GI Energy helps landmark to cut noise and carbon footprint

The developer of the new Lexicon building in Islington has chosen to heat and cool the 307 apartments with a highly energy-efficient Ground Source Heat Pump system.

Mount Anvil appointed GI Energy, the pioneer of this type of renewable energy in the UK, to install the Ground Source Heat Pump system to provide all of the cooling and a significant amount of heating to the building.

The scheme, which forms a key part of the City Road Basin Masterplan aiming to create a highly visible, positive landmark for Islington, comprises 307 apartments, 200 for private sale and 107 affordable housing units. In addition the development includes 785 sq m of mixed-use commercial space, 52 car parking spaces as well as a private residents’ spa and lounge.

It is the first time that Mount Anvil has used Ground Source Heat Pumps and the decision was taken in order to meet a requirement that 20% of the energy used to run the building should come from renewable sources.

This stipulation was set by the local planning authority, Islington Borough Council, which also limited the amount of roof top noise permitted from the cooling plant.

Tony Amis, Business Development Director of Coventry-based GI Energy, said: “Chillers and air conditioning units on top of buildings can be very noisy, especially for residential buildings, and local authorities are placing restrictions on the levels of noise in key areas of London.

“Using Ground Source Heat Pump systems to cool buildings is the answer to that problem – these systems are less noisy, take up less space and don’t need to be put on the roof and can provide simultaneous heating with the same unites when required.

 “Ultimately  they are far more energy efficient than conventional air conditioning or central heating because Ground Source Heat Pumps extract heat stored naturally underground in the earth – a truly renewable form of energy.

“GI Energy has developed sophisticated control units that continuously monitor Ground Source Heat Pump systems that enables remote monitoring and fine-tuning of their operations so that they deliver the results required.”

As the Lexicon lies in a heavily built up area GI Energy recently completed installing 82 boreholes under the building that are each 150 metres deep to take the pipes, called earth loops, that are an essential part of the Ground Source Heat Pump system. GI Energy is the market leader in the UK and has built up an enviable expertise in designing and sizing Ground Source Heat Pump systems for many diverse buildings in a variety of challenging settings including high-rise buildings on congested city sites, such as One New Change in the shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral.

GI Energy offers a complete turnkey solution, from initial geological and hydrogeological surveys, sizing and designing a system, through to installation, commissioning, control, monitoring, repair and maintenance. The Coventry-based company recently launched a finance package to mitigate against the up-front costs of an installation. Sainsbury’s supermarket was the first customer to utilise this opportunity, which comes with a long-term repair and maintenance agreement.