College renewable energy demonstration energy demonstration and teaching facility.
The installation of ground and air source heat pumps, solar PV, solar thermal, rainwater harvesting & MVHR system
The project:
The brief from the team at Grantham College was to create a specialist renewable energy training centre to support their apprentice engineer training programme. OHR discussed options with the college and suggested systems they could consider, as well as being on hand to help with an application for grant funding. The college planned to convert a terrace of 3 bed houses (which had previously been used as rental accommodation) into one energy centre.
The challenge:
OHR were tasked with upgrading and repairing some previously installed equipment as well as installing new demonstration equipment. This included a ground source heat pump, air source heat pump, solar PV and thermal arrays. There was also a decommissioned rainwater harvesting system which needed re-commissioning. To minimise disruption, loss of use and rental income, the work was scheduled and completed during the holiday period.
The solution and benefits:
OHR proposed the installation of two working air source heat pump systems with hot water cylinders and buffer tanks, which could be dismantled and then reinstalled by the students. An additional heat pump was set up in another room for training and fault finding. A low temperature high output fan assisted radiator was added to the system so students could see a real world solution for incorporating heat pumps into older, less energy efficient properties.
A ground source heat pump was connected onto an existing geothermal borehole that needed flushing, cleaning and then charging with glycol.
The indoor heat pump was connected onto the house heating system so that students could observe the differences between different heat pump types and be trained on ground loop management.
In a classroom teaching area, a roof was created with solar thermal panels and a pump station installed for demonstration and student use. A solar PV array was also installed together with other key system components such as an inverter to facilitate student training
A rainwater harvesting tank had previously been buried but the pump and house connections had been disconnected. OHR repaired the pump and reinstalled connections and an outside tap to demonstrate rainwater harvesting and usage.
The property had a couple of previously installed MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery) systems that had been decommissioned. OHR advised on the steps required to get these operational if needed for future student teaching.
Client feedback: Quote from client needed
The college held a launch event to showcase the new facility with local dignitaries, local press and other stakeholders to help build on and attract industry links.
OHR were contacted ahead of their Ofsted inspection and interviewed as part of the college assessment and rating.
The published Ofsted report noted that the College “have developed a state-of-the-art energy centre so they can offer training in renewable energy”.
