E-Si Blog

Le Camptrehard - 7.21 kW Solar Photovoltaic System Installed This Week

2013-02-08T07:54:00.001-08:00

This week we have installed a whopping 15kW of PVs across 3 x separate properties in the Island. One of the installations was at Le Camptrehard, a property which we have previously installed a 2kW PV system on the house roof and a Ground Source Heat Pump heating the Home and Hot Water. Once we have installed the last 3 x panels on the roof the newest system will comprise of 7.21kW. Add that to the 2kW at Le Camptrehard and it gives a grand total of 9.21kW, making it the largest in Guernsey!

This Weeks Renewable Energy Project

2013-02-08T06:14:00.000-08:00

We are currently working on a project in which we are installing 1 x 14kW Mitsubishi Air Source Heat Pump, 1 x 8.5kW Mitsubishi Air Source Heat Pump, 2 x HeatKubes, 1 x 100Ltr High Efficiency Hot Water Cylinder and 2.82kW of Solar Photovoltaics. Check out pics of the work in progress.

The Solar Photovoltaics fitted nicely on the shed roof.

The Heat Pump.

The HeatKube fit snugly in a cupboard in the centre.

And below the HeatKube, the HW Cylinder will also be hidden away!

The old boiler ready to be recycled. Boiler out, Heat Pump in!

Another 15kW of PVs installed in Guernsey this week!

2013-02-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

Our latest PV installation, panels all up and looking pretty. By the end of today we will have commissioned three PVs installs this week, so another 15kW in total on line in Guernsey this week!!

Our PV System!

2012-11-22T06:56:00.003-08:00

We have a small PV system out the front of E-SI HQ and we have the ability to monitor our PV's output at any given time. Even though it's only four panels we can generate a decent amount of electricity that makes a great difference to our power needs.

Our current reading (pictured below) shows the Panels are generating 570W which would be enough to cater for all our computers and some of our lighting. So it goes to show even the smallest size PV system will even give great benefits immediately, not to mention today is a cloudy day in Autumn!

We are also able to monitor some of our clients systems to. Below are screen grabs of 3 separate systems with total energy generated so far today, these PV systems are obviously much larger then ours and generating some decent energy!

E-Si's Latest PV Install

2012-10-04T02:24:00.000-07:00

Pictures of our latest PV install at a town house in St Peter Port, Guernsey. We installed a massive 8.8kW of a new type of modulating Solar PV. This comes with default internet connection so power output can be viewed from anywhere in the world.

The power output of the PV's can be viewed on the internet and also shows the equivalent of energy generated and CO2 offset.

Total Energy generated today!

The E-Si Team make a trip over to Sark to install 8.5kW of Solar Photovoltaics.

2012-09-10T01:11:00.006-07:00

The team on the way to Sark to install 8.5kW of Solar Photovoltaic.

It was a 5.45am start, so the boat allowed for some much needed catch up on some kip!

Bus then bicycles was our mode of transport in Sark.

The 3.8kW Array frames go in on the South Facing chicken shed.


Testing the batteries for creating second island grid at Clos Bourel. 48V config to Trace 4.5kW inverter which grid connect and export to our grid. In this case we are the Grid Managers!

3.8kW solar PV system in Sark, far chicken shed, Clos Bourel, 1 hour from being commissioned...

Jack from Sales Team joins the Installer team for PV install experience.

PV Runners all up by the 2.5Kw team. Panels on next.

Technical Assistant Sue taking a pic of the 3.8kW team. Which team will get their PV up first??!

Craig driving a Sark tractor to move the tested batteries to new battery shed location!

PV install is Go. This is Sam Trainee REE battening out for the 1.2kW array.

Hive of activity from the Sharp Thin Film team 2.5kW.

The 3.8kW panels being fitted to the runners.

3.8kW solar pic, looking good. We had a shortening window and by that time needed to be off site on boat by 6pm, so it left us an 1hr 45mns to complete.

The team had 3/4hr left before departure and 1 hour before the 2.8kW system goes live. Time was of the essence!

Heat Pumps, PV's and HeatKubes!

2012-09-05T04:29:00.001-07:00

We are having our busiest August ever, with two 8.5kW solar photovoltaic installs going on at same time (17kW Total)(that used to be 1kW a year!).

We are building 2 x HeatKubes in our workshop for immediate install, we have a further 12 more HeatKubes to build and install next few months.

We have almost completed our first Loxone home automation system, controlling a bespoke design of dehum and pool heating in Fort George. This latter install is unique in the world, being the most efficient way of heating and controlling moisture ever.

Its not been easy, on all fronts we have been innovating hard with steep learning curves. Just sourcing the right kind of sensors has been fun, pulling in from the US and France as few UK distributors have the right products.

In the photos below you can see a massive 2 x 14kW of Mitsubishi Air Source Heat Pumps connecting in through our bespoke design buffer system allowing the legacy radiator system to not interfere with the modern electronic heat pump controls. In Total we have a high performance 28kW of heat pumps to heat hot water, radiators and a small UFH circuit.

The photos of the roof below show the stainless steel slate hooks with 'Hall Clip' solar flashing to which overall across two roofs, 8.8kW of a new type of modulating solar PV will be installed. This comes with default internet connection so power output can be viewed from anywhere in the world.

Paul goes on the Noveols 1st English speaking Wind Turbine course in France

2012-07-20T03:23:00.000-07:00

E-Si CEO Paul Fletcher has just finished the Noveol wind turbine course in Poitiers, France. Paul said "Noveol is a really novel system, combining Darius and Savonius wind turbine blades enabling low start up speeds without assist."

On the course Paul found out how a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine really works and how to calculate wind power derived from swept area. On the last day of the course everyone was treated to a tour of the factory, learning all about the component parts and also seeing the assembly process which Paul says "made a lot of sense".

In conclusion Paul said "We have a wind turbine we can sell and market that we know will operate, with good service back up."

Technical Services Launch

2012-05-11T03:36:00.002-07:00

E-Si launches a new business venture today, capitalising on the experience of more then 20 years of installing, servicing and maintaining mechanical and electrical systems across the Channel Islands.

Paul Fletcher CEO of E-Si said, "We have tried a lot of innovative product and techniques over the years from Power Tanks to heat pumps, solar heating, Thermal Stores, Solar Photovoltaic's and Wind Turbines. Mostly it worked well but sometimes it did not and so we made it work!". Renewable Energy, heating and power systems is a core engineering focus for E-Si Limited who have been trading in one form or another since 1991.

E-Si found they were getting calls from new customers about heating and plumbing installations by others and that the general public needed help with 'legacy systems'. "I recognised our one-man-tech-team was running around from dawn till dusk fixing stuff and recognised there was a market opportunity". Solar panels, heat pumps and condensing boilers have now been on the market for years now and a lot of different types have been installed by a lot of different people. They need service and maintenance, and whilst the installation may have gone okay the company is coming across many operational problems and with their long, strong experience and engineering talent are able to fix stuff that others cannot or do not wish to.

The renewable energy company has recruited two additional staff to assist Dave Thomas, Technical Services Manager. The cornerstone of E-Si, fondly known as 'Tech', have diverse skills in electronics, hydronics, refrigeration and mechanical engineering with fundamental understanding and training in plumbing and heating techniques, able to service solar systems to heat pumps and troubleshoot controls down to component level if necessary. These Renewable Energy Engineers have experiences from other industries and disciplines from RAF to computer manufacturing and Electrical Engineering in Hospitals!

Dave Thomas, Tech Manager says "I am really looking forward to the technical challenges ahead. Myself and the team really enjoy getting involved in issues no-one else can fix and making the customer happy!".

Latest Web Kube install by E-Si.

2012-04-17T08:50:00.001-07:00

The latest Web Kube installed and operating in clients home. The Web Kube is essentially the plant room for a heating system in a box, the box is mounted on a wall and connected to wire back pumps, actuators and sensors. It can electronically monitor pressure, temperature, flow and efficiency of a heat pump. It has flow temperature controllers that control the heat pump temperature according to indoor and outdoor temperature and modulates speed/output of the heat pump.

The Web Kube has what is called a Dataterm Control which optimises on/off and setback time and temperature of the house. This system connects to the internet and home automation systems in the house.

The Heat Kube is designed, engineered and fabricated by E-Si.

The Heat Kube Prototype

2012-02-21T06:40:00.001-08:00

We are currently developing plant rooms in a box to specifically work in conjunction with Air Source Heat Pumps, the plantroom in a box will make the installation easier, cheaper and better. Eradicating PTFE and using new deaeration techniques.

Heat Kube prototype is under pressure test in our workshop ready to be shipped out.

E-Si's latest Ecodan Air Source Heat Pump install.

2012-02-15T01:43:00.001-08:00

Heat Pumps final position.

The Plantroom Setup

The final controls setup.

And the final plantroom setup, all lagged.

Oil boiler out, Heat Pump in, good move and another happy customer.

The Eddy GT Wind Turbine at the Vale Earth Fair music festival.

2011-08-30T06:56:00.000-07:00

E-Si have recently installed the Eddy GT wind turbine at the Vale Castle for this years Vale Earth Fair music festival which is happening this weekend.

The turbine will be up for a few weeks producing electricity which is fed into the grid to offset the music festivals carbon footprint.

Craig and Dave attend Solyndra training course in London.

2011-06-13T02:31:00.000-07:00

3kw Solyndra Solar PV array which the team installed and wired in 24 mins.

Craig and Dave recently travelled to London to attend a training course held by Solyndra to learn how to install their PV arrays. They were joined by engineers from South Africa, Kuwait, America, Germany and India aswell as the UK.

Solyndra designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, comprised of panels and mounts, for the commercial rooftop market. Solyndra’s technology is a proven and scalable solar solution that offers strong ROI and economics for the rooftop owner. The company has installed its systems on more than 1000 rooftops in more than 20 countries.

In 2010 Solyndra was named “One of the 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World” by MIT’s Technology Review Magazine. Using innovative cylindrical modules and thin film CIGS technology, Solyndra systems are designed to provide the lowest levelized cost of electricity and the highest kilowatt hour production per rooftop for typical installations. The unique Solyndra form factor is designed specifically for the commercial rooftop, offering the fastest and easiest installation, a non-penetrating mounting system, and superior wind, snow and soiling performance. In addition Solyndra offers energy and conservation advantages when installed in conjunction with a white or “cool” roof.

Founded in 2005, today the company manufactures its products entirely in the United States in a state-of-the-art 300,000 square foot front-end manufacturing factory and a 500,000 square foot back-end facility. The manufacturing facility has helped Solyndra drive costs down dramatically allowing the company to offer highly competitive “all in” installed cost on the rooftop. In 2011 Solyndra will double it’s production capacity, ramping toward 300MW. The company employs approximately 1050 employees around the world and has offices in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and France. Revenues were approximately $140 million in 2010.

http://www.solyndra.com/

Clos Bourel Energy Project, Sark. 08June11 visit.

2011-06-09T03:04:00.000-07:00

AIR turbines outputting 200 watts each into batteries.

We have seen the turbines peak at 300 watts today.

Dave Thomas Tech man E-Si setting up the Sunny Island.

Heat Recovery Ventilation from Brink Climate Systems arrives!

2011-06-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

E-Si going even greener! REE's Richard Fionn & Liam go over the plans for the just delivered WHRV system supplied by brink.

Visit Brink Climate Systems

1kW UGE ‘Eddy’ Wind Turbines have arrived!!

2011-06-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

Wind Turbines from Urban green energy arriving on the back of a truck.

They are extremely heavy so had to be lifted off by crane.

The 1kW UGE ‘Eddy’ turbines have finally arrived from Urban Green Energy! A customer of ours is investing in them and taking the risk, if they work out we will go into partnership and promote them. We are UK agents at present
Visit Urban Green Energy based in the US.
http://www.urbangreenenergy.com/

Completion of HYBRID Heating for Swimming Pool.

2011-05-25T01:41:00.000-07:00

Paul "in the trenches" studying the new innovative high temperature pipework design by E-Si

We designed a way of getting hi-temp solar heat from 100m away to a pool house for hot water and central heating in a one-piece pipe, comprising of stainless steel, 22mm thick insulation, in a water-proof and vermin-proof duct. This is the connecting chamber for the 2 x flows and 2 x returns, each pipe a diameter of 25mm, before it goes into the pool house.

We had to strip down the modulating pump as water had through the factory seal into the electronics and it was tripping out the elecs. Dave, tech geek, put it back together after drying it out with a hairdryer and all is now fine.

We discovered the pump has got more brain cells than its installers and more computing power than first man's spaceship on the moon!

Paul lays his hand on the pipe, which we had waited for weeks - in the end we sent Craig to France to collect it ourselves.

400 metres of 90mm duct.

The Duct with pipe stuffed in it, snakes under the first greenhouse on its way to the second - the 'solar collection' greenhouse.

It was Jamie's job to connect two lengths (50+10m) here to extend to where the kit sat.

To the ASHP/Solar heating hybrid source.

Pauls Blog: Heat Pump / Solar Energy Solutions

2011-05-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

I did some heat calcs for a new home/extension in Jersey today. The results and solutions will be of interest to many.

The Design Heat Loss @ -1C outside and 21C inside = 12.7kW. Allow for Hot Water at the same time, add 3kW = 15.7kW

Allow for Secondary Hot Water circulation at the same time, add 2kW = 17.7kW. There are several heating alternatives, depending on requirements. 1. Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) boreholes. 2. GSHP slinkies. 3. GSHP ground panels. 4. Air Source Heat Pump(s).The IVT GSHP comes with ‘direct electric’ backup built into the machine in case of high loss in cold weather or failure of the heat pump and requirement for extra hot water. The Mitsubishi ASHP are ‘modulating’ as standard, which give flexibility in design and come in 5, 8.5 and 14kW variations. The IVT heat pumps come in outputs 9, 11, 13, 17kW and are ‘on-off’ types, so rely on the direct electric immersion for design flexibility.

Completion of 1kW Pv installation at Le Clos Bourel, Sark.

2011-05-06T03:12:00.000-07:00

The newly completed 1kW installation, there will be a concrete plinth poured later under the panels around the blocks. This method enable our 'Away Team' to achieve a quick install, allowing the local maintenance team to complete the building works later.

Fionn and Connor, 'Renewable Energy Engineers', make final electrical connections having completed the mechanics, showing how important it is to be multi-disciplinary.

Fionn and Connor complete the mechanical installation of the BP Solar grid tie installation in Clos Bourel, Sark. This is a unique install, see next photos and Situation Reports.

The Grid Tie Inverter produced 420W at 5.15pm as last wire was attached, with some shadow from a nearby apple tree. In full sun the output will be around 900 to 1000 watts.

The latest newsletter from Sark Electricity. Very positive, but very interesting the tone that really oil is becoming a big issue. Why does the e in their logo look like ours?!!!

The digital thermostat showing the Air Source Heat Pump heated hot water temperature of 54C.

Air Source Heat Pump 4th May 2011. I remember changing this over in the cold windy winter on my own!!! (Paul Fletcher, author).

Over time the terminal on this battery corroded. Today I repaired it by cutting away the lead around the screw threaded stub and reconnected it.

The battery room of Clos Bourel, 24 x 2V BP Solar battery cells, making 48V DC, feeding a 230V AC output Trace Inverter.

The Trace inverter output from the batteries peaked at 17A under observation. The assistance from the Trace ('grid-tied') SMA Sunny Boy greatly assisted the battery powered inverter under great load, and maintained good stability.

The normal 'base load' of Clos Bourel, 2A at 230V AC, demonstrating a constant input of at least 460W of Renewables are required to power the property in the summer. All other Renewables and the batteries are required to overcome the peaks (17A at 230V AC = 3.9kW). The main Trace Inverter is rated 4.5kW. This does not include the ASHP which at max will consume 3.5kW (we have tested batteries and 4.5kW inverter under load and its good). And at min will be 1kW input, intermittent. The next stage is to introduce a 1kW wind turbine to deal with the ASHP load specifically.

The beautiful and awe inspiring walk from the top of Sark down the hill to the Harbour.

CEO of E-Si and the Captain of the Sark boat (see in bridge) leaves the harbour.

Fionn the thoughtful on his way through the paradise of the channel islands. After a good days work in Sark back to Guernsey.

Approaching St Peter Port.

Luminaire, Torteval.

2011-05-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Photos from the final works at 'Luminaire' in Torteval, Guernsey. The system will be commissioned tomorrow!

Liam completing hydronics at Luminaire, Torteval, commissioning tomorrow.

Fionn putting finishing touches to electrics over the top of Ground Source Heat Pump.

The Ghost in the Machine - the Niko Home Automation system box.

"The neatest Niko lighting control box I've ever seen" says E-Si CEO.

Daniel's magnificent house. A feat of modern, energy efficient, ecological architecture and mechanical and electrical installation. Heating and power went on today, client moves in tomorrow night! Hurrah!!!

Luminaire will be added to the Projects page at e-si.com very soon for more.

Jacks Blog: Le Clos Bourel and Sark away day.

2011-05-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

I recently visited E-Si's R&D site, the Clos Bourel Energy Project in Sark to help build an alluminium frame for some Solar Photovoltaics. Although it's not out of the norm to find me occasionaly on site, I am mostly always at the E-Si offices, so it was exciting as well as educational and interesting for me to take to the tools and best of all visit a small beautiful island as a bonus!

The jobs in hand for the day were constructing the frame for the Pv's and erect two wind turbines.

The team arrive on Sark and await the tractor coach to pick us up.

Renewable Energy Engineer Dave preparing the 1st Wind Turbine.

REE Fionn sorting cables for connection of turbine.

And the first one is up.

Fionn preparing the second.

Paul begins work on the frame.

Myself bolting the frame to the temporary concrete blocks. The eventual plan is to have a concrete plinth poured later under the panels around the blocks.

Solar panels by BP

The team discussing the next stage.

Panels already previosly installed on site by E-Si.

Back home to a much larger island.

Very enjoyable day and quite "Sark burnt" at the end of it. Works to complete installation of turbines and panels are still required, expect some more bloggage on this soon.

Jack

HYBRID Solar Heating and Air Source Heat Pump for Swimming Pool, UFH and Hot Water.

2011-04-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

Commencement of a HYBRID Solar Heating for Swimming Pool, UFH and Hot Water with ASHP

Our client dug the trenches for us, pool plant in background.

Paul helping Jamie insulate the pipes. We were not happy with the solution provided to us by a supplier so we devised an innovative new solar piping run for long distances.

Basically we were provided some great pipe by hydraquip, but felt somewhat ripped off by their DIY insulation attempt which was supposed to be beyond building regs! Not. Okay for inside an insulated space in the home, but not for a bare attic or underground as suggested by the web info an pic. We are double insulating and wrapping the highly insulated pipe in a 90mm one-piece plastic duct from plant room to solar plant.

The solar thermal panels come from Sundwel in Sunderland, designed and built by my old friend Keith. We have not done a lot of these but have been supplying and installing this model for over 6 years. I have identical ones on my roof at home. The frame was built out of old greenhouse timbers disguising its age and function!

We had to create a 100m run of solar/heat pump pipe, across an underneath greenhouse land. This is a major engineering job!

We like these valves with MI and FI ends, 1", able to directly fit solar 1"

couplings to go to stainless steel pipe. This type of pipe will withstand high temperatures should there be a failure of the system.

Plant room under construction by Paul Fletcher (author).

Evening sets in. Time to go home.

Certain bits of equipment such as the duct from France had not been delivered by Easter - the deadline for heated water - so we piped up over land temporarily.

Solar energy, snaking its way through the grass, like a subversive oil line.

Fionn, Renewable Energy Engineer, suffering in the high heat of Thursday 21st April, half way through the day and just a few hours to the switch on deadline.

Completed, Dave, Tech Manager and Fionn, commission the system electrically.

Hurrah said the resident peacocks.

More Stunning Technology from E-Si

New innovation with New techniques utilising Stainless Steel pipe, flexi connectors, interconnecting service valves, deaerators, and TF1s. Also includes our first 'Control Room in a Box' with indicators so customers and engineers can see what is going on. This will lead to 'Plant Rooms in a Box'.

This is the first of our new solar thermal innovations with modulating heat pump.

Eradicates the need for inefficient heat or 'thermal' stores. Locally, flying in the face of conventional wisdom where many people have installed Ecostores in Guernsey homes.

Our poor experiences with thermal stores such as 'heatstor' 'ecostor', 'Powertanks' and our own thermal buffers have led us to obviate the buffer - in the case. In some cases they are still required in cases where there is a lack of heat energy at peak use time. However careful design can 'design out' the requirement.

Project Bramble Cottage, Guernsey's second Ground Source Heat Pump.

2011-04-27T02:28:00.000-07:00

Commencement of a new project combined with an old project the second Ground Source Heat Pump in Guernsey being moved to make way for an extention.

August 2006, the ground works start.

The panels arrive ready to be installed in the trenches.

September 2006, the panels go in.

Ground works complete.

After 5 years happy operation the heat pump which was temporarily housed in an outdoor closet is being drained down for installation in its final resting place. We are all waiting for the water to drain!!! A lovely hot Guernsey sunny day April 23rd 2011.

Project Bramble Cottage: Guernsey April 23rd 2011. The old extension is being demolished, the new about to be built. We are still waiting for the water to drain out of the 160L hot water 'shell tank'! The 7 Kilowatt output Mitsubishi compressor and the IVT steel hot water tank was Heavy and needed

4 people to carry the unit. Once reinstalled it will run happily for another

15 long years.

Draining an IVT type C Heat Pump

As we had to move HP from shed to inside we had to drain all water out of the internal HW cyl to make the HP 200kg lighter!

Roof slates generate green power for future house

2011-04-21T03:21:00.000-07:00

Click on image for bigger view