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Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) has taken a giant step forward to meeting its Green Plan objectives thanks to funding under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS).

Vital Energi have designed and are delivering the net zero works at John Radcliffe Hospital, home to Oxfordshire’s main A&E site and acute hospital services, to make the hospital more energy efficient, as well as providing a better environment for patients.

Due for completion by the end of 2025, the John Radcliffe Hospital will be ‘de-steamed’, with the existing steam network decommissioned and replaced with new, cleaner, and more efficient pipework. The pipework is heated by substituting gas boilers with low carbon electric heat pumps and additional energy efficiency measures.

In addition to significantly improving the efficiency through heat pumps, the new system also reduces the carbon footprint of the site, along with water consumption, water treatment costs, operational and maintenance costs and avoids a maintenance backlog.

Solar panels, more efficient pipework insulation, and draught proofing, have also been installed to improve energy efficiency.

A total of £24.1m was awarded to the John Radcliffe and £5.7m to Horton General under Phase 3b of PSDS which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to support the aim of reducing emissions from public sector buildings.  OUH contributed £8.2m towards the wider scheme, taking the total expenditure to £38m over a three-year period.

Salix’s Director of Public Sector Decarbonisation, Ian Rodger, and Programme Coordinator, Justin Morris, joined hospital officials and Vital Energi engineers to see how the John Radcliffe Hospital is finding work one year after celebrating its award of the PSDS grant.

Justin said: “It’s so important to see for ourselves how the works are progressing and to listen to the hospital team about the impact the technologies are making.

“The John Radcliffe and Horton hospitals are complex sites and there are many sensitivities that have to be considered and resolved in order to complete the work without interrupting patient care.

“The project team has both the skills and experience to face these challenges and deliver the project.”

Vital Energi’s Director of Low Carbon Solutions, Chris Yeo, said: “We were delighted to show Salix the progress of the decarbonisation works at John Radcliffe Hospital. Delivering such a complex project on a live acute hospital site is challenging and has only been possible due to the excellent collaboration between Vital Energi and the Oxford University Hospitals team which is a testament to all involved.

“As the John Radcliffe is my local hospital it is great to see the improvements to the hospitals energy infrastructure which will deliver significant carbon and cost savings.”

OUH is one of the UK’s largest acute teaching NHS Trusts. It works in close partnership with the University of Oxford, and is a leading centre for cancer, neurosciences, diabetes and genetics – among other fields.

During the visit, the team from Salix got to tour the site and look at the new energy efficiency technologies including the solar PV panels, air-handling units, building management systems, heat plate exchangers, the new low-temperature-hot-water pipework distribution system and cascading air-to-water heat pumps.

Westminster City Council have transformed the way they consume energy through a £23m energy conservation project which has lowered their carbon emissions by over 2,000 tonnes per year.  It’s an ambitious, technically challenging project, so we were thrilled to see it claim top spot in the Innovation in Construction and Building Engineering category at this year’s Heating and Ventilation News Awards.

The project, which was delivered over two phases, is central to the Council’s targets of becoming net zero by 2030.

About The Project

Phase 1 was a £13 million project which focused on implementing energy conservation measures across 61 buildings, including the installation of 1,700kW of air source heat pumps, rooftop solar PV, fan upgrades, and extensive lighting improvements. These measures resulted in carbon reduction of 1,600 tonnes of CO2e annually, reducing the emissions from council operational buildings by nearly 20%.

The H&V Judges wrote of the project, saying “It demonstrates a comprehensive and scalable approach to decarbonisation, incorporating various innovative measures and achieving substantial carbon reductions. Impressive scale and rapid implementation of energy-efficiency measures. It demonstrates innovative approaches to decarbonisation and project management.”

Congratulations to Westminster City Council on another fantastic achievement.  We’re extremely proud of our partnership, the work we’ve done together and look forward to carrying that success into the exciting third phase of the project.

We’d also like to congratulate our clients Newport City Homes after the Duffryn Heat Network Replacement Project was shortlisted in the District Heating project of the year and Aberdeen City Council’s Torry Heat Network were shortlisted in the Low Carbon Impact category.   A final “Well done” must go to our very own Ibrahim Qadir who followed up his win at the BESA awards earlier this year with a Highly Commended slot in the Apprentice of the Year awards category.

Thank you to these, and all our other clients who have worked so hard throughout 2024 to reduce their carbon emissions, combat fuel poverty and make the UK’s energy infrastructure more reliable and secure.

If you’d like to learn more about the Westminster City Council Project, Click Here.

The sunniest university in Scotland is considering a major project to fit its rooftops with solar panels in a bid to cut carbon and cash and reinvest savings in an ambitious bid to be net zero by 2035.

We are currently working with The University of St Andrews to assess the suitability of 65 university buildings for solar installations.

St Andrews is one of the sunniest spots in Scotland, enjoying an average of 1540 hours of sunshine per year, narrowly ahead of the City of Dundee at 1458 hours per year.* Dundee has long been regarded as the sunniest city in Scotland.

The University already heats most of its buildings via an award-winning green energy plant, also delivered by Vital Energi, which pumps hot water to St Andrews from 4 miles away at Eden Campus. The solar project is the next stage in a plan to cut all of its potentially harmful emissions to zero over the next 11 years.

It’s estimated the solar project will save 200 tonnes of carbon per year, while effectively future-proofing the University’s energy security.

Student residences like David Russell Apartments and Agnes Blackadder Hall could be prime sites for the major solar arrays.

The solar project is the next stage in a plan by the University to play an important role in tackling the climate emergency by reducing its carbon emissions and meet Net Zero targets.  

Welcoming the project, President of the St Andrews Students Association Cam Brown, said: “We may be an ancient University but we aren’t in the shadows – we are embracing the technologies of today to bring our own solar revolution into St Andrews.

“The University’s ongoing investment in and expansion of renewable energy through the installation of solar panels across campus is a significant and greatly welcomed step toward achieving carbon neutrality. By continuing to adopt and advance renewable technologies, the University of St Andrews is making substantial progress in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and protecting our environment.

“This is not just talk, but action! Our solar revolution reinforces our reputation as a well-established and forward-thinking institution, inspiring hope for the future of our students, our community, and our planet.”

Stephen Traynor from Vital Energi said: “Rooftops are a great resource for any organisation looking to decarbonise, but lots of work has to go into checking if each location is viable.  We now have a list of buildings which are suitable and are pleased to be helping the University with the planning process. This is a project which can have a significant positive impact on the University achieving their ambitious 2035 Net Zero targets.” 

The University already uses solar energy from the photovoltaic array at Eden Campus, where a battery storage unit harnesses the renewable energy, facilitating the shift from fossil fuels across the institution and cutting the University’s carbon footprint by approximately 5%.

*Source: Gazetteer for Scotland

Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) are undertaking a £4.2m energy revolution at seven of their hospitals which will see their carbon emissions reduced by an estimated 350 tonnes per year.

The project is possible due to funding from the Welsh Government.  The project is set to significantly reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improve the overall environment for both patients and staff.

Measures undertaken will include:

• Installation of roof-mounted solar panels
• Upgrades to building management systems (BMS) for enhanced remote monitoring and heating control
• Improvements to roof and pipework insulation
• Implementation of LED lighting systems

About The Project

In addition to strong carbon savings, the energy reductions will deliver over £415,000 in savings and Vital Energi are providing an energy performance contract, which guarantees key performance indicators such as carbon and energy savings.

Mark Williams, Partnerships Director at Vital Energi, expressed enthusiasm for the project: “By partnering with Powys Teaching Health Board through the RE:FIT framework, Vital Energi is implementing guaranteed energy conservation measures that deliver both financial savings and significant carbon emission reductions. Together, we’re paving the way for a more sustainable healthcare system in Wales.”

The energy efficiency improvements will be implemented across twelve key healthcare facilities in Powys, including:

• Breconshire War Memorial Hospital
• Bronllys Hospital
• Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital
• Knighton Community Hospital
• Llanidloes War Memorial Hospital
• Welshpool Health Clinic
• Ystradgynlais Community Hospital

Work is scheduled to commence in December and continue until July 2025, with a phased approach across the specified sites.

This is an exciting collaboration between Vital Energi, Powys Teaching Health Board, and the Welsh Government which demonstrates a shared commitment to creating energy-efficient, environmentally friendly healthcare facilities that benefit both patients and the planet.

Officers and Members from Westmorland and Furness Council and Vital Energi gathered at the new 2MW solar farm at Sandscale Park in Barrow to celebrate the project’s official completion.

The solar farm is a first for the council and the renewable energy project marks a key milestone in their ongoing efforts to combat climate change and meet their Net Zero targets.

The site, which has been successfully completed in six months, will generate green electricity to offset the council’s carbon emissions, in line with its Carbon Management Strategy and Climate Action Plans. It is the first of more schemes to come as part of the council’s wider decarbonisation programme of work.

Thanks to almost 3,700 solar panels, the site is expected to generate enough electricity to power the council’s five leisure centres or approximately 730 homes per year, based upon average UK households, also delivering significant carbon savings.

The completion of the project is a significant step forward in the council’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability in response to the growing challenges posed by climate change. In addition to contributing to the council’s income generation, the solar farm will mitigate rising energy costs and enhance the council’s energy sovereignty, independence and security, providing a robust solution for future energy needs.

The scheme was delivered in collaboration with the council’s strategic partner Electricity North West, main contractor Vital Energi, and specialist advisors Green Cat Renewables. The site is now connected to the national grid and generating electricity.

Climate change remains one of the greatest challenges to this generation, and for many generations to come. It is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and humanity globally, with the devastating impacts of it already seen and experienced in Westmorland and Furness.

In recognition of this, the project included plans to enhance biodiversity at the site. A Biodiversity Enhancement Plan ensured a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, creating opportunities for pollinators and enhancing woodland, hedgerows, and habitats.

Councillor Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, added:

“This solar farm is a landmark achievement, not just for our council but for Cumbria as a whole. We already have solar panels on several of our buildings but this marks the first time we have harnessed the natural power of the sun at this scale and is a proud step forward in our fight against climate change.

“It is a project which ensures that the natural environment thrives alongside our efforts to generate green energy and I’m pleased to see biodiversity has been a key consideration. A range of native tree and hedge species have been planted as well as habitats created to support our rich local wildlife including pollinators, bats and a variety of birds such as house sparrows, wagtails, nuthatch and redstarts. I look forward to seeing how else we can make effective and efficient use of our assets on our journey to carbon net zero.”

The Co-op Academy Brierley has become the latest building to connect to the Leeds PIPES Heat Network, and is set to feel the benefits of more reliable, affordable, low carbon, heat and hot water from the exemplar scheme.

The milestone was marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony held at the school and attended by key partners including Leeds City Council, Vital Energi and Ener-Vate.

The newly opened SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) school is the latest connection marking the continued expansion of the Leeds PIPES network beyond the city centre into Harehills; with key locations such as St. James’ Hospital in Burmantofts already benefitting from cheaper, more sustainable energy provided through the heat network.

Leeds PIPES recently celebrated having connected over 3,000 dwellings and 55 buildings since it was launched in 2018. It has been responsible for reducing nearly 6,000 tonnes of carbon emissions across the city in 2023 alone.

Co-op Academy Brierley joins a number of educational establishments that have already connected to Leeds PIPES, including Trinity Academy Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Conservatoire.

Further extending the scheme’s impact into the classroom, partners behind the network, Leeds City Council, Vital Energi and Ener-Vate, have committed to the delivery of climate education sessions in schools across the city, empowering local young people to discover their future role in the wider green transition.

Andrew Wightman, Regional Director at Vital Energi, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to see Leeds PIPES continue to grow across the city, connecting buildings like the Co-op Academy Brierley so that staff and pupils can benefit from cheaper, more sustainable heat and hot water.

Delivering PIPES in partnership with Leeds City Council and Ener-Vate, we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact building connections have had in cost and carbon savings, something we’ll only see more of as we further expand the network.

We look forward to supporting Co-Op Academy Brierly further in their Climate Change curriculum and giving pupils and staff the chance to learn more about Leeds PIPES and the green industry in which the project is leading the way.”

Sarah Harridge, Headteacher at the Co-op Academy Brierley, said:

“I’ve been very impressed by the partnership between, Leeds City Council, Vital Energi and Ener-Vate in rolling out and expanding the Leeds PIPES network to include Co-op Academy Brierley. Co-op schools are leading the way in dramatically reducing our carbon emissions and actively engaging in a climate change curriculum and opportunities.

The Leeds PIPES heat network was named following a collaboration with year 9 pupils at Co-op Academy Leeds. These pupils created the name ‘Leeds PIPES’ – with PIPES standing for ‘Providing Innovative Pro-Environment Solutions‘.

At Co-op Brierley, we feel very fortunate to be part of this partnership and look forward to all the learning opportunities it creates for our children and young people, while benefiting from an affordable, reliable, and low carbon heating system.”

To find out more about the Leeds PIPES District Heat Network, please visit: https://www.leeds-pipes.co.uk/

Simpsons Malt’s net-zero ambitions took another big step forwards today when the 12MW electric boiler completed its 360-mile journey from Norway to their Tweed Valley Maltings site.

The electric boiler will be coupled with the three 6MW biomass boilers and the combined system will reduce their carbon emission by 25,000 tonnes per year. This accounts for up to an 80% overall reduction on what is the largest malting site in the UK, with the capacity to produce 260,000 tonnes of malt per year.

With 90% of the site’s malt production destined for distilleries, Simpsons Malt plays a crucial role in the Scotch whisky supply chain and, by decarbonising its operations, the company is not only meeting its own sustainability targets, but also contributing to the net zero ambitions of its customers.

Warren Spiers, Preconstruction Director for Vital Energi explains, “This is a huge investment by AMP Clean Energy and Simpsons Malt which demonstrates their commitment to sustainability but also sets a benchmark for the entire food and drink industry. By integrating cutting-edge technologies, with an innovative commercial solution, Simpsons Malt is paving the way for a more sustainable future. Their efforts highlight the importance of reducing carbon footprints in traditionally high-emission sectors, showcasing that environmental responsibility and business success can go hand in hand.

“The impact of Simpsons Malt’s decarbonisation efforts extends far beyond their own operations. As a key player in the food and drink industry, their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions serves as an inspiring model for others to follow. By prioritising sustainability, they are not only contributing to a healthier planet but also influencing positive change across the industry.”

Vital Energi has helped Berkeley Homes in their mission to create a sustainable neighbourhood, through the installation of air source heat pumps and a brand-new energy centre for phase three of their Woodberry Down development.

Comprising over 5,500 new homes right next to Finsbury Park, Berkeley is regenerating the area in partnership with Hackney Council, in an innovative 30-year project which will be built over eight phases.
Vital Energi was awarded the £3.1m contract to design and build the energy centre for phase three of the development.

The project saw the installation of air source heat pumps, a primary low-temperature heating system within the energy centre, along with distribution pipework which runs from the heat pumps down to the energy centre which will serve all eight phases of the development.
Three 1.5MW condensing boilers were fitted within the new energy centre, which Vital Energi will operate and maintain for two years, along with a Building Management System, and three 6m high 27,000 litre thermal stores.

Vital Energi is passionate about leaving a positive impact and a lasting legacy within the communities in which they work, so they installed viewing windows in the Energy Centre, so residents and passers-by can see the technologies which are providing sustainable energy to all the homes at Woodberry Down.

The Leeds PIPES district heating network has marked the latest major milestone in its journey, having connected over 3,000 dwellings across the region since the scheme began back in 2018.

Asserting itself as one of the fastest growing and largest heat networks in the UK, the scheme connects circa 55 individual buildings across multiple sectors, including student living and social housing, as well as public and commercial residencies. The network’s rapid growth enables customers across the city to reap the benefits of the network, which provides them with access to more affordable, reliable, low carbon heat and hot water.

Delivered by Vital Energi, in partnership with Leeds City Council and Ener-Vate, the network has connected to 29 key buildings such as St James’s Hospital, Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Town Hall and Leeds Beckett University, and has been responsible for the reduction of nearly 6,000 tonnes of carbon in 2023 alone.

The programme has delivered 430 green jobs across the Leeds City region to date, with significant expansion plans signalling further benefits for local people in the near future.

Some of the network’s most recent customers include Leeds Conservatoire and Tec Campus, in addition to occupants in social housing dwellings at Lovell Park. Further development plans are on the horizon, with installations due to be complete by early on properties across Leonora House and at 24-28 Great George Street.

To find out more about the Leeds PIPES network, visit: www.leeds-pipes.co.uk