Centre for Alternative Technology

Centre for Alternative Technology
Tom P from Scottish Borders, Scotland · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Centre for Alternative Technology
Caption	Renewable energy demonstration buildings at the Centre for Alternative Technology
Formation	1973
Type	Environmental charity
Location	Powys, Wales
Leader title	Director
Leader name	Nigel Turvey

Contents

Centre for Alternative Technology is an environmental education centre and demonstration site in Powys, Wales focused on renewable energy, low-impact building and sustainable living. Founded in the early 1970s by activists from the Greenham Common Womens Peace Camp, the organisation has become a focal point for practitioners, policymakers and researchers from institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, Cardiff University and University of Wales Trinity Saint David. The centre hosts visitors including delegates from the United Nations Environment Programme, European Commission, World Bank and representatives from national bodies such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government and regional authorities.

History

The site was established in 1973 by members of the Ecology Party (UK), activists associated with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and graduates linked to the Architectural Association School of Architecture and the University of Bath. Early patrons included figures from the Socialist Workers Party milieu and contacts among the Green Party (UK). In the 1980s the centre connected with researchers from the British Antarctic Survey, Rothamsted Research and practitioners from the Royal Institute of British Architects and Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers. The 1990s saw partnerships with the Energy Saving Trust, Carbon Trust and grants from the European Regional Development Fund and foundations such as the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. In the 2000s the site engaged with projects funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and collaborative research with the Technology Strategy Board and Innovate UK.

Located on a reclaimed slate quarry near Machynlleth and the Brecon Beacons National Park, the campus includes an onsite National Library of Wales-style archive, visitor centre, and the acclaimed Zero Carbon Building designed by architects linked to the Royal Institute of British Architects awards. Facilities include a demonstration anaerobic digestion plant comparable to projects supported by the Department of Energy & Climate Change and small-scale hydro installations similar to schemes by Severn Trent Water partners. The landscape is managed in concert with farmers affiliated to the National Farmers Union and conservationists from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Natural Resources Wales. Onsite workshops have hosted practitioners from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and training in technologies used by firms such as Siemens, Schneider Electric and Vestas.

The centre offers postgraduate courses, short courses and CPD accredited modules developed with universities including University of the West of England, University of Salford, University of Brighton and University of Sheffield. Research collaborations have involved teams from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, UK Energy Research Centre, Cranfield University and the Institute for Public Policy Research. Programmes address topics promoted by international networks such as ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Friends of the Earth affiliates, Greenpeace campaigns and the Climate Group. Alumni and visiting scholars have moved to roles at organisations like RenewableUK, Energy Saving Trust, Ofgem and the Committee on Climate Change.

Exhibits cover photovoltaic arrays comparable to installations by British Photovoltaic Association, wind turbines similar to deployments by Siemens Gamesa, micro-hydro systems like those supported by Ofwat projects, and biomass heating analogous to schemes by the Forestry Commission. The site demonstrates sustainable construction using straw bale, cob and hempcrete with techniques influenced by practitioners from the Architects' Journal and award-winning projects recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Civic Trust Awards. Wastewater treatment and composting systems are showcased alongside community-scale anaerobic digesters operating within guidelines of the Environment Agency and standards from the British Standards Institution. Monitoring and modelling follow protocols used by the Met Office, National Grid research teams and methodologies from the International Energy Agency.

The organisation has worked towards targets aligned with frameworks promoted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the European Green Deal. Buildings and installations target certification schemes comparable to those of BREEAM, Passivhaus Institute guidance and UK guidance from the Building Research Establishment and BRE Global. The centre’s carbon accounting and lifecycle assessments use principles endorsed by ISO standards and reporting practices familiar to signatories of the Carbon Disclosure Project. Partnerships include engagement with civil society groups such as Transition Towns initiatives and networks like UK100.

Governance has involved trustees with backgrounds in organisations such as the National Trust, World Wildlife Fund and Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). Funding has been a mix of earned income, philanthropic grants from foundations including the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, project grants from the European Social Fund and contracts with bodies such as Welsh Government and the Big Lottery Fund. Commercial collaborations have included consultancies working with companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and joint ventures with social enterprises and cooperatives registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014.

The centre hosts conferences, festivals and public lectures attended by speakers from University College London, King’s College London, London School of Economics and NGOs including Oxfam, WWF-UK, Shelter (charity) and Practical Action. Outreach includes school programmes linked to syllabuses from the Welsh Curriculum and partnerships with museums such as the National Museum Cardiff and community groups like Plunkett Foundation members. Media coverage has appeared in outlets including the Guardian, BBC News, The Times and specialised journals such as Renewable Energy Journal, New Scientist and The Ecologist.

Category:Environmental organisations based in Wales Category:Sustainable architecture