Since 1991, the Sanctuary Awards have been recognising outstanding sustainability and conservation efforts across the MOD. The awards celebrate group and individual-led projects that are benefiting sustainable development and helping to conserve the environment, natural resources and heritage across Defence’s UK and overseas estate. The award categories reflect the MOD’s sustainability agenda and our commitment to achieving the government’s environmental and sustainability goals. The awards took place in London this week, celebrating sustainability across the Ministry of Defence.
A brand-new category, introduced this year, was the Innovation Award for the project best exemplifying innovative behaviours. The winner of the first Innovation award was Project Liverbird; which involved installing energy efficient and renewal energy generation equipment at HMS Eaglet; a maritime reserves training hub in Liverpool. Project Liverbird delivered an extensive refurbishment of HMS Eaglet with an emphasis on decarbonisation through cutting edge green solutions. This was a collaborative effort between the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NW RFCA), industry partner TASK and support from the Royal Navy and Maritime Reserves.
As well as the refurbishment of the building, the project introduced the following innovative, award winning solution – a UK and European first. The Hover Wind-Powered Microgrid, an extremely clever and agile technology best thought of as a system to manage and regulate power from multiple renewable and grid sources as well as battery storage. It chooses the mix of power and can both generate, store and use renewable and grid electricity simultaneously. The most visible part of the installation is the wind unit, a roof mounted ‘turbine-in-a-box’ that can generate up to 100,000 kWh of electricity. The turbine will provide around 70% off-grid energy.
NW RFCA and Navy Infrastructure, were presented the award by Baroness Goldie; Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence and Stuart Laws; Defence Innovation Unit Assistant Head at the Ministry of Defence.
Commenting on receiving the Innovation award; Lee Delaney Head of Infrastructure at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NW RFCA), said:
“Working collaboratively with TASK, the Royal Navy and the Maritime Reserves, we are delighted to receive the first ever Innovation award which highlights a joint commitment to sustainability in Defence. The project has demonstrated the concept of pioneering greener energy implementation and we are incredibly proud to be recognised for championing sustainability”.
With Phase 1 of Project Liverbird complete, the Royal Navy is working with NW RFCA on further infrastructure improvements towards the aim of carbon neutrality.
