DISTRICT ENERGY | DOMINIC BARTON
Powering King’s Cross – a multi-utility approach Last issue Dominic Barton wrote about district energy networks. Here he explains how they are working at Argent’s King’s Cross development
The landmark 67-acre development at King’s Cross is one of the largest and most prestigious regeneration projects in the UK. King’s Cross is a vibrant mix of old and new. A rich industrial heritage and restored historic buildings sit alongside modern urban dwellings and contemporary offices. Eventually, there will be 2,000 new homes, of which a significant number will be affordable housing, alongside 3.4 million square feet of commercial property including Google’s Headquarters, underpinning the creation of over 30,000 jobs in high-value knowledge sectors. With circa 35,000 people expected to be housed, employed and entertained at King’s Cross, a major part of the project was providing the essential utilities required for next generation living. The solution delivered by Metropolitan included installing future-proofed district energy solutions and cutting-edge utilities. The challenge The development partnership wanted King’s Cross to become a flagship development not just in terms of its size but also its message for the future. They needed a community whose sustainable living would set an example for many years to come. The development partnership needed to show how it is possible, even within the demands of today’s society, to
reduce bills and eliminate waste of resource. King’s Cross was to be an exemplar of how low-carbon development could be achieved in London. While the developer required traditional utilities for some of their provision, they also needed more - they required futureproof solutions and flexibility, as well as having the desire to work with one company, in partnership. One partner to deliver it all For Argent (the developer working on behalf of the partnership), Metropolitan was the innovative, competitive and unique alternative to the traditional utility companies. Just one partner was needed to deliver the total energy and utility infrastructure for the entire development: electricity, district energy, fibre, water, wastewater and gas; all the way from the initial design to the upstream utility company network connections. Metropolitan offered the developer the expertise, flexibility and innovation required and became its long-term partner as owner and operator of the site networks. District Energy The first challenge at King’s Cross was to provide an alternative to the traditional gas network, with individual boilers in each home. The solution came in the form of district energy, a >>>
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RIGHT: Granary Square with Central St. Martin’s
Dominic Barton, Metropolitan Infrastructure Ltd
www.planninginlondon.com
Issue 103 October-December 2017
59