Major energy contract awarded for business district in London’s Docklands
Vital Energi has been appointed to the £7.9 million design-and-build contract with Multiplex for the first-phase energy scheme for the massive new business district at London’s Royal Albert Dock. Vital is preferred partner of Chinese developer ABP to build, operate and maintain the temporary energy centre and district-heating and cooling networks that will serve the first phase of the 440 000 m2 mixed-use development. The first phase is due for completion in early 2019.
The temporary energy centre includes two 5 MW gas-fired boilers, a 100 m3 thermal store, four 1.2 MW air-cooled chillers and a building-management system. It will supply 50 000 m2 of commercial space via a 2.6 km district-heating and cooling network. Packaged plate heat exchangers will serve each building.
The designers used 3D modelling software to design the network. The pipework products have been created in 3D, and pipe sections will be specially produced to reduce the number of on-site welds.
Rob Callaghan, regional director for Vital Energi, said, ‘The Royal Albert Dock is one of three projects where we are installing both district-heating and cooling networks, which is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. It has been fantastic to work alongside other highly acclaimed businesses through the consultancy stage.’
