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We’re extremely proud of our apprentices, who achieved some amazing things during 2023, and Meg Bradley, an Apprentice Engineer in our Heat Pump Solutions department has been the latest to distinguish herself by winning a national award.

Meg was named winner of the Project Engineer category at the ACR & Heat Pumps ‘Trainee of The Year’ award in a ceremony at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

Liam Grice, Senior Engineer (Heat Pump Solutions) for Vital Energi explains, “Meg has made the most of every opportunity we’ve presented her with and is constantly looking for new ways to bring value to her role.  We are thrilled that she was named as an award winner and we are all excited to see what she achieves in her career going forwards.”

Specialist clean energy private equity firm, Corran Capital, has acquired a 30% stake in Vital Energi, the UK’s leading heat infrastructure company, to help accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero.

The investment will enable Vital Energi to rapidly scale as an owner and operator of low-carbon heat networks. The company is also targeting new markets, moving at pace into adjacent technologies including solar, battery and heat storage, and electric vehicle charging.

The transaction comes as new government zoning regulations are introduced requiring new and existing buildings and developments to connect to low-carbon heat networks where available. This is expected to drive significant private investment into the sector.

With a 30 year track record and 700 employees, Vital Energi is already the UK’s market leader in developing and delivering heat networks. Based in Blackburn and with offices in London, Glasgow, Hereford and Burton-on-Trent, the company has connected over 100,000 homes to heat network schemes, including in Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Hull and London, working with local authorities and housing associations to tackle fuel poverty.

Corran will work closely with Vital Energi management to help deploy further institutional capital to accelerate the delivery of low-carbon generation, infrastructure and energy efficiency solutions across the UK in private and public sector properties.

Backers of the deal include major institutional investors like Strathclyde Pension Fund and Lexington Partners, representing over $30 billion in assets globally. Through their commitment to Corran, they will help provide the institutional capital to accelerate Vital’s leadership position and the deployment of further renewable heat projects, playing a part in ensuring the UK achieves its long-term climate goals.

Gary Le Sueur at Corran Capital said:

“We are excited to partner with the Vital Energi team to capture the significant growth opportunities in renewable heat and accelerate the broader energy transition. It is a long term journey and will require substantial amounts of capital – both private and public sector – over the next 50 years.  Vital Energi is in pole position with its expertise and skills to play a critical role in delivering important renewable heat and energy efficiency solutions for its customers across the UK.”

Corran has appointed Lucy Graham as a partner to support Vital Energi and its investment and expansion plans. Graham was formerly with private equity group Cairngorm Capital and in leverage finance with Virgin Money. She will work with Vital’s management on new opportunities and to deliver the capital required to accelerate the deployment of renewable heat projects. Corran plans to make additional appointments to the Corran team in the next year to strengthen its support to Vital Energi further.

Corran has already backed Renewco Power, a solar, wind and battery storage company formed by the firm in 2021 with the backing of SSE plc, the FTSE 100 clean energy company that committed £48 million to Corran’s first fund.  Renewco Power, based in Glasgow and now with 38 employees, has developed a pipeline of renewable power project opportunities across the UK, Spain, Italy and the US.

Work has begun at a new state-of-the-art carbon-capture plant at Lingley Mere business park which also aims to be the first in the UK to provide low-carbon heating to local buildings.

The project, Mersey Biochar, will lock away over 2,500 tonnes of carbon a year into biochar, a versatile product with a range of uses from improving soil quality to decarbonising the construction industry. Led by climate-action organisations Severn Wye Energy Agency and Pure Leapfrog, a consortium of experts, including Vital Energi and Pyrocore are behind the project, which is hosted by United Utilities.

Capturing carbon and other greenhouse gases will be critical for the UK’s plans to meet net zero by 2050 and the Mersey Biochar pilot will help to strengthen UK expertise in this area.

Severn Wye CEO Sandy Ruthven says:

‘We are very excited to see work getting underway at Lingley Mere. To achieve net zero we must find creative ways of heating our homes and businesses. Mersey Biochar will help us prove we can generate energy, capture carbon and create biochar. We’re looking forward to demonstrating that this technology can be rolled out across the country to help tackle climate change.’

Mersey Biochar will capture carbon from green waste or ‘biomass’, in this case a byproduct of local forestry management which would otherwise release its carbon back into the atmosphere as it decays. Carbon is locked in through a process called pyrolysis, which heats the biomass in a virtually oxygen-free environment to produce biochar.

Every tonne of biochar produced can remove up to 3.6 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere and store it away for centuries. This facility is expected to produce 700 tonnes of biochar each year which will equate to over 2,500 tonnes of carbon reduction.

Paul Gilligan, CEO of decarbonisation specialist partners Pure Leapfrog, says:

‘As we continue along our planned product development pathway, we will see this unit, and more like it in the future, not just to capturing and storing carbon but also delivering clean heat to communities and providing energy services to the electricity grid. This technology has an exciting and valuable future.’

Once the facility’s carbon-capture capabilities are proven, the project also aims to be the first of its kind in the UK to recycle the heat generated from biochar production to heat and power United Utilities’ buildings on the site – part of the company’s long-term sustainability goals.

As United Utilities’ Bioresources and Green Energy Director, Tom Lissett, explains:

‘This innovative technology opens up the opportunity to decarbonise our office heating requirements at Lingley Mere using the heat created during the pyrolysis process. It is an important step forward for us in our journey to decarbonising our head office in Warrington.’

Mersey Biochar is funded by the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero through their Direct Air Capture and Greenhouse Gas Removal innovation programme, established to find new and inventive ways of reducing UK carbon emissions.

Industry experts PyroCore supplied the first elements of the plant in November. The facility is being built by energy specialists Vital Energi and expected to be in operation at the end of the summer.

In 2021 Morriston Hospital became the first hospital in Wales to develop a solar farm.  The project was successful in cutting their carbon emissions by 1,933 tonnes per year and work has begun on a new £3.6m solar extension and battery energy storage system (BESS) which will deliver another 1MW of clean energy for the Health Board.

The new BESS will allow for the energy created during the daytime to be used after sunset, allowing more of the electricity generated to be used by the hospital. In addition to the carbon savings, the solar farm and extension are expected to save over £1.2 million in energy costs per year.

Mr Keighan Continued, “Those two factors are really important. Our savings coincide with the rising costs of electricity, and in terms of carbon emissions it is at a time when it’s more important than ever to look after our environment.

“As a health board, we are determined to continue reducing our carbon footprint, and the solar farm has helped us enormously in that respect.”

The additional 1MW will increase the overall generation of power to 5MW – an extra 1,000,000 kWh per year – taking the total expected annual generation to 5 million kWh. The total demand for the hospital is close to 15m kWh per year.

The solar extension and BESS are expected to generate a third of Morriston Hospital’s power and make an additional annual saving of around £325k to the £900,000 already being saved each year on electricity costs.

Until now, the solar farm has provided around a quarter of the hospital’s electricity needs.”

Beverley Radford, Estates Programme Manager, said: “The combined effect of both of these systems will be to further reduce reliance on grid electricity at Morriston with a corresponding additional saving of around £325k per year plus helping to insulate the health board from volatile and generally increasing future energy costs.

“We saw unprecedented swings in electricity prices and energy prices generally caused by global geopolitical factors outside of our control in 2022 and this year. It was this backdrop of spiralling energy prices which led to the increase in generation capacity and the addition of the battery to our solar farm together with the health board’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.

“During this time, there were occasions when the solar generated more power than the hospital needed, so the electricity was sold back to the grid. The price of that has doubled within two years, which has impacted on the viability of the farm and is one of the reasons it is possible now to expand the farm.”

This latest phase is expected to be fully operational by April 2024.

It is the first solar farm in the UK to directly power a hospital, and has already delivered a cost-avoidance of £1.8m in electricity bills since being switched on two years ago by generating its own power instead of purchasing it from the grid.

The solar farm initially cost £5.7m, with this extension costing £3.6m – repayable over 11 years – which has been funded by an invest to save grant from Welsh Government’s Wales Funding Programme.

Scott Lutton, Vital Energi’s Operations Director explains, “Swansea Bay UHB have a fantastic approach towards decarbonisation.  They have a long-term plan, with a clear strategy of how they will reach Net Zero and we are delighted to be able to work alongside them to deliver this.

“By focusing on energy reduction first, then creating a solar farm and decarbonising their heating infrastructure they have demonstrated how a phased approach can yield strong decarbonisation, we believe they are a role model for public sector organisations who need to meet their net zero targets.”

Work is already in progress, with over 1,800 new panels being constructed, taking the total to 11,836.

The extension will be completed towards the end of February with the extension and battery expected to be fully operational in April.

With almost 20 years’ experience in solar energy, Vital Energi’s Pre-Construction Manager, Giles Barker, gives us an insight into how solar technologies can provide organisations all over the world with a bright and sustainable future. 

Why did you choose to specialise in solar?
I first installed solar panels in 2004 during a social housing development project, and really liked the idea of residents being able to save money on energy costs and benefit from free electricity, and properties as a whole being more self-sufficient. I enjoy thinking outside the box to overcome different challenges when improving energy efficiencies, introducing solutions which will truly benefit the client. Solar energy is good for the planet too, so I’m passionate about introducing it wherever I can.

What are the main advantages of using solar?
Using solar energy reduces your dependence on the grid and fossil fuels. It’s a mindset. It also saves you money, a fair amount depending on your system size. It reduces carbon and your carbon footprint, and once installed, it’s low maintenance and there are minimal running costs.  

How does solar benefit the environment?
It’s a renewable source of energy, so it won’t run out, plus it’s environmentally friendly because it doesn’t generate greenhouse gases. Renewable energy technologies help reduce your carbon footprint, meaning you’ll personally be doing your bit for the environment.
 

Can you share any surprising facts about solar? 2 facts!

• 90% of the aluminium frames are produced from recycled materials.
• Installed product prices have reduced by 75% in 10 years approximately.

Do solar panels still work on cloudy days?
Solar panels work all year round. It’s actually radiation from the sun, rather than temperature, heat or direct sunlight, that enables solar PV panels to generate electricity. The most optimum conditions are surprisingly on a sunny winter’s day, because cold temperatures help solar panels convert energy more efficiently.

How does Vital make use of solar panels?
At Vital’s HQ in Blackburn, there are 264 solar panels on the roof which power the fleet of electric vehicles. Many of the company vehicles are electric and there is the facility to charge 22 vehicles at once. So far, the solar panels have powered over 400,000 electric miles, saving 8,000 gallons of fuel, which is really impressive!

Does solar PV work best as a standalone energy source or combined with other technologies?
Solar PV works very effectively both independently and connected to further technologies. It works incredibly effectively with both Air Source Heat Pumps and Ground Source Heat Pumps.

Do solar farms pose an environmental threat?
There is a common misconception that solar farms pose environmental challenges, however when installed correctly, they can have a positive impact on the surrounding land. For example, the land where solar farms are located can be used for active grazing, and the solar panels create man-made shelters for livestock, which stops them overheating during summer months.

Have you introduced any unique techniques to add value to solar projects?
Yes, bee bombing! Not all fields have to be mowed, so I have introduced wildflower meadows to fields where we’ve installed solar farms. The beauty of wildflower meadows is that the flora and fauna grow to roughly the same height as the solar panels, so they don’t affect efficiencies. This of huge benefit to the environment, as the world is short of bees (mother nature’s gardeners), and these meadows provide a feast for them.

What advice would you give to an organisation who are considering going down the solar route?
Listen and take advice from experts and people who have experience in solar energy. Think about how solar can work with other low carbon technologies such as battery storage and heat pumps to provide more significant benefits.  If it’s installed properly, you can reap the benefits for many years.

What kind of solar projects has Vital been involved in?
During my time here at Vital, we have delivered a broad range of solar schemes from freestanding solar farm projects and private wire schemes, to on roof schemes delivered as part of larger projects. It’s fair to say Vital Energi can deliver it all.

If you would like to know more about how you can benefit from solar technologies, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Two depots run by Salford City Council are set to take a step closer to their net zero carbon targets after news they are undertaking a solar car port project which will revolutionise the way they generate electricity.

The scheme, which is being designed and delivered by Vital Energi, is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and, when complete, will see four state-of-the-art solar car ports installed across the council’s Turnpike Depot and Swinton Hall Road Depot.

One solar car port sized at 177kW will be installed at the Swinton Hall Depot, whilst a larger scheme comprising of 3 car ports sized at 477kW will be installed at the Turnpike Depot.  The electricity generated will be fed into the depot buildings and offset electricity from the grid.

The schemes are being delivered for Salford City Council who is a partner in the Unlocking Clean Energy Greater Manchester project.  Greater Manchester has set a target of becoming a carbon-neutral city region by 2038 and are using the GMCA (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) Go Neutral Smart Energy framework to procure the schemes.

Vital Energi have signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Birmingham to develop and commercialise a range of innovative thermal storage solutions, which will help accelerate decarbonisation within the heating and cooling sector.

Vital Energi and the University of Birmingham will work together over an initial four years to continue the development of thermal storage Intellectual Property (IP) with a view to bringing a number of products to market. As part of the agreement, the University has assigned several IP rights, including a number of patents, to Vital Energi.

The implementation of thermal energy storage is imperative to address the challenges posed by intermittent renewables and enhance the overall reliability and sustainability of energy systems. Just as decarbonisation of electrical generation necessitated the huge growth in electrical storage over the last 10 years, it is expected that thermal energy storage will emerge over the next decade as a key enabler in accelerating the electrification of heat which will form the core of heat decarbonisation.

The collaboration will leverage the combined strengths of Vital Energi’s industry experience and the expertise in the team led by Professor Yulong Ding, Chamberlain Chair of Chemical Engineering and the founder of Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage. By fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and knowledge, both entities aim to accelerate the pace of innovation and commercialisation of thermal storage solutions.

Vital Energi are committed to providing clients and end users with the most efficient and economic decarbonisation solutions and recognise the pivotal role that thermal storage plays in the future to ensure efficient utilisation of energy resources. This collaboration aligns with their aim of delivering environmentally conscious and technologically advanced solutions that address the challenges of today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Vital Energi’s Technical Development Director, Chris Taylor, said:

“We see thermal energy storage as a core component in the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector. Through this collaboration, we aim to bring innovative energy storage to the market and tackle some of the obstacles introduced by an evolving energy system.

“This is an exciting time for Vital and we believe we have found the perfect partners in Professor Ding and his team at the University of Birmingham, and look forward to working together to commercialise their concepts.”

Professor Ding, who is known for inventing novel, commercialisable, technologies for electrical and thermal energy storage, has published over 450 technical papers and filed some 100 patent applications over the past 35 years.

Professor Martin Freer, Director of the Birmingham Energy Institute at the University of Birmingham, added:  “This partnership is really exciting as it allows a pathway for the discoveries of Professor Ding and his team to deliver impact in the development of the UK’s energy system in the much-needed area of energy storage.

“The University of Birmingham’s research is world leading in this area and it presents the opportunity with Vital Energi, who have been fantastic partners, to deliver world leading energy solutions.” 

Vital Energi are working with NHS Forth Valley on a multi technology energy project across their estate to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and support the delivery of the Board’s net-zero targets.

This work will include the installation of more thermally efficient glazing, roof mounted solar, insulation, LED lighting, BMS infrastructure and electric boilers.

Financial savings from these improvements are expecting to be around £59k each year and utilises a blend of energy conservation measures which are tailored to the Board’s shortlisted buildings. Lifetime carbon savings are anticipated as 1,595 tonnes of carbon dioxide and the scope developed in this phase creates a pathway for further carbon reduction solutions to be implemented in the future.

Kieran Walsh, Vital Energi’s Operations Manager (North & Scotland) said, “We have seen, from previous projects with the NHS that there is scope to provide innovation to the way Health Board’s generate and consume energy, reducing both their carbon footprint and energy bills. NHS Forth Valley is taking a significant step towards their net zero goals by harnessing a mixture of technologies that capitalise on energy and carbon reduction opportunities across their estate and we are delighted to be assisting them on their journey.”

Almost £2m of funding from the Green Public Sector Estate Decarbonisation Scheme* (GPSEDS) will be used to improve the energy efficiency across the 13 sites which represents over 12,000m² of building space.

This supports efforts to reduce maintenance and energy costs and contribute to the delivery of targets set out in NHS Scotland’s Climate Emergency & Sustainability Strategy.

Mr Derek Jarvie, NHS Forth Valley’s Head of Climate Change & Sustainability, said:

“Increasing the energy efficiency of local healthcare facilities across Forth Valley is a key priority as this will not only cut energy bills and generate income but will also help reduce carbon emissions.

“This work is just one of a wide range of initiatives underway to reduce waste, use more environmentally friendly products and deliver greener, more sustainable services in our efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

“The project will see Vital Energi install a range of energy conservation measures across thirteen of the Health Board’s buildings including the Airth Health Centre, Camelon Health Centre, Falkirk Community Hospital (Westfield Medical Practice and Woodlands Resource Centre), Slamannan Health Centre, Bannockburn Health Centre, Dunblane Health Centre, Orchard House Health Centre, Stirling Health and Care Village (Livilands Resource Centre), St Ninians Health Centre, Clackmannan Health Centre and Tullibody Health Centre.

“The works will also see improvements to greenspace around Stenhousemuir Health Centre funded by the contractor. This will support the health and wellbeing of staff on-site and people in the local community, as well as encouraging greater biodiversity.”

We are delighted that 2024 has seen our apprentices continue their award-winning success, with Senior Apprentice, Leah Hardaker claiming the Campbell Cummings Building Services Apprentice of the Year award at Salford City College’s annual apprentice awards.

Her Manager continues, “Leah is a great example of an apprentice who joined us with the right attitude, making the most of every opportunity and constantly looking for ways to improve and learn.  We’re delighted that she was named as an apprentice of the year and look forwards to great things from her.”

Leah is just one of our apprentices to win an award, with other successes including the CIBSE apprentice of the year, BESA apprentice of the year and the Ken Dale Bursary.

If you’d like to follow in their footsteps and join Vital Energi as an apprentice then you can find out more about our craft, technical and business apprenticeships here.