Energy Efficient Exploris Reduces Carbon Footprint.
5th February 2007

Energy Efficient Exploris – The Northern Ireland Aquarium – has taken a big step to reduce its carbon footprint by sourcing electricity from a new local Hydro-electric plant, owned and managed by Strangford Lough Wildfowlers and Conservation Association (SLWCA).

The new source of 'green' electricity for Ards Borough Council's flagship tourism facility is a hydro-turbine now operational at Glenvale Nature Reserve - a 17-acre site, located on the Crawfordsburn Road in Newtownards, which has been owned and managed by SLW&CA for over fifty years and consists of a forested glen, a four-acre lake, waterfowl rearing pounds and associated buildings that are used to accommodate educational and husbandry activities. Historically the reserve has been managed as a wildlife refuge and to facilitate occasional educational visits from local schools. However, the Association has now embarked on a mission to protect, enhance and finance the sustainability of the facility with the installation of the turbine, as Robert Morrisson, SLW&CA Project Development Officer, explained:

“The hydro turbine uses an existing four-acre lake, which was constructed in the late 1800s to service the local textile industry. The Hydro system has a 56kW peak output and we estimate it will generate around 88,000 units of electricity every year, saving approximately 51 tonnes of CO2. Income from the hydro will be invested into our 17 acre Glenvale Nature Reserve, to develop it into a Centre of Excellence for environmental education, so that it may be used by local schools and community groupings as an outdoor classroom”.

The project which has been funded by Interreg, Clear Skies, Ards Borough Council and Northern Ireland Electricity's SMART fund, is the first of its kind in the area.
 
“Ards Borough Council has been working with the Association for a number of years to help ensure that this innovative project became a reality. As well as being of enormous benefit to the future development of the Nature Reserve itself and to its educational possibilities, our aquarium in Portaferry will be reaping the benefits of this renewable energy source and reducing yet further its environmental impact,” said Mayor of Ards, Councillor Angus Carson.
 
Gwyneth Scott, NIE Energy Services Co-ordinator, is pleased the first of the NIE supported hydro schemes is well underway. “There is enormous potential in Northern Ireland for hydro generated electricity and this is a landmark project which will help Ards Borough Council meet their sustainable energy targets. Renewable energy and energy efficiency can have a very positive effect on the local environment through CO2 savings, and NIE is happy to participate in a project that will add to Northern Ireland's clean, renewable electric power capacity.” 

Exploris is also currently hosting Sustainable Energy Irelands 'Guzzler' exhibition. Renewable energy suppliers, distributors and specialists have come together in this interactive informative exhibition which includes a scale model of the proposed marine current turbine for Strangford Lough Narrows, as well as other interactive exhibits of projects throughout Northern Ireland. A number of workshops and events will also be available throughout the exhibition period for schools and for families at weekends.

Partners for the project include Sustainable Energy Ireland, Bryson House, Marine Current Turbines, Strangford Lough Wildfowlers, and Wind Farm Developments, The energy Saving Trust and Willis Plumbing and Heating, Action Renewables and NIE. Our 20p day on Sunday February 11th the first event to mark our 20th birthday is a great chance to see the exhibition and tour the aquarium for the one off admission price of twenty pence!

-Ends-

Notes to Editors
1. Exploris is a fully accessible Ards Borough Council tourism facility.
2. Children under four go free!
3. For opening times and admission prices, please visit www.exploris.org.uk or Tel: 028 4272 8062, fax: 028 4272 8396 or email info@exploris.org.uk
4. The hydro system was installed by Terry Maguire of Newmills Hydro.
5. To find out more about energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for your home or business check out the NIE Smart website www.niesmart.co.uk, the EST website www.est.org.uk, Action Renewables www.actionrenewables.org or EST NI Advice Line on freephone 0800 512 012.
6. Photo attached is the Hydro Electric plant before and after construction.

For further information please contact Rory Martin - Exploris Events and Marketing officer on 028 4272 8062 or Robert Morrisson SLWCA Development Officer on 07717 856 841.

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