Our Directors’ trip to Europe saw them experience first-hand varied renewable energy systems and sustainable building practices in action. Enormous wind turbines sat astride the landscape in rural France and England, generating a significant portion of electricity needs and increasing the positive impact of renewable energy on the environment.
Robert and Jennifer visited a unique example of energy recycling, Bath Abbey. Its innovative eco-heating system, powered by England’s only natural hot springs located in Bath, mightily impressed Robert. The system recycles hot water from the Roman drains in the adjacent ancient Roman baths and circulates it under the Abbey to heat the floor of the vast structure. Renewable energy firm, IsoEnergy, finished installing the world’s first heat collection system in the Roman Drain in 2021. The work conducted involved installing ten custom-built EnergyBlade heat exchangers, collecting heat from the thermal spring water that flows through the drain from the Roman Baths, down into the river. Each day there is approximately 1.1 million litres of hot water flowing through the drain, maintaining a constant 40°C all year round. Energy extracted heats the historic Abbey as well as the adjacent row of Georgian cottages, offices, and nearby facilities.