The University of Liverpool
This major infrastructure project transformed the University of Liverpool’s energy network, connecting campus buildings to a low-carbon CHP energy centre through an expanding district heating system.
We have been working with the University of Liverpool for almost 10 years and previous projects include installing their district heating network and an award-winning project which saw us transform a derelict, Grade II former mortuary building into a state-of-the-art CHP energy centre. In our latest project, we are delivering an energy centre and district heating network to supply the University of Liverpool's new student halls of residence.
Greenbank Student Village forms part of a £250m masterplan to expand and regenerate the University of Liverpool’s campuses. The 20.8-acre site is being redeveloped, including the restoration of the historic Greenbank House.
Once complete, the village will provide 1,361 en suite bedrooms, leisure facilities, social spaces and study areas. To support the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability, a low-carbon energy solution was a key part of the development.
With student accommodation increasing by 40%, the new energy centre was designed to meet growing demand while helping reduce the university’s carbon footprint.
We designed and built the energy centre and district heating network to supply Greenbank Student Village. The University had a low noise specification which needed to be adhered to as the energy centre is situated in the basement of one of the student apartment blocks.
To keep plantroom noise below 45dBA at 1m from the energy centre, we implemented a bespoke acoustic solution including acoustic louvres, ceiling lining, vibration isolation and attenuated flues. Once complete, the energy centre will undergo acoustic testing to verify compliance with the specified noise limits.
The main energy centre supplies 420 dwellings and recreational space. It contains two 1MW boilers, four 250kW boilers, one 230kWe CHP, one 150kWe CHP and eight thermal stores, each with a storage volume of 8m3. Vital Energi will be operating and maintaining the scheme and have also installed 1KM of district heating which feeds from the energy centre and connects to smaller heat substations to then provide heat and hot water for each of the dwellings.
Prior to obtaining the contract for the energy centre, we extended the district heating network for Liverpool University so that it would supply Greenbank campus. In 2015 we installed district heating pipework for phase 1 of the development which consisted of a 570m trench with 1.14km of pipework for flow and return of water. The network will connect Logstor’s series 2 district heating mains to the new energy centre.
The Greenbank project is a continuation of an established successful relationship between the University of Liverpool and Vital Energi which has been built-up over the last 10 years of delivering a number of successful strategic CHP and district heating projects on the main city centre campus. Vital Energi’s specialist engineering expertise in this area and their co-operative approach to overcoming problems has been an important factor in ensuring the successful delivery of these complex engineering projects.
We have successfully come up with a unique design which meets the requests of the client and puts noise mitigation & sustainability at the forefront of the scheme. Once complete, a noise assessment will be carried out to certify that the energy centre meets requirements for keeping noise pollution at its minimum and the energy centre will be used to educate engineering students about the possibilities available when designing bespoke schemes.
The University of Liverpool have been keen to reduce their carbon emissions and continue in their aspiration to be one of the leaders in the way their campus uses energy. Therefore, the district heating network will connect to the previous network we have installed and our energy solution will provide estimated savings of 25 tonnes of carbon per year.