Eon, one of the Worlds leading energy companies has commissioned Vital Energi to carry out the design, supply and installation of the district heating network that will connect the 48MWe biomass steam cycle power station (named Steven’s Croft) to the James Jones & Sons sawmill in Lockerbie. The £90million Steven’s Croft power station is fuelled by clean forestry biomass which provides a significant contribution to climate change by displacing 140,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year.

Part of the biomass fuelling the Steven’s Croft power station is sourced from James Jones & Sons who provide by-products (wood shavings and woodchips). Steven’s Croft was commissioned in 2008 and generates enough electricity to power the equivalent of 70,000 homes a year. Vital Energi’s unique design will convert Steven’s Croft from a pure generation power station to a Combined Heat and Power plant by providing 6MW of heat in the form of medium temperature hot water (MTHW) to James Jones & Sons. The 6MW of heat is produced by using steam extracted from the steam turbine generator converting it to MTHW for distribution to James Jones and Sons where it is converted to low temperature hot water (LTHW) for process drying requirements displacing the use of distillate oil. With over 20 years experience of district heating networks, Vital Energi has recommended the best pre-insulated steel pipework.

The superior quality of the pipework and the manufacture options reduce the number of joints required resulting in lower maintenance and will enhance the environmental performance of James Jones & Sons. The exclusive “Band Muff” fusion welded joint system will extend the systems life span from 30 to 50 years and is only available in the UK from Vital Energi. The pipework will also be monitored by a sophisticated surveillance system which will detect any fault before corrosion of the steel pipework occurs. This will ensure the lifespan of the pipework is maintained therefore improving the efficiency of the system. Vital Energi’s experience and knowledge of structural steelwork has meant that Vital will provide a steel frame building to house the primary plant and equipment.

In providing a complete turn key solution Vital Energi will also be responsible for all of the associated plant and equipment that will be installed at either end of the pipe network and will carry out the civil, mechanical and electrical works that are linked with the scheme.

Generating heat and hot water by capturing steam rather than using distillate oil will significantly reduce James Jones & Sons CO2 emissions. The LTHW system coupled with Vital Energi’s specialist products will create a cost effective solution which is to be delivered by Vital Energi in just 28 weeks.