York energy centre to be unveiled (From York Press)

York energy centre to be unveiled

11:18am Friday 9th March 2012 in Eco info By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk

Nigel Ingram

A NEW energy centre which will power hundreds of homes in York was being unveiled today – and youngsters in the city are being invited to name it.

The Energy Centre at the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust’s 540-home Derwenthorpe model village scheme, near Osbaldwick, will provide heating and hot water through burning biomass fuel. But it will also act as a meeting place for residents, businesses, schools and local groups.

The trust has now launched a competition offering schools in York the chance to give the centre a name.

Nigel Ingram, the trust’s director of development and asset management, said: “The centre will be at the very heart of the Derwenthorpe community and will be a fantastic facility, powering more than 500 homes but also providing a central meeting point with modern facilities for local people to come together.

“It’s vital local people are involved as the development makes progress, and that’s why we are giving pupils the chance to make it their own through this competition. We hope pupils can create a name which reflects both the communal space and energy the centre will provide. This is a fun competition, but the outcome will ensure the creativity of young people has a legacy on our flagship development.”

The ribbon on the centre’s biomass boiler will be cut by Homes and Communities Agency chief executive Pat Ritchie.

Hot water and heat at Derwenthorpe will be provided by the low-pollution burning of wood chip, which will be stored underground to fire the boiler plant. Owen Daggett, sustainability manager for the trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “We are committed to developing zero-carbon homes at Derwenthorpe and the energy centre will be a major feature in achieving this.”

Infant and junior schools in the Derwenthorpe area can enter the competition by phoning marketing and events officer Anne Richardson on 01904 615957 or email Anne.Richardson@jrf.org.uk.

The development will have 135 homes to rent and 81 in part-ownership, as well as affordable properties.