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Duffryn Heat Network is one of the largest district heating pipework replacement projects being delivered in the UK and will see the original 50-year old network replaced with a brand new district heating scheme which will bring more reliable heating to the 1000+ homes connected to the network.

The project is a major undertaking which involves replacing 7.5km of ageing pipes  with a modern and highly insulated network. The project received a £3.7m grant from the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES), and this work will secure the future of the district heating system and deliver a better experience for customers.

Learn more about the project which is turning an ageing 1970’s heat network into a truly modern renewable energy solution in the video below.

Newport City Homes’ Duffryn Heat Network Replacement Project is one of the largest district heating pipe upgrade projects currently being delivered in the UK. It involves replacing 7.5km of ageing pipes with a modern and highly insulated network. The project received a £3.7m grant from the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES), and this work will secure the future of the district heating system and deliver a better experience for customers.

We were delighted to welcome a delegation from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on Wednesday 14 February to find out more about the district heating system, see the pipework being installed, meet the team behind the project and tour the biomass energy centre.

The Duffryn heat network provides heating and hot water to over 970 homes, local schools and businesses. Since installation in the 1970s, it remains an example of innovative sustainability. It uses locally sourced woodchip instead of fossil fuels, which reduces carbon emissions and contributes to better local air quality. Any waste product is given to local farmers to use as fertiliser. The new pipework will ensure the local community and future generations benefit from sustainable and reliable heating and hot water.

The heat network is being delivered in phases to minimise disruption, with completion scheduled for Spring 2024.

Air source heat pumps are one of the most effective technologies for reducing carbon. They harness the natural heat energy present in the air to warm up a space. They work by extracting heat from the outside air and transferring it into a building. The pump uses a working fluid (refrigerant) to absorb heat from the outdoor air, which is then compressed to increase its temperature. This refrigerant is then circulated through a heat exchanger to distribute this heat into a building.

So, if they absorb heat from the air, how are they affected when it’s cold outside?

You might think that if the temperature outside falls below zero, the heat pump will stop working, however even in cold air, there is still sufficient heat for the heat pump to absorb and convert into useful energy.

We had a chat with Vital Energi’s Elliott Sharpe (Strategy & Partnerships Director), Dave Wilkinson (Design Director), Chris Green (Engineering Director), and Liam Grice (Senior Engineer), who advised how you can maximise a heat pump’s efficiency during cold weather, the best location for it, how you can prepare it for cold weather, and more.

How efficient is an air source heat pump in cold weather?
When we talk about efficiency of an air source heat pump (ASHP), we often consider how many units of heat we get from an ASHP for each unit of electricity used. Because it gets its energy from the surrounding air, we might get 3 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity, so an efficiency of 300% in the summer months. As the outdoor temperature drops as we head towards winter, the efficiency of an ASHP does reduce. As this reduces, we could find a situation where the heat pump is producing 1 unit of heat for every 1 unit of electricity, which is 100% efficient, this might not sound all that bad, but heat pumps can deliver much higher efficiencies than this when deployed correctly. 

How do you maximise efficiency during winter? 
Generally, during cold weather, the heat pump is operating at its worst efficiency when most heat is required. Careful design of the heat pump and the system it is connected to is important to maximise the efficiency. Understanding that heat pumps may have a reduced capacity at low temperatures is important in correctly sizing the heat pump to cope with this. If you buy a 300kW boiler, that boiler is 300kW all year round. That’s not quite the case for an ASHP, which might provide 300kW in a +10°C ambient temperature, and only 150kW during the coldest of days. The efficiency of heat pumps increases as their supply temperature reduces, so its beneficial to design heat emitters to operate effectively at lower temperature e.g. –underfloor heating can work on a 45C flow. Including buffer vessels or thermal storage can also provide flexibility which can lower the cost of heating from the heat pump. Optimisations of the heat pumps defrost cycle are essential for achieving the best winter performance and should be carefully considered.

Is there anything you can do to prepare your heat pump for cold spells?
Absolutely! The main objective should be to ensure that the heat pump is operating as it should. Proactive maintenance will assist with this, where the entire system should be inspected, refrigerant and oil levels checked, and any issues addressed. Consider scheduling maintenance before winter begins to ensure optimal performance.
In cold ambient temperatures, the heat pump will enter a defrost cycle more often. For optimum efficiency and performance, the air source collector should be unrestricted and free from debris. If you notice any excessive ice build-up on the air source collector it might suggest that the defrost cycle may not be functioning correctly.

Is there an optimum position or location where an ASHP will perform better during colder months?
ASHPs use fans to move ambient air over the collector. Any restrictions to the air flow will reduce performance. The air is cooled as it passes over the collector, so it is important to minimise air recirculation. Manufactures guidance should be followed to make sure there is sufficient free space around the heat pump and consider any additions such as acoustic panels and their impact on air circulation. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling is a useful investment to make during the design process to make sure the air source collector position is optimised.

Are there specific refrigerants or technologies that can improve winter performance?
When choosing a heat pump, it’s crucial to assess its suitability for various operating conditions over its lifespan. Understand your load profile to determine peak performance needs. If the ambient temperature drops below the design threshold, the system’s heat output and efficiency will decrease. Consider these factors carefully to select the optimal heat pump technology and refrigerant that precisely meets your requirements.

How can defrost cycles be optimised to reduce energy consumption and output limitations?
Typically, when ambient temperatures are below 7ᵒC, ASHPs will need to regularly complete a defrost cycle to remove frost which forms on the coil surface as moisture from the air freezes. The process requires energy to melt the frost, and generally the heating output is reduced during this time, so it is critical the process is completed quickly and efficiently. This can be optimised as part of the commissioning and O&M activities, making sure all temperature probes are fitted correctly and the settings are correct so the defrost process is not more frequent and longer than needed. It is a balance though, because not defrosting correctly causes severe performance issues. If all the frost has not melted and drained away, this will refreeze and eventually create ice which blocks the coil. Manual intervention is often then needed to get the system running optimally again.

Are there any energy conservation measures that can be implemented during the winter months which will help a heat pump run more efficiently?
There is a term often used which is ‘fabric first’. What this means is, the first port of call for any project should be to try and reduce your energy demands first, before looking into any new technology. This fabric first approach could be improving the performance of your windows, to reduce how much heat you lose. It could mean adding more insultation to walls and ceilings. All of these measures will result in your site/building requiring less energy.

Click here to discover more about heat pumps, and learn about some of the air source heat pump projects we’ve delivered below.

Westminster City Council
Northwick Park Hospital
Bridlington Hospital

London’s Therapia Lane trams depot in Croydon makes green transition through removal of fossil fuels and installation of hundreds of new solar panels.

Therapia Lane, where London Trams are based, has become Transport for London’s first depot to remove fossil gas usage by upgrading its heating system. It has also introduced on-site solar generation.

By adapting the depot in its biggest overhaul since it opened 27 years ago, the new heating and power system prepares the site for the future and ensures operational sites play a role in reducing climate change impact. The heating system has been modernised with a range of low-carbon, electric heat pumps and infrared panel heaters, replacing the unsustainable fossil fuel gas boilers. The infrared panel heaters target areas where staff work most, minimising ambient heat loss and achieving higher energy performance compared to traditional central systems. The heating system upgrade has enhanced hot water delivery through the installation of energy-efficient, on-demand electric water heaters.

The additional electricity consumption from the new heating system will be offset by using 1,800m2 of solar panels on the roof of the depot, which will generate 187 kWp of energy. Energy savings will come from energy efficiency measures such as improved insulation and LED lighting, which will also create a better, brighter, and more comfortable working environment for staff. The measures are expected to cut carbon emissions by around 183 tCO2e annually – similar to the emissions from a modern housing development – delivering significant long-term sustainability benefits alongside operational cost savings. Work at Therapia Lane, carried out in a live operating environment working around the clock, will also help inform efforts to decarbonise other active operational buildings on TfL’s estate as well as depots across the country.

The project was part funded by the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme as well as the Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund. The funding is delivered by Salix and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Whilst the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme helps fund energy efficiency works, the Low Carbon Skills Fund has funded heat decarbonisation plans and design. As part of efforts to accelerate decarbonisation under the fund, major upgrades including air and water source heat pumps, LED lighting and using smart sensor technology to adjust ventilation, cooling and heating levels in real time at TfL’s main head office Palestra House are in the process of cutting fossil fuel reliance and reducing carbon emissions by more than 1,500 tonnes annually. Similar technology is planned for other offices above stations like Aldgate, Baker Street, Oxford Circus and Victoria.

The upgrade of the Therapia Lane depot is just part of TfL’s wider work to further decarbonise London’s transport network and adapt its systems to reduce the impacts of climate change. As one of the largest consumers of electricity in the UK, TfL has entered a Power Purchase Agreement that will see a solar facility built to generate about 80 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year when completed – enough clean power to run both the DLR and Tram network for 15 years. TfL has also launched a private wire tender to receive zero-carbon electricity from solar farms connected directly to the London Underground network, bypassing the central grid.  This could generate up to 64 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the long term. The outcome of the tender will be announced once the process completes.

TfL is also working to further reduce its environmental impact across its wider network by upgrading lights to use LEDs to reduce electricity consumption, as well as improving biodiversity and delivering other forms of green infrastructure such as 390,000 square metres of wildflower verges on its road network. It is also maintaining and developing urban greening features, especially in outer London where there is more greenery, which can support better drainage and reduce flooding.

Mersey Heat, being delivered in partnership by Vital Energi, Ener-Vate and Peel Waters has quickly established itself as one of the most prominent heat networks projects in the country and we were happy to host our second ministerial visit in two weeks, welcoming Bill Esterson, MP for Sefton, and the recently appointed Chair of the Commons Select Committee for Energy Security & Net Zero.

As DESNZ plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the UK’s heating infrastructure, we were pleased to see the Sefton Central MP take such a keen interest in this pioneering renewable heat project that is changing the face of Liverpool’s low-carbon infrastructure.

Mersey Heat, which is owned by Peel and being delivered in partnership with Vital Energi and Ener-Vate, has seen the creation of an innovative energy centre which houses one of the largest water source heat pumps in the UK and takes heat from the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. This heat is distributed around the city via a 6km district heating network with the potential to deliver 45GW of heat to 6,700 homes and 1.3 million square feet of commercial space at full build out.

The initial phase alone is estimated to save 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

In addition to the technical achievements, large infrastructure projects like this are also an opportunity to embed ourselves in the local community, deliver social value and leave impactful, long-lasting legacies through employment and training opportunities, partnerships with local groups and supporting local charities. So far we have been able to place seven apprentices on the project, reached 340 local children through our Climate Education Sessions and supported Claire House Children’s Hospice through Peel Waters annual Dragon Boat Race.

This visit underscores the importance of sustainable heating solutions in the UK’s journey towards a greener future and Mersey Heat clearly illustrates how we can implement cutting-edge technologies that contribute to a fossil-free future while meeting the energy needs of communities across the country.

The tour, organized by Vital Energi and Ener-Vate, in collaboration with Peel, ADE, DESNZ, and Liverpool City Council, encompassed the Mersey Heat  Tobacco Warehouse show apartment, plant room, canal pumping system and the energy centre which houses the water source heat pump. It provided a comprehensive look at how this ambitious project is shaping the future of heat networks.

The subsequent Q&A provided an opportunity to learn more about the evolution of Mersey Heat and how it’s changing the face of energy in Liverpool, reducing carbon and delivering energy security, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

It was a pleasure to be part of the group extending a warm, Liverpool welcome to with Bill Esterson, MP and we look forwards to a bright future for heat networks.

As the energy landscape evolves, so too must the tools we use to design, optimise and futureproof our infrastructure. Among the most transformative of these tools is the Digital Twin – a virtual replica of a physical system that allows us to simulate, analyse and improve performance with high levels of precision.

Having worked with Digital Twin for a number of years, Energy Projects Development Manager, John Fonseka, shares insight into how this technology works, and the benefits it can bring.

From Site to Simulation: Building the Digital Twin

Creating a Digital Twin is not a one-click process. At the heart of this transformation is the six-stage process outlined in the diagram below. Vital Energi’s methodology complements this by conducting extensive site and BMS surveys, ensuring the Digital Twin is built on a foundation of accurate and comprehensive data.

It begins with a detailed on-site asset survey and energy data analysis to understand how a site’s energy generation and distribution system is currently designed and operating. This foundational step ensures that the virtual model reflects the real-world conditions accurately, capturing the nuances of legacy systems, operational constraints and energy flows.

Sandbox for Innovation

Once the Digital Twin is built, it becomes a sandbox for innovation. Engineers can test concepts, simulate performance under different scenarios and identify inefficiencies that would be difficult to detect otherwise. This is where the real value emerges – not just in visualising the system but in understanding it deeply enough to optimise it. We use this sandbox to stress-test proposed modifications under various conditions, such as partial loads and adverse weather, to optimise system performance before implementation.

The process continues with performance analysis and options appraisal. Here, carbon, cost and comfort are weighed to determine the most effective solutions. Whether it’s adjusting flow temperatures, reconfiguring control strategies or integrating new technologies, the Digital Twin provides a safe and insightful environment to explore possibilities before committing to physical changes. The calibrated Digital Twin enables us to generate techno-economic studies to accurately quantify the feasibility of integrating low carbon technologies like heat pumps.

Beyond Optimisation: Managing Future Uncertainty

But the journey does not end with optimising an existing installation or installing an optimised design. The Digital Twin evolves alongside the system it represents. Through real-time data monitoring and analysis, it ensures that efficiencies are maintained and improvements are sustained. It becomes a living model with human intervention – one that adapts, learns and guides decision-making over time.

This approach is particularly valuable in complex environments like healthcare estates, where infrastructure varies widely in age and condition, and operational continuity is non-negotiable. In such settings, the ability to simulate upgrades and assess their impact without disrupting services is a game-changer. It allows teams to plan phased interventions, align technical solutions with funding opportunities and ensure that new systems meet both performance and resilience requirements.

Digital Twins also support a more holistic view of energy strategy. By integrating energy conservation measures (ECMs) such as BMS upgrades, distribution system improvements, solar PV and fabric improvements into the model, teams can assess how these elements interact and contribute to long-term sustainability. This helps avoid the pitfall of implementing impressive but costly solutions that are difficult to operate efficiently. This process enhances this optioneering strategy by incorporating dynamic simulation capabilities into measurement and verification, delivering more meaningful and actionable data.

Achieving Success

Ultimately, the success of Digital Twin initiatives depends on the quality of information used to populate the model. Collaboration is key – from design engineers and energy consultants to estates teams and finance directors, everyone must be aligned on the strategy. The process is creative, collaborative and complete – bringing together data, expertise and vision to shape energy systems that are not only efficient but resilient and future-ready.

A Mindset Shift

Digital Twins are not just a technical innovation; they are a mindset shift. They invite us to think differently about how we manage energy, how we plan for change and how we build and commission systems that serve us better. In doing so, they turn ambition into action – and potential into performance. Vital Energi embodies this mindset by transforming ambition into action through a rigorous, data-driven approach that bridges uncertainty and solution.

Imagine a building not just as bricks and mortar, but as a living, breathing entity – one that can be mirrored, studied and optimised in a virtual reality. This is the promise of the Digital Twin: a dynamic replica of physical infrastructure that allows us to see not only what is, but what could be.

Real-World Impact

Digital Twin is not just theory or a buzzword or a shiny new toy to win a sales opportunity. At Bridlington Hospital, the deployment of Hysopt’s Digital Twin technology led to a leap in energy efficiency. Without changing a single piece of hardware, the system’s heat utilisation improved from 83.4% to 98.5% by optimising the operation – a testament to the power of simulation and optimisation. The same virtual model enabled the team to fine-tune return temperatures, unlocking the full potential of low-carbon heat pumps.

Digital Twins at Vital

At Vital Energi, we use two Digital Twin platforms for hydronic and hydraulic applications: Hysopt for HVAC system design and optimisation, and MATLAB for product design and performance modelling. These tools are not only used to predict and influence outcomes before they become reality, but they also serve as training platforms, enabling engineers to explore advanced concepts and test designs with no strings attached.

Digital Twins are redefining how we approach energy systems, turning buildings from static structures into dynamic, responsive environments. They are the blueprint of energy transformation where inefficiencies are exposed, options are appraised and futureproofing without ‘oversizing’ becomes a reality.

If only I had a pound every time I mentioned ‘Digital Twin’ in this article, I would not be a millionaire, I will be £19 richer!

One of the most valuable aspects of attending the annual AUDE exhibition is speaking directly with Estates Directors and energy teams who are delivering decarbonisation across the FE sector. Every year, these conversations offer a real‑time insight into the pressures facing higher education and the innovative ways institutions are responding.

Some universities are working towards ambitious 2030 net zero targets, while others are aligned with the UK Government’s 2050 deadline. Even with an additional two decades, the scale of the challenge is formidable.

Many institutions have already published detailed, costed decarbonisation roadmaps and the price tag is significant. For many, the journey to net zero will come with a £100 million+ price tag. With over 160 universities in the UK, the overall sector requirement will run into the billions.

Progress, however, remains uneven across the sector. A small number of organisations invested early and are now approaching the finish line. Many more universities are still at the initial stages of decarbonisation, and the question I was asked most often at AUDE was a simple one: “Where should we start?”

Having worked with more than 20% of the UK’s universities, we’ve seen first hand the strategies, attitudes and behaviours that build real momentum on the journey to net zero.

The project is being delivered through the NDEE framework and comes with an energy performance contract, which guarantees certain key performance indicators, such as carbon reduction, will be met, providing the College with certainty that its new heating system will perform as promised.

Start With a Decarbonisation Plan

We can’t overstate how impressed we’ve been by the universities that have invested time into developing robust decarbonisation plans. These documents become the blueprint for everything that follows and should be formed based on data collection and deep understanding of your Estate’s energy profiles and emissions.

A strong plan gives you a deep understanding of your energy infrastructure, how it performs, where it falls short, and where the most meaningful improvements can be made. It enables simple comparisons, such as the carbon and cost savings from replacing fluorescent lighting with LEDs, alongside more complex decisions, such as identifying the appropriate replacement for fossil‑fuelled heating and a reliance on the electricity grid.

By the end of the process, you’ll have a workable, evidence‑based roadmap, and crucially, clarity on whether you’re facing a £10 million challenge or a £100 million one.

Be Ready and Flexible to Secure Funding

No university reaches net zero through one flagship project. Even those securing headline‑grabbing £30m+ investments are only reducing their emissions by a proportion. Most institutions will need to deliver dozens of projects over the coming decades, from quick‑win energy‑reduction measures to major energy‑centre redevelopments or large‑scale renewable energy generation schemes.

Funding windows often appear quickly and close even faster. A strong decarbonisation plan helps you identify packages of work that meet a funder’s criteria, rather than waiting for funding that perfectly matches an ideal project.

Flexibility is key. If you can group and regroup initiatives in several ways, you dramatically increase your chances of being eligible for multiple funding opportunities. The universities that make the most progress are the ones able to move quickly and fluidly.

Start with the Low-Hanging Fruit… Strategically

Energy‑conservation measures are often the first place universities turn, and for good reason. They reduce energy and carbon at source, are usually self‑funded, and can be delivered with minimal disruption or as part of maintenance works. They also help reduce overall energy demand, meaning future generation or electrification solutions can be smaller and more cost‑effective.

Funding schemes often include requirements such as £ per tonne of carbon reduction. By combining high‑impact measures such as Solar PV with less cost‑effective upgrades, such as glazing, you can build packages that meet each criteria whilst retaining a ‘fabric first’ approach to decarbonisation.

Your decarbonisation plan should give you a detailed understanding of each measure, enabling you to create funding‑ready bundles with confidence.

Build Internal Momentum: Get on Your Soapbox

Once you’ve created your decarbonisation roadmap, it’s vital to socialise it. Many universities have made public commitments but delivering them requires strong internal political will and this can be difficult when competing for budget with student‑facing services.

The institutions making the fastest progress are those with a proactive approach to internal and external communication. Be vocal. Be visible. Advocate relentlessly for your decarbonisation agenda. Your work will only gain traction if internal enthusiasm matches the public commitments being made.

When competing for internal budget, you need to demonstrate the strategic value, and often the financial return of your initiatives. Sharing early wins is critical: use data to highlight impact, build confidence and secure support. One NHS estates manager told me that raising the internal profile of sustainability work was “one of the most important things you can do”.

Declaring a climate emergency or announcing a 2030 target only matters if you follow through. We’re proud to have partnered with many of the UK’s universities over multiple phases of decarbonisation projects and all our partners have one common trait – passionate people in their organisation who drive change and continue to achieve phased steps towards their net zero ambitions.

Finally…Don’t overthink it, something is better than nothing

Your decarbonisation road map is an evolving document, and you don’t need to begin with a “set-in stone” list of priorities.  Simply beginning the process can bring greater clarity, allowing you to get a better understanding of the potential phases.

Also, don’t let the size of your net zero challenge overwhelm you.  Even the projects which have multiple projects under their belt didn’t have a full sequence of project and phases from day one.  They created an overarching plan which could be adopted to suit available funding streams, access windows and the life cycle stages of existing infrastructure.

Once you have your basic plan, you can begin to build on it, crafting your long-term strategy over time.

Building Services Engineering apprentice and STEM ambassador, Ibrahim Qadir, along with Trainee Energy and Commercial Modeller, Millie Cooney, recently visited St. Margaret’s Church of England Academy in Aigburth, Liverpool, to support their What’s your Emergency Enterprise Day.

The aim of the day was to inspire and inform students about different career paths available across a range of industries that they may not have considered before now, and Ibrahim and Millie went along to fly the flag for the renewable energy and heat networks industry.

They held five engaging sessions across the day for year 10 students, highlighting how Vital Energi are helping organisations across the UK meet their environmental goals, and they shared some case studies from local projects too. Students also took part in a group task, where they were given a client brief and budget to develop an optimum energy solution. The duo received excellent feedback from both staff and students.

Ibrahim is a former St. Margaret’s Church of England Academy student, so we asked him some questions about the experience, why he wants to inspire the younger generation to join the industry, why he chose to become a STEM ambassador, and more.

Tell us about your visit to St. Margaret’s Church of England Academy…
Millie and I went back to my old high school to give a presentation and do some STEM activities with the students. Our intention was to not only talk about engineering, but also the sustainable solutions and practices that we implement, as a business, to achieve our environmental goals.  We began the sessions with an introduction to Vital, explaining what we do and shared some local case studies of our work, including Liverpool Waters and the University of Liverpool Quad Node. Students were then given a town, client brief, and a range of solutions all with different costs as well as heating and electricity production properties (a bit like top trumps). They were asked to design sustainable and cost-efficient solutions to meet the town’s needs. The game, which was designed by Elly in our Marketing team, helped the students grasp some of the transferable skills that engineers require such as critical thinking, teamwork and communication. The feedback from teachers and organisers was all positive, and they commented on the how engaged the students were with the presentation and task.

What did the students learn?
They learnt about the importance of implementing sustainable solutions in safeguarding the environment we live in. We highlighted the numerous pathways into engineering, such as apprenticeships and graduate schemes, explaining how broad of a term ‘engineer’ is, as it encompasses a wide range of disciplines, the roads to which are countless.

Why did you choose to visit this school?
This school was the high school I used to go to. I believed as a former student I could relate to them better and answer questions that I would have asked at that stage of my own life.

Why did you want to become a STEM ambassador?
I was given the opportunity to become a STEM ambassador and step out of my comfort zone to help inspire my own and younger generations to pursue a career in engineering. I believe that our work plays such a major role in the quality of people’s day to day life, so it is important to invest into its future.

Do you have any other STEM initiatives planned?
Yes, I have another event in March as part of the Leeds PIPES contract community engagement, which I’m really looking forward to.

If you’re considering the renewable energy and heat networks industry as a career, our apprenticeship scheme is now open. Click here for more information.

Islington Council had a target for their Waste and Recycling Centre to be decarbonised and to take steps towards a greener and healthier future for the borough. The project is now complete, and this milestone achievement marks a significant step forward in the Council’s efforts towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. The Waste and Recycling Centre will be the first council building to be completely transformed with energy saving upgrades.

Vital Energi installed 852 solar panels on the roof of the recycling centre and delivered essential mechanical and electrical work which included the replacement of six Air Handling Units (AHUs) with electric and refrigerant coils. The generation system in the plantroom which was run by two Direct Gas Fired Domestic Hot Water (DHW) now runs via an air-to-water source heat pump DHW system which supplies the centre with hot water.

Vital Energi upgraded the Low Voltage (LV) electrical infrastructure by building a new LV switch room which included the installation of lighting, power, containment, fire alarm and protection services. This upgrade will improve energy efficiency, increase carbon savings to the environment and reduce energy consumptions and costs.

To celebrate the completion of the project, the council organised a ceremony which saw the attendance of the Mayor of Islington, Council Champion, and many others present at the inauguration of the new project.

Vital Energi share the council’s passion for maximising the social value of the project and were able to sponsor Kentish Town under 12s girls football team, Vital Energi organised two football tournaments which we titled ‘The Vital Energi Cup’ with a family fun day theme held at Market Road Football Pitches in Islington. The tournament helped raise more than £700 for Kentish Town F.C., all proceedings went towards equipment and pitch hire, and we provided a new kit to one of the Kentish Town teams.

Vital Energi went further and raised over £7000 for Islington Giving towards their Islington Winter Appeal which helps to make an impact in the local community, helping to create opportunities for isolated older people to make connections and beat loneliness.

Deal signed to deliver water sourced heat pump to Mersey Heat Energy Centre

A deal has been signed with Star Refrigeration Ltd to provide a £2.5m water source heat pump to the Mersey Heat Energy Centre currently under construction at Peel Water’s Liverpool Waters at Princes Dock in Liverpool.

Led by Peel NRE’s district heat network specialist Ener-Vate and being built by Vital Energi, the project is set to become a major part of the city’s low carbon energy infrastructure.

One of the first to be installed in the UK, the pump will use game changing technology to extract heat from the water in the Leeds Liverpool Canal and use it to provide low carbon energy to thousands of homes and businesses around the city via a 6km district heating network.

Set to be operational by winter 2024, the Mersey Heat Energy Centre will provide an easy, affordable and convenient solution to decarbonise heating with the potential to provide enough low carbon heat for over a fifth of the homes in Liverpool. Local homes and businesses will be able to connect into the existing district heating pipework which has already been installed.

The government has identified heat networks as a crucial part of how the UK will reach net zero and one of the most cost-effective ways of decarbonising heating in built up areas. Using a water sourced heat pump to heat buildings is three times more efficient than using electricity for heating and has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%.

Jo Longdon, Commercial Director, Ener-Vate, said: “This is another major milestone towards delivering a game changing new approach to the way homes and businesses are heated in Liverpool. There isn’t the option to do nothing, we have to move away from fossil fuels and towards low carbon sources of heat. The Energy Centre will enable buildings to easy connect via an existing pipeline network providing an overnight solution to the challenge of decarbonising our heat sources.”

David Pearson, Director, Star Refrigeration Ltd, said: “David Pearson, Director, Star Renewables said: “Our heat pumps are manufactured in the UK and are an efficient way to cut CO₂ emissions and lower the carbon footprint of connected buildings by around 75%, which will reduce further as the grid decarbonises. It will help thousands of homes and businesses move away from fossil fuels.

“We’re proud to be providing a key component of the Mersey Heat Energy Centre, with the district heat network providing a critical step on the city region’s decarbonisation journey.”

The 8m x 12m pump, which is currently being manufactured in Glasgow, will be delivered to the Mersey Heat Network Energy Centre in the summer.

The district heating network will provide low carbon heat and hot water for up to 6,700 homes and 1.3 million square feet of commercial space at the Liverpool Waters development as well as wider domestic and commercial buildings across Liverpool. This initial phase of the project could supply 20GWh of heat every year with planning permission in place to expand the project to supply around 45GWh (the equivalent of supplying 17,000 new homes with heating and hot water).