The biomass install went like a dream … and for me your project manager for that job was outstanding.
Kevin Whelan , Head of Estates Operations, The University of YorkPhase 1 comprised the installation of a multi-utility corridor from the existing Heslington West boiler house to the new Heslington East campus. This work included the installation of around 2km of district heating pipes, telecoms and fibre optic networks and a high voltage cable ring. It also included the supply and installation of high voltage and low voltage equipment into two electrical substations and pipe-work modifications to the existing Heslington West boiler house. Phase 1 was completed in December 2009.
Phase 2 was essentially an extension of Phase 1 with an increased scope of works and also included the supply and installation of two gas-fired Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engines and a biomass boiler. The extension of the multi-utility corridor was completed in September 2012, the biomass boiler was installed in October 2012 and the CHP engines were completed in December 2012. In Phase 2 of the project, Vital Energi installed multi-utility infrastructure to the new Langwith College buildings and the Yorkshire sports village including district heating mains, gas infrastructure; site -wide water mains; site-wide high voltage and low voltage cable installations; site-wide fibre optics; site-wide telecoms and a foul drainage system. In addition, we constructed three electrical substations, one temporary high voltage substation and one water booster station.
This phase of work also includes the replacement of one of the University’s three old and inefficient boilers, currently housed in the University’s existing energy centre on the Heslington West campus, with two new gas-fired 1.5MW Combined Heat and Power engines and the installation of a containerised 850kW biomass boiler on a separate site close to the Heslington East campus car park. This will contribute around 7,000,000kWhrs of thermal energy to the overall University demand per year and is capable of operating on both woodchip and wood pellet fuel types which can be locally-sourced. Sustainably sourced biomass fuels processed within 25 miles of the point of use are currently regarded as being ‘carbon neutral’.
The biomass boiler has been designed to be re-locatable so that over time it can be moved into the redeveloped central energy centre on the Heslington West campus. It will inject hot water into the district heating network to support the primary supply from the Heslington West central energy centre.