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The UK can only meet it’s net zero commitments if we continue to recruit and train our future generations, so we were delighted to be invited to two events recently to promote careers in green energy.

Vital Energi’s Head of Marketing, Abby Whitelock, was invited back to her alma mater, Merchant Taylor’s School for a careers evening.  Abby was joined by Resource Manager, Jenny Pickup and the pair were able to meet students, answer questions, and talk through the many routes into a green energy career.

My alarm goes off at …
I’m a serial alarm setter – I have alarms set for 5:40 then again at 5:45, 5:50 and finally at 6am (when I actually get up).

The first thing I do each day is …
Make a coffee. I’ll get the strongest coffee I can find and put it in the largest container I have (usually a mug – but I have been known to stretch to a small bowl). I love freshly ground coffee and taking that extra time really makes a difference first thing in the morning.

I prepare for the day ahead by …
Catching up on industry news to see what’s happening in the ever-changing energy market. I also write a list of tasks I want to achieve that day – ticking them off is so satisfying!

I can’t leave the house without …
Gadgets! Once I’m on the train, I love nothing more than listening to a podcast and getting my brain in gear for the day ahead. I listen to all sorts. A lot of Radio 4 documentaries, The News Quiz, More or Less (which is all about statistics, geeky I know), as well as No Such Thing as a Fish.  I’m currently listening to The Guilty Feminist, which is funny and topical.

My typical day… In this part please talk us through your day sharing in brief the main activities involved – both planned and unexpected – the places you go to and the people you interact with
I head into the office for around 8:30am, more coffee, have a catch-up with our Community Energy Director, Paul McIver, who I share an office with.

I tend to spend a large part of the day energy modelling, with tools such as EnergyPro, and pulling together commercial techno economic models for new projects, as well as analysing our existing projects. I look at the design, energy inputs and outputs from different sources, O&M costs, life cycle costs of assets, energy input costs, as well as pricing to customers. I coordinate with different teams across the business daily to analyse systems so we can provide our clients with an optimal solution. Some days, I may present solutions to clients or write proposals.

My work is mostly office based, and to date at Vital, I’ve focussed mainly on new build systems. However, where existing sites are involved, I will look to visit site, aligning analysis  with the reality – no substitution for that really!

Being in central London in the Holborn office, food exploration for lunch is always something to look forward to!

I try and leave the office at 5pm and arrive home at around 7pm.

My most memorable work moment …
I’ve only been at Vital Energi for a few months, but there are a few things that have stood out so far…

I joined the business to focus on further developing the ESCo business, as well as working on EPC projects. I knew the D&B reputation of Vital, but hadn’t understood the breadth and scale of O&M and metering and billing services that we already have in place, as well as our existing ESCo systems. We have in the order of 36,500 heat customers, 123 O&M contracts, and in London alone, there’s a team of over 35 mobile O&M engineers.

I was impressed by the scale of some of the heat pump projects Vital have designed and already delivered,  or are in the process of doing so. Where many heat pump projects in the UK are still in the development stage this hands-on delivery experience really stands out. For example, we delivered the UK’s first large-scale water source heat pump scheme in Queens Quay, and are currently working with Southwark Council to retrofit water source heat pumps into existing heat networks across three estates, benefitting over 2,000 properties – one of the first projects of this scale to be deployed within London.

The worst part of my job …
Vital are doing so much and there are so many things that would be great to get involved with, but I can’t do everything!

The best part of my job …
Learning new things and tackling new challenges. Particularly at this time where we’re seeing rapid change and transition as part of the zero carbon trajectory where Vital are leading the market… this includes considering different ranges of technologies and changes to energy markets.

My job involves considering the whole life cycle of projects, typically long-term contracts. This means interaction with wide range of teams, such as design, estimation, operations, commercial and financial, which I really enjoy.

Having the opportunity to work with all of these experts in their fields at Vital, and pulling that expertise into projects so we can offer the best solution to our customers.

I relax after work by …
Depending on the time of year, I’ll head out onto the Brighton seafront, get some sun and indulge in some ice cream.

I’m an avid cyclist and when I’m working from home, I’ll get on my bike and unwind when I finish. Either with a turbo trainer during the winter (Zwift addict!) or out and about on the South Downs in the summer.

On my bedside table is …
If my cat hasn’t pushed everything off, there will usually be a few books both fiction and non-fiction as well as a number of industry magazines. I am currently reading The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks – a great read if you like Sci-Fi!

The last thing I do each day is …
Try to unwind – read, watch a TV show or film, (which can be anything from an F1 documentary to Below Deck) just something relaxing to decompress from the day. Oh, and watching the Tour de France is a must each year!

I’m normally in bed by …
I try to get to bed for a sensible time of about 10pm or so, but at the weekend I’ll go out with friends and extend the bedtime by a bit.

The Castle Park heat pump project in Bristol has proven a popular destination for politicians looking to learn how the latest renewable technologies are helping councils on their net-zero journey and the most recent visitor to the site was Ed Miliband, former Labour Party Leader and current Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero.

Mr Miliband was met by representatives from Bristol City Council and Vital Energi and toured the energy centre which will produce low-carbon heat for the Bristol Heat Network.

We’re helping clients across the UK on their journey to net zero, and we’re delighted that five of our projects have been shortlisted in this year’s Decentralised Energy Awards. Congratulations to all of our clients!

The Association for Decentralised Energy’s (ADE) annual awards are the most prestigious awards for those involved in decentralised energy, recognising and celebrating the people and projects which showcase innovation, best practice and achievements across heat, efficiency, power and flexibility.

We’ve also entered into the Contribution to Net Zero category, which is a special award that will be presented during the awards ceremony in June.

Our shortlisted projects are below:

Heat and Efficiency: Operational
Leeds PIPES Energy from Waste District Heating Project, in partnership with Leeds City Council & Ener-Vate.

The Leeds PIPES heat network is a landmark project which has demonstrated how towns and cities can generate rapid carbon reduction.  The scheme has already seen 26.5km of district heating installed, connecting almost 2,000 homes and 8 public buildings with more connections imminent.

The project utilises waste heat from the local EfW plant, will account for 16,256 tonnes of CO2 reduction per year & alleviate fuel poverty.

Heat and Efficiency Digital Innovation
Oakshott Court, in partnership with Danfoss and Camden Council.

We have partnered with Danfoss to introduce revolutionary AI software technology at Camden Council’s Oakshott Court, which in just 7 months has reduced the site’s energy consumption by a third, helping the borough transition to a low carbon future. By simple modernisation of the heat network through the deployment of digital technology, we have provided improvements to the heating system benefitting 114 homes.

Heat and Efficiency Design Innovation
Southwark Heat Pumps, in partnership with Southwark Council.

We are working with Southwark Council to decarbonise their existing gas fired heat networks, across three local estates benefitting over 2,000 properties with a lower carbon heat supply. This is the first time water source heat pumps have been retrofitted within an existing high temperature heat network in London.

Integrated Energy
Swansea Bay University Health Board RE:FIT Projects

Swansea Bay University Health Board is a multi-phase RE:FIT project which has pioneered an innovative blend of renewable energy generation and energy conservation measures including the creation of the UK’s first solar farm dedicated to supplying an NHS hospital. The primary focus of the project was to deliver substantial and rapid decarbonisation to help the health board meet their net zero commitments.

Northwick Park Hospital, in partnership with London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

We are guaranteeing savings of £1.9m a year for the Trust and are reducing carbon emissions by 2,581 tonnes a year at Northwick Park Hospital. This is through a fully integrated, self-funding, multi technology energy solution which will help decarbonise the Trust, as well as creating a smart grid from which the local community will also benefit.

The winners will be announced at the ADE’s annual gala dinner on Wednesday 15th June.

A former landfill site is set to play a central role in Bedford Borough Council’s net zero plans after the first of 8,080 solar PV panels were installed at the Bedford Green Technology & Innovation Park project.

After extensive regeneration works to the site, 4.2MW of capacity will be installed, stretching across a 30-hectare plot.  Piling and frames have been installed and, when complete, the project will save an estimated 1,000 tonnes of carbon per year.

The project is set to be operational in April and tested and commissioned by May 2022.

The City Of Liverpool College and Vital Energi join forces to support Net Zero Targets

Vital Energi has partnered with The City of Liverpool College for the second year to deliver bespoke renewable energy and heat network apprenticeship programmes across the country.

Scaling up heat networks and generating energy from renewable technologies is at the heart of the Government’s plans to boost the UK’s energy security and achieve the country’s Net Zero target by 2050. To achieve this, 18% of heat will need to come from heat networks. As it stands today, connections to heat networks represents just 2%, so we need the resource and skills to deliver this infrastructure.

In response to this, Vital – which has over 30 years’ experience in delivering heat networks – is joining forces with The City of Liverpool College, which will deliver the curriculum from the £2m state-of-the-art Training Academy located at Vital’s Blackburn headquarters, for two pathways: Craft and Technical.

Both pathways will enable apprentices to learn and work within the renewable energy and heat networks market. They will discover how energy is generated and distributed, and how to manage and reduce consumption for residential and commercial clients. Apprentices will also learn how carbon emissions are reduced through Vital’s renewable technologies and the innovative products they have developed.

The initiative follows an incredibly successful first year for the programmes, which demonstrate the organisations’ commitments to developing the key industry skills required to achieve net zero and create a sustainable workforce to shape the energy landscape for the future.

Liverpool City Region has an ambition to reach net zero carbon by 2040 and The City of Liverpool College is focussed on developing its curriculum around the needs of industry, creating a workforce for the future by developing the skills needed to enter the world of work in sustainable careers.

Lindsay Meadows, Head of Apprenticeships at The City of Liverpool College, said:

“Our partnership with Vital Energi is built on the knowledge and skills of its engineers and our innovative curriculum leaders at The City of Liverpool College. Working with progressive, exciting organisations such as Vital Energi helps us to continue to innovate and provide our students with the skills they need to enter the workforce and forge successful, sustainable careers.

“The apprenticeships will play an essential role in developing the skills needed to deliver our low carbon future, while giving apprentices the skills and knowledge they need to thrive and forge sustainable careers in the industry.”

The programmes will be delivered via a blended mix of virtual online teaching and a minimum of 25 days curriculum learning each year within the Training Academy. Apprentices will spend the majority of their time on-site working on real projects, where they will pick up a wealth of skills through hands-on experience and support from Vital’s expert team.

During the three-year Craft programme, apprentices will study for a Level 3 Building Services Engineering Craftsperson qualification. They will learn a range of key skills from pipework fabrication and jointing techniques such as electro fusion jointing, to welding, the installation of plumbing and heating systems, and more.

At the end of the Technical programme, apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Building Services Design Technician qualification, after developing their understanding of building services design principles.

Chris Roach, a site-based Project Manager at Vital Energi, started his career journey at The City of Liverpool College when he was 18 years old, where he completed a four-year Mechanical Building Engineering apprenticeship. He studied Building Services Engineering in the first two years before focussing on Mechanical Building Services Engineering in the last two.

As well as achieving a HND, Chris won the North West HVAC Student Engineer of the year in 2005, and the National CIBSE HVAC Student Engineer of the year in 2005. His hard work and determination throughout his apprenticeship formed a solid platform for his future career.

Chris Roach, Project Manager at Vital Energi, said:

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as an apprentice at The City of Liverpool College, and as well as gaining a wealth of skills through hands on experience and support from tutors, it allowed me to discover the career path I wanted to follow.

“I strongly believe that my apprenticeship formed a great foundation for my career path. Here at Vital, we’re working on exciting projects across the whole of the UK to help our clients reach net zero. We’ve connected over 82,000 homes to heat networks so far and in my opinion, there is no better time to join us!”

During the three-year Craft programme, apprentices will study for a Level 3 Building Services Engineering Craftsperson qualification. They will learn a range of key skills from pipework fabrication and jointing techniques such as electro fusion jointing, to welding, the installation of plumbing and heating systems, and more.

On his experience of the programme, Harvey Hudson, Technical Apprentice, commented:

“As well as a better understanding of the job and career, spending time in a variety of departments has helped broaden my knowledge of the industry and the many different aspects required for a successful project. I’m also able to gain valuable, practical experience and learn from site-based professionals, which I know will help me to hit the ground running in my career.”

At the end of the Technical programme, apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Building Services Design Technician qualification, after developing their understanding of building services design principles.

Vital Energi is working on nationwide projects and are looking to recruit apprentices from all over the UK. To find out more about the apprenticeship programmes and to apply, visit:

https://www.vitalenergi.co.uk/careers/apprenticeship-programmes/

The Barking Town Centre District Energy Network is a key part of the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham’s plans to become London’s Green Capital and to celebrate the completion of the district heating mains Vital Energi held a tree planting ceremony.

The event saw eight trees planted in Barking Park, with two trees representing every kilometre of district heating pipework installed.

Over 2000 households in Southwark will benefit from low carbon heating due to a ground-breaking renewable energy scheme developed by Vital Energi which will save thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment.

Vital Energi is retrofitting water source heat pumps within an existing high temperature heat network across three Southwark estates – with this being the first time this has been achieved within the capital.

In addition to new heat pumps, the estates will benefit from improvements to the district mains, boiler house works and electrical upgrades.  All of the works are scheduled to be complete before summer this year, and will help the council to achieve the Government’s Decent Homes standard.

The initiative is part of the council’s strategy to tackle climate change and better protect the environment from polluting gases. Approximately 79% of the borough’s carbon emissions come from buildings.

Southwark’s Councillor Helen Dennis and Councillor Stephanie Cryan recently visited the Wyndham estate to find out more about the scheme and its impact on the borough.

Councillor Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency and Sustainable Development said: “Tackling the climate emergency is a top priority for Southwark Council. These new heat pumps will deliver a win-win for residents, keeping their homes warm whilst generating renewable energy and removing thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air.

“Our Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan is clear that we all need to do everything we can to reduce our carbon emissions, and help tackle the climate emergency together. Tackling emissions from buildings is crucial, and this project sits alongside our Green Buildings Fund, and the work we have already undertaken to green council buildings across Southwark.”

Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Council Homes and Homelessness added: “We are working across the council to tackle the climate emergency that is facing us all. I am delighted that these works will further improve the quality of housing for our residents and also help us meet our ambitions for a healthier environment.”

The carbon savings from the initiative equate to 3,848 people flying from Gatwick to Chicago every year, or an average car travelling 13,468,000 miles every year. It would allow 16,000 people to drive across the UK, from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Find out more about how Southwark’s new heat pump networks will operate.

Energy services company Vital Energi Group today (10 March) announced the appointment of Cécile Parker to the role of Chief Financial Officer to help drive its business growth and decarbonise the UK’s energy systems.

Cécile has a wealth of multinational board-level experience, with a track record of raising funds to enable growth organically and through mergers and acquisitions. She enjoys strong relationships with private equity firms, major banks, financial institutions and global payment providers.

Her appointment is described by the company’s CEO as a strong signal of plans for “transformational growth”, as it looks to expand its offering from being a delivery partner to being an asset owner.

Based in Blackburn, Lancashire, and with offices in Scotland and London, the Vital Group provides multi-technology generation, distribution and consumption solutions to healthcare, education, industrial, commercial, local authorities and residential sectors in the UK.

Cécile Parker has been working as CFO at Europe’s largest supplier of industrial maintenance, repair and overhaul products and services, where she was instrumental in turning the business around and doubling the company’s profitability.

Previously she was Group Finance Director at a critical asset business which provided commercial laundry, catering and heating solutions. She has also served in senior finance roles in the construction, telecommunications, food and drink industries, and is a two-time winner of the Industrial Engineering CFO of the Year award.

According to Cécile Parker:

“The Vital Group has a huge opportunity to drive forward the decarbonisation agenda in the UK. I’m relishing the opportunity to help steer the company in a bold new direction – a direction that is of increasing interest. The UK has ambitions to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and within the Vital Group we have the expertise to help develop the low-carbon energy infrastructure required. It’s an important moment to be joining a company that has a big role to play.”

Lisa Martin leads our customer care programme where the ultimate focus is to listen to our clients, share the feedback to our teams and ensure we continually align our service and approach to their individual and project needs.

Lisa speaks directly with our clients on a one-to-one basis throughout the project as this provides a more personable but valuable insight, and by reviewing within the project period rather than on completion, we can maintain high levels of satisfaction.

This feedback provides a tool for us to learn what our clients want, what we are doing right and also where we need to change.  We are delighted to have some outstanding comments which is a great form of positivity and motivation for the staff. Lisa also facilitates the constructive feedback which allows us to continually adjust and tailor our operations.

Lisa explains, “Having 100% of our clients say Vital have met their expectations and would be happy to work with us again is a fantastic reflection on our staff.  Our collaborative culture, open and honest approach is a consistent high performing benchmark across our reviews and one which alongside our technical ability is seen as a strength from clients when working through any challenges projects bring.

Mike Cooke, Managing Director for the North and Scotland said “It’s important to celebrate the many positives we’ve received, but it is essential to also listen to our clients and focus on continuous improvement. As a turnkey provider we have incorporated our customer care programme into all our divisions as an invaluable tool to ensuring Vital and our supply chain provide a positive delivery from bid to design, installation, O&M and customer service.”

Some of the highlights of the Engineering North 2021 summary include:

• Our people, flexible and project management approach consistently outperforms our benchmarks
• 90% overall performance score
• 100 Net Promoter Score
• 100% of clients would like to work with us again