As a multi-faceted 118-acre
organic agricultural site, Highfield Farm in Topsham runs not only as a fully
functioning farm, but also as an established campsite and well-known local
educational facility.
So, when its owners, Ian and
Lyndsay Shears, started working towards an even more environmentally friendly
agricultural establishment, there were many elements to consider in their
long-term plans.
They began their eco-systems by
installing 42 PV panels throughout the farm. Having already started to see the
huge benefits associated with creating their own electricity, when the time
came to replace the old gas-fired boiler, they were already considering the
installation of a replacement, environmentally friendly and renewable
energy-sourced biomass boiler.
Mr Shears explained: “We’d been
considering biomass for a couple of years. We are Soil Association-certified
and we installed solar PV panels to create our own electricity harnessed from
sunlight, which also meant a lot of economic sense.
“When we converted some of our
barns, an additional heat requirement was created that our old gas boiler
simply could not cope with efficiently. So, we decided biomass was the way
forward.”
Exeter-based renewable firm Fair Energy
provided the new biomass heating and water system, not least because, based in
Exeter, they were the most local to his farm too.
“Our conference facility
accommodates up to 50 people. Rain water from our barns supplies the loos, and
the 10kW solar PV system provides the electrical power,” Mr Shears added. “So,
we felt that to be able to heat it and the water with a renewable energy source
– our own wood from the farm – would really enhance the whole building itself,
particularly in relation to our organic, environmental status.”
The installation at Highfield
Farm took place in August and the 90kW biomass boiler was installed and sized
to cope with both the immediate and future requirements. Already covering 2,000
square feet, the system will cope with an additional 3,000 square feet when all
the buildings are converted.
At first, the biomass boiler ran
on wood chip pellets, but now Mr Shears is sourcing wood chippings locally in
Newton Poppleford. Next year, Highfield’s fuel will be totally self-sufficient
as he intends to use the farm’s own coppice, which will be cut next summer in
time for use in the autumn.
He explained: “We’ve been really
impressed with the biomass installation and feel it might also eventually help
us with the campsite facilities. We’re currently installing a new shower block
that will initially run off the solar panels next year, but also have the
option with the new biomass system to consider linking the showers to the mains
if necessary.
“It’s estimated that our new
biomass boiler will save us a massive £12,500 with RHI and fuel savings
annually.”
Highfield Farm has already run an
event about renewable energy and, with its weekly visits from local schools,
who help with all sorts including the kitchen garden, sewing seeds, soil preparation,
weeding and harvesting, the Shears feel that if renewable energy gets included
on school curriculum’s, they are well placed to talk about and demonstrate the
benefits of biomass.
Fair Energy’s Director, Kirsten
Parrick, commented: “Highfield Farm is an extremely proactive farming site in
terms of its environmental awareness, eco-systems and renewable energy. Ian and
Lyndsay display a clear understanding of all the benefits as well as a
deep-rooted environmental conscience”.
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