The team completed an 18-month project to design and build a new energy centre that utilises waste heat, a solar array, ambient, and district heating networks. OCS, formerly FES FM and Support Services “OCS”, was part of the focused programme to provide heating solutions in an efficient way for the Red Tree Magenta building. The project has the potential to supply future developments and provide low-carbon cooling solutions.
Furthermore, Clyde Gateway appointed OCS as the principal contractor to design, build, and commission the new facility. Clyde Gateway is an urban regeneration company focused on improving communities in Glasgow’s East End and South Lanarkshire. A significant aspect of their work involves physical regeneration projects; for instance, the remediation of the Shawfield site. This initiative includes developing a new multi-plot commercial area and establishing a Green Regeneration Innovation District (GRID).
Sustainability
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. It uses a centrally located 400kW PV array linked to a Battery Energy Storage System.
The system charges using surplus energy generated by the PV scheme. It enables the use of previously stored energy instead of importing power from the grid.“
Solar PV generation is estimated at 372,582 kWh annually, avoiding approximately 86,650 kg of CO₂ emissions each year.
Pre-fabrication
A purpose-built manufacturing facility prefabricated the new Energy Centre. This approach ensured that workers completed bulky construction tasks in a safe, secure environment and delivered the components to the site ready for connections.
Challenges
A major achievement was pulling over 100m of pipework for the ambient loop through the existing smart bridge. We completed this complex task seamlessly. This process involved collaborating with the city council and local businesses on traffic management plans. As a result, road closures were required for both the ambient loop network installation and the delivery of the prefabricated Energy Centre itself.
Working in partnership
OCS worked with the client’s NEC supervisor to develop a proactive problem-solving plan. Identifying and addressing problems ahead of time was crucial to maintaining a successful partnership. Open dialogue supported the smooth running of the whole project. Moreover, it is now an approach OCS uses on all new projects.
Designers from Hulley & Kirkwood joined the project from the outset to ensure its successful delivery. Additionally, the client’s design team from architecture and engineering specialists, Rambolls, joined the project giving the team at OCS a fresh approach that enhanced the overall quality of the project, creating a final project that truly stands out.
Community Benefit
As part of OCS’s commitment to community benefits, D2 GRIDs hosted five Prince’s Trust students on a practical electrical installation course. This gave students hands-on experience related to what they were learning.We also supported Clyde Gateway’s FUNSTEM programme. Team members attended several school project events focused on renewable energy education.
“This has been a complex project providing one of the first 5th generation heating and cooling projects in Scotland that came with a range of challenges. We are delighted to have engaged with OCS to take 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 they are continuing their role in the operation and management of the project.”
Hugh Moore
Project Manager for Clyde Gateway
“D2 GRIDs was very much a continuation of a project that we worked on in Shawfair. We are increasingly seeing companies putting sustainability at the heart of projects to deliver energy in a new way that will provide commercial properties and homes with heating and cooling well into the 21st century and beyond. And at the heart of this project was the partnership approach which is central to all of our work because delivering projects in this way overcomes challenges at the outset and sets positive relationships up for the future.”
James Reid
Operations Director (Energy) from FES Support Services
