Between 2024/25 Scene undertook a Community Energy Fund (CEF; Phase 1) feasibility study on behalf of Morecambe Bay Community Renewables (MORE) to investigate options for a low carbon communal heat solution at three residential and two communal community properties at Yealand Conyers, Lancashire. All properties were owned by the local Quaker meeting - Yealand Quaker Meeting.
A low carbon heating solution was desired to reduce site energy demand and cost and thereby reduce greenhouse emissions. Opportunities for small-scale rooftop and ground solar generation were also appraised. Improvements to heating infrastructure would have the added benefit of also conserving building fabric – a key requirement due to the historic value and condition of the properties. Heating solutions were modelled by geothermal specialists TownRock Energy (TRE), who produced several centralised and distributed ground-source and air-source heat pump recommendations.
Due to the low heat energy demand at the site, and relative expense of installing communal heating infrastructure – a communal heat network is not financially viable. Instead, a building-specific low carbon heat solution (air-source heat pumps) alongside a ground-mounted solar array - was recommended. This arrangement provides an electrical supply for the two communal properties (Yealand Old School and the Quaker Meeting House) and provides a decarbonised heat supply for Yealand Old School. Excess energy generated by the solar array can be sold to the grid – for additional income generation.