Press Release
Shetland Amenity Trust Greenhouse goes ‘Green’
Media representatives are invited to attend the official launch of the recently installed wind turbine at Shetland Amenity Trust’s horticultural unit on Friday 6th August. The event will begin at 11.30am with a welcome from Captain George Sutherland, Vice Chairman of the Trust. Following which, Michael Anderson of Shetland Windpower will take visitors on a guided tour of the new facilities.
Funding for the project has been provided by Community Energy Scotland, Shetland College, the Shetland Amenity Trust and Shetland Charitable Trust.
The 15 metre tower and 6 kW ‘Proven’ turbine was donated to Shetland Amenity Trust by Shetland College. The turbine and associated equipment was installed by Shetland Windpower. Electricity generated by the turbine is initially used to power horticultural facilities from an insulated hot water cylinder. Heated water is pumped through copper pipes to three thermostatically controlled plant propagation benches in the greenhouse, and heaters in the building. Any surplus power is utilised by other facilities within the compound and/or exported to the national grid.
The use of these new heated benches improves propagation rates and expands the scope of production for seeds, plantlets and the new tissue culture facility. Michael Anderson said that using a windmill to provide power for the propagation benches is innovative and a first for Shetland Windpower.
Power generation will be monitored by students at Shetland College. The students will also see firsthand how Shetland Windpower undertakes maintenance of the turbine.
Alan Blain, Deputy Manager of the Shetland Amenity Trust said “I am very pleased that through this ongoing partnership with Shetland College we are able to provide a facility which provides obvious benefits to both bodies.”