Sometimes I just stop and go “wow”
The start of last week found me down in the South-West doing what I think is the best part of my job = being nosey at some stunning properies. The Renewable Energy Investment (REI) programme is picking up pace, and accompanied by David (Environmental Advisor) we spent two days meeting property staff, discussing various options and lining up more detailed feasibility studies.
Between now and end of December we will be building full options analysis, costed delivery figures and beginning to “plan the plan”. As you can imagine no small task when the environment you are working in is so special and decisions are based on appropriateness and ensuring that whatever we decide makes best use of our own resources in order that the properties are not faced with ever increasing energy costs which impedes our core conservation work.
Knightshayes Court
At Buckland Abbey (lead picture) feasibility work will balance the conservation heat requirements with appropriate technology and location of heating plant to ensure that we can continue to look after this stunning property well into the future.
Similarly at Knightshayes Court we will look to integrate the needs of the mansion with the wider estates woodland conservation management work in order to continue to harvest from our own estate well into the future.
David and I also met with Adam at Coleton Fishacre. Lots has already been happening here – with photovoltaics integrated into the catering and welcome buildings. The next phase is to scope out an alternative to the oil fired mansion system as well as the property offices and potentially the holiday accomodation.
Lots of scoping and feasibility, followed no doubt by a few days of headscratching and coffee in order that we not only go forward with the best technological solutions available, but also ones that are appropriate to these special places and appropriate also for the property staff who after all will be operating them once installed.
Will keep you posted as things progress over the coming months.
