The Environment Agency is improving the environmental efficiency of its building in Teesdale House in Darlington with the installation of a second wind turbine (pictured).

It is estimated to generate around 7,500kWh of electricity and reduce 5,270 kg of carbon emissions every year. The office already had one turbine and also uses a heat recycling system.

The project is part of a scheme to establish the benefits of using efficient heat recycling systems that work with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.

The Environment Agency has been working with partners to develop an intelligent control system that works alongside the wind turbine. This uses its power to control the building’s existing heating and cooling infrastructure.

Technical Manager Keith Solts said: “This intelligent control system monitors the internal and external conditions around the building and the renewable energy being produced and calculates how best to utilise the energy to power the air source heat pumps to maximise the performance.”