/-1.7875500309562287,52.411607874768684,6,0/500x500@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoibGltZWdyZWVudGFuZ2VyaW5lIiwiYSI6ImNtbHA0NmozZzAwdDgzaHM5MW8zaWs2eWIifQ.jPG-FfO-fBhkFOFoh2gMDQ)
The Solihull Town Centre district energy network is smart heat and power network that comprises a 5.8 km heat network and private wire electricity network serving council and public sector buildings, planned developments, hotels, offices, and retail. Our design is an initial 1.7MW air source heat pump and 1.6 MWth gas CHP with space to expand capacity to a 3.4MW heat pump as the town centre heat network grows.
First appointed for detailed feasibility in 2017, we have supported Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council continuously through every stage of the project - from initial heat mapping and techno-economic modelling through to RIBA Stage 3 design, a successful £6.6m HNIP grant application, DBOM procurement, and now construction management. The scheme is currently in final stages of construction, with us retained as technical adviser and client's engineer, project manager and supervisor throughout delivery. We continue to support the growth and development of the scheme which has accessed national Wealth Fund and Green Heat Network Funding.
Scope
In May 2017, we were appointed to undertake a detailed feasibility study for a district energy network in Solihull Town Centre, including heat demand and supply assessments, network route assessment, hydraulic modelling, RIBA Stage 2 design, techno-economic modelling, and stakeholder engagement - initially exploring opportunities for open loop ground water source heat pump. Following the initial feasibility stage, we were reappointed in 2018 to undertake detailed project development alongside the Council's financial and legal advisors, including an OBC, RIBA Stage 3 design, heads of terms negotiation with potential customers, and overseeing a test borehole programme - the results of which led to the preferred solution being revised to an ASHP and gas CHP scheme. We subsequently provided full commercialisation support, submitting a successful HNIP application securing £6.6m, developing technical specifications and a DBOM procurement pack, and supporting contract finalisation with the appointed legal adviser. Following a period of options review in 2023, we were appointed as Client Engineer and Project Manager in December 2023, a role we continue to hold throughout construction which commenced in mid-2024. Further support is ongoing with GHNF, technical advisory for smart heat and power options for optimising the scheme.
Services
Solihul scheme is a good example of where we have supported the scheme through; Masterplanning, Detailed Feasibility, Techno-Economic Modelling, RIBA Stage 2–3 Design, Detailed Project Development, Outline Business Case, HNIP Grant Application, Commercialisation, DBOM Procurement Support, Client Engineer, Construction Project Management.
Solution
A first stage 1.7 MW ASHP paired with a 1.6 MWth gas CHP - with the CHP supplying electricity to power the heat pump and a small private wire network - was identified as the optimum solution following test borehole results that ruled out the originally proposed ground water source heat pump. The 5.8 km heat and power network serves a mix of public and private sector customers across the town centre, with the scheme structured as a Design Build Operate and Maintain contract.