The Arc - Harrow, London
The Biomass Boiler
The Biomass Boiler Arriving
The Gas Fired Boilers
Contract Value:
£810,000
Client:
Barratt North London
Timescale:
May 07 - Aug 08
Vital plans convert electricity into renewables.
Vital Energi has made a valuable contribution in satisfying planning requirements for one of Britain's foremost sustainable homebuilders.
"Interest in The Arc has been incredible so we have decided to release the properties for sale early. This contemporary development will completely transform the former site of the Biro factory."
Gary Ennis, Regional Managing Director, Barratts
The Arc is a striking £35m residential project by Barratt Homes on a former Biro factory in Harrow, North London comprising of 180 private apartments, including 50 affordable homes for Dominion Housing Group, and also 4000 square feet of commercial office space. The original concept for energy provision to the residents on this development was standard electric heating, however a core element of the planning application process was the requirement to consider the provision of a renewable energy solution, to be in place for the lifetime of the development, in order to meet the Mayor of London 10% renewables target. Due to Vital Energi’s specialist knowledge and experience in delivering pioneering schemes incorporating low and zero carbon technologies, Vital Energi were commissioned to deliver a centralised biomass fuelled heating system fed with locally produced wood pellets providing renewable energy to a level of 10% of the energy demand across the project.
Vital delivered all elements relating to the detailed design, supply, installation and commissioning of the new 250kW wood fuelled energy centre together with fuel storage and fuel handling system supplemented by two highly-efficient gas-fired boilers. The installation also covers pumps, all associated pipework and controls within the energy centre as well as all above and below ground pipework network distributing heat and hot water to the residents.
Each apartment has a 'Vital Aqua Varm’ hydraulic interface unit offering increased control over flow rate, temperature, pressure and consumption. The units are fitted with a heat meter incorporating Vital Energi’s uniquely designed meter reading system where energy consumption is measured and readings are transmitted by radio signal. The benefits of this type of sophisticated technology include saving cabling time, cost and risk of damage on installation as well as eliminating the need for time consuming and costly visits to each apartment and ensuring the capture of the most up to date information.
Conclusion
On the basis of the company’s extensive experience of turnkey projects, conceiving schemes but also implementing, operating and maintaining them, Barratts are set to appoint Vital Energi to take on full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the installed plant and equipment, ensuring that the scheme delivers its performance requirements over the long term. The use of biomass technology in this development was central to its planning success. Drawing on in-house knowledge and expertise, Vital Energi has played a central role ensuring an environmentally sustainable scheme was delivered that minimises energy consumption and reduces carbon emissions for both Barratts and the residents of the Arc.
