Dieselec Thistle Generators (DTG) has been selected through competitive tender to supply and install the back-up power system for the Guardbridge Energy Centre on the Sustainable Power and Research Campus (SPARC) at the University of St Andrews.
DTG will supply a 400kVA prime rated emergency generator housed inside a bespoke acoustic enclosure, designed to reduce the generator noise to 70dBA at three metres from the enclosure.
The 12 hour autonomy fuel supply for the generator is provided by an integral, fully-bunded tank. The generator is fitted with a synchronising controller that enables the generator to run in parallel with the grid supply for a ‘no break’ transfer and short or long term parallel operation.
The Guardbridge Energy Centre is central to the University of St Andrews’ strategic drive to become the UK’s first energy carbon neutral university and will supplement other University carbon reducing projects such as electricity generation by wind turbines at the Kenly Farm site, and improvements to existing campus buildings to reduce their energy demand. The combination of all these strategies will create the first energy carbon neutral university in the UK and further enhance the University, and Scotland, as leaders in sustainable development.
Donnie MacDonald, DTG Project Manager, said: “We are increasingly working hand in hand with developers of renewable energy projects, and it’s great to see our technologies come together to provide innovative yet reliable sources of heat and power.
“It’s fantastic to be involved in such a forward thinking energy project, and our appointment to deliver the critical back-up power supply is testament to our track record and reputation in the industry.”
The £25m Guardbridge Energy Centre project includes:
- 6.5MW biomass boiler, fuel processing and handling system.
- 6km flow and return transmission hot water pipeline.
- Local district heating network to 17 building complexes at North Haugh.
- Buildings integration and controls for plant rooms.
- Phased carbon saving potential of at least 10,000 tonnes.
The Guardbridge site is located in the small village of Guardbridge, five miles west of St Andrews. The 9.6 hectare site contains a mix of land and buildings which formerly comprised the paper mill and associated activities, and includes a number of listed buildings associated with the mill.
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