Aquifer source heat pump | Greenwich

The project addressed the space heating and domestic hot water requirements for three social housing blocks on the Ernest Dence Estate. Heat source options assessed included assessing; river source, gravel waters and the chalk aquifer sources. The project included the demonstration of low temperature network to heat the heritage buildings by optimising and upgrading the heat network and dwellings heating and hot water systems.

We were commissioned to:

Assess feasibility of the different low carbon heat opportunities in the area.

Provide an optimised system design for the energy centre, boreholes, heat network and dwelling refurbishments

Dimension secondary side heating installations such as radiators, risers and laterals

Oversee borehole drilling, testing and development

Work with project partners including Imperial College, Siemens and Danfoss

Produce Stage 3 RIBA design for the scheme

Develop specification and support procurement of the main contractor

Clients engineer and overseeing commissioning

The final solution was a CO₂ heat pump utilising open water resource in the the chalk aquifer from 120m deep boreholes. The energy centre integrated thermal stores and back up boilers with a heat network flow temperature of 60 °C and return of 40 °C. A sustainable energy management system (SEMS) collects data such as weather forecasts, carbon intensity in the electricity grid, local air pollution forecasts, and energy price data forecasts. The SEMs provides a local control system to maximise efficiency and reduce operating costs.

The project is operating and we continue to assist Greenwich with further decarbonisation of other housing assets across the Borough