THE METHODIST CHURCH - NET ZERO PIONEERS
YORKSHIRE NORTH & EAST METHODIST DISTRICT
BACKGROUND
Our working relationship with the Methodist Church stems from the commitment made by the Church to become Net Zero by 2040. The Yorkshire North and East District are the pioneers for this target.
NET ZERO FOR 21 HUMBER METHODIST CHURCHES
In order to gather this information, a holistic approach was taken, initially assessing the thermal properties of the building elements, and considering usage, to determine the most appropriate energy saving measures.
The size of solar PV array required was determined using PV*SOL software to balance the amount of seasonally generated electricity, over the course of the year, with the building’s demand. To ensure as much of the energy generated was used within the building, and to keep energy bills down, an appropriate size of battery storage was then determined
The full Report was delivered to all the stakeholder groups in a workshop and the Pathways for each church presented. This allowed for an explanation of the proposed measures and in-depth discussions.
The Report was then used to support funding bids to enable the District to take projects forward to the detailed technical design, obtain necessary permissions and ultimately the installation phase.
The initial batch of individually named projects, primarily consisting of solar PV, battery and EV charging installations, included:
Tea & PV - 7 church buildings
SHIN:E - 3 church buildings
Net Zero Near You - 4 church buildings
For each of these projects, D3A’s Project Management responsibilities included preparing specifications for solar PV, battery storage and an EV charging point, preparing tender documents and managing the tender process, making regular site visits and undertaking the role of Principal Designer.
Hornsea
Newport Methodist Church
North Ferriby Methodist Church
Howden Methodist Church
Patrington Methodist Church
Withernsea Methodist Church
Selby Methodist Church
TEA & PV
The Tea & PV project, funded by the Energy for Tomorrow programme by Centrica, is worth individual mention due to the impact it had on the wider community.
In early 2023, seven churches, frequented by 160,000 visitors annually, were equipped with solar panels, battery storage and an EV charging point. The Church was understandably proud of this achievement and wanted a clear means of communicating just how much electricity was now being generated, to their wider congregation.
Typically, software displays often translate this information into images of trees being planted, but in Methodist terms, it was thought cups of tea were much more appropriate.
With this inspiration in mind the final stage of Tea & PV was rolled out to the seven churches and local communities and congregations were now able to see the benefits of the solar panels in terms of the amount of energy it took to brew one cup of tea.
The presentation of this information encouraged people to ask questions about the solar panels and other Net Zero related topics - and naturally, a cup of tea was always on offer.
The forward thinking of the Methodist Church was duly recognised by the wider energy community and Tea & PV was shortlisted for a Community Energy Award. While they didn’t win on the night, the nomination highlighted the Churches contribution to the advancement of a sustainable future for us all.
Tea & PV branding
Installation of solar PV at Portholme Methodist Church
Solar installation complete at Portholme Methodist Church
Acomb Methodist Church
Hedon Methodist Church
Harrogate Road Methodist Church
LISTED BUILDING & CONSERVATION AREAS
Further projects have developed, building on the recommendations of our Decarbonisation Plans. One that proved to be particularly noteworthy consisted of a group of five Methodist Churches in North Yorkshire. All the buildings were either listed, in a conservation area or both and therefore required extra sensitivity and experience when it came to planning applications.
D3A’s remit covered RIBA Stages 3 & 4 and included detailed design and planning applications – all of which were successful. The D3A team also managed the tendering process to obtain fixed prices required to gain further funding for construction projects. Funding for the initial work came via the North East & Yorkshire Net Zero Hub and included detailed specifications for reroofing, insulation measures, window replacement and secondary glazing, lighting upgrades and solar PV and battery storage.
THE PATHWAY TO NET ZERO
This project was successful in receiving a slice of Government funding from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority by demonstrating how the transition to Net Zero could be achieved in five very different church building types across a range of communities.
The original £7M pot of Government funding was specifically for a programme of capital and revenue projects aimed at helping the Y&NYCA achieve its ambition to be Net Zero by 2034.
Having produced Decarbonisation Plans for each of the Churches, our scope of work for this project, which is still in progress, includes RIBA Stages 3 & 4 - Spatial Coordination, Technical Design and Planning Applications through to RIBA Stage 5 - Construction.
Carrying out multiple roles as Designer, Project Manager and Principal Designer our responsibilities include:
detailed building fabric and M&E surveys
recommendation of energy saving measures, low carbon heating options and renewable energy installations
designs, drawings and specifications for submission of Planning Applications
issuing and subsequent assessing of a tender packages
project management and contract administration of the construction phase.
With works due for completion in mid 2025, targeted outputs from this project, to be achieved by March 2028, include:
over 22,000 kg/year reduction in CO2
59,845 kWh of renewable energy generated through solar PV
13,996 kWh reduction in energy demand through energy saving measures
62 kW rooftop solar PV installed
72 kWh battery storage systems installed
4 heat pumps installed
Works encompass the installation of solar PV and batteries at all five churches and new insulation, windows or secondary glazing, LED lighting and suspended ceilings in some. Heat pumps will also be installed which, notably, will bring Northallerton Church to its Net Zero target as per our original Decarbonisation Plan.
“We have worked with D3A over the last three years, across multiple projects and will continue to use them because they have provided a clear path to delivery for all parties concerned, including our church volunteers.
Funding bodies and contractors have appreciated their structured approach and attention to detail. The D3A team are able to communicate effectively and sensitively across all stakeholders of the project. Their solutions consistently meet the requirements of our church communities.””
— Tim O’Brien | Net Zero Officer, Yorkshire North & East Methodist District