Conclusions

Our conclusions for each phase of the project are summarised below.

It is important to view these conclusions with the project limitations in mind as these do introduce a level of uncertainty to our outcomes. The limitations are detailed at the bottom of this page.

Short Term

Reduce network temp below 70°C
identify areas of high network losses
improve data quality to be able to assess issues more easily.

Medium Term

Lower flow temperatures to 65 °C,
increase radiator sizes
improve glazing and insulation
consider implementing a solar array.

Long Term

Electrification and biogas systems should be considered for further investigation as they solve some of the current issues with the biomass system such as:

LPG over-reliance
Biomass moisture inconsistency affecting efficiency
Biomass boiler efficiency decreasing at lower loads

Biomass is still viable given changes to the current systems mostly due to how cheap biomass fuel costs are.

Limitations

Project Limitations

Lack of certainty in performance data
We found that some performance data wasn’t displayed correctly or was missing altogether, making it difficult to fully verify system outputs. As a result, we had to rely on estimated values and general benchmarks, which may not reflect actual real-world performance.
Limited data for system sizing
Our system sizing was based on available energy data, but we didn’t have access to detailed hourly consumption figures. This limited our ability to accurately determine peak loads, meaning the system could be slightly over- or under-sized in practice.
Difficulty in long-term financial forecasting
Projecting costs over a 25-year system lifespan is challenging. We had to make assumptions around future energy prices, maintenance needs, and policy changes. While based on the best available information, there’s always a degree of uncertainty with these forecasts.
Assumed use of additional space
We assumed that space beyond the current plant room could be used for new equipment. In reality, this would require Fintry Development Trust to reach agreements with nearby landowners, which may involve added complexity or cost.
Assumption that technologies perform as advertised
Our models assume that all components work as per manufacturer specifications. In reality, installation quality, site conditions, and maintenance all affect performance, which could lead to different outcomes than expected.