Vital Energi Migration Prototyping

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  • 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

  • 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
  • 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 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 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 Enters Peaking Plants Market with AMP Clean Energy Award Win

    Vital Enters Peaking Plants Market with AMP Clean Energy Award Win

    

    Vital Energi Enters Peaking Plants Market with AMP Clean Energy Award Win

    Vital Energi has reached a £4m agreement with AMP Clean Energy to design and build five Urban Reserve gas-fired electrical generator peaking plants across the UK with a total of 17MW of power, and with further projects planned.

    The peaking plants will generate flexible electricity using gas fired gensets to provide extra resilience and capacity to the local electricity grid, and support the local District Network Operators in achieving their targets. The plants will come online when alternative renewable energy sources are not producing enough electricity, such as solar or wind, and at peak demand periods.

    The decentralised peaking plants, utilising 2MW or 2.5MW gensets as single units, pairs or triples, are designed to both support the growth of intermittent renewables by providing on-demand electricity to keep the system balance, and to help provide additional capacity in places of high demand, such as urban and commercial areas.

    This is a new market for Vital Energi which will see us install our largest capacity of gensets for a single client. After being selected by AMP Clean Energy through competitive tender based on both our price and our previous extensive experience installing gensets, we are delighted to begin our relationship with them on the Urban Reserve scheme and look forward to seeing the projects develop.

    Richard Byers, Vital’s Director of Green Business

    Mark Tarry, Managing Director of AMP Clean Energy’s Urban Reserve division, adds: “It is very exciting to see our Urban Reserve projects progress to the delivery phase, and we are looking forward to working with Vital Energi to help deliver this.  Urban Reserve peaking plants develop flexible electricity to help manage energy demand peaks and ensure security of supply, which will be vital as we move to a net zero future.”

    Work will commence in autumn 2019 and is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2020.

    Industrial & Commercial
  • 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
  • Delivering £17m Energy Infrastructure Package for Nine Elms Park

    Delivering £17m Energy Infrastructure Package for Nine Elms Park

    

    Vital Energi Set to Deliver £17m Energy Infrastructure Package for Nine Elms Park (1)

    Vital Energi have won the £17m contract to deliver the primary energy infrastructure package for the Greystar and Henderson Park, Nine Elms Park plots B and D development which will be situated on the former Royal Mail centre.

    The 14-acre development, which lays between Battersea & Vauxhall, south of the River Thames, will create a total of 894 rental homes in plots B and D with the addition of high spec amenity areas and retail units at ground floor. Each block will be served via their own district heating, chilled and water services plant and the development will be future proofed to enable easy connection to a wider district heating network in the future.

    Rob Callaghan, Regional director for Vital Energi commented, “Not only are Greystar and Henderson Park, with their delivery partner Telford Homes, creating much-needed, high quality rental housing in London, they are doing it with sustainability at its heart. The overall Nine Elms Park development will deliver a vibrant community with a school, retail units and community facilities and at full build out will deliver almost 2,000 new homes where they are needed.

    “This will be a fantastic addition to the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea Regeneration Area (known as VNEB) and London in general and we look forward to beginning work on this exciting new development.”

    Government estate
  • Vital Energi Invests in a Sustainable Future With 20 New Apprenticeships

    Vital Energi Invests in a Sustainable Future With 20 New Apprenticeships

    

    Vital Energi Invests in a Sustainable Future With 20 New ‘Green’ Apprenticeships

    Vital Energi today marked a milestone in its investment in the future of decarbonisation, with the announcement of plans to recruit 20 new apprentices in 2021.  The company is committed to developing the key industry skills needed to achieve net zero and create a sustainable workforce of the future, as well as helping tackle the post-Covid economic recovery across the UK.

    The program will support the wider goals set out by the UK Government’s 10 point green recovery plan to create 250,000 clean energy jobs in the industry. Vital Energi specialises in low/zero carbon energy generation and heat networks which will play an increasingly important role in meeting the UK’s net zero objectives.  Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, recently called for up to £1billion of investment in the industry by 2030.

    There can be no denying that the last 12 months have been immensely challenging for everyone. Announcing the creation of these roles during National Apprenticeship Week will be a welcome boost to many local communities, young people and education centres throughout the UK. As we begin to build the sustainable workforce of the future, our apprenticeships are a fantastic way for both school leavers and graduates to forge exciting new career paths in clean energy. The bespoke skills and experiences we can offer will be vital to meeting growing demand for low carbon technologies and helping local authorities meet their net zero targets.

    Rob Callaghan, Vital Energi’s Managing Director London & South

    As part of the ambitious Vital Energi Training Centre and its well established apprentice programme, the company has already employed its first Building Services Design Technician apprentice, Alex Spencer, under the new initiative.  The creation of this new role will allow Vital Energi to meet growing demand from new and existing clients by linking green ambition with new talent.

    Alex is studying through Liverpool City College and has been recruited locally to work on local projects, creating local jobs and supporting the local community. One of the projects Alex is working on is Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters as part of a £5 billion regeneration project to transform the city’s northern docks. The project will provide heat both for homes and commercial space connected to Peel L&P’s Mersey Heat district heat network, with the potential for 9,000 homes to benefit from the software over the coming years.

    Alex Spencer, Vital Energi’s newest recruit said: “I wanted to be a part of a community that makes the planet a greener place.  I am excited to be joining the company at such a pivotal time for the whole world as we look for new solutions to tackle climate change. Its amazing reputation, makes Vital Energi a great place to learn the skills I need for a successful career in clean energy.”

    Vital Energi is looking to recruit apprentices to all areas of the business, site and office based, from design engineers through to project delivery engineers and operational engineers as well as support service opportunities.

    Training of recruits will be done through a blended system of online and classroom learning at the company’s new £2m state-of-the-art training academy.  Currently training is delivered online during the national lockdown.

    Vital Energi’s training academy aims to be a ‘centre for excellence’ and has been designed to provide hands-on product training as well integrating with courses at other universities and colleges with practical and theoretical education.

    The company has purpose-built two district heating demonstration trenches which will be used to educate students and existing employees about techniques such as jointing and welding pipes, insulation processes and moisture control.

    Training on buried underground services and smart end user products including heat interface units, metering and billing electronic platforms is available in the centre where all products are displayed for demonstration and have dedicated areas for testing new products.

    The facility will also benefit Vital Energi’s existing employees by providing engineers and designers with skills development opportunities and state-of-the-art collaboration areas.

    Colleges and universities are invited to collaborate with Vital Energi to develop further opportunities for students, graduates and the community.

    If you’d like more information on Vital Energi’s apprenticeship scheme please email [email protected]

  • Vital to Deliver Mersey Heat Network at Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters

    Vital to Deliver Mersey Heat Network at Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters

    

    Vital Appointed to Deliver Mersey Heat Network at Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters

    Peel Energy has appointed renewable energy company Vital Energi to deliver its Mersey Heat network which will provide heat for up to 9,000 homes and 4m sq ft of commercial space at Liverpool Waters.
    The district heating network has been designed to evolve alongside Peel L&P’s £5.5bn Liverpool Waters development and will begin with a temporary energy centre to serve the initial phases. As the energy demand increases, this will be replaced with a permanent energy centre which will deliver low carbon heat and hot water to the growing community.

    The network will see approximately 1700m of underground district heating pipe and this will be extended to connect future blocks as they come online.

    Mersey Heat, the Energy Services Company (ESCo), will own the heat network which will contribute towards the UK Government’s CO2 targets and help to make Liverpool a greener place to live, work and visit.

    The first phase of the network will deliver around 11 gigawatt hours of heat energy to people centred on the Liverpool waterfront around Princes Dock, Central Docks and Collingwood Dock to the north, funded by Mersey Catalyst Fund. The project has been developed by Peel Energy in association with district energy consultants Ener-Vate.

    Our Mersey Heat network is part of Liverpool City Region’s innovative approach to addressing low-carbon energy generation and we’re glad to have Vital Energi on board in helping us to deliver this project. “It’s the first phase of a ten-year development project which we hope will eventually supply around 9,000 homes and numerous businesses along Liverpool’s waterfront and we’re pleased to be able to provide a cost-effective low carbon offer that will benefit businesses, residents and the environment.

    Muir Miller , Managing Director of Peel Energy, part of Peel L&P

    Vital Energi’s Regional Director, Mike Cooke explains: “We were originally appointed to help develop the energy infrastructure and this new contract will see us design, build, operate and maintain what we believe will be one of the UK’s major heat networks.

    “We know Liverpool City Council has put a strong focus on reducing carbon emissions and the developers, Peel L&P have a firm commitment to creating sustainable communities and by working collaboratively together we are now able to begin work on a significant addition to Liverpool’s low-carbon ambitions.”

    Works have already begun on site.  50% of the initial district heating network has been installed successfully and works on the temporary energy centre are due to begin shortly with the “heat on” milestone scheduled for spring 2020.

    Urban networks