Fifty foot turbine idea for top of Carlisle Civic Centre
Last updated at 12:27, Tuesday, 21 October 2008
A wind turbine up to 50ft high could be built on the roof of Carlisle Civic Centre to help the city council go green.
Officials have set an ambitious target of cutting the council’s carbon emissions by a quarter by 2012-13.
One idea is to put wind turbines on council buildings to generate electricity. Another proposal would decrease the voltage of street lamps, although it is claimed this would make no difference to lighting levels.
A voltage-reduction trial is underway at the Swifts car park.
Councillor Ray Bloxham, portfolio holder for environment and infrastructure, said: “There is a suggestion that we look at a wind turbine on the Civic Centre.
“It wouldn’t be the sort of turbine people think of in terms of wind farms. It would be smaller similar to the turbine at the Wave Centre, Maryport.”
The turbine would be between 30ft and 50ft high and generate enough electricity to power one floor of the civic.
It would increase the height of the 135ft-high building by a third.
Mr Bloxham said wind turbines would not be appropriate for buildings in sensitive locations, such as Tullie House Museum.
But he hoped the council could consider alternative technologies such as solar panels.
The council’s executive yesterday considered a £165,000 package of energy-efficiency measures.
Once implemented, they should bring savings of £29,536 a year. Ideas include:
- Decreasing the voltage on street lamps – Carlisle has rejected the option pursued by some councils that have switched lights;
- Installing automatic controls that switch off or dim lighting when rooms are not being used;
- Using thermal imaging cameras to identify heat loss;
- Replacing inefficient boilers and installing boiler controls to reduce energy consumption;
- Using warm air from the civic centre’s ventilation system to heat incoming air;
- Installing reflective shutters or screens to reduce heat in computer and telephone rooms, which can overheat;
- Training staff to be more energy efficient.
First published at 11:47, Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Is there room for any more kit up there? What about the workforce who are at risk when on the Civic Centre rooftops?
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"Once implemented, they should bring savings of £29,536 a year"...
Judging on previous 'estimates' this will more likely be £10,000?Anyway, Pirelli had a problem with the fussy lot that had something to do with Carlisle airport saying it would be danagerous for aircraft? So why should this be any different? (A load of nonsence anyway, have you seen the size of sky-scrapers in major world countries that have airports in?!)
Posted by Lisa on 30 October 2008 at 18:42