its strongest components is the financial model which provides the capital towards the design, construction and operation together with the management of ongoing revenue streams over a long term supply contract.

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Developer benefits
Because EcoCentroGen providing financing towards the construction of the Energy Centres, there is a significant reduction in a developer's capital costs for the heating and cooling plant and data network.

Metering & billing is carried out and managed by us and therefore the developer/site owner does not have recover heat costs through service charges for example.

Because we own the plant and equipment, we are responsible for its maintenance and indeed the efficient operation of the Energy Centre, avoiding the developer and or end users site from having to pay for maintenance, whether this is a residential or commercial occupier.

Historically, boiler and air conditioning plant has been located within the site buildings. Now this is located within our Energy Centre, more lettable space will be available in the buildings, increasing net saleable area.

It is clear that the benefits the Energy Centre brings to the site will make it more marketable to potential tenants. Not only are utilities costs lower than conventional provision, but this is an environmentally friendly facility.

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End user benefits
The main benefit is a reduction in utilities costs. Not only are costs lower than conventionally provided power and heat but metering services on an "as used" basis also reduces operating costs. Occupiers also have access to “commercially rated data services" at competitive rates.

The tenants (whether they are domestic or commercial) do not have the responsibility or costs of maintaining primary boiler or air conditioning plant.

Because we will install modular CHP & CHPC equipment, we are able to provide a clean power supply and by having redundancy in the plant modules and diversity of primary fuel delivery to the Energy Centre, tenants do not have to spend capital on standby generation. This can be a considerable investment in plant which essentially remains idle until there is a grid failure.

The modular approach to plant also allows for the provision of cooling redundancy if required, which is particularly beneficial to ISP, data centre and IT intensive businesses with an essential requirement for equipment cooling.

This type of facility is environmentally responsible and can make a significant contribution to a company's environmental policy objectives.

And finally, the delivery of high speed data services to commercial and residential developments over fibre optic cables allows the site to progress at pace with the huge advancements in the data and entertainment services becoming available. Not only can businesses connect to high speed backbones and benefit from video conferencing, applications and Voice over Internet Telephony, but residential users are able to appreciate a whole range of IP based data services. From streaming video to security and home automation, web-based access to the home and all the benefits that they bring are be available.

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Environmental benefits
We have all heard about Global warming.  There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that we are experiencing a worldwide trend of rising temperature. Globally, seven out of the ten warmest years on record occurred during the 1990's with 1998 being the warmest. Other weather-related phenomena consistent with global warming, such as flooding and hurricanes, have been occurring more frequently in recent years.

EcoCentroGen utilise design strategies for embedded power generation and heat-producing facility utilising CHP which can halve the emissions associated with a grid electricity supply and on-site boilers.

Emerging technology that utilises fuel cells has the potential to reduce harmful emissions as no combustion is involved. Fuel cells have the added benefit of producing pure drinking water as a bi product.

Renewable energy sources can be used as the primary (or dual) energy source for CHP (including landfill, mine gases, biogases, sweet flare gas and digester gas (from sewage treatment). The overwhelming advantage here is that primary energy costs are nil or at least a fraction of the cost of natural gas. Sites located on or near historic landfill sites will have extremely good potential for EcoCentroGen.

A natural addition to the centralised facility would be the installation of Biomass systems so that sites could contribute waste products to provide further renewable gas supplies for the CHP plant. Clearly, this would therefore provide zero cost primary energy. Sewage treatment plants linked to CHP systems will be attractive when considered for low cost housing schemes, particularly in second and third world countries.

The potential for this kind of renewable energy facility would be significant. Indeed the Government has committed that by the year 2010 at least 10% of energy should be generated from renewables. The current figure is only 3%.

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Government benefits
The whole EcoCentroGen approach satisfies Central Government aspirations/polices towards the provision of low carbon utilities and data accessibility for society as a whole.

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Legislative response
Carbon neutral