As a multi-faceted 118-acre organic agricultural site,
Highfield Farm in Topsham runs not only as a fully functioning farm, but also
as an established campsite and well-known local educational facility.
So, when its owners, Ian and Lyndsay Shears, started working
towards an even more environmentally friendly agricultural establishment, there
were many elements to consider in their long-term plans.
They began their eco-systems by installing 42 PV panels throughout
the farm. Having already started to see the huge benefits associated with
creating their own electricity, when the time came to replace the old gas-fired
boiler, they were already considering the installation of a replacement,
environmentally friendly and renewable energy-sourced biomass boiler.
Mr Shears explained: “We’d been considering biomass for a
couple of years. We are Soil Association-certified and we installed solar PV
panels to create our own electricity harnessed from sunlight, which also meant
a lot of economic sense.
“When we converted some of our barns, an additional heat
requirement was created that our old gas boiler simply could not cope with
efficiently. So, we decided biomass was the way forward.”
Exeter-based renewable firm Fair Energy provided the new
biomass heating and water system, not least because, based in Exeter, they were
the most local to his farm too.
“Our conference facility accommodates up to 50 people. Rain
water from our barns supplies the loos, and the 10kW solar PV system provides
the electrical power,” Mr Shears added. “So, we felt that to be able to heat it
and the water with a renewable energy source – our own wood from the farm –
would really enhance the whole building itself, particularly in relation to our
organic, environmental status.”
The installation at Highfield Farm took place in August and
the 90kW biomass boiler was installed and sized to cope with both the immediate
and future requirements. Already covering 2,000 square feet, the system will
cope with an additional 3,000 square feet when all the buildings are converted.
At first, the biomass boiler ran on wood chip pellets, but
now Mr Shears is sourcing wood chippings locally in Newton Poppleford. Next
year, Highfield’s fuel will be totally self-sufficient as he intends to use the
farm’s own coppice, which will be cut next summer in time for use in the
autumn.
He explained: “We’ve been really impressed with the biomass
installation and feel it might also eventually help us with the campsite
facilities. We’re currently installing a new shower block that will initially
run off the solar panels next year, but also have the option with the new
biomass system to consider linking the showers to the mains if necessary.
“It’s estimated that our new biomass boiler will save us a
massive £12,500 with RHI and fuel savings annually.”
Highfield Farm has already run an event about renewable
energy and, with its weekly visits from local schools, who help with all sorts
including the kitchen garden, sewing seeds, soil preparation, weeding and
harvesting, the Shears feel that if renewable energy gets included on school
curriculum’s, they are well placed to talk about and demonstrate the benefits
of biomass.
Fair Energy’s Director, Kirsten Parrick, commented:
“Highfield Farm is an extremely proactive farming site in terms of its
environmental awareness, eco-systems and renewable energy. Ian and Lyndsay
display a clear understanding of all the benefits as well as a deep-rooted
environmental conscience”.
More Topics:
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