Over the last few months we’ve spent a lot of time investigating the best forms of low carbon fuels to power the energy centre which will be at the heart of our new sustainable mixed community at Lingfield Point.

We’ve been working with Kent based ‘Aquafuel Research Ltd’ who have developed injector systems which enable lighthouse diesel engines to be fueled with crude glycerin.

Glycerin is a waste by-product of many industrial processes including the manufacture of biofuels and as Teesside has one of the largest biofuel plants in the UK it seems an ideal fit for Lingfield Point.

The guys at Aquafuel explain how it works:

“Glycerin is a by-product of biodiesel production.  For every 9 gallons of biodiesel, 1 gallon of crude glycerin is produced.  Glycerin’s density and high oxygen content offer the potential of exceptionally clean combustion, with much lower emissions than burning diesel fuel.

“The technology opens up the potential for any liquid fuels, from ethanol to gasoline, to be burnt at diesel efficiencies.  The use of conventional, not bespoke, equipment means capital costs are comparable with conventional diesel CHP.”

In simple terms that means that if we are successful we’ll be providing low carbon, low cost energy directly to our customers’ offices and homes. With carbon reduction high on all companies’ agendas we think it’s another good reason to choose Lingfield Point as the home for your business.

It’s still early days but initial studies look promising.

Here at Lingfield Point we believe in creating a bit of a buzz which is why we’ve provided homes for 20,000+ honey bees who are helping drive our sustainable and ecological initiatives. Bees have an immense impact on our environment, especially in food production, which will give our allotment plans a huge boost.

The beehives are a first step towards making this plan come to fruition (pardon the pun) and of course we get to over indulge in delicious honey. Did you know that one in three mouthfuls of the food we eat is dependent on pollination?

No, neither did we.

And did you also know that to collect a pound of honey a bee might have to fly a distance equivalent to twice around the world? That’s one hell of a work ethic! That information came from the British Beekeepers’ Association who also tell us that honey bees are dying out – it seems last year’s cool damp summer, a sharp cold winter, pesticides and a little mite called varroa are all having a detrimental affect on bee numbers.

The BBKA is now asking people to make a difference by sponsoring a beehive – but don’t worry about getting stung, you just have to hand over some cash and the guys at the BBKA will pay for research into honey bee health and education programmes for beekeepers. Oh and the site also has tips on what to do if you get any unwanted visitors either swarming or nesting. Click here for more information.

Twitter users interested in bees may want to follow helpsavebees and visit the website at www.helpsavebees.co.uk.