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The 3.75km district heating extension in Barking and Dagenham is not only helping to decarbonise the borough but is also bringing employment and training opportunities for local young people who want to join the “Green Workforce”.

Our most recent appointment sees Barking and Dagenham College student, Priscilla Boateng, join us on placement as a Trainee Site Manager. The placement is part of a social value agreement between Vital Energi and B&D Energy, (wholly owned by Barking and Dagenham Council), which will see us invest in local people and the local economy whilst delivering the project.

Vital Energi’s Managing Director – Heat Networks, Ashley Walsh, commented: “We’ve been working hard to create a greener borough through the installation of an extensive district heating network, and thanks to the council’s giving back initiative, we’re delighted to welcome local college student Priscilla on board, who will be a great asset to the team.”

Trainee Site Manager, Priscilla Boateng said, “I’m really grateful for the fantastic opportunity that Barking and Dagenham Council and Vital Energi have provided me with. I’m looking forward to working on a large-scale project close to home that will have a positive impact on the entire community through the decarbonisation of the borough.”

Vital Energi will also be appointing an apprentice on the project as part of their commitment to hire 20 apprentices in 2021 and further support the growth of the green economy

Councillor Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Social Housing, said: “I’m pleased to see the expansion of B&D Energy’s district heating network is now well underway. This is another fantastic step in our journey to becoming the green capital of the capital and demonstrates our commitment to decarbonising the borough for the benefit of local people. Not only does this support our vision for a greener borough for all, but it will also mean residents can benefit all round from this excellent work.”

When completed, the £10m heat network will connect 15 different sites, over 8,000 homes and deliver 12,000 tonnes of carbon reduction per annum.*  The heat network will be powered by a new energy centre which will house two 1.5MWe combined heat and power engines and 27MW of backup gas boilers which will provide added resilience as well as contributing during peak demand.

We love taking the opportunity to meet youngsters to discuss climate change, the work we do to combat it and the various career paths available in the green energy sector. November was a particularly busy month with our staff getting invited to three schools across England and Scotland to deliver climate education talks.

Our Project Director, Hugh Thompson and Proposals Manager, Gemma Dyson travelled to St John’s Primary School in Blackwood, Scotland to meet a group of 20 pupils aged 9-11 and talk about global warming and ways to join the future green workforce.

Richard Houghton returned to Bolton School, where he had previously studied, to address a lunchtime audience of years 10-13 and talk about careers in electrical engineering. Richard talked about studying for a degree, the importance of the right work placements and the work he does now with 3-D models, diagnosing problems and finding ways to solve them.

Our third visit involved Design Director, Operations North & Scotland, Lee Moran, who attended St Bede’s in Lytham, where he spoke at a careers provision event and discussed the wide variety of roles and pathways into the future green workforce.

We’d like to thank all the schools who made our staff feel so welcome and the students for their engagement and enthusiasm.

We are delighted that 2024 has seen our apprentices continue their award-winning success, with Senior Apprentice, Leah Hardaker claiming the Campbell Cummings Building Services Apprentice of the Year award at Salford City College’s annual apprentice awards.

Her Manager continues, “Leah is a great example of an apprentice who joined us with the right attitude, making the most of every opportunity and constantly looking for ways to improve and learn.  We’re delighted that she was named as an apprentice of the year and look forwards to great things from her.”

Leah is just one of our apprentices to win an award, with other successes including the CIBSE apprentice of the year, BESA apprentice of the year and the Ken Dale Bursary.

If you’d like to follow in their footsteps and join Vital Energi as an apprentice then you can find out more about our craft, technical and business apprenticeships here. 

Applications for our next intake of apprentices are now open!

We’re holding two open days during National Apprenticeship Week where students and school leavers are invited to our Blackburn headquarters. They’ll be able to see the offices and facilities, and chat to current apprentices and staff to gain insight into not only the different apprenticeships on offer, but what it’s like to work at Vital Energi.

The open days are taking place on Tuesday 11^th February from 4 – 7:30pm, and Thursday 13^th February from 9:30am – 4pm.

We welcome anyone who is passionate about working on innovative projects that tackle harmful carbon emissions and make a real difference in the world. We’d love you to join us in our mission to protect our planet for future generations.

Our open days involve:

• Touring our state-of-the-art training centre
• Listening to industry experts about the diverse projects we deliver
• Participating in STEM activities
• Connecting with current apprentices to gain valuable insights into life at Vital Energi

There are many apprenticeships on offer, from our award-winning net zero apprenticeship programmes, energy modelling, and finance, to business admin, and HR.

This is truly an exciting and growing industry to be a part of. Not only will you get to work with the latest technologies, and work with industry leaders who are developing groundbreaking tech and IP to transform energy generation and storage, you’ll help different sectors on their transition to net zero. Sectors we work with include healthcare, education, industry, commercial, new build, and existing residential.

As exciting as our projects are, it’s the people who make Vital Energi special and you’ll get to work alongside nationally renowned experts with decades of experience and learn from the very best the industry has to offer.

Our net zero apprenticeship programmes will take apprentices on an energy journey where they will learn and work within the renewable energy and heat network sectors.

We’re delighted to be collaborating with Salford City Council, where our net zero apprentices will complete their curriculum learning.

Allan Milne, Director of Apprenticeships & Employer Engagement at Salford City College Group, said:

“Apprenticeships are an excellent way to launch a successful career in the growing green energy sector. At Apprenticeships at Salford City College, our partnership with Vital Energi ensures that apprentices receive high-quality training from day one, working alongside industry experts on real-world sustainable energy projects. With dedicated support from the college, apprentices gain invaluable skills, achieve industry-recognised qualifications, and build a future-proof career that makes a real impact on the journey to net zero.”

Net Zero Apprentice, Mia Walker, who is on the technical pathway, started her apprenticeship journey last September and has worked across a number of different departments.

“For me, a Vital Energi Apprenticeship has given me the freedom to choose my own path within the company. We are able to experience different disciplines within multiple departments, gaining valuable knowledge from experienced colleagues that offer guidance and room for growth. Whether you have your career mapped out or don’t, there are plenty of opportunities here at Vital.”

If you would like to attend one of our open days, please click here to sign up.

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.

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.

Retrofit and new-build performance

A review of a building’s energy system is essential to understand the changes needed to make it compatible with a lower-temperature district energy system. This, combined with a survey of historical energy consumption, begins to paint a picture of what is necessary, but historical oversizing of heat emitters and antiquated controls systems can actually provide a benefit, as they reduce the need to change the secondary side heating system.

Improved standards and advances in technology mean buildings that are only years old can compare poorly in relation to current buildings. The Queens Quay development has buildings that are a few decades old, but because of their fabric construction and existing heating system design, we need to be able to deliver flow temperatures of 80°C and return temperatures of 60°C.

On the new buildings, where we can have an input on design, we can deliver 70°C flow and 45°C, resulting in lower temperatures and a higher temperature differential.

Retrofits require more consideration in the design process, but we believe Queens Quay demonstrates that heat pumps are viable for buildings of all ages. Lowering temperatures, while improving insulation, emitters and controls, can be an extremely efficient energy solution.

If you’d like to learn more about the Queens Quay energy project then please visit our case study page here.

With almost 20 years’ experience in solar energy, Vital Energi’s Pre-Construction Manager, Giles Barker, gives us an insight into how solar technologies can provide organisations all over the world with a bright and sustainable future. 

Why did you choose to specialise in solar?
I first installed solar panels in 2004 during a social housing development project, and really liked the idea of residents being able to save money on energy costs and benefit from free electricity, and properties as a whole being more self-sufficient. I enjoy thinking outside the box to overcome different challenges when improving energy efficiencies, introducing solutions which will truly benefit the client. Solar energy is good for the planet too, so I’m passionate about introducing it wherever I can.

What are the main advantages of using solar?
Using solar energy reduces your dependence on the grid and fossil fuels. It’s a mindset. It also saves you money, a fair amount depending on your system size. It reduces carbon and your carbon footprint, and once installed, it’s low maintenance and there are minimal running costs.  

How does solar benefit the environment?
It’s a renewable source of energy, so it won’t run out, plus it’s environmentally friendly because it doesn’t generate greenhouse gases. Renewable energy technologies help reduce your carbon footprint, meaning you’ll personally be doing your bit for the environment.
 

Can you share any surprising facts about solar? 2 facts!

• 90% of the aluminium frames are produced from recycled materials.
• Installed product prices have reduced by 75% in 10 years approximately.

 

Do solar panels still work on cloudy days?
Solar panels work all year round. It’s actually radiation from the sun, rather than temperature, heat or direct sunlight, that enables solar PV panels to generate electricity. The most optimum conditions are surprisingly on a sunny winter’s day, because cold temperatures help solar panels convert energy more efficiently.

How does Vital make use of solar panels?
At Vital’s HQ in Blackburn, there are 264 solar panels on the roof which power the fleet of electric vehicles. Many of the company vehicles are electric and there is the facility to charge 22 vehicles at once. So far, the solar panels have powered over 400,000 electric miles, saving 8,000 gallons of fuel, which is really impressive!

Does solar PV work best as a standalone energy source or combined with other technologies?
Solar PV works very effectively both independently and connected to further technologies. It works incredibly effectively with both Air Source Heat Pumps and Ground Source Heat Pumps.

Do solar farms pose an environmental threat?
There is a common misconception that solar farms pose environmental challenges, however when installed correctly, they can have a positive impact on the surrounding land. For example, the land where solar farms are located can be used for active grazing, and the solar panels create man-made shelters for livestock, which stops them overheating during summer months.

Have you introduced any unique techniques to add value to solar projects?
Yes, bee bombing! Not all fields have to be mowed, so I have introduced wildflower meadows to fields where we’ve installed solar farms. The beauty of wildflower meadows is that the flora and fauna grow to roughly the same height as the solar panels, so they don’t affect efficiencies. This of huge benefit to the environment, as the world is short of bees (mother nature’s gardeners), and these meadows provide a feast for them.

What advice would you give to an organisation who are considering going down the solar route?
Listen and take advice from experts and people who have experience in solar energy. Think about how solar can work with other low carbon technologies such as battery storage and heat pumps to provide more significant benefits.  If it’s installed properly, you can reap the benefits for many years.

What kind of solar projects has Vital been involved in?
During my time here at Vital, we have delivered a broad range of solar schemes from freestanding solar farm projects and private wire schemes, to on roof schemes delivered as part of larger projects. It’s fair to say Vital Energi can deliver it all.

If you would like to know more about how you can benefit from solar technologies, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Caitlin Villaneuva was born in Stirling, but she’s proud of her Filipino roots. At 25, she credits her mother’s work ethic for the woman she’s become, a rising star in renewables.

“My mother has always emphasised the importance of education and pushed me to work hard academically. In the Philippines, access to education is limited without money, so at just 17, my mum made the decision to move abroad in search of better opportunities. Over the years she established two successful takeaway restaurants in Edinburgh. I worked in the business from when I was 16, however realised early on that I wanted to pursue a different path for my future.”

“It wasn’t like I ever thought of being an architect, it just suited my skill set and I knew I could excel in it. I fell in love with it. It was all about designing and using AutoCAD. I never knew that architectural technology was a career. You always hear about architects and visual design but not about that bridge between design and structural practicality.”

A career in renewable energy hadn’t been high on Caitlin’s list but then fate intervened.

“I needed a placement as part of my course, so I started looking on LinkedIn and came across an advert for an architectural technologist with Aberdeen City Council. The council was a client of Vital Energi’s, they passed my details on, and Vital asked me to come in for a chat. They were originally looking to hire apprentices but were open to the idea of a pre-graduate, so it was a good thing for me and a good thing for them, and it just blossomed from there.”

While women remain underrepresented in renewable energy in Scotland and the UK, the sector is making strides toward greater inclusivity. However, according to POWERful Women, an organisation that tracks gender diversity in the UK energy sector, it’s estimated that only around 32% of employees are women.

Caitlin, who now works in Vital Energi’s Scotland office in Glasgow, thinks she has some ideas why.

“Vital are passionate about their young workforce. I’m a visual learner and fortunate that Vital encourage me to go to a site and see what I’ve been doing on paper in real life. You get to meet a lot of different people, and they will always talk to you about what they are doing and how things work.

“I’ve never felt like a minority, even though I will go on a call with 20 people, and I am the only female. Nobody makes you feel like you’re small or invalid, everybody knows it doesn’t matter who you are. But the wider industry is still lagging behind.”

Caitlin also feels companies could do more to engage with academia, not just universities but high schools as well, and not only in the big cities. This is something Vital Energi is already doing through its climate education programme, vital education, which aims to inspire the next generation and empower them to make small changes that will have a big impact on the UK’s journey to net zero.

“I went to Bannockburn High School before we moved to Glenrothes when I was 15. Not a lot of companies came to Auchmuty high, even though we are a short commute from Edinburgh and Dundee. I just don’t think they see it as an opportunity to try and grasp people at a young age. I honestly don’t understand it.”

Caitlin is Gen-Z. She loves to travel, touring Argentina and Brazil last year, she’s just back from a trip to Italy and she’s off to Jordan this summer. She also loves a good music festival and has a gym membership where pole fitness classes are her thing.

Although sometimes dismissed as a workshy generation, Caitlin says she and her friends are highly motivated and expect prospective employers to have a positive, modern vision.

“Young people want to know the real world impact of the work and value a company which trusts its employees and embraces flexible working. We need industry role models and there aren’t many of them. We also need mentors. And young people value a sense of community at work, colleagues they can socialise with and who understand what they do.”

For that reason, and like several of her Vital Energi colleagues, Caitlin has joined the District Heating Divas, an organisation designed to support women in renewables.

“It’s a networking thing but it’s also just about making friends, and having that environment where people understand you. It’s good to see things from the perspective of others as well”.

Caitlin is just starting out in her career but she’s making a tangible impact in the industry already. Her feet are firmly on the ground, but they are certainly taking her places.

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.