Chillwind Limited is an environmentally conscious company with a genuine desire to reduce the company’s impact on the environment. For us, simply working in the Renewables industry — contributing to national climate change targets — is not enough of a contribution. In fact, it increases our sense of responsibility to set an example to other businesses. Responsibility for environmental impact should start at home, and we are committed to minimising the ecological footprint of all our business activities through materials management (involving waste reduction, reuse and recycling) and reducing energy use and carbon emissions. We promote environmental awareness among our employees and encourage them to work in an environmentally responsible manner.

In summer 2009 we were joined by Lewis Macleod, a student of Energy and Environmental Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University, who carried out an environmental performance audit and improvement project. One of the outcomes of Lewis’s project is an Environmental Review procedure, which will be undertaken at yearly intervals to monitor our improvements.

We intend to build on the good work started by Lewis by becoming ISO 14001 accredited in 2011.

ENVIROMENTAL POLICY STATEMENT

Chillwind was created out of a desire to use engineering skill to reduce man’s impact on and to improve the natural environment. The company makes a positive contribution to the environment by providing services to the renewable energy industry, thus reducing the world’s collective dependency on fossil fuels. However, we recognise that the activities we undertake to deliver these services carry their own environmental impact. We therefore aim to:

• Consider environmental factors when making all business decisions
• Operate from premises which are as energy efficient and environmentally benign as possible Reduce carbon emissions, energy use and wastage from our manufacturing and transport activities Minimise our use of office consumables
• Re-use and recycle materials wherever possible, whether that is steel and aluminium from mast production or paper and consumables from the office
• Endeavour to prevent pollution from any source
• Foster a high level of environmental awareness amongst staff
• Work with and encourage our clients, suppliers and sub-contractors to improve their environmental performance
• Comply with and exceed all relevant environmental legislation and guidance
• Continuously improve our performance in all the above areas

Download our Environmental Policy Statement (pdf)

ENERGY AND CARBON EMISSIONS

Chillwind’s direct emissions sources come from staff transport, vehicle fleet, electricity and gas consumption and total around 104 tonnes of CO2e. (Indirect emissions are more difficult to calculate and include full life cycle energy use and emissions associated with all parts and products used by the business. We are working with our supply chain to minimise our indirect emissions.)

Most of this total comes from transport emissions. The nature of our work requires us to use large 4×4 vehicles and we are acutely aware of the impact of these vehicles. We choose Landrovers because they are the most reliable tool for the job and — uniquely in the industry — operate a carbon offsetting programme covering CO2 emissions from both the manufacturing process and the first 45000miles driven in the vehicle. Chillwind plans to replace any vehicles which do not qualify for this scheme making the fleet carbon neutral.

We also have a Mercedes Unimog vehicle with a large trailer, which gives us the capability to deliver our taller masts from our production plant in Inverness directly to site (without using a 3rd party haulier), and then to install the mast using the 6t hydraulic winch fitted to the front of the vehicle. The installation crew also travel in the vehicle. We therefore maximise efficiency, reducing the need for additional vehicle use and keeping our carbon emissions down.

Chillwind employees travel to work in a variety of ways, although our rural location means that options for public transport are limited. The company operates a cycle-to-work scheme which has been taken up by 50% of employees. Transport from our 6 office based employees has been calculated to emit a total of 7.5 tonnes of CO2e per year. We aim to reduce these emissions by 25% to 1 tonne per year per employee by September 2010.

Chillwind’s office & workshop in Glenelg is energy efficient and environmentally low-impact. The timber framed and clad building has a solar water heating system and is extremely well insulated using a benign hemp insulation material. However, there is more we can do.

Chillwind plan to implement a 100% green energy tariff when the current contract expires in 2010. This will guarantee 100% of electricity will come from renewable sources. Other solutions are being explored including renewable systems such as PV Solar, wind power and wood-fuelled heating.

Achieving carbon neutral status is something Chillwind are aiming to achieve in the near future, an aspiration which has received overwhelming support from clients and suppliers.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE STRATEGY

Chillwind continually seeks ways to minimise waste and maximise recycling. A study of Chillwind’s waste in June 09 revealed that, although the majority of material was being reused and recycled, packaging from the company’s two main suppliers was responsible for 35% of waste being sent to landfill. Changes have now been implemented that ensures 95% packaging, from October 2009, is recyclable, reusable and biodegradable. The new packaging method has been trialed and tested to ensure it offers the same protection as the materials it replaced.

Chillwind actively promote recycling both internally and amongst clients and suppliers. Within the office and workshop paper, cans, cardboard and plastics are all recycled. Products made from recycled materials are used wherever possible.

One of the key advantages of Chillwind masts is that they are designed to be dismantled and re-used many times, maximising cost and energy efficiency over the product lifetime. Mast components (such as chain, shackles, bolts, etc) are reused wherever possible. If signs of corrosion or damage appear they are recycled through a licensed scrap dealer. Aluminium booms and copper lightning protection can be reused and refurbished at the end of their useful life. The material can be modified for use on other components, or recycled through a scrap dealer.

Instruments can be recalibrated for use on other systems or returned to the manufacturer for repair or refurbishment. In the event an instrument cannot be reused it is decommissioned, in compliance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations, with components being reused wherever possible or the material recycled.

Chillwind plans to implement a 100% green energy tariff when the current contract expires in 2010. This will guarantee 100% of electricity will come from renewable sources. Other solutions are being explored including renewable systems such as PV Solar or wind power.

Research into the feasibility of Chillwind Limited reducing emissions to net zero, ie becoming carbon neutral, received overwhelming support from clients and suppliers. Achieving carbon neutral status is something Chillwind are aiming to achieve in the near future.