Project Overview
GPJ were appointed to provide mechanical and electrical design services for a major low-carbon upgrade of an operational leisure centre. The project involved transitioning the site’s heating and hot water systems away from traditional gas-fired plant and developing a new integrated energy strategy based around ground and air source heat pump technology.
Our Involvement
GPJ developed the mechanical and electrical design for the new energy centre, incorporating four ground source heat pumps, five air source heat pumps, a 5,000-litre thermal store and new heat pump-compatible hot water generation.
The design also included modifications to existing air handling systems, pool heating circuits and the integration of ground source free cooling to gym and studio areas. GPJ developed the BMS control philosophy and associated energy monitoring strategy to integrate new and retained plant, including the existing solar PV systems.
GPJ produced the detailed M&E specification and drawings and undertook the Contract Administrator and Principal Designer roles for the project.
Key Project Considerations
A key challenge was transitioning an existing operational leisure centre from oversized traditional heating plant to heat pumps sized more closely around the building’s calculated demand. This required careful review of existing heating circuits, pool systems, air handling plant and operating temperatures.
The BMS strategy was developed to automatically assess building demand, energy prices, solar generation, plant efficiency and equipment status to select the most efficient and cost-effective available energy source. The design also utilised the ground loop to provide free cooling to selected gym and studio areas.