The National Trust Green Energy Fund - bringing renewable technology to National Trust sites
The National Trust Green Energy Fund was set up in 2007 as part of National Trust Green Energy, in partnership with npower. To date, twenty of the National Trust’s historic properties have benefited from the fund, and a wide range of green measures are being installed at properties across England and Wales.
These renewable technologies include the installation of solar water heating systems and the replacement of oil powered heaters with biomass wood chip pellet boilers, which use material from trees on local Trust estates wherever possible. It is estimated that these measures will save the National Trust the equivalent of 83,000 litres of oil per year – around £58,100 and 221,942kg CO2.
Commenting on the scheme, the National Trust’s Director General Fiona Reynolds said:
"This is an exciting project for the National Trust. Thanks to npower the National Trust Green Energy Fund is helping us show that historic properties and contemporary renewable energy generation go hand in hand."
Case study: Morden Hall
Morden Hall Park, in South West London, was the first property to benefit from the National Trust Green Fund. In April 2008 ground and air source heat pumps were installed at this tranquil historic park just outside central London.
A 50 tonne crane was needed to lift boring equipment over the moat and drilling equipment was on site for five days whilst the technology was installed. The facilities at Morden Hall Park now run on renewable energy, significantly reducing the carbon component of the site’s environmental footprint. The functioning of the new system will be on display for visitors and the schoolchildren who use the nearby Snuff Mill Education Centre.
This new technology is generating hot water and heating for the onsite shop whilst being sensitive to the local environment. Within weeks of installation, the property saved hundreds of pounds worth of gas, a saving that is likely to double over the winter months.
Zoë Colbeck, Property Manager of Morden Hall Park, explained the significance of the work:
"We are delighted to be the first National Trust site to benefit from the partnership. This will complement the other energy saving devices we have onsite and will enable us to show visitors that we are determined to make a difference and reduce our carbon footprint, whilst at the same time hopefully inspire people to see what energy saving measures they could do at home."
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