SCHOOLS | BOLT-ON ENERGY HUBS ELECTRICAL ENERGY PODS Module A incorporates the low-voltage panelboard and incoming utility supplies Module B is a derivative of Module A, which also incorporates photovoltaic inverters in addition to the LV panelboard. Module C incorporates battery storage would not require a system volume that would necessitate a second Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) buffer vessel, nor would it warrant the inclusion of a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) for internal heat gain recovery. As such, the energy pod would be manufactured from Module A and Module C. In contrast, he says a high-scale intervention school with a floor area of 10,000m2 would not require boilers, but the higher system volumes needed would require a second LTHW buffer vessel and maybe the inclusion of a WSHP for internal heat gain recovery. This energy pod would be manufactured from Module B and Module C, says Keeling. Domestic hot water pod According to Keeling, there are areas in a school where a centralised domestic hot water system is required. These include kitchens and changing rooms. The centralised system is required because the modern approach of delivering hot water via local instantaneous electric systems in these areas would subject the LV network to excessive demand, says Keeling. The standardised kitchen and changing room domestic hot water energy pod incorporates domestic hot water buffer vessels, each with an integral ASHP. There is also a centralised domestic hot water energy pod, which incorporates LTHW buffer vessels and domestic plate heat exchangers, which feed from the LTHW system. Electrical energy pod Much like the heating and heat recovery energy pods, the electrical energy pods can be built from three standardised module types (see panel Electrical energy pods). An electrical energy pod designed to deliver the low voltage supply to the school and support the inclusion of a photovoltaic array would be manufactured from Module A and Module B. Integrating battery storage capacity alongside these functions would require the inclusion of Module C. Battery storage is not something you typically find in schools because they are not cheap bits of kit, says Keeling. However, he says their inclusion in abnormal circumstances may enable rural schools, not connected to the gas network and often heated by oil, to be decarbonised. Where this is the case, the entire heating system must be replaced. It cannot be phased. As a consequence, the schools entire heat load will have to be delivered by the heat pump system from the outset. It is unlikely that this school will have an incoming supply capable of delivering sufficient power, and, with it being a rural site, the chances are that upgrade costs will be substantial. The electrical design responds by allowing for an amount of electrical storage overnight, Discover the BEST PERFORMING HIU on the market, bar none. MTA Plus heat pump-ready Heat Interface Unit Boasting the lowest VWART on the market, our new MTA Plus is a high performance HIU that is the perfect partner for 4th generation heat networks. The future of heat networks is here. Find out more: www.modutherm.co.uk +44 (0) 345 521 5666 30 September 2022 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Sept 22 pp28-30, 32 Energy pods.indd 30 26/08/2022 17:01