Greenhouse upgrade

April 2022: Analysis of future trends & options for re-purposing large scale greenhouses.

Net Zero Design in Suffolk

Dec 2022: CFG engaged to help plan Paragraph 80 projects in Suffolk.

Energy and Innovation

Ongoing : Inter-seasonal storage solutions for Paragraph 80 and 134 projects.

Net Zero Housing Project

Nov 2023: Systems integration for carbon net zero.

Energy and Ecology Innovation

Nov 2023: CFG joins multi-disciplinary team designing a P84 dwelling & equestrian area.

New Zero-Carbon Service Station

July 2023: CFG collaborating on Zero-Carbon design of Stannington Services, A1

Sustainable Energy Solutions

June 2023: CFG is proud to work on Neven Sidor’s RIBA award winning ‘Ponds Rough’

New Team Member

May 2023: We're excited to welcome Prue to the team to manage business operations

R&D Grant Received

Dec 2022: CFG awarded LoCase grant to develop decarbonisation platform

Smart Microgrid Audit

Dec 2022: CFG delivers asset audit for BRE smart microgrid project with Power Transition

Energy & Ecology Innovation

Dec 2022: CFG engaged to help plan Paragraph 80 projects in Northamptonshire and Suffolk

"PVT and PV on a world class academic facility"

The project, Warwick University's new science building has used a combination of Building Integrated Photovoltaics and PowerTherm PVT in order to meet its BREEAM targets.

The building was built to house a world class microscopy facility and will provide accommodation for the Warwick Centre for Analytical Science which is a national and international hub for research and training in the analytical sciences. This further enhances Warwick's international research reputation and has played its part in helping the University double its research student numbers and place the University of Warwick among the World's top 50 research institutions.

BAM designed and construct the 4,795 square metre structure. The firm's achievements, using renewable energy technology and systems integration design outsourced through Carbon Free Group members.

Richard Dakin, BAM's Director in the Midlands, said: "Both the University of Warwick and this research project for it are prestigious, so it is clearly excellent news for BAM. It shows how well regarded we are in the Midlands and in the education sector. These will be genuinely world class facilities."

Colin Lawrence, the project manager said: "One interesting aspect of the project will is the need for anti-vibration foundations because of the sensitive nature of the equipment in use at the laboratory. No piling work will be undertaken, because there is a bedrock foundation."

The architects for the project were BMJ; appointed as structural engineers are Arup and Couch Perry Wilkes act as M&E consultants and specialist series through Carbon Free Group.

Carbon Free Group members provided the design and supplied of the integrated renewables to the site, which was challenging given that the site is supported by a gas fired Combined Heat and Power plant, so the 6.9kW PowerTherm panels are simply offsetting as much gas as they can. The building integrated PV façade adds an additional 3kW to the building bringing the total peak electrical output to 10kW.

The project is another excellent demonstration of how integrated renewables can be used to maximise CO2 offset particularly when space for alternative solar technologies is an issue.

Technology Deployed

  • 6.9kW PowerTherm PVT
  • 3kW Romag BIPV
  • 3 x Steca 2010+ Master and Slave Inverters (+ various micro inverters matched to the BIPV)
  • 3000lt Solar Enabled Buffer Cylinder
  • 1 x Emergency heat dump fan coil unit
  • Resol MX Controller

The building was delivered by Baylis