We joined the team at Greencore Homes & SNRG on Monday, as part of our series of site visits that showcase best practice developments that go beyond current regulations. We witnessed first-hand Greencore Homes’ impressive 30,000 sq ft factory in Bicester, where they manufacture closed timber frame panels using natural low embodied carbon materials (timber, wood fibre and hemp/lime) and learned about their commitment to building Better Than Net Zero homes, with significantly reduced whole life carbon. We also learnt about SNRG smart community micro-grid system and how this reduces cost to developers, bills for consumers and impact on the grid.
Key learnings included:
- Greencore’s ‘better than net zero’ homes focus on whole life carbon (embodied and operational), using natural materials like timber frame, wood fibre insulation and hemp/lime, setting a new standard.
- Their homes are fossil fuel-free, utilising renewable Solar PV energy, MVHR, ASHP, superior fabric performance, and triple glazing, designed to meet Passivhaus standards (targeting 35 kWh/m2 overall energy use, 15 kWh/m2 space heating), and achieving a low embodied carbon footprint of 200 kgCO2e/m2, including sequestration.
- Their Biond panel system allows for efficient offsite construction, reducing build times and improving quality.
- The collaboration with SNRG on smart micro-grids at their Hook Norton site demonstrated the power of community-focused energy solutions, with residents enjoying 15% lower energy cost savings and zero maintenance and replacement costs, compared to a conventional all electric PV development.
- Microgrids can also reduce development connection loads, through an engineered electrical design approach with the DNO; this unlocks sites with grid constraint challenges.
- Greencore designs according to the One Planet Living principles, prioritising high energy efficiency, low whole life carbon, natural materials, sustainability, health and wellbeing, biodiversity, and nature-friendliness.
- At their award-winning development Springfield Meadows, Greencore’s homes sold at a premium sales price and faster sales rates, due, in part, to the market appeal of a sustainable home.
View this video for more information about the SNRG microgrid at Greencore’s Hook Norton site: www.tinyurl.com/3ckd7dh5
Thank you to Greencore Homes and SNRG for a valuable and informative visit.
#SustainableHousing #MMC #LowCarbon #SmartGrids #RenewableEnergy #Innovation #FutureHomesHub #GreencoreHomes #SNRG
