Installation of Pipework
CHP Unit
Thermal Store
Installed Pipework
Contract Value:
£1.7 million
Timescale:
May 03 - Jan 04
Client:
Midlothian Council
The existing heating scheme on the Bonnyrigg estate had reached the end of its 50 year life expectancy and was becoming increasingly inefficient, unreliable and expensive to maintain. Keen to rectify this situation, Midlothian Council put the project to replace this ageing infrastructure out to tender with Vital Energi ultimately winning all parts of the contract.
"CHP provides a highly flexible and reliable energy resource that not only saves money across its lifespan, through lower heating bills for residents and reduced maintenance costs for the Council, but also reduces CO2 emissions, regenerates the local community and provides safe, reliable and instantly available heating and hot water."
Gary Whyte, Engineering & Facilities Manager, Midlothian Borough Council
The scheme required Vital Energi to provide a detailed design solution for an Energy Centre which houses a 330kWe gas fired CHP Engine to complement the existing gas fired boilers, providing a more efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly option. To connect the CHP engine to the 250 properties, 3.5km of pre-insulated underground heat mains was installed. The advanced nature of this piping against the previously installed conventionally insulated pipe, meant that distribution heat losses were reduced by 15-25%. The mains infrastructure was further enhanced by the use of Band Muff fusion welded joints, a system which not only reduces the number of joints in the piping network, but also extends the average lifespan from 30 to 50 years.
To complement the pipe network and CHP engine, a state-of-the-art alarm/surveillance system was also specified. This system continually monitors the network for moisture in the pipe insulation and is able to accurately pinpoint it to within one metre. By providing pre-emptive alerts, the operator is then able to take corrective action before serious problems occur, resulting in less disruption for the residents and minimal repair and maintenance costs for the council. Within each of the 250 individual dwellings, Vital Energi also manufactured and installed to the clients specification bespoke Vital Aqua Varm hydraulic interface boards. These enabled residents to have total control over their heating and hot water, something they only had limited control over previously.
The Benefits:
- CO2 reductions of savings 520 tonnes per annum
- Financial savings due to increase efficiency
- Safe, reliable and instantly available heating and hot water
- Lower heating hills and reduced maintenance costs
Conclusion
Ultimately, this project represents an impressive success story, with residents being particularly welcomingof the new scheme. Following on from our achievements, Vital Energi have taken over full responsibility for the scheme’s operation and maintenance.
