Vital Energi has been awarded the design and build and operation and maintenance contracts for Notting Dale Heat Network by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, to develop a renewable heat network at the Lancaster West Estate in North Kensington, supporting the estate’s transition to carbon-neutrality by 2030.
The design and build contract involves the implementation of eight block substations and two heat supply energy centres, located at Camelford Walk on the roof of Kensington Leisure Centre, which will be taken from the initial design concept through to construction by Vital Energi. They will also design and install 1,000 metres of new district heating, which will serve renewable heating and hot water to hundreds of homes.
The installation of the heat network will help to prevent 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. Currently, the entire network is fed from two gas boilers, one of which is the Camelford energy centre which will be stripped back to the brick to make way for the brand-new green energy centre which will be split across two levels. As part of the heat network system, the energy centre will house the new plant, including two 1MW electric boilers.
The energy centre will also have upgrades made to the external layer, co-designed with residents by award-winning architects Tonkin Liu, which will match the external of the 50m3 thermal store. The “Energy Tree” located at ground level will provide thermal energy storage to improve network operation. The installation of these renewable technologies will serve heating and low temperature hot water to over 750 properties on the development.
“Leaving a lasting impact on communities is high on the agenda for Vital Energi. To date we have employed a local resident on the project, funded several summer holiday activities for local people, and we aim to carry out a number of social value initiatives to educate local residents about the benefits of heat networks, and bring climate change awareness to the younger generation”, he added.
