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Vital Energi are working with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on a multi technology energy project which will see Bridlington Hospital on course to become one of the most sustainable NHS sites in the UK.

Vital Energi have installed air source heat pumps and solar PV systems to significantly reduce Bridlington Hospital’s carbon emissions. The energy efficiency of the hospital will be improved through the installation of energy conservation measures, including thermal insulation and modifying air handling units to reduce energy consumption. The energy project also includes the optimisation of the heating and hot water systems across the hospital estate which will both reduce energy usage and improve the performance of the new heat pumps.

Currently, the hospital’s heating and hot water is generated by 20-year-old gas fired boilers and a gas fired CHP system.  The project will see the CHP being de-commissioned and one of the boilers removed to make way for the installation of a 600kW air source heat pump system which will be capable of supplying 100% of the heating and hot water demand of the hospital.  When coupled with the new 750kWp solar PV system, the heat pumps will provide zero carbon heat generation at the hospital.

The solar PV system, which combines over 1,600 panels both ground and roof mounted, will be capable of supplying 100% of the electricity demand of the heat pumps, meaning at times 100% of the heat demand of the hospital will be met via a 100% renewable source.  The solar PV will also provide a proportion of the hospital’s electricity requirements too.

The hospital’s energy related carbon emissions will be reduced by over 50% compared to current operations, and as the national grid continues to decarbonise electricity generation, these savings will increase further.

Tunde Oyeledun, the Trust’s Energy Manager, said:

“I am excited to see the range of energy efficient solutions being delivered to advance the Trust’s position on its path to net zero and reinforce its commitment to achieving its carbon reduction target.”

The project received £4.7m grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which is administered by Salix Finance on behalf of the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), formally part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to replace old gas (oil and coal) powered heating and hot water systems with low carbon systems whilst reducing the heat requirement through energy efficiency measures such as increased insulation. The funding was secured through the combined efforts of the Trust and Vital Energi teams working together to submit a complex application within an extremely challenging timeframe.

DESNZ, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and Vital Energi are delivering the project through the Carbon and Energy Fund Framework, which has been specifically created to fund complex energy infrastructure upgrades for public sector organisations.

Lee Podger, Client Relationship Manager with the CEF, said:

“The CEF has been working with the Trust for over eight years, initially with the procurement of new low carbon energy facilities at the Trust’s sites within York and Bridlington. The project at Bridlington is set to be a landmark scheme, which will provide valuable insight into how existing NHS estate can be transformed into efficient low carbon assets.”

Vital Energi are celebrating after their client, Leeds City Council, claimed two of the top accolades at the 2021 H&V News Awards.

The Leeds PIPES project took top honours in the District Heating Project of the Year and the HVAC Project of the Year (Over £0.5m) categories.

The awards took place at the Hilton, Park Lane, London on Thursday 12^th of November and celebrated the achievements of low-carbon energy projects in the UK, as well as highlighting the innovative products which are set to revolutionise the energy market.

Mike Cooke, Managing Director for Vital Energi commented, “This night was a showcase of the most innovative projects taking place in the UK energy sector.  It was a fantastic celebration of the businesses and the clients who are driving the UK towards meeting their net zero carbon targets.”

“We are delighted that the commitment, vision and investment which Leeds City Council have demonstrated in making the Leeds PIPES project a reality has been recognised with two awards.  The project showcases the speed with which councils and local authorities can create city-wide projects and reduce carbon emissions and will be an inspiration for other public sector bodies looking to follow their lead.”

“We are extremely proud that West Dunbartonshire’s Queens Quay development was highly commended.  This is the UK’s first large-scale water source heat pump, which has already won the European Heat Pump Award, and it will usher in a new age of renewable energy which harnesses the latent heat in the UK’s many water sources.”

Vital Energi has successfully completed a flagship roof-mounted solar project at Glasgow’s historic Kelvin Hall. The landmark project for Glasgow City Council, featuring over 1,000 solar panels and worth approximately £1.5 million, demonstrates Vital Energi’s growing presence in Scotland’s renewable energy sector and its capability to deliver complex technical solutions in challenging built environments.

The ambitious project at Kelvin Hall is a key part of Glasgow City Council’s climate action strategy. It is designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions, supply approximately 20% of the building’s annual electricity needs, and generate £182,000 in electricity savings each year.

The installation is accompanied by seven smaller solar installations across Glasgow schools and daycare centres, collectively supporting the city’s journey toward net zero emissions.

Beyond its environmental impact, the project has delivered significant community benefits, including educational initiatives and employment opportunities. Glasgow-based contractor, Versatile, was engaged for the installation, supporting jobs in the city’s East End. The project has also included classroom presentations on climate action for local schools through our Climate Education Programme, and is providing raised plant beds, soil and plants for community gardens at the daycare centres involved in the wider scheme.

The project adds to the 46 renewable energy installation projects that Vital Energi has delivered to date across Scotland, which include recent solar projects for NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Tayside. The company installed the landmark Queens Quay Heat Pump scheme in West Dunbartonshire in 2019. This is the largest water-source heat pump system in the UK, which extracts heat from the River Clyde to provide low-carbon heating to over 1,200 homes and businesses.

The solar project was 50% funded by Salix Finance, with Glasgow City Council providing the remaining investment.

Vital Energi have completed the installation of over 600 solar panels on the roof of Robin Park Leisure Centre to support Wigan Council generate energy, lower carbon emissions and deliver significant energy savings.

The 240kW roof-mounted solar PV array, and all associated works, will reduce energy consumption by an estimated 36 per cent (241,831kWh), saving around 51 tonnes of carbon every year.

This work is being done as part of the Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester project, the Council, working in partnership with Energy Systems Catapult & the European Regional Development Fund.

Regional Manager at Vital Energi, Simon Jones, said: “Wigan Council have a strong commitment to reducing their carbon emissions and have set a target of reaching net zero by 2038.  This project will be another definitive step on their decarbonisation journey and, by reducing the leisure centre’s emissions by over a third, this project demonstrates the role renewable energy can have in helping local authorities to decarbonise their estate.”

Councillor Chris Ready, portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “Leisure centres use a lot of energy, so I am delighted that we have been able to make this investment at Robin Park, joining the LSV and Leigh and Howe Bridge leisure centres.

“Our leisure centres are so key to ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing of our residents, and I am delighted that we have been able to make these key improvements to ensure they are better for the planet too.”

Vital Energi has embarked on an ambitious journey to net zero pledging to be fully carbon neutral by 2035, and by reducing actual emissions by 50% from 2020 levels by 2030 without using offsets.

We are developing science-based targets to achieve these goals, and have committed to set company-wide carbon reduction initiatives in line with the international Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard and Business Ambition for 1.5°C.

As well as helping clients across the UK transition to a low carbon future, we’re taking responsibility ourselves too. Our commitment to developing science-based carbon reduction targets demonstrates the measurable actions we are taking to reduce our environmental impact.

As part of our carbon reduction plan, we’re currently implementing a number of steps to accelerate our journey to net zero, including:

• Replacing lights across our offices with LED fittings.
• 75% of our fleet is electric or hybrid, and this is growing.
• Developing more environmentally conscious means for travel to work and site visits, such as car-pooling, public transport, and promoting digital and remote means of operating where possible.
• Reduced reliance upon fossil fuels for construction sites through exploring more temporary electricity supplies, electrically power plant and/or biofuel blend of fuel for construction site generators, and mobile machinery.
• Site welfare facilities and accommodation powered and heated by renewable energy.

We also have further exciting initiatives in the pipeline to help reach our target.

The next step for Vital is to further develop our science-based targets and become validated by the SBTi.

Over 2,000 businesses around the world are working with the SBTi, which provides a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and future-proof business growth. Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate change, limiting global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Vital Energi are delighted to be working in collaboration with The City of Liverpool College to deliver bespoke renewable energy and heat network apprenticeship programmes.

The new apprenticeship programmes demonstrate Vital’s commitment to developing the key industry skills required to achieve net zero and create a sustainable workforce for the future.

Having pledged to recruit 20 apprentices across the UK, Vital are proud to be 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 take apprentices on an energy journey where they will 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 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 exciting projects, where they will pick up a wealth of skills through hands-on experience and support from Vital’s experienced and knowledgeable team.

Vital Energi’s Managing Director for the North & Scotland, Mike Cooke, completed an apprenticeship at The City of Liverpool College and he believes this formed a great foundation for his successful career path.

“I loved the apprentice programme at The City of Liverpool College,” said Mike. “At 18 years old this was my first opportunity to experience independence and life in the city. My apprenticeship provided me with social, interpersonal, and technical skills which have been the platform of my career, and even though the pay was significantly less than Vital’s offer today, I’ve been able to progress through my career without being saddled with tuition fees and student loans. A real and genuine upside.”

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.

Sophie Park, Director of Workforce Skills 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.

“This new state of the art training centre will play an essential role in developing the skills needed to deliver our low carbon future.”

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.

As well as using project management systems to ensure timeframes and budgets are adhered to, apprentices will work alongside the commercial team to understand contractual agreements and review the financial performance of a project, produce technical reports, plus more.

Vital Energi are working on nationwide projects and are looking to recruit apprentices from all over the UK. The curriculum learning will take place in the North West, so depending on your location, this may require residential attendance which will be funded by the company.

For more information about Vital Energi’s apprenticeship programmes, click here.

We are delighted that three of our clients have been shortlisted for their fantastic energy projects at the 2022 H&V Awards.

Westminster City Council, Southwark Council and Swansea Bay University Health Board have all been placed on the shortlist and are some outstanding examples of how the low-carbon sector is working to meet the UK’s net zero targets. By harnessing solar farms, energy conservation measures and heat pumps, these three projects demonstrate just some of the technical solutions available for helping organisations meet their carbon reduction targets.

Vital Energi have secured a new contract with developers Wates Residential to install the pre-insulated network on the Gascoigne West Phase 2 development, as well as the connection between Gascoigne East Energy Centre to Gascoigne West, known as The Shaftesburys.

The contract runs alongside the main Barking District Heating Network scheme that Vital Energi are undertaking for the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, where the Gascoigne Estate section will be one of the main connections, providing heat to a number of properties including social housing homes and private properties.

The Gascoigne Estate connection is expected to commence in September 2021, with completion scheduled for early 2022. The Shaftsburys installation will include excavations outside and inside Gascoigne Primary School, so Vital Energi will deliver this section during the summer holidays to minimise disruption to children, parents and staff alike.

The Gascoigne Estate regeneration is being delivered by Wates over two phases, with the first delivering 200 homes and the second delivering a further 386. Works will see the demolition of the existing estate which will be replaced with five apartment blocks and townhouses. All homes on the estate will receive low-carbon heat via the district heating network.

Please join us in welcoming the new recruits to our Early Careers programme. Over the next few weeks, we will be celebrating an amazing achievement by introducing 59 entrants to the Vital family for our 2025/26 Early Careers intake.

This year, we have re-designed the apprenticeship programme that was originally launched in 2022 and have worked with our Future Leaders to re-model our graduate programme.  We’re enjoying a record-breaking intake, with 30 apprentices and 29 graduates joining us to contribute to our overall mission of protecting our planet for future generations!

The new recruits will be based across Vital Energi’s regional offices, including Blackburn, London and Scotland, whilst working on projects throughout the UK. Our Early Career opportunities span from Technical, Low Carbon, Degree, and Business Services disciplines, with additional opportunities in newly launched specialisms.

With a projected 126 apprentices and graduates joining the Vital family, this will make up more than 15% of our workforce! It’s fantastic to see so many people wanting to make a practical contribution to combatting climate change.

Ella Stokes, People and HR Director for Vital Energi explains, “We’re passionate about our Early Careers Programme as we believe fresh talent and diverse perspectives are the key to building a strong, future-ready workforce. Our apprentices and graduates bring energy, creativity, and adaptability; qualities that help us stay sharp and respond to a fast-changing world.

By offering clear development pathways, we give people the chance to grow professionally whilst building skills that will allow them to make a positive difference in meeting our overall business/ industry goals, including combatting climate change.”

If you’d like to learn more about our award-winning Early Careers Programme, click here:

• Apprenticeships: https://www.vitalenergi.co.uk/careers/apprenticeship-programmes/
• Graduates: https://www.vitalenergi.co.uk/careers/graduate-schemes/

Vital Energi are delivering financial savings of £1.6m a year for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW), money that will be used to improve patient care.

They have also helped reduce the carbon footprint of UHCW’s two hospital sites by 4,125 tonnes a year after installing future-proof energy generation equipment.

The project, which was delivered under the Carbon and Energy Fund (CEF), involved significant restructuring works of University Hospital Coventry’s main clinical waste compound to be able to accept the new 3.3MW CHP and all ancillary equipment. New accommodation was constructed to relocate and store medical sharps cabinets, and a new delivery area built to redirect deliveries of clean linen and the removal of all site laundry.

Vital Energi also completed upgrades to the BMS system at the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby and upgraded over 2,000 lighting fittings to new efficient LED bulbs.

Work commenced in August 2019 and carried on through the pandemic. During this time, the biggest vaccine campaign in NHS history launched, and University Hospital administered the UK’s first ever Covid jab on 8th December last year.

UHCW Sustainable Development Manager, Clive Robinson, said:

“The Trust is pleased with the energy saving solutions provided by Vital Energi, the savings both financial and in carbon emissions are part of our journey towards net zero.

“Delivering a complex project such as this on a busy hospital site with minimal disruption was a credit to all involved.”

All teams involved in the project from Vital Energi, the Trust, the PFI, and all subcontractors, worked closely together to ensure a successful outcome.