NETPARK LOW CARBON FEASIBILITY STUDY
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
BACKGROUND
NETPark (North East Technology Park) is a science park located in Sedgefield, County Durham. The park is home to over thirty-two innovative high-tech science and technology companies working in fields such as nanotechnology, x-ray technology, forensics and semiconductor technology.
d3associates were commissioned to conduct an energy audit of the six Durham County Council buildings on the site, to outline potential energy saving opportunities, and to assess the potential for renewable energy technologies and a smart energy network for NETPark.
The preferred options for a smart energy network were modelled in energyPRO to determine the most economically viable.
OUTCOME
d3associates prepared detailed plant schedules to gain an understanding of how the mechanical and electrical systems operate in the six buildings and identified several approaches to reducing energy demand.
A range of renewable energy technologies, along with potential heat and electricity sources, to provide low carbon heat and electricity to NETPark were technically assessed and the preferred options modelled in a potential district energy network. Individual and central heat pumps along with waste heat from a local supermarket were modelled against individual gas boilers. Capital costs were calculated and energyPRO software used to undertake the economic analysis providing annual heat costs, payback and carbon dioxide savings.
To meet the future electrical demand, solar PV and wind turbine alternatives were modelled combined with a subset of the heat options and further analysis carried out adding in battery storage.
The preferred heating solution identified was individual air source heat pumps which could be installed in the buildings as the site is developed. Maximising the PV on roofs of all the buildings brings good financial benefits and carbon savings. A combination of additional ground mounted PV and wind turbines would further reduce the carbon footprint of the site.
