The client, Clyde Gateway, is an urban regeneration company which exists to drive inward investment and improvement for the people and communities across the East End of Glasgow and South Lanarkshire, with a focus on delivering social, economic and physical change to some 840 acres of territory. Integral to their work is physical regeneration, a key example of which is the remediation of the Shawfield site and associated development of a new multi-plot commercial development and Green Regeneration Innovation District (GRID).

The D2 GRIDs project comprises of a new 5th Generation District Heating & Cooling network, a new ground-mounted PV/ Solar system featuring 800 solar panels, Energy Centre build and Tesla Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The system is designed to supply heating and cooling to the surrounding buildings in the most efficient way possible with the ability to connect future buildings to the network.

The new Energy Centre serves the existing Red Tree Magenta building with future connections allowed for the Magenta Technology Hub (still to be built). The project included:

• 5th Generation District Heating & Cooling network (pilot scheme)
• Low Carbon District Energy Network
• Low-Grade Heat Source from a Wastewater Treatment Works
• 400 kW PV Ground-Mounted Solar Farm and 67.5kWh Battery Storage
• New Energy Centre (including utility supplies)

The initial pilot is limited to the provision of heat to the existing Red Tree Magenta building with the capacity to expand the heating/cooling provision to future developments (load dependent), and forms part of a European network of 5G pilot demonstrators on D2 GRIDs via the INTERREG North-West Europe Programme (European Regional Development Fund).

Project Description

A new 355mm diameter ambient network loop connects the Energy Centre located within Dalmarnock Wastewater Treatment Works to our new Energy Centre at D2 GRIDs. The ambient loop travels along Cotton Street (West), along Clyde Walkway (North) before crossing the existing smart bridge via 2 x 700mm diameter ducts forming part of the existing structure, crossing the River Clyde and ending 1.2 km away at our new Energy Centre. This ambient loop provides a supply for the heat pumps within our D2 GRIDs Energy Centre. These heat pumps then supply the district heating network. The heat pumps and associated controls within the Energy Centre are powered by the PV/ solar system and any additional power is then stored within the BESS.

Solar PV and BESS

The ultimate intent of the D2 GRIDs PV scheme is to supply energy generated from the grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems to the Energy Centre and speculative building connections within the Magenta Business Park using a centrally located 400kW PV array linked to a BESS.

The battery storage system is connected to charge from surplus energy generated through the PV scheme. It will discharge onto the energy centre once the demand is high enough or the PV yield is reduced (due to the available generation through the level of solar radiation that is available at any given time to be captured by the PV modules). This allows previously generated energy which has been stored to be used as opposed to importing from the grid. Surplus generation beyond the capacity of the battery storage system will then be exported from the energy centre onto the grid.

Prefabrication

The new Energy Centre was prefabricated at FES Group’s purpose-built manufacturing facility.  This ensured that bulky construction works were done in a safe, secure environment and were delivered to site ready for connections.

Sustainability

The primary source of heat for the ambient loop is wastewater from Scottish Water’s Wastewater Treatment works.

During peak generation there will be times when the solar PV system generates far in excess of what the building load is and once the batteries are full this will then be exported to the grid. The estimated value for grid export is 291,737kWh and the CO₂ emissions avoided is estimated to be 86,509 kg per year.

Client Feedback

 “This has been a complex project providing one of the first 5th generation heating and cooling projects in Scotland with a range of challenges. We are delighted to have engaged with FES on the project delivery in taking the project from concept to completion. Their understanding of client needs and proactive approach to project scope have benefitted the final outcomes and we’re pleased to continue their role in the operation and management of the project.”

Hugh Moore MPhil MRTPI IEMA
Project Manager, Clyde Gateway