Vital Energi Migration Prototyping

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  • Graduate Recruitment Programme Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

    Graduate Recruitment Programme Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

    

    Graduate Recruitment Programme Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary With 3 New Recruits

    Our annual Graduate Recruitment Programme is now in its 10th year and we are pleased to announce that our London & The South Team have welcomed three new graduate engineers to the Vital family.

    24-year-old Grant Ewing will be joining the Nine Elms Parkside project, he stated “I am delighted to have secured a position at Vital Energi. After basing my MSc dissertation on district heating, I am excited for the transition to the industry and all the learning and challenges that come with it.”

    26-year-old Junadul Islam, initially started a scheme with another company but due to COVID work turn down he was let go and now joins our design department. Junadul commented “Having joined Vital Energi’s graduate scheme after experiencing another grad scheme with a different company, I had immediately noticed the difference in personal development. Vital were very quick and efficient in getting me set up and stuck in. I appreciate having a Senior Engineer to learn from and ask for any advice as he’s been very friendly and welcoming. I really enjoy the office environment and look forward to seeing myself progress far with Vital Energi.”

    22-year-old Jack Anderson will be working on the London-based Oval project, he commented “I am very grateful for the opportunity Vital Energi has given me. I look forward to the challenges ahead of me with this position and navigating working life. I look forward to challenges ahead of me with this position and developing my engineering career with Vital Energi.”

    Vital Energi have created a comprehensive graduate training programme which builds on existing knowledge as well as adding invaluable practical experience.  We place our graduates alongside some of the most talented and knowledgeable professionals in the industry to give them the best chance of success in the early stages of their career.

    Our Graduate Recruitment Programme is a fantastic opportunity to bring new talent into the industry and we are delighted to have made three appointments so far this year. We can’t overstate how important it is to play a part in developing tomorrow’s workforce and we look forward to seeing the positive contributions these three make to the company over the coming years.

    Rob Callaghan, Regional Director for London and The South

    Further education
  • Further Contract Success at The Atlas Building

    Further Contract Success at The Atlas Building

    

    Further Contract Success Atlas Building Peaking Plants

    After completing the design and build for the heating and cooling scheme at The Atlas Building in 2018, we are pleased to continue our relationship with Rocket Properties by providing all operation and maintenance services for the energy centre and heating and cooling network.

    The Atlas Building is the tallest residential building in London’s Tech City, standing at 152m high, and consists of 38 storeys of residential property and 9 storeys of office space. We began working on the energy solution in May 2017 which included the installation of a 158kWe CHP engine, a 2.8MW modular gas boiler, 12 condensing gas boilers and a separate chilled plant room with 1MW of water cooled chillers.

    Having worked alongside the contractors and clients from the first stages of design, we have developed an insight into the project and its specific requirements, therefore this extensive knowledge of the site and the equipment installed has led to us delivering the operation and maintenance services.

    We are delighted to have been awarded the operation and maintenance agreement for The Atlas Building, and to be able to continue our work on site. We have worked closely with the managing agent to ensure a smooth project handover and will continue to do so to provide the best possible service to our client and end customers

    Katy Lister, Vital’s Business Development Executive

    The Atlas Building offers 302 one, two and three bedroom apartments, a private cinema room, a pool and a gym.

    The building offers 302 one, two and three bedroom apartments, a private cinema room, a pool and a gym.

    Urban networks
  • Plans approved for Liverpool energy centre

    Plans approved for Liverpool energy centre

    

    Energy Centre Liverpool

    Plans for an energy centre in Liverpool with renewable technologies to help provide low carbon heat and hot water to residents and businesses have been approved by Liverpool City Council yesterday(16 February).

    The Peel NRE facility between Great Howard Street and Sherwood Street is expected to save around 4,200 tonnes of carbon per year, this will be achieved through the primary use of water source heat pumps and thermal stores to provide heat to Peel NRE’s Mersey Heat district heat network.

    It includes plans for two 3MW water source heat pumps which would work on an ‘open loop’ system to take heat from water abstracted from the Leeds/Liverpool canal before pumping it back into the dock system.

    Two thermal stores capable of holding 260 cubic metres of hot water will also be installed alongside heat only gas boilers with a combined capacity of up to 40MW as a backup, and for use during times of peak demand.

    The energy centre will provide heat for up to 9,000 homes and 4 million sq ft of commercial space at Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters development, it will also connect to other key developments in the area.  The project is part funded by the Merseyside Pension Fund.

    The Mersey Heat Network is a major part of Liverpool’s developing low-carbon infrastructure and Peel NRE receiving planning permission for this new facility is fantastic news. The energy centre will be instrumental, not only to the network’s immediate success connecting new developments, but also to its continued expansion. The project has been future proofed with the capability to connect to existing city centre buildings, so that it can meet the long-term decarbonisation goals of Liverpool.

    Mike Cooke , Vital Energi Managing Director, North & Scotland

    This new facility will use renewable technologies as the main energy source to generate heat for the Mersey Heat network and connect homes and offices to low carbon heat and hot water. We’re pleased to receive planning permission for the energy centre to help meet national and regional climate emergency targets and we will explore options to decarbonise the network further as and when new technology develops.

    Jonathan Burley, Peel NRE Commercial Director

  • NHS Tayside’s Energy Scheme Sees Further Growth

    NHS Tayside’s Energy Scheme Sees Further Growth

    

    NHS Tayside’s Energy Scheme Sees Further Growth

    NHS Tayside’s 4MWe CHP energy scheme will see further growth with the connection of the refurbished Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the new Children’s Theatre Suite (CTS) at Ninewells Hospital.

    The project will see us supply, install, commission, and set to work additional steam and CHP generated low temperature hot water pipework to enable the upgraded facilities to connect to the existing energy scheme that we installed in 2017. Additionally, we will be supplying and installing two 600kW plate heat exchangers into the new NICU/CTS plant room which will ensure the heat source water reaching the facilities is at the correct temperature, and installing a new 750 litre expansion vessel in the existing energy centre to manage the increase in energy demand.

    We originally completed upgrades to the existing infrastructure at Ninewells Hospital which saw substantial enhancements to the energy centre. Additionally, we implemented a range of energy conservation measures at Perth Royal Infirmary and Stracathro Hospital to reduce emissions further, along with replacing over 22,000 light sources to new energy efficient LEDs across all three sites in the largest ever lighting upgrade to take place in fully operational hospitals. This is all guaranteed in an energy performance contract which will save the Health Board £2.6m per year in energy costs for a period of 25 years, with the first year of operation saving an additional £498k and second year saving an additional £337k

    The new pipework will be adopted by Vital as an integral part of the existing system which we have been providing operation and maintenance services for since its completion in 2017. By connecting the new facilities to the existing system, the capital costs are significantly reduced for the Health Board’s latest development as there is no need to purchase energy generation equipment

    John Runniff, Vital’s Account Development Manager

    The new facilities are part of a multi-phase project which will see the construction of a modern CTS comprising pre-assessment/waiting area, two operating theatres and a 10-bed ward; a refurbished NICU and the completion of the first phase of enhancement and resilience improvements to the existing high and low voltage electricity supply distribution systems.

    We are expected to finish our works on site by April 2020.

    Healthcare
  • Vital Contributes Heat Networks Best Practice to MPs and Ministers

    Vital Contributes Heat Networks Best Practice to MPs and Ministers

    

    Vital Contributes Heat Networks Best Practice to MPs and Ministers

    Earlier this year, we were approached to contribute to this year’s Parliamentary Review as a Best Practice Representative for the Energy & Environment edition.

    The Parliamentary Review is an annual publication with several editions that features commentary from the leading journalists, Secretaries of State and Government Ministers, and is sent to over 500,000 leading business executives, Members of Parliament, policy makers and other relevant individuals. The Review is a guide to industry best practice with the aim of raising standards and demonstrating how sector leaders have responded to challenges in the political and economic environment.

    Our participation saw Nick Gosling, Vital’s Group Sales and Strategy Director, comment on how changes in policy and regulation has helped or presented opportunities to develop the heat network market further, and suggestions for future growth of the sector.

    It was a real honour to be approached to feature in this year’s Review and we are delighted that our contribution is valued in terms of thought leadership in the sector. As Vital has been delivering heat networks for over 30 years, we have the experience to add value to the industry and share our lessons learnt with the readers.

    Nick Gosling, Vital’s Group Sales and Strategy Director

    The co-chairman of The Parliamentary Review, Lord Pickles, has praised the upcoming Review as one of the most comprehensive yet. He commented that as Britain undergoes changes, it is “essential that politicians have a firm understanding of the challenges with which British organisations must contend” and that The Review once again provides a perfect platform for this.

    Writing in The Review, The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove says “this year’s Parliamentary review comes at a momentous time for parliament, as we collectively determine the destiny of the United Kingdom.”

    You can read our entry by visiting the website on the following link: https://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/vital-energi

    Government estate
  • Energy & Asset Management Director Joins Vital Energi

    Energy & Asset Management Director Joins Vital Energi

    

    Energy & Asset Management Director Joins Vital Energi

    We are pleased to welcome Phil Walters as our new director of Energy & Asset Management for London and the South.

    Phil has joined the company after 8 years with Engie and before that a 22-year career in the Royal Navy working on a range of engineering plant and equipment including gas and steam turbines and power generation plant.

    Phil’s role will be to establish new markets for the South, focusing on winning Industrial and Commercial Operation and Maintenance contracts with large power demands.

    Phil comments “ I am excited to have joined Vital Energi especially at a time when there is a clear shift in energy demands within the market, I bring with me a wealth of knowledge around the more industrial plant and operations and maintenance of that plant ranging from large Gas turbine driven energy centres to smaller district heating and energy schemes. I have over 30 years of knowledge gained in this industry and am very excited to be able to work with the Vital Energi team in expanding this area of expertise”

    We are delighted with the appointment and would like to welcome Phil to the Vital family.

    Government estate
  • Vital Join the Ground Source Heat Pump Association

    Vital Join the Ground Source Heat Pump Association

    

    Vital Join the Ground Source Heat Pump Association

    We are pleased to announce our new membership of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA).

    The GSHPA was formed to drive forward quality, durability and customer outcomes in the industry by improving standards and the delivery of a technical compulsory professional development programme. Its aim is to provide the strongest possible sector support for the ground-source and water-source community, end-to-end, supply-chain to end-user.

    We took the decision to join the GSHPA as we believe these technologies will be a strong contributor to the UK’s carbon reduction journey and we expect they will continue to play an important role in legislation and regulations such as Building Regulations, Standard Assessment Procedure, Future Homes Standard and the GLA’s London Plan.

    As a company, we have been involved in promoting heat pumps in the UK market in ways ranging from advising the Government on overcoming the hurdles heat pump technology faced to undertaking feasibility studies to demonstrate their technical and commercial viability.  Most recently we are working to deliver the UK’s largest water source heat pump scheme at Queen’s Quay in Clydebank.

    We are looking forward to the year ahead, indeed, to the decade, when, in continuing to increase our levels of activity, working on behalf of our membership, and for the wider heat pump industry, we will promote and offer the only currently available and proven technology to decarbonise heating and cooling in the built environment

    Bean Beanland , GSHPA Chairman

    If you’d like to learn more about the GSHPA and the work they do then please click here: https://www.gshp.org.uk/

    Government estate
  • Vital Supports Road to Heat Meter Regulation Compliance

    Vital Supports Road to Heat Meter Regulation Compliance

    

    Vital Supports Road to Heat Meter Regulation Compliance

    The revised Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations came into force on the 27th November which affect organisations that manage properties which are supplied with heat from a communal source, via a hot water heating system. The regulations will place a burden on Housing Associations and Property Managers to ensure operators of eligible properties provide individual metering and billing for their occupants.

    The underlying principle of the regulations is that people are billed for what they actually consume. Individual billing provides greater visibility and control over their energy usage and costs.

    Failure to comply with the regulations puts the operator at risk of fines for non-compliance. The level of fine is set by an adjudicator and can be for up to 100% of the cost of installing the compliant solution.

    We can help and support operators to take the steps to understand their liabilities and develop solutions to achieve compliance.

    This will include;

    • Helping to define the classification of housing stock and the related liability
    • Carrying out detailed surveys and cost-effective assessments
    • Identifying technology solutions tailored to the client requirements
    • Full project and delivery management
    • Provide options for flexible financing solutions that remove the capex burden from the client organisation.

    The road to regulatory compliance is a two-stage process. After the 27th November Housing Associations, Property Managers and building operators will only have a year to review the classification of their housing stock and notify the OPSS (Office of Product and Safety Standards) by November 27th, 2021. This means that housing operators need to identify and determine whether their properties are classified as viable, exempt or open class, followed by completing the viability assessment tool for any properties within the “Open Class” group.

    The BEIS viability tool will determine whether additional works would be cost effective, If the tool determines the works are not cost effective the property will be classified as exempt. Otherwise the property will be classified as exempt.

    The second stage towards compliance will require the owner or operator of the heat system to install heat meters, heat cost allocators or smart technology in all properties classified as “Open Class” by September 1sth 2022.

    We can work with you to provide:

    • Stock Classification Evaluation Support
    • Survey Support
    • Cost Effective Evaluations
    • Technology Appraisals
    • AMR Solution Development
    • Full Project Scope
    • Procurement Guidance
    • Project Financing
    • Project Delivery
    • Meter Management

    Our soon to be launched smart app technology, Glass, can reduce installation costs, giving residents visibility of their consumption while ensuring housing operators can easily reconcile their finances and debt burden – it is designed to provide an affordable  and effective solution to the issue of compliance.

    Further education
  • Vital Welcome Two More Apprentices

    Vital Welcome Two More Apprentices

    

    Vital Welcome Two More Apprentices

    We have a long-standing commitment to supporting apprenticeships and we are delighted to continue this tradition with the appointment of two new recruits based in London

    Dylan Hodges will start his new role by joining the site team on the Royal Warwick Square project in Kensington, having previously worked in labouring and maintenance.

    Nathan Crick will be supporting our Mechanical Fit Out Supervisor working on the West End Gate project in Marylebone and is joining us straight from school and at 16 is our youngest ever apprenticeship recruit.

    Their involvement on these schemes will allow Dylan and Nathan to gain practical experience and knowledge of heat network projects, whilst studying Level 3 Plumbing at College.

    The apprentices of today are the skilled workforce and leaders of tomorrow and we’re delighted to give these two enthusiastic people an opportunity. We will now put them alongside some of the most experienced and knowledgeable people in the industry and ensure they get the support and experience they need to achieve their full attention

    James Guyatt, MEP Fit Out Manager, Vital Energi

    Further education
  • Vital Wins Further Work at Camden Lock Village

    Vital Wins Further Work at Camden Lock Village

    

    Vital Wins Further Work at Camden Lock Village

    We are continuing our work at Camden Lock Village after being awarded a 3 year operation and maintenance agreement for the energy scheme at the mixed-use Hawley Wharf residential development which we installed in 2018, and we will also be providing full metering and billing services to the properties.

    The scope of works will see our engineers provide 24/7 maintenance and support for the energy centre and associated equipment, the remote plant rooms, and the entire district heating and cooling network, all in accordance with industry guidelines laid out in the SFG20 recommendations to ensure quality of service.

    In addition, we will be providing maintenance to the 195 heat interface units (HIUs) and the 195 mechanical ventilation with heat recovery units (MVHRs) within each property.

    As well as completing all planned preventative maintenance, we will also be providing reactive maintenance for the entire energy scheme to quickly resolve any unexpected issues. We are delighted to continue working on the Camden Lock Village energy network for our client Labtech and look forward to providing a high-quality service for our customers.

    Rob Callaghan, Vital’s Regional Director for the South

    Hawley Wharf is a 580,000 sq ft mixed-use space consisting of 195 apartments, co-working space, 60 restaurants, public spaces, arthouse cinema, a new primary school and 150 retail stores. We previously completed the installation of the energy scheme which was designed by Hoare Lea with consultants Aecom and includes a 185kWe CHP engine, two 1,700kW condensing gas boilers, three 8,000 litre thermal stores, and three 633kW air cooled chillers.

    Urban networks