Press Office

Esporta Cuts Carbon Footprint at The Riverside, Chiswick

2 May, 2008 - Esporta, the premium health club operator, will reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by over 20% in its newly opened Riverside Health and Racquets Club, Chiswick, with the installation of a Trigeneration Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit. As part of a company-wide initiative, Esporta is planning to achieve natural savings in energy costs in 2008.

The Trigeneration CHP unit being implemented in the prestigious 155,000 sq ft club, burns fuel to generate electricity, and unlike standard electrical generators, the water that is used to cool the engine is then made available for heating. In addition, the system achieves a significantly higher reduction in carbon emissions by using the excess heat from the CHP to create chilled water for cooling purposes via a heat absorption chiller.

The installation of the Trigeneration CHP unit is part of Esporta's comprehensive approach to energy efficiency design. For example, The Riverside Health and Racquets Club is also fitting dual fuelled heating boilers to provide the option of using natural gas or bio diesel1 fuel so that further reductions in carbon dioxide emissions can be made when bio fuel becomes commercially available.

Glenn Timms said: "We looked at the environmentally friendly options open to us, including Photo Voltaic Cells, wind and solar power, wood chip boilers and ground source heating, and Trigeneration CHP was overwhelmingly the best choice for both us and the environment.

"In addition, through a combination of negotiated price reductions and energy saving initiatives being implemented across our 55 clubs, Esporta will be significantly reducing our energy costs this year, equivalent to over 3000 tonnes of CO2 or the planting of approximately 4000 trees."

Notes

1. Bio diesel substantially reduces exhaust emissions (unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter). It contains naturally occurring oxygen, which enables the fuel to burn more completely and all but eliminates the black smoke normally associated with diesel engines. It also has a higher flash point than mineral diesel, is readily biodegradable and non toxic which makes it safer and more environmentally friendly to handle. It is naturally free of sulphur and acid rain. Bio diesel is made from renewable resources, which means it reduces the contribution of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Bio diesel is considered to be carbon neutral.

For further information, please contact:
Jonathan Colbourne
Communications and PR Manager
Jonathan.colbourne@esporta.com
Tel:0118 912 3500

About Esporta

Esporta Health Clubs operate 55 premium health and leisure clubs in the UK. Facilities range from club to club and include state-of-the-art fitness arenas and exercise studios; indoor and outdoor pools; spas, saunas and steam rooms; vibrant restaurants and bars; health and beauty areas; indoor and outdoor racquets facilities and a vast range of children's activities.

Renowned for the quality of its Tennis Academy, Esporta was the first commercial operator in the UK to be awarded High Performance Status by the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), and has more LTA accredited than any other UK club organisation.