University of Liverpool, Heating Infrastructure Project

The heating infrastructure project comprises both a new energy centre and the upgrade of the existing campus energy infrastructure, from initial planning, design development and coordination of all electrical and mechanical construction through to commissioning and fit-out.

SCOPE OF WORK

EMCOR’s scope of work covers both the main power plant and its associated heating and power infrastructure.

The main plant is comprised of a 4-million-volt-ampere gas engine/alternator and a 12-megawatt combination boiler, which will generate 11kilovolts of power. The boiler, which can run without the gas engine if necessary, uses waste heat to produce low grade heat (LGH) at 90 degrees and high temperature hot water – 130 degrees. During summer months, the heat can be channelled to a roof-mounted radiator, and the centre used for power generation only.

To accommodate the LGH, the EMCOR team upgraded the plate heat exchanger plants and controls in surrounding buildings. As a result, rather than servicing about one-third of the campus as the current system does, the new system will heat virtually the entire site. In addition, the new “green” facility houses two traditional 12-megawatt gas-fired boilers, which the university can use to meet additional campus needs as necessary.

Outside the main centre, EMCOR is improving the school’s infrastructure as well – installing a new gas main that will deliver a 51,000-kilowatt per hour supply. EMCOR is also constructing a new pumping node and a new 11-kilovolt high-voltage substation with synchronisation switchgear. The pumping node will circulate heat through the new and existing heating infrastructures.

In addition to its other activities, EMCOR decommissioned the existing plant and demolished the boiler house, including a 42-metre concrete chimney. After the chimney’s deconstruction, EMCOR disassembled the building using methods selected to minimise landfill waste, i.e. all brickwork, concrete, steel and non-ferrous metals were appropriately processed for re-use and recycling.

VALUE DELIVERED

• The new energy centre produces power for the University of Liverpool at a more economical rate than buying it commercially and supplies heat to most of the university’s buildings
• The installation of a gas powered Combined Heating and Power (CHP) unit and associated combination boiler provides electricity and primary high-temperature heat and enable effective re-use of high and low grade waste heat generated from production of the electricity
• The project centralised the heating infrastructure of the entire university campus and also decommissioned the existing plant and demolished the boiler house and its 42-metre chimney, which was located next to the Grade II listed 19th century Liverpool Royal Infirmary

BACKGROUND

This major infrastructure project provides the university with a state of the art energy centre fit to face the energy, emission and environmental challenges of the 21st century and will provide robust power and heating solutions for the university campus for the next 25 years.

This re-investment in Combined Heat and Power technology following on 20 years experience of reduced CO2 emissions is a clear statement of the university’s commitment to carry on actively promoting cleaner technological solutions and reducing the carbon footprint of the institution.

OBJECTIVES

• To provide a new and more efficient way for the University of Liverpool to generate and utilise energy
• To ensure the university remains at the forefront of greener energy generation and meets energy and environmental objectives, reducing the university’s annual energy consumption by over 13,000 MWh and CO2 emissions by over 7,000 tonnes, equivalent to taking 2,226 cars off the road each year
• To achieve minimal disruption and maximum ability to maintain the university’s operational continuity

SOLUTIONS

EMCOR brought to the high profile project for the University of Liverpool, its design and engineering expertise and the ability to deliver solutions that met and exceeded the clients’ needs. EMCOR worked with the client to help them achieve environmental objectives and to deliver a sustainable infrastructure project.

Michael Bird, Health & Safety Consultant, Robinson Low Francis:

"Your EMCOR team have embraced their duties, responsibilities and continued best practice throughout the contract and I commend your approach to CDM. The many design changes, some of which presented new challenges, have been embraced and accommodated to ensure the client has, a near perfect environment for staff working within the facility which is safe to access and maintain during its life cycle.

We offer our appreciation for the approach taken to the health and safety management of works which resulted in the contract being completed, despite many thousands of hours worked by you and your sub-contract personnel, without a lost time accident.

We hope our paths will cross again and look forward to working with you in the future."

ULTIMATE CLIENT:
University of Liverpool Energy Company

MAIN CONTRACTOR:
EMCOR Engineering Services Ltd

ARCHITECT:
Levitt Bernstein

M&E CONSULTANTS:
NIFES

VALUE:
£14 million