11 August 2022
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Vital Energi has been awarded a £3.1m contract to design and build the energy centre for phase 3 of Berkeley Homes North East London’s Woodberry Down development, which is located next to Finsbury Park.
Commenced in 2009, Berkeley is regenerating the neighbourhood in a 30-year project which will deliver over 5,500 mixed-tenure new homes. The development will be built over 8 phases, and will create a bustling community which is also home to 15 acres of landscaped parkland, 42 acres of open water, including a water sports and open water swimming reservoir, and the Woodberry Wetlands –a dedicated nature reserve cared for by the London Wildlife Trust.
Vital Energi will install 800kW of air source heat pumps (ASHPs) on the roofs of two blocks, which will supply heating and hot water to the development. Work will begin at the end of August.
David Barry, operations director at Berkeley Homes (North East London) said: “We have worked closely with Vital Energi for over 15 years and have established a fantastic working relationship with them over this time. Sustainability and energy efficiency are key pillars at Woodberry Down, and are at the forefront of everything we do. The introduction of the energy centre will play a huge part in our mission to reduce carbon emissions and will also lower energy costs for residents here.”
Primary low-temperature heating system pipework will be installed within the energy centre, as well as distribution pipework which will run from the heat pump down to the energy centre, which when complete, will serve all 8 phases of the development. Three 1.5MW condensing boilers will be fitted within the new energy centre along with a building management system, as well as three 6.5m high 27,000 litre thermal stores.
The energy centre will be a double height space (9m high) located adjacent to the basement and ground floor levels, so plant deliveries will require complex engineering, including a specialist movement company and temporary works design.
Once complete, Vital Energi will operate and maintain the Energy Centre for two years, to ensure all equipment is maintained to a high standard.
Rob Callaghan, managing director of Vital Energi’s London and Southern Division, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our relationship by working on another of Berkeley Homes’ impressive mixed-use developments. It’s great to see an innovative regeneration project like Woodberry Down with energy conservation at its core.
“Berkeley are passionate about creating low carbon resilient homes to help tackle climate change, and we’re proud to be helping them on their journey by installing highly efficient renewable technologies such as air source heat pumps.”
