Renewable Energy Centre, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire

Beaufort Court is the first commercial zero emissions building in the world.

Commissioned by Renewable Energy Systems to provide new accommodation for their head office, the site also houses a visitors centre where people of all levels of interest can learn about the project and in particular the various elements of its comprehensive/showcase energy strategy.

Originally built to house an Ovaltine egg farm, the 1920s buildings were renovated and extended to provide 2,700 m² of office space within the restrictions imposed by the local planning authority to protect the site’s historical character.

Energy generation

The scheme includes a specially developed hybrid photovoltaic and solar thermal (PVT) array and a seasonal ground heat store, both of which are the first of their kind.

Other elements of the energy strategy include a deep coil installation to heat incoming air with low grade hot water from the heat store and a biomass boiler which will be fuelled by a Miscanthus crop cultivated on the surrounding land. The surplus energy produced by the 225kw wind turbine is fed into the National Grid, generating energy annually equivalent to the needs of more than 30 homes.

Cooling

Borehole water provides cooling for the office spaces and irrigates the miscanthus crop.

With the assistance of a DTI grant, Studio E Architects will be working with RES over the next two years monitoring, analyzing and broadcasting the performance findings of the building and its energy systems.

Energy consumption

• 115 MWh electrical
• 85 MWh space heating (anticipated)