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The £2.6m first phase of an energy saving project delivered by Vital Energi for Aberystwyth University has completed its first full year of operation and verified figures show it is now delivering 30% more energy and carbon savings than originally guaranteed.

The project saw Vital Energi upgrade the University’s energy systems at 20 buildings on the Penglais Campus, installing a range of initiatives including upgrades to almost 4,000 light fittings, Building Management System optimisation, improved air handling systems, chiller replacement, pipework insulation and energy efficient upgrades to laboratory equipment.

As part of an energy performance contract, Vital Energi guaranteed minimum carbon and financial savings.  The project was initially expected to reduce the University’s emissions by 802 tonnes, but the final verified figure for the year saw the project overperform and actually reduce emissions by 1,042 tonnes per annum.

Chris Yeo, Vital Energi’s Director of Low Carbon Solutions commented, “All RE:FIT projects come with guarantees to the client which ensure they get the results they expect.  This scheme has performed particularly well from an environmental perspective, but they have also made significant financial savings due to using less gas and electricity.

“We’re delighted to see the project is exceeding its guarantees, which is a fantastic result for the University as they continue their decarbonisation works.” Since Phase 1, we have returned to Aberystwyth University to deliver a 4,500-panel solar farm which will drive their emissions down by a further 500 tonnes per year, making another strong contribution to their net zero journey.

Phase 1 of the project has offset over 2.32million kWh of electricity and 2.16million kWh of gas and, in addition to the carbon savings, has reduced the University’s energy bill by £368k per year.

Vital Energi have completed the rooftop solar PV project at the Queen Mother Sports Centre as part of a £13m RE:FIT project and the leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Rachael Robathan joined other council members and Vital Energi for a tour of the installation.

The work at the Queen Mother Sports Centre is one of  twelve solar installations taking place which    will see approximately 1550 panels installed. These panels will generate 550kw of zero-carbon electricity and result in over 40 tonnes of carbon reduction per year.

Attending the event were:

• Cllr Rachael Robathan – WCC – Leader of the Council
• Cllr Paul Swaddle – Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Property
• Cllr James Spencer – Cabinet Member for City Management
• Gerald Almeroth – Executive Director for Finance and Resources WCC
• Claire Barrett – Director of Corporate Property WCC
• John Hamilton – Head of Service Development WCC
• Paul Casey – Energy Officer WCC
• Scott Lutton – Operations Director Vital Energi
• David Oatt –Operations Manager, Vital Energi
• Paul Carnew – Senior project Manager
• David O’Dowd – Senior project Manager

Works included in the RE:FIT project include:

• Lighting – Replacing approximately 12000 lights across  60 Westminster sites.
• BMS – Optimisation works and upgrades to BMS systems across 18 Westminster sites.
• Thermal Insulation – Improvements have already been made to 22 of the council’s sites.
• EC Fan Upgrades – Replacing 46 fans across two sites.
• Heat Pumps – Installing 1.8 MW of air source heat pumps to provide lower-carbon heating.
• Draught Proofing – completing works to seal windows/doors to reduce heat loss on X sites.

The RE:FIT project will see energy upgrades delivered at council-owned buildings throughout the City of Westminster and is funded by a £13m grant via the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and is the largest grant of its type to be awarded to a London Local Authority.

Vital Energi is implementing a host of renewable energy solutions at the Hospital of St Cross, Rugby, thanks to successful Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding of £4m.

As part of the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust’s green plan, Vital Energi helped them secure funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of PSDS Phase 3, delivered by Salix Finance.

The scheme aims to put the public sector at the forefront of decarbonising buildings in the UK. The Trust will use the funding to install low carbon heating solutions to replace fossil fuel fired equipment as part of their roadmap to reach net zero by 2040.

Significantly reducing the Trust’s carbon footprint, plans include the installation of energy conservation measures, comprising a 200kW air source heat pump (ASHP), thermal insulation measures, and the removal of a fossil fuel-fired plant, all to make the hospital site more energy efficient.

A solar array of 1,250 solar panels covering 2,403m2 producing 500kWp will also be installed on the available roof spaces across the estate.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor Andy Hardy, said:

“It is terrific news to hear our application has been successful and we can press ahead with this work. Not only will it help the Trust’s goals in terms of energy conservation and support the delivery of the Trust’s Green Plan, but it will provide a positive financial saving going forward that can be reinvested in patient care.”

To enable site-wide utilisation of heat from the ASHP, Vital Energi will also implement a district heating network to interconnect the heating loads of the three areas of the site currently served by three separate energy centres.

As well as supplying low carbon heat across the estate and improving local air quality, this will reduce maintenance costs associated with gas-fired boilers and enable connection of further low-carbon generation systems at a later date. It will also improve the energy supply resilience, which is essential for a hospital providing patient services 24/7.

Business and Energy Minister, Lord Callanan, said:

“Using cleaner technology to heat our civic buildings is helping to shield public sector organisations from costly fossil fuels, especially at a time of high global prices. This funding will bring significant savings for taxpayers of well over half a billion pounds each year by making public buildings cheaper to run, heat and cool, whilst supporting economic growth and jobs across the country.”

Salix Client Support Officer, Gbenga Adenaike, added:

“We are delighted to be able to support the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust meet its net zero and energy saving goals. This project will have a positive impact on the staff, visitors and of course the patients.”

The scheme is being delivered under the Carbon and Energy Fund (CEF).

We’ve been sub-contracted to support the Palace of Westminster’s Restoration & Renewal Programme, where we’re completing an early concept feasibility study on the application of water source heat pumps to reduce the carbon footprint of the Palace.

The iconic Palace of Westminster, home of Parliament, has played a unique role in our political history for 900 years and now it needs urgent repair.

Work has started on extensive surveys and inspections throughout the Palace to better understand the condition of the building, and thanks to our extensive experience in the design and installation of heat pumps, we have been asked to compile a comprehensive feasibility study into the use of water source heat pumps.

We will assess and quantify the potential available energy from the River Thames and detail how river heat exchange and boreholes can be used in tandem to ensure the most resilient and robust heating and cooling supply arrangement. We’ll also review options and make recommendations for the optimum heat pump technologies and arrangement.

The Restoration and Renewal Programme is committed to embedding sustainability across all phases of the works. Sustainability aspirations and objectives have been developed and will be used to steer design, construction and operational decisions.

Through the feasibility study, we’ll be supporting the delivery of one of the Programme’s key sustainability aspirations which is, “delivering resilience using innovative technology to maintain operation in a changing climate. Optimising building performance, establishing long term maintenance strategies and sustainable logistics.”

Vital Energi have always believed in the importance of being a complete solution provider to clients by having the capability to deliver services, products and technologies that fully meet their needs, and have now invested in a new specialist team to support the rapid growth of the heat pump market.

Heat pumps will play a key role in the UK’s transition to net zero and it’s expected that the number of heat pump installations will increase from 55,000 a year to 600,000 a year by 2028.

The new team will enhance Vital Energi’s in-house expertise, enabling them to remain at the forefront of design, specification and implementation of energy solutions which include heat pumps.

Ashley Malin, Vital Energi’s Managing Director (Solutions), said:

“The energy market is changing at pace, and through strengthening our in-house expertise, we’re demonstrating our market-leading capability and ensuring we can meet the needs of our customers in an agile manner. The addition of the new team not only enhances our heat pump capability, but ensures we have the right skills to create energy infrastructure for our future.”

The talented team of 10 experts with over 140 years of combined experience in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) sector bring with them unparalleled expertise in thermodynamics, vapour compression, heat exchange, system modelling, and software programming, as well as field service and commissioning.

The team is led by Engineering Director, Chris Green, and Technical Director, Patrick Knight.

As well as lending their expertise to the asset management and ongoing performance optimisation of Vital Energi’s existing ground, water, and air source heat pump installations, continued investment in R&D will ensure that Vital Energi remain at the forefront of the heat pump market, providing the best energy solutions to clients using next generation heat pump technology.

We’re delighted to announce our commitment to the Young Person’s Guarantee and join employers across Scotland in creating opportunities for young people.

The Young Person’s Guarantee is a joint commitment to provide opportunities for all 16-24 year old’s in Scotland through jobs, apprenticeships, further and higher education, training programmes and volunteering.

With the support of our local partners, we plan to offer work placements, and site visits to some of our key projects across Scotland. Through this partnership, we’ll also be engaging with local schools to create work experience opportunities and encourage more young people to consider a career in the green energy sector via our Climate Education programme.

We’re delighted that Leeds PIPES project has successfully been shortlisted at the inaugural Unlock Net Zero Awards for ‘Collaboration of the Year – energy projects’ category.

The awards recognise and champion progress on the housing sector’s decarbonisation journey and the supply chain that supports it. Leeds PIPES is one of only six projects shortlisted in the category and the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony, taking place alongside Housing 2023 on Tuesday 27 June at Manchester Central.

The success of the project results from a true partnership approach with Leeds City Council, Ener-vate and ourselves, combining our joint expertise and knowledge to create one of the UK’s major heat networks.

Leeds PIPES is a £49million project to transform the lives of residents and communities by reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and tackling high rates of fuel poverty. The success of the project so far has been made possible through a collaborative approach combining our joint expertise and knowledge to create one of the UK’s major heat networks.

The multi-phase scheme takes heat from the nearby Recycling & Energy Recovery Facility converting energy from non-recyclable household waste into affordable, reliable, and low carbon heat and hot water. This is then distributed to a range of buildings across the city.

In addition to this award shortlist, Leeds PIPES heat network has been awarded prestigious awards from ADE and Heating & Ventilation Awards.

Vital Energi will be delivering a new 4MW solar PV installation for Swansea Bay University Health Board at Brynwhilach in a partnership which will reduce the Health Board’s carbon emissions by over 20,000 tonnes.

The solar farm, which is being delivered through the Re:fit framework, will see almost 10,000 PV panels installed over an area of 20,000m² and, when operational, will supply over 3.5 million kWh of zero-carbon electricity to Morriston Hospital via a 3km private wire network. In addition to the carbon reduction the project will save £439,000 per annum in electricity costs.

The energy conservation measures have been carried out throughout 2020 and will be completed early next year.

Work on the solar farm development is due to start in the early part of 2021 and should be operational by the end of the summer.

All financial, carbon and electrical generation targets are guaranteed by Vital Energi under a 20-year energy performance contract which ensures the scheme will perform as designed.  In addition to designing and installing the solar farm, Vital Energi will also undertake long-term operation and maintenance duties on the project.

The Welsh Government were the first in the UK to pass a Climate Emergency Declaration and have set a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.  Swansea Bay University Health Board have a long-term carbon reduction strategy in place and the solar farm is the second stage of works undertaken through the Re:fit framework.  Phase 1 saw Vital Energi work in partnership with the Health Board to deliver a range of energy conservation measures which reduce carbon emissions by 2,476 tonnes per annum whilst delivering energy cost savings of £870,000 per year.

The project is being supported by the Welsh Government and Salix funding.  Work will begin on site in February 2021 with completion scheduled for July 2021.

Vital Energi have begun work on the construction of Phase 1 of Newcastle International Airport’s solar farm project which will begin generating clean energy by early 2023.

Earlier this year, planning permission was secured for a total of four phases, providing in the region of 16MW of energy. Phase 1 will provide approximately 3MW.

This first phase will be a £3.6m investment, of which 50% is funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The commencement of the project marks a major milestone in the Airport’s ambitious strategy to be Net Zero emissions by 2035, ahead of the majority of airports across Europe which have plans to become Net Zero before 2050, and ahead of the Government’s Jet Zero strategy target of 2040.