Northumberland farm's new eco friendly heat pumps on display at open day

Despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the largest ground source heat pumps in the country is now in place at a farm near Berwick.
Image from a previous open day at West Ancroft, showing the Douglas brothers. Ian Douglas is second from right.Image from a previous open day at West Ancroft, showing the Douglas brothers. Ian Douglas is second from right.
Image from a previous open day at West Ancroft, showing the Douglas brothers. Ian Douglas is second from right.

The substantial eco friendly system has been successfully installed by Calibrate Energy Engineering for agricultural client W L Douglas and Sons, based at West Ancroft Farm.

To showcase what the technology can do, they are inviting rural and agri-businesses and other interested parties to an open day on Thursday, June 24.

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A Calibrate Energy Engineering spokesman said: “The results speak for themselves, with the new system delivering 400 per cent efficiency for heating at 45°C, 325 per cent for chilling at 1°C and a total energy efficiency of 725 per cent.

“To put it into perspective, the new pump alone has capacity to heat 775 four-bed houses. The system enables reduced fossil fuel usage and derives a high 20-year RHI tariff (the Government’s rebate programme for renewable technologies).”

The company’s cloud-based software remotely manages the full process, enabling the client to have a ‘hands off’ approach as well as allowing real time RHI tariff generation and power consumption readings, all visible from a smart device.

Managing Director for Calibrate, Gary Matthews, said: “Our customer, Ian Douglas, approached Calibrate in 2018 to look at ways they could speed up and streamline the grain drying and cooling process and also reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

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“Following an in-depth study, it was agreed that Calibrate’s 1mW heat pump heat/chill system was the perfect fit for their 40t/hr continuous flow grain drying system.

“Fast forward three years and our client has now added the impressive 6.2mW to the original, creating over 7mW capacity.

“This is a significant sized heat pump, with 60km of below ground pipe work.”

Mr Douglas added: “When we made the decision to invest in heat pump technology, we looked at various companies who offered this service.

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“We narrowed these down to Calibrate due to their professional approach and because they were able to carry out the full bespoke design, installation and also support the system with a comprehensive long-term maintenance agreement.”

At the open day, which will take place between 10am and 2pm, those in attendance will get the chance to see the system in action. To book a place, go to www.calibrateenergy.co.uk