Corporate Responsibility Report 2008 - Mitie

quietrevolutionThe UK is one of the windiestcountries in Europe, makingwind power an ideal source ofrenewable energy. The Departmentfor Business, Enterprise andRegulatory Reform estimates thatby 2050 up to 40% of the UK’selectricity could be produced bymicrogeneration, and 6% of thatcould be from small wind turbines.We wanted to make this type ofclean sustainable energy availableto more of our clients, and haveformed a partnership withquietrevolution, the award-winningwind turbine design company tohelp us do it. quietrevolution werealso keen to work with us due toour strong track record in energymanagement and consultancyacross the whole of the UK.As the name suggests,quietrevolution turbines are virtuallysilent, as well as being attractiveto look at and extremely efficient.The elegant twist-shaped designworks well even in high winds anda single turbine can generate10,000kWh per annum, equivalentto 10% of the energy requirementsof a 600m 2 office building. In theUK, this is equivalent to displacing4,000–6,000kg of annual CO 2emissions from equivalent gridgeneratedelectricity.In the past, many wind generationschemes were refused planningpermission because of noise,vibration, or their impact onsurroundings. quietrevolution’sdesigns have managed to dealwith almost all of these objections,which is why so many local councilsacross the UK recommend them forsmall-scale urban wind generators.quietrevolution turbines will be akey component of many of our lowcarbon schemes, and an integralpart of the engineering servicesteam’s new microgenerationoffering. The first project to golive was at Merton Abbey Mills inLondon which is used to power TheColour House Children’s Theatre.“We are absolutely delightedto have been selected byquietrevolution as their installpartner. Their products havemassive credibility within therenewable energy marketplaceand this partnership will adda lot of weight to our offeringand assist in our drive to be amajor player within this sector.”Paul Burnett,Strategic Development Directorof MITIE’s energy team.48 MITIE CR Report 2008