Preinsulated pipe being lowered into trench

Playing an important role in the implementation of one of the UK’s most significant development and regeneration opportunities, Vital Energi has made a start on the delivery of an environmentally friendly scheme at the 8 million sq ft development King's Cross Central, London.

King's Cross Central is a £2billion mixed use project and is being delivered by the King's Cross Central Limited Partnership which includes Argent, LCR and DHL-Exel Supply Chain.  When complete this landmark scheme will consist of 25 new office buildings totalling some 4.9 million sq ft, 20 new streets, 10 new major public spaces, the restoration and refurbishment of 20 historic buildings and structures, and up to 2,000 homes and serviced apartments.

Appointed by construction contractors BAM Nuttall, Vital Energi will be responsible for delivering a buried site wide community heating network of pre-insulated pipes that will distribute heating and hot water from a centralised Combined Heat and Power Energy Centre to the new homes and buildings at King's Cross.

Using their unparalleled experience of delivering the highest quality community heating schemes in the UK, Vital Energi’s first task is to link up to the new University of the Arts London Campus which will be ready for occupation in September 2011.

Future plans include the extension of the community heating pipe network across the remainder of this 8 million sq ft development.

Around 2,000 meters of pre-insulated DN300 steel pipework will be installed. The specially chosen pipe products recommended by Vital Energi reduces heat losses as well as the number of joints required due to its superior insulation and manufacture options, resulting in improved energy efficiency and lower maintenance. The community heating installation is further enhanced by the use Vital Energi’s Band Muff’™ fusion welded joint system, only available in the UK from Vital Energi, which extends the system design life-span from 30 to 50 years as well as benefiting the scheme through it’s lower joint numbers. The infrastructure also includes a sophisticated surveillance system which monitors the pipe network 24 hours a day and is able to detect moisture in foam insulation with pinpoint accuracy before damage and corrosion occurs. The integrated alarm system brings peace of mind and the knowledge that the pipe network is in an excellent condition and performing efficiently and effectively.

Vital Energi’s installation, due to be completed in the Summer of 2010 will contribute to the long term environmentally friendly and efficient energy solution, which together with other planned renewable technologies including roof mounted wind turbines, photovoltaics, ground source heat pumps and solar thermal systems for generating hot water is expected to achieve the target for cutting carbon emissions by at least 40%.