The National Energy Centre

A focal point for UK Sustainable Energy

The National Energy Centre in Milton Keynes serves as a focal point for the efficient use of energy and development of small-scale renewable energy sources in the United Kingdom. It is owned by and serves as the headquarters for the National Energy Foundation, a leading charity advising on the sustainable use and production of energy, as well a number of other companies in the sector.
These include:

• National Energy Services Ltd (www.nesltd.co.uk)
         which operates the National Home Energy Rating Scheme (www.nher.co.uk)
• Milton Keynes Energy Agency (www.mkea.org.uk)
• Association of UK Energy Agencies (www.aukea.org.uk)
• Two trade associations:
  • the Solar Trade Association (www.solartradeassociation.org.uk)
  • the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (www.gshp.org.uk)

There are two buildings on the site: Phase I was opened in June 1999 and was designed to be an exemplar showing that high energy efficiency can be designed as an integral part of a building without adding additional costs. This has been achieved by a careful combination of orientation, window design, high insulation levels and high thermal mass.

Phase II was opened in February 2004 and demonstrates energy efficiency in a lower mass, timber-framed building. Its features include a ground source heat pump feeding underfloor heating, solar water heating, high insulation levels and PV Solar panels. National Energy Services Ltd, SAVA and the NHER are housed in Phase I; all other organisations are in Phase II.

The building is sited on 2 acres (0.81 hectare) adjacent to the main London-Birmingham railway line and the A5 trunk road and part of the site is used for demonstration energy crops such as short rotation willow and miscanthus, suitable for use in a biomass boiler.

Organised groups may apply to visit the centre on payment of a small fee.