Project selection criteria

The sustainability criteria set out below is applied to assess the most appropriate renewable energy technologies (individually or in combination) where mains gas connection is not viable.

This assessment is undertaken when the cost effective connection to the gas mains has been eliminated as an option.

Economic considerations:

• Capital cost per household
• Installation cost per household
• Maintenance/inspection costs per household
• Running cost per household
• Unit cost of energy produced compared to gas
• Repayable costs on a 15, 25 and 50 year time horizon
• Process considerations (planning etc) affecting time costs
• Additional grant funding or sponsorship opportunities for technology
• Potential commercial/industrial applications

 

Social considerations

• Prevailing community views
• Community monetary saving
• Potential for extension to community buildings schools, village halls, churches
• Employment/training prospects

Environmental considerations:

• Contribution to reducing CO2 emissions
• Contribution to reducing other atmospheric emissions, local and regional
• Achievement of local and regional strategic targets
• Other external benefits, such as recreation, landscape, ecological

Technology considerations:

• Installation feasibility
• Technology performance on similar applications
• Location based advantages (wind/water/mines)
• Acceptability, reliability and usability of technology