Lincolnshire-based energy firm LowC Communities says it has developed a viable non-food rapeseed oil (break crop) power generation system that is providing low-carbon, green electricity, heating and hot water.
The company, which uses locally-grown rapeseed, has installed its power generation system at schools and offices, resulting in what it describes as extraordinarily low levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
"Pure plant oil makes the perfect alternative to fossil fuels [because] it is sustainable, it's absorbed carbon dioxide whilst growing and, perhaps most important, it's economically viable," states LowC Communities founder Richard Griffin.
"The key component … is a specially designed and manufactured renewable energy centre, incorporating a CHP [combined heat and power] system," says Griffin. "The heat created by the engine is recovered to provide hot water that can be used for heating and hot water."
Griffin makes the point that, because the fuel is accredited as renewable by Ofgem, his rapeseed oil-powered CHP systems qualify for double ROCs (renewables obligation certificates), providing additional revenue for the buildings' owners.
