News

External shot of the Tesco Bourne store

National building services provider EIC has completed the mechanical and electrical fit out for Tesco’s second Zero Carbon store in the UK. The store in Bourne, Lincolnshire has been built by McLaren Construction with the mechanical and electrical systems designed and installed by EIC.

EIC, which specialises in energy saving and renewable energy design, consultancy and installation work, was appointed to undertake the three-month contract by McLaren Construction. The project involved the installation of a number of energy saving techniques including chilled and combined heat and power systems - which more than double the efficiency of the store’s fuel use - a ‘free cooling’ air scoop system which naturally ventilates the building, and lighting control systems.

The fabric of the store is timber-framed and uses skylights and sun pipes to illuminate the shopping area, thereby cutting lighting costs. The building also has a combined heat and power plant powered by renewable bio-fuels and a metering system so that energy use is constantly monitored. In addition, the store has no harmful refrigerants in the fridges, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Ian Lyall, joint managing director of EIC, said: “The Tesco Zero Carbon store in Bourne will play a powerful role in not only tackling climate change itself but also, perhaps more importantly, in encouraging others to do so too, so we were delighted to be a part of its design and build.

“With 40 years’ experience in this sector, we have seen enormous improvements in energy saving techniques and devices. We have worked with some of the country’s most forward-thinking companies and particularly a number of new build school projects, all of which have really led the way in carbon reduction. This has added significant expertise to our strong track record of designing, integrating and installing cost effective, environmentally friendly and energy saving solutions. We also believe that sustainable innovations are not just limited to new build and encourage our customers with existing properties or refurbishments to address energy performance and carbon reduction wherever possible.”

The first Tesco Carbon Zero store was opened in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire and following on from the Tesco Zero Carbon store in Bourne, another has been opened in Welshpool, Powys. Tesco has also exported the model overseas, with a Zero Carbon hypermarket in the Czech Republic and, plans for a Zero Carbon supermarket in Bang Phra, Thailand later this year.

Louise Gosling, Corporate Affairs Manager at Tesco, said: “We have set ambitious targets to reduce carbon, generate efficiencies and reinvest in green growth, which are part of our long-term goal to be a zero-carbon business by 2050.

“We appointed EIC to undertake the mechanical and electrical work as we felt that they not only had the relevant experience in the sector but are also keen to address energy performance and carbon reduction themselves, both internally and with their customers. We have worked with EIC many times in the past and always found them to deliver a good quality project on time and on budget.”

EIC has been involved in a number of energy saving and renewable energy projects, including the design and development of renewable energy systems for a Salvation Army Housing Association in Salford, the design of dimmable lighting and solar hot water generation for St Anne’s Primary School in Chelmsley Wood and the installation of solar panels, wind turbines and rainwater harvesting equipment for the Uxbridge High sixth form centre in London. The company is also currently involved in a Government consultation exploring the potential for schools to achieve zero carbon status by 2016.

The scientific laboratories used to carry out some of the most important research into climate change have been designed and built by engineers from EIC Alcester. Six specially equipped research pods – or cabooses – have been commissioned from EIC for use by the scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

Each of the pods is set up for use as a stand alone laboratory, and includes a radar station, radio monitoring equipment and an optical experimentation facility. Five of the self-contained units have already been shipped out to the Antarctic and installed on the ice near to the team’s mother station, Halley VI, at 76°S, 27°W. The sixth is in storage at the BAS headquarters in Cambridge and is due to be sent out in late 2011.

Working closely with the BAS to ensure the design met the necessary functionality of the research facilities, EIC was commissioned to provide a solution for a series of structures. Among the many challenges of the project are ensuring the external shell and fittings can withstand temperatures as low as -50°C, prevention of heat loss from the cabin and maintenance of all mechanical and electrical systems in exceptionally harsh weather conditions.

The most simple, cost effective, and easy to transport design involved the use of 20ft by 8ft steel shipping containers fitted out with power to facilitate heating, lighting, data, and fire alarm provision. The units were specially fabricated to incorporate equipment, furniture and external instrumentation, floors and ceilings. Creation of doors and other necessary access points required the use of integral seals and additional insulation. EIC appointed experts from Central Site Accommodation to assist with the fit out and fabrication.

Richard Gilbert, EIC’s project manager, said the assignment was challenging, fascinating and hugely satisfying in equal measure. He said: “Prefabrication of M&E units is becoming more common place in off site construction, so the concept itself was fairly straightforward. The challenge we faced was to ensure that the materials and systems we chose, and the method of installation, would hold up against that Antarctic weather. Despite recent harsh winters in the UK, polar conditions aren’t something we had first hand experience about, which meant that working very closely with the BAS team would be hugely important.

“Steel containers were selected as the best option for the external shell, mainly due to the ease of transportation and the toughness of the external skin, we specified the materials and products for the rest of the design in conjunction with BAS. The internal fit out took approximately seven weeks per pod, with another week for testing and commissioning.

“We were delighted to have been appointed to this project by the BAS and, although I’ll never see the labs in situ, it’s fantastic to see photographs of them out there on the ice and to know they are involved in this very important research.”

The completed cabooses were painted yellow – to help with visibility in the Antarctic – and transported to the BAS HQ in Cambridge where the specialist equipment was installed. The containers were then packed and shipped out to the Antarctic on board the research and supply ship the RSS Ernest Shackleton.

For more information about the British Antarctic Survey – research, living & working conditions and educational resources – go to www.antartica.ac.uk.

EIC, the Alcester-based building services provider, is undertaking a £2m contract for the revamp of sporting facilities in the Midlands. The EIC team has been appointed to install the mechanical and electrical services at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham which is set to be used as an Olympic training base.

The project involves the construction of a new spectators stand along the back straight of the running track which, when complete, will also accommodate office and gym facilities.

Working with main contractor Thomas Vale Construction, on behalf of Birmingham City Council, EIC’s contract includes installation of state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical services including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, domestic water services, small power, lighting, CCTV and security to the new stand, offices and gym. Much of the work on the stands was completed ahead of the recent Samsung Diamond League meeting to be held in Birmingham, while the office fit out and gym elements are set for completion later this year.

Ian Lyall, joint managing director of EIC, added: “EIC has a great deal of past experience in the sports and leisure sector we are delighted to be continuing in the same vein with this recent contract win. The successful completion of the M&E fit out at the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, one of the 2014 Commonwealth Games training centres, was well received and opened several new opportunities for us within this market, having clearly demonstrated our ability to deliver high profile projects for major sporting events.

“The Alexander Stadium is a great project which will ultimately benefit both visiting athletes and the city’s residents. We are certainly looking to this sector as an area for future expansion of our business, building on our relationships with major contractors and end user clients.”