15 Jun, 2012 By Mary
Green Technology Powers Iconic Historic Inn

Three Evance R9000 5kW wind turbines and a substantial battery backup system have been installed at the 500-year-old Kirkstone Pass Inn in the Lake District National Park by microgeneration experts Evance. The Inn is believed to be linked to an ancient 15th Century monastery, records for this building date back to 1496AD.

The Kirkstone Pass Inn. Photo by David Hall.

The Inn being off-Grid was in its ancient past candle lit with open fires. It had relied in modern times entirely on expensive  diesel generators for all electrical power resulting in diesel bills last year totalling some £25,000. With the Evance small wind turbines the owner can now take advantage of the Inn’s remote location at the picturesque summit of the Cumbrian Kirkstone Pass and harness the power of the wind.

Looking back to the Kirkstone Pass Inn. Photo by David Hall.

Owner John Jennings said “We simply had to look at alternative power sources or face inevitable closure. Although we are in a remote location, we wanted a solution appropriate for use within a National Park and one that would let us generate electricity in a more environmentally-friendly way. Using the energy generated by Evance’s turbines we are committed to cutting our diesel bills by at least 75%. I’ve been pleasantly surprised that the majority of visitors haven’t even noticed the turbines until they have been pointed out! New green technology powering an iconic historic inn is proving to be an interesting talking point at the bar.

Three Evance R9000 5kW windturbines installed at Kirkstone Pass Inn

Diesel generators produce a lot of carbon waste, as well as being noisy, so generating power using the turbines will dramatically reduce the use of diesel. The turbines alone will reduce the Inns’ CO2 emissions by over 22 tonnes per  year supporting a low-carbon Lake District.

Kevin Parslow, CEO of Evance Wind Turbines said “We’re delighted that the Inn, like so many other remote rural businesses and homes chose the R9000 small wind turbines to deliver a clear financial and environmental improvement on their existing energy generating systems. It’s good to know that this historic inn will be there for visitors in the years to come.”

The Kirkstone Pass Inn for the first time in it’s 500+ year  history has Power Without Pollution!

Note: Eco Evolution are resellers and installers of the Evance 5kW R9000 windturbine in Ireland.

12 Jun, 2012 By Mary
Global Wind Day 2012!
Global wind day

Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June. It is a day for discovering wind, its power and the possibilities it holds to change our world.

It is also a day for discovery of the work that has already begun by pioneers around the world. In more than 75 countries around the world, wind farms are in operation, generating energy from a clean and renewable source.

Thousands of individuals are involved in the production of energy from the wind, but for many people, wind energy is a mystery. Global Wind Day is the day when you can visit wind farms, meet experts, attend events and find out everything you want to know about wind energy.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA ) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC ) coordinate the Global Wind Day through a network of partners. The day started as a European one in 2007 and went Global in 2009. On 15 June, thousands of public events are organised all over the world.

Carnsore windfarm

How it all began:

The Wind Day was first held in 2007, as the European Wind Day organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). The main idea was to connect a network of partners as well as using centralised communication tools, press releases and distribution of gadgets and coordinate of event organised by national wind energy associations and companies active in the wind energy field. The Wind Day in 2007 reached 18 countries, with a participation of around 35,000 people. By 2008, the event’s reach extended to 20 European countries and attracted 100,000 people.

In 2009, EWEA joined forces with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and extended the reach from European associations and companies to coordinate Wind Day events across the globe. That year, the 300 events in 35 countries across the globe reached up to 1,000,000 people.

In 2010 and 2011, between 220 and 230 events took place in around 30 countries. Since 2009, Global Wind Day has reached more than 1,000,000 people plus the thousands of people engaging and supporting the event through online means such as social media.

Windfarm near Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford.

Global Wind Day sends the message across the world that wind energy is a key solution to the looming energy crisis – our over dependency on imported and finite fossil fuels – and the climate change crisis, and that it is already working. It helps people realise that wind energy is a popular and mainstream power technology.

Check out the Events map to find out about events near you.

Events organised around Ireland – Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA)

6 Jun, 2012 By Mary
Mills & Millers of Ireland Summer Event ~ Antrim 23 & 24 June 2012.

The Society for the Preservation of Ancient and Traditional Irish Mills

The Society of Mills and Millers of Ireland was launched in 2001 to encourage and assist in the preservation and appreciation of mills as part of our industrial, architectural and landscape heritage. There are hundreds of mills and mill sites spread across the country and while many are beautifully refurbished or put to good use, there are also many others which could be restored or renovated while preserving their traditional context. The society aims to promote interest and awareness in this aspect of Ireland’s industrial heritage by building up knowledge and expertise in areas such as law, architecture, renewable energy and manufacturing and making information available through publications, lectures and events.

This years Summer event in the lovely countryside of County Antrim will include a visit to the mill at Newmills, a visit to Shane’s Castle Hydro scheme, Riverdale Mill and the ruins of a paper mill at Randalstown. Details of events below.

Meeting place

The Barn, 30 Burnside Road, Dunadry, Co Antrim BT41 2HZ (Bert & Evleen). Directions can be found here.

 

Shane’s Castle Archimedes Screw Installation

Day 1 Saturday 23 June

10.30am Registration – Tea / Coffee & Scones
11.00am Programme for today – Bert Kennedy
11.30am Visit to Mill at Newmills – owned by Barbara & Des – short talk by Des on the history of Mill and their story so far.

01.00pm Lunch at Clotworthy House in Antrim Castle Gardens including short Tour, talk on local history and visit to the gardens.

02.30pm Visit to Shanes Castle, Randalstown – short talk by Shane O’Neill (son of Lord O’Neill, on Archimedes Screw installation (supplied by MMOI Members – Frank / Mary Gethings – Eco Evolution)
03.30pm Travel 20 minutes to Riverdale Mill

04.30pm Visit to Riverdale Mill, Aghalee (covered Wheel) – tour and short talk by owner David Gilbert, on his story so far…..

Tea / Coffee & Scones
05.30pm Return to Hotel – Dunsilly Hotel

07.30pm Dinner – All (not included in Fee)

Clotworthy House in Antrim Castle Gardens

We have negotiated discount at the Dunsilly Hotel as follows: Single Room, Bed & Breakfast – £59.00 (normal price £79.00) / Twin Room, Bed & Breakfast – £69.00 (normal price £89.00). Please mention MMOI / speak to Laura.

Dunsilly Hotel, 20 Dunsilly Road, Antrim, BT41 2JH. Tel: 0044 (0) 28 9446 2929 Email: info@dunsillyhotel.com

Please do not hesitate to contact me on 07789082089, or email me – evelyn.kennedy@gmail.com, if you require any assistance, or further information.

Historical Paper Mill Randallstown

Day 2 Sunday 24 June 2012

11.00am Clotworthy House – Tea / Coffee & Scones (€5p/p)
12.30am Visit to ruins of an historical Paper Mill at Randalstown, (originally 3 waterwheels) – owned by Lee and Naomi – currently in the process of installing an Archimedes Screw – short talk on their story so far…

02.00pm End of Event

Should anyone require lunch, we have 3 hotels within 5 mins from the Barn – Templeton / Dunadry / Hilton – all serve Carvery (alternatives also available) between 12.00-2.00pm.

Fee for Saturday €25.00 / £23 Lunch & morning & afternoon refreshments. Please make your own overnight arrangements and let us know if you plan to stay for Sunday morning.

Download Booking Form Here

Old waterwheel before refurbishment