Energy incorporating Energy Piles®
We are heavily involved in sustainability having pioneered the use of geothermal energy in the UK with our Energy Piles®. Our foundation piles can be adapted to harness geothermal energy, which leads to reduced whole-life costs and is healthier for the environment.
Skanska has an alliance with Geothermal International Limited in order to provide a complete geothermal design and installation package. Geothermal International Ltd is the UK's market leader in providing ground-source heating and cooling systems for the commercial sector. The company has positioned itself as a turnkey premium geothermal service, and can advise clients with the planning, design, supply and installation of systems. The exclusive arrangement with Water Furnace, the world's leading heat-pump manufacturer, enables Geothermal International Ltd to offer a wide range of products for the commercial and residential markets.
We are proud to be associated with this new technique, which is creating considerable interest among clients who are environmentally aware, and concerned with whole life costs associated with their development proposals. Using "Ground Sourced Heat Pump Systems" (GSHPS) can reduce annual operating costs by up to two-thirds, relative to conventional heating/cooling systems, and CO2 emissions by up to 75%.
"Ground Sourced Heat Pump Systems" work by harnessing the contrast between temperatures within a proposed development and the relatively stable temperatures that occur within the ground at depths greater than about 10m. Thus, the heat source/sink provided by the ground can be used to provide heating and/or cooling within the development. To achieve this, a liquid similar to antifreeze is circulated through a closed pipework system within the piles, penetrating the ground and the building, and is controlled by a heat pump, which interfaces with the internal heating/cooling system of the building.
Early contact with ourselves is recommended, so that the most appropriate choices can be made in terms of piling technique, pile quantity and size, pipework type, pipework geometry and maximum depth of pipework achievable for the prevailing ground conditions. During the pile design stage, we work closely with the designer of the system, to optimise the amount and distribution of pipework needed for the particular conditions/constraints relating to the development.
We construct the piles which provide the link between the soil mass and the heat-pump system, the concrete forming the piles is an ideal energy transfer medium. Flexible plastic pipes are readily accommodated within the pile reinforcement cages. Upon completion of the foundation works, the section of pipework embedded in the pile is plumbed into the rest of the system, allowing the ground energy source to be used in the heating and/or cooling of the structure.
It is important to involve both the M&E and the Structural Engineer at this stage. Pre-contract consideration and planning is also critical of the following aspects during pile cap construction stage.
Advantages
• Renewable Energy Source
• Typical 50% reduction in building carbon emissions
• Can achieve 16% renewable content
• No local emissions or pollution
• No external vents or flues
• Significant planning approval
• 50% reduction in plant-room space requirement
• 7 BREEAM points potential
Trademarks
ENERGY PILE®
THERMOPILE®
THERMPILE®
GT PILE®
ENERGIPILE®
Read more about Patents & Trademarks.