Old Oak Common Depot
Multivalent heating, cooling, and electricity generation. RIBA 5.
LOCATION
London, UK
DESIGNED TECHNOLOGY
1000 kW heating,
489kW cooling GSHPs
420kWₜₕ/289kWₑ of CHP
175kW Solar Thermal
221kWₚ PV Array
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Bombardier’s train maintenance depot at Old Oak Common was built as part of the Crossrail project, later renamed the Elizabeth Line. GED engineers were involved from the very start of the project and developed a scheme exceeding both the planning requirements and the sustainability aspirations for the project, by integrating a range of technologies, including:
256 geothermal/energy piles plus 53 boreholes
4no. GSHPs providing 900kW heating and 600kW cooling
2no. Combined Heat and Power units, generating a total of 420kWₜₕ and 289kWₑ
50 Solar Thermal modules in 3 systems, totalling 175kW
920 Solar Photovoltaic modules, totalling 221kWₚ
Detailed modelling of heating, cooling, DHW, and electrical usage for the site allowed for the optimisation of all equipment. Interconnections were made to maximise the use of available energy without wastage, such as by using excess heat to recharge the ground array.
Other on-site technologies included back-up/top-up boilers for high temperature washes on site, and air-to-air heat pumps in office areas. A particular feature is in-slab loops in the undercover train maintenance workshop, which utilise the thermal mass of the slab to provide more comfortable working conditions.
PROJECT DELIVERABLES
GeoEnergy engineers acted as specialist designers to develop and implement the concept.
Deliverables ranged from planning and concept drawings to thermal load and PV modelling, to full 3D plantroom modelling, installation supervision, and post-installation inspections. Also provided were full Description of Operations and custom built control panels for all sections.