Redditch, UK: Oakland International gave Spar UK managing director, Debbie Robinson, a tour of Oakland’s newest green energy installation: photovoltaic solar panels, part of a larger programme of carbon reduction at the firm.
Oakland International has installed renewable green technology, including a sustainable reed bed sewage system and on-site sewage treatment plant which uses less energy than conventional sewage treatment methods. It uses energy efficient chillers in its warehousing and has replaced energy rich lighting systems with LEDs and substituted existing heating appliances with energy efficient radiators, to provide energy savings.
Inspecting the new solar panels, Spar UK managing director, Debbie Robinson with Kath Turner, Oakland International renewable project coordinator
These installations will contribute to Oakland’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2014. Other major projects planned include a roll-out of more solar panels, a wind turbine and biomass.
Kath Turner, Oakland International’s renewable project coordinator said: “We are impressed with the energy savings to date. After 26 days of generating electricity, the solar panels had produced enough energy to run all on-site lighting at our Redditch depot for approximately 19 days, which is fantastic.”
The system is projected to generate at least 39,320 kWh/year of energy and projected to reduce carbon output per year by approximately 20,800kgCO2/yr. Subject to an initial assessment with this current 50kW system, Oakland is also evaluating a roll-out to a further 150kW system towards the end of 2012.
Oakland International managing director, Dean Attwell, said: “It was a great privilege to welcome Debbie Robinson to our Redditch depot and to share with her our energy reduction plans for the future.
“Working to develop our environmental credentials through alternative sources of power will help both Oakland International and our stakeholders as we all work to reduce our supply chain carbon footprint. With so many projects still at the development stage, including the purchase an electric car and having recently received approval as a public charging access point under the Midlands Plugged in Places scheme, we certainly had much to discuss!”
