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The district heating network in Nottingham is the largest in the UK and has been providing heat and hot water for three decades. Such is its success that it is held up as a “role model” of what can be achieved and has been toured by organisations and departments such as the Green Investment Bank, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
The Nottingham District Heating scheme was originally managed by British Coal. Today it is managed by an independent energy services company (ESCO) Enviroenergy Limited, wholly owned by Nottingham City Council. Vital Energi are the preferred partner of Enviroenergy in continuing the development of the Nottingham District Heating Scheme.
St Ann’s Housing Estate
In 1995 Vital Energi employees carried out the design, supply and installation of carbon steel pre-insulated pipework which was 52km in length. The whole system replaced and upgraded the existing system which supplies heat and hot water to the housing estate serving up to 5,000 homes and many of the city’s public buildings. Diversions were also implemented on sections of the network scheme whilst some of the houses were being redeveloped. Today, this scheme still remains the largest District Heating mains project performed in a single project and was completed ahead of schedule in approximately 26 weeks.
Ransom Road Estate
The Ransom Road estate project required Vital Energi to provide the design, supply and installation of new carbon steel pre-insulated pipework which would upgrade the old system. Vital Energi employees worked with the Utilities and Traffic Management companies to ensure minimal disruption whilst excavating and reinstating the road surfaces. Vital Energi’s resources and capabilities allowed for effective project management which meant that activities were coordinated with the residents. This meant that residents were informed well in advance of 24 hour network closures to connect the houses to the internal pipework. Ransom Road Estate is an example of how Vital Energi provides a liaison officer to be the first point of contact for the residents regarding any issues they might have. The Vital Energi employees were dedicated to solving issues and providing support for the residents and tenant groups during the network replacement scheme.
Knoll Pharmaceuticals connection
Vital Energi were contracted to carry out the design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 10 barg steam connection from Enviroenergy EC to the Knoll pharmaceuticals building. The steam supply was taken from the existing 10barg supply system. A metering system was provided at the entry to the Knoll site for energy billing. This £2million pipe network project was a steel in steel system where a vacuum between the outer pipe and the inner carrier pipe provided effective insulation. This system is a particularly specialist system that required care in the design as well as consideration of the condensate. The majority of the pipework was buried underground through the streets of Nottingham and included crossing London Road, the busy main road that runs through the centre of Nottingham. The scope of the works also included the connection into existing services at the point of delivery at the Knoll Pharmaceuticals building.
Contemporary Arts Building
In 2006 Vital Energi was contracted to replace and upgrade a section of the primary main pipework that provides heat and hot water to a large area of the city and runs through Nottingham City Centre from the London Road heat station. The primary main pipe section was situated underneath the new Contemporary Arts Building which was at the time, under construction. As a diversion in the primary main pipe was not possible, Vital Energi’s designers worked alongside the architects on the development to construct a duct way for the replacement pipe to run through. To maintain quality levels Vital Energi installed a surveillance system within the pipework to continually monitor for any damages or leaks. This was then followed by a connection to the Contemporary Arts Building to provide heat and hot water.
Canal Diversion Project
In 1998 Vital Energi were responsible for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 10 barg steam connection from Enviroenergy EC to the Boots Pharmaceuticals building. The £1.5million scheme not only involved the associated mechanical work of installing 800 metres of pipe but also required the pipework to run over the City’s canal. Vital Energi provided the solution for this civil engineering issue and expertise allowed Vital Energi to construct and install a bridge for the pipe to run along. The new bridge was installed under the existing bridge which was a challenge that Vital Energi overcame by using the best resources and expertise. Once the old bridge was removed Vital Energi provided a pedestrian footpath to run along the new bridge.