South Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency in July 2019, pledging to reduce emissions and take all necessary steps towards becoming carbon neutral. To meet these ambitious goals, the council has implemented a new scheme featuring a low-carbon energy centre and district heating network. This innovative system supplies heat to two buildings, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the area.
South Tyneside Council is actively working towards achieving carbon neutrality, with the Hebburn Heat Network playing a crucial role in decarbonising their heating systems. The project was strategically designed to be delivered in phases, with the initial phase connecting Hebburn Central and Durham Court. The design also facilitates the future connection of Victoria Court Children’s Home by including valves in the district heating which enables the new development to transition on to the network without downtime being required.
By moving from traditional gas boilers to a renewable solution, the project delivers approximately 320 tonnes of CO2 reduction per year and is another fantastic addition to the council’s net zero infrastructure.
The Hebburn heat network project is made up of two main elements. Firstly, the custom-built Paul Younger Energy centre was created to facilitate the roof mounted air source heat pump, and thermal storage amongst other system plant and equipment.
The second is the 240m heat network serving the nearby Hebburn Central Leisure Centre and Durham Court tower block. Both the heat network and energy centre have been future-proofed, to enable expansion throughout the town, enabling more homes and businesses to connect as the network grows. The district heating network design also incorporates Hebburn Central’s existing CHP and gas boiler infrastructure as resilience of supply and top-up as the network expands.
The energy centre's design was conceived by the council's professional team and delivered by Vital Energi. The project aimed to achieve a high standard of architectural excellence, blending form with function. Vital Energi took on the full scope of the project, from groundworks and civil engineering to construction and interior finishes, delivering a full turnkey solution.
Named in honour of the late Professor Paul Younger, a distinguished academic from Hebburn, the energy centre was designed to serve a dual purpose as both a functional facility and an educational resource. To this end, the design incorporates an innovative viewing gallery and system display screen, allowing visitors to observe the inner workings of the energy centre firsthand. This feature not only pays tribute to Professor Younger's legacy but also serves to educate and inspire future generations about sustainable energy solutions.
By combining cutting-edge technology with thoughtful design elements, the building is of a higher architectural standard than an average energy facility, creating a structure which combines form and function and adds to the architectural profile of the area.
