Lecture 5b - South Kensington Campus Energy Strategy

Question 1

What analysis was undertaken?

Answer 1

• Using recent energy data, modelled some alternative future scenarios for energy use on campus

Question 2

What methodology was used to model future demand scenarios?

Answer 2

• Future energy use in buildings
• Position of data centre - large user of electricity
• Density of energy use on sire - for positioning centralised system so that heat and pumping losses are kept to a minimum

Question 3

What were the four scenarios?

Answer 3

1. BAU - electricity demand down 5%, heat demand up 10%
2. Data center removed - electricity demand down 20%, heat demand up 30%
3. Larger data centre and large heat savings - electricity demand up 5%, heat demand down 20%
4. Larger data centre and more wet labs - electricity demand up 5%, heat demand up 30%

Question 4

What were the supply options?

Answer 4

• Biomass - but too many deliveries and emissions too high so ruled out
• PV cells - too many required and not enough land so ruled out
• Local boilers - modelled
• Gas turbine CHP - smallest available too big so ruled out
• Smaller engine CHP - modelled
• Same sized engine CHP - modelled

Question 5

What are the main heat distribution technologies?

Answer 5

• Steam - compact, efficient use of CHP energy but some of the existing pipes too small.
• MTHW - bulky and some of the existing pipes too small
• LTHW - compact, efficient use of CHP energy if used with seam, necessary to maximise plant efficiency

Question 6

What was the recommendation

Answer 6

• Replace CHP and install larger steam network
• Up to 3xCHP units producing 6.5MW electricity in total -> smaller size allows for more flexibility and resilience, and minimises heat rejection into the atmosphere.
• Modular solution that can adapt to demands
• Heat required not produced by CHP plant produced by steam boilers as it is currently.

Question 7

What actually happened?

Answer 7

• Upgrade steam pipes and heat exchanger - conversion of MTHW to LTHW
• Re-procure existing operation and maintenance contract to get better value
• Moved steam system onto MTHW system

Question 8

What were the key conclusions?

Answer 8

• Removal of existing CHP engines and replace with smaller ones - best economic outcome based on cost, flexibility, CO2 reduction and space
• Heat distribution system needed to be reconfigured t take full advantage of saving from CHP
• Robustness of solution meant it did not change depending on master plan scenario