A NORTH-EAST company is expanding into a new way of working which allows a building's energy systems to be linked into the same environmentally-friendly network.

Parsec Green Energy, based in Darlington, was set up three years ago by consulting engineer Shaun Ackerley, who has a background in building services engineering consultancy.

Initially, the company specialised in mechanical and electrical design, but it has moved increasingly into the renewable energy market.

At first, Parsec, which employs two people and uses contracted labour to fulfil its contracts, moved into installing solar heating.

However, it is now developing bi-valent technology, which brings together technologies as diverse as solar panels and wood-burning boilers into one integrated heating system.

Mr Ackerley said: "We started to expand because we started getting inquiries about renewables and realised there was a niche.

"Initially, we focused on solar heating. Our first client was in Hartlepool and the homeowner there now generates 80 per cent of his domestic hot water all year round.

"However, we soon realised that bi-valent was the way ahead. The problem was that a building could have a solar heating panel and other systems of varying types, but they would not link up with each other.

"What we do is integrate all the systems. Using this bi-valent technique, you can put wood in the Aga, keep other systems running and have the solar ticking over and they are all linked to each other, rather than separate."

Mr Ackerley believes more needs to be done to encourage housebuilders and homeowners to adopt such integrated technology. He said: "This side of our business is developing fast and we find that people who are switched on to this kind of thinking know how it works but that the general public does not. It is a case of educating the public into the advantages of renewables.

"Another issue is that when it comes to constructing new buildings, installing renewables is identified as an option by the Government. I argue it should be mandatory.

"There may be initial costs in installing them, but they pay for themselves and a bi-valent system shortens that payback time."

Parsec has been supported by Renew Tees Valley, which promotes renewable technologies and provided some funding for Parsec to develop its ideas, and Darlington Borough Council, which gave £7,500 in grants to help the company set up in its Blackwell Lane offices and create a website.

Parsec is expanding into other fields, including wind energy, biomass technologies and rainwater harvesting. One recent contract was to help a North Yorkshire farmer use ground water to heat his building with energy derived from wind turbines.

Published: 2/05/2006