Pictured above: Drilling for Heat in Melton Mowbray (L-R) Gillian Ward-Stokes, innovation advisor, Sustainable Construction iNet and Steve Clayton, managing director, Tradex Innovation Ltd demonstrating the size of the old drilling rig

A Melton Mowbray-based technology company has been given assistance on its compact drilling solution project after being awarded Innovation, Advice and Guidance worth £1,800 by the Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet), which is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Tradex Innovation Ltd recognised the need for a commercially viable borehole drilling device for the retrofit installation of ground source heat pumps in residential areas. Steve Clayton, managing director at Tradex developed the idea after identifying that very few properties have sufficient available land for the horizontal loop system necessary for ground source heat pump technology to work and drilling a hole to the required depth would call for large and heavy drilling equipment.

Tradex, assisted by the iNet, has developed a compact drilling solution to overcome such difficulties by mounting the drilling rig and ancillary equipment onto a lighter and more manoeuvrable vehicle. This development makes it possible to drill the necessary borehole for heat at almost any property.

Steve Clayton, managing director, Tradex Innovation Ltd said: "We are grateful to the iNet for their support in developing key aspects of the drilling vehicle platforms. The ongoing encouragement and enthusiasm of the iNet advisors is really helping to convert the concepts and designs to a reality. With the help of the iNet, Tradex can help bring down the cost of home heating and make the latest low-carbon technology much more accessible."

iNet innovation advisor, Gillian Ward-Stokes added: "Although the project is still in its development stages, we are confident that this drilling rig could well shape the future for sustainable home heating. The iNet is committed not only to making a positive contribution to the environment but also helping to create employment in the East Midlands."

As part of the compact drilling project, Tradex is currently refurbishing a property in Melton Mowbray as a retrofit project for showcasing renewable energies and heat saving technologies. The property is due for completion in early 2011 and Tradex will be holding an open day for the general public to view the technologies and learn about what is happening on site. For more information, contact Chris Yates on 07714 326108. 

In 2011 the iNet moves to its new headquarters building in Daventry, a purpose-built business hub featuring best-practice design with sustainability.