Council Members
Brian Kennelly, CEO of Mimer Energy Ltd
With a solid background in engineering and project management from 25 years in the construction industry, a Chartered Engineer and MBA, Brian grew EarthEnergy in to one of the UK's leading geothermal companies. In addition to large-scale systems, Brian pioneered the growth of ground source energy technology in social housing with a simple, fixed price, solution to deliver affordable warmth. Brian has joined global energy developer Mimer Energy which is dedicated to providing low carbon heating and cooling comfort to communities, companies and the public sector. Mimer Energy brings about transformational change in the industry, introducing a new delivery model for ground source heat pump projects, fully financed and able to provide fixed cost energy for the client.
As Chairman of the GSHPA he is active in promoting ground source energy and consulting with policymakers. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Duncan Nicholson, Arup
Duncan Nicholson has extensive international experience of geotechnical engineering design for major projects involving foundations, deep basements, retaining walls, tunnels and earthworks.
He started his Civil Engineering career with George Wimpey and Co Ltd and gained an MSc in Soil Mechanics at Imperial College in 1977. He then joined the geotechnical section of Ove Arup, becoming a Director in 1996.
In 2000 he led a three year DTI - Partners in Innovation project on Ground Storage on Building Heat Energy. This led to the development of open and closed loop systems, including energy piles for typical UK buildings. The project also led to the development of numerical models for these systems. The studies focused on the building size and the need to achieve a balanced annual heating and cooling demand.
Recently, Duncan has focused on assisting clients and project design teams with the selection of appropriate ground energy systems at the building planning stage and developing these systems at the detailed design and construction stages.
Tony Bowen, President, Heat Pump Association
Tony Bowen has been involved with heat pumps for more than 25 years, first as Managing Director of UK manufacturer Calorex, and subsequently as President of the Heat Pump Association. A pioneer of ground source heat pump systems in UK and one of the founding members of the GSHPA, Tony has helped develop both awareness of heat pumps in UK and the basic groundwork for expansion of the ground source industry. He sits on the MCS Steering and HP Working Groups, Ofgem expert group, and deals extensively with DECC, EST, Carbon Trust on policy development, and with other relevant bodies such as the European Heat Pump Association, BRE and BSRIA. He is a member of the RSA in London.
Steve Costello, Commercial Manager, Geothermal Supplies
With over 25 years in the energy industry, Steve Costello has literally worked his way up from the coal face, to his current position of Commercial Manager for a leading supplier of quality materials for the geothermal industry. Trained as a colliery deputy in the former national coal industry, Steve gained hands on experience of real life working conditions before entering the heating industry in the mid-nineties.
As a senior consultant for Sentinel, the leading water treatment supplier to the heating industry, Steve gained in-depth knowledge in the design of both domestic and commercial heating systems, together with an understanding of industry drivers.
Working for the past five years both in the manufacture, design and sale of products to the renewable market, Steve is confident that the geothermal industry will have a key role in the supply of the energy requirements of the UK.
Alan Draper, Director, Advantage Projects Ltd
Alan is a Founder Director of Advantage Projects Ltd, an independent company specialising in technical design and specification of renewable energy systems. One of the first people in the UK to achieve the European Union Heat Pump Installer qualification, he has over 35 years experience as an engineer developing expertise in thermodynamics, heating and ventilation systems.
Chris Davidson, Chief Technical Officer, Geothermal International
Chris Davidson is Chief Technical Officer of Geothermal International who specialise in large scale ground source heat pump installations. Chris graduated in Theoretical Physics at Imperial College before working for ten years in Marketing and Business Systems at Ford Motor Company. In 2001 he cofounded Geothermal International and is a leading designer, speaker and trainer on ground source heat pump systems.
Chris Davis, Dimplex Renewables
Chris Davis is Business Development Director for Dimplex Renewables and is responsible for the commercial and strategic development of Dimplex heat pumps, solar thermal, solar pv and integrated sustainable technologies for the UK.
Chris holds a BSc (Hons) in Product Design. He joined Dimplex as product manager for domestic electric heating appliances in 2000, gaining a thorough knowledge of the industry and launching a number of market leading new products before becoming marketing manager in 2002, where he was heavily involved in development of the 2006 Building Regulations from the perspective of electric heating.
In 2005 Chris took on his current role, spearheading Dimplex's launch in to the renewables sector. He represents the industry as Chairman of the BEAMA Domestic Heat Pump Association, as a council member of the GSHPA and member of the MicroPower Council on issues such as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, Code for Sustainable Homes and Renewable Heat Incentive.
Alan Herbert, Director, ESI
Alan Herbert of ESI Ltd is a hydrogeologist with over 20 years experience of groundwater resource assessment, contaminant transport and heat transfer modelling.
He has applied this knowledge and experience to the issues facing ground source energy. Alan has considerable modelling and mathematical expertise applied to ground source energy problems through research and lecturing.
Andy Howley, Director, Loopmaster
After realising the huge potential for ground source installations in the late 1990's, Andy trained to become a qualified designer and installer. Having already qualified as a BDA Lead Driller, he gained qualifications as an IGSHPA Accredited Installer, an IGSHPA Vertical Loop Installer and Association of Energy Engineers Certified Geo-Exchange Designer. Andy has continued to gather knowledge of ground source energy by participating in training and conferences in many parts of the world including being fully trained in the use of complex modelling software, system optimisation using numerous resources, for the development of sustainable and highly efficient ground source heating and cooling systems. Andy founded Loopmaster and has been instrumental in developing the GSHPA Vertical Borehole Standard which was published in September 2011.
Simon Lomax, Managing Director, Kensa Engineering
Simon Lomax joined Kensa Heat Pumps Ltd, the UK's only manufacturer of a full range of ground source heat pumps, as Managing Director in 2007. A sales and marketing specialist, Simon also sits on the MCS Heat Pump Technical Working Group and is regularly asked to contribute towards the development of Government policy. Prior to joining Kensa, Simon held a senior management role at a leading underfloor heating supplier having earlier established North Amercian operations for two companies engaged in the sale of personal protective equipment.
Michael Moggeridge, Contracts Manager, Magpie Environmental Drilling Services
Michael Moggeridge has promoted the importance of the role of the driller in ground source energy.
Magpie has drilled and installed some of the largest ground loops installed in the UK in the most challenging geological and urban environments. Systems installed range from multiple small social domestic systems for blue chip energy companies to large multiple megawatt open loop systems for some of the largest property development companies in the world.
Terry Seward, Commercial Manager, Federation of Environmental Trade Associations
Terry is responsible for improving channels of communications with the many organisations, institutions, trade bodies and government departments relevant to the work of FETA.
Brian Stringer, National Secretary, British Drilling Association
Mr Stringer was appointed National Secretary of the British Drilling Association in 1999. His drilling industry involvement started in 1975 at UK mineral extractive company Atlas Copco Craelius, before eventually becoming UK sales manager of Diamant Boart Craelius.
In 1992 he joined Ingersoll Rand before returning to Atlas Copco 1996 - 1999.
Edward Thompson, Director, ICAX Ltd
Edward Thompson joined Mark Hewitt, an architect who has specialised in energy-efficient buildings for many years, and Andy Ford, a mechanical services engineer and founding partner of Fulcrum Consulting, who jointly developed the ideas that led to Interseasonal Heat Transfer and Thermal Banks. This novel ICAX approach to harnesing ground source energy has provided innovative systems for supermarkets, schools, community centres and for maintaining roads free of ice and snow.
After reading science at Oxford, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and working in finance, computing and venture capital Edward has specialised in helping young companies with new ventures. He was formerly a partner in the Management Buy Out firm ECI Ventures.
Nic Wincott, UK coordinator, Neoenergy Sweden AB
Nic Wincott's interest in heat pumps goes back many years. After a brief dabble in the early 1980's predominantly with air source in swimming pools, he rejoined the industry ten years ago with the intention of walking the walk when most others were only talking the talk.
This approach has given him a sound theoretical and practical knowledge of heat pump systems and system design and in particular of ground heat exchangers of all types and sizes. Nic's collaboration with Prof Goran Hellstrom of NeoEnergy (Sweden) AB has broadened the scope of this expertise particularly into Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES). Well conceived, designed and executed use of UTES can not only reduce operation costs, with its associated energy and CO2 savings but frequently reduces the cost of the installation too.
Nic is active on the Training & Standards Committee where he is part of a small but dedicated team working to ensure that the GSHP industry continues to grow and flourish by delivering effective and competent installations.
Others serving on sub-committees
David Matthews, Chief Executive, GSHPA
David Matthews, Chief Executive of the the GSHPA is a Renewable Energy Engineer who trained in Swansea, Warwick and Zimbabwe. Before being appointed to his current position, he worked in the UK, Africa, Germany and Brussels and ran his own sustainable heating design installation, supply and consultancy business. This foreign work experiences gives him a wider perspective on the renewable energy industry.
His two main areas of interest are the building integration of low carbon heating systems with the other building elements and also being part of the significant growth in the ground source and other renewable heating technologies. He is currently involved in new product development and in new renewable heating training initiatives. His engineering knowledge informs policy development issues as it provides a practical viewpoint on how the policy will function in the field.
Sub-Committees
Training & Standards Sub-Committee
Andy Howley, Rob Gardiner, Brian Stringer, Duncan Nicholson and Nic Wincott sit on the Training & Standards Sub-Committee.
Lobbying Sub-Committee
Brian Kennelly, Tony Bowen, Steve Costello, Chris Davidson, Chris Davis, Alan Herbert, and Simon Lomax sit on the Lobbying Sub-Committee.
Marketing Sub-Committee
Steve Costello, Alan Draper, Simon Lomax, Michael Moggeridge and Edward Thompson sit on the Marketing Sub-Committee.