Hanson FORMPAVE has recently had its new and unique AQUAFLOW THERMAPAVE Energy System installed with excellent results. The system was installed into car parking areas of the Groundwork Cresswell, Ashfield & Mansfield’s head offices in Clowne, Derbyshire. Groundwork whom are approved contractors for Hanson, installed the innovative system on its own premises. Harvested and cleaned rainwater for reuse and a proven flood prevention solution. The systems reduced energy costs and water bills are just some of the high impact benefits already being gained from the environmentally friendly permeable paving and geothermal implementation.
Groundwork is an environmental regeneration charity. The charity is dedicated to supporting and sustaining vibrant, healthy and safe communities. This is achieved through delivering projects that tackle regeneration, environmental and educational issues. At the head offices in Clowne, the Trust had already implemented numerous ‘green’ technologies within the building. These include solar thermal panels, Air Source Heat Pumps and PV cells to demonstrate the greener future as endorsed by the charity.
With the installation of the AQUAFLOW THERMAPAVE Energy System, the integrated Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) and rainwater harvesting solution completed the portfolio of environmentally friendly systems. It provided Groundwork with a route in tackling global climate change challenges and carbon footprint reduction.
"There were a number of reasons that we wanted to install a GSHP and rainwater harvesting system, the environmental benefits are obvious but we were also having a major problem with flooding in our sloping car park," said Darren Pollard, construction manager at Groundwork. "Since the AQUAFLOW THERMAPAVE Energy System has been installed we haven’t had any issues with flooding and the under floor heating that is sourced from the GSHP provides a reliable, comfortable and constant temperature. "
The Trust’s headquarters are built around a quadrangle with a large courtyard and a sloping car park. More than 300m2 of Red Brindle AQUAFLOW permeable paving was laid to eradicate the flooding issues. An impermeable liner and subbase were installed underneath to harvest and clean rainwater for secondary use. The subbase also provides the ideal laying environment for the collector loops of the geothermal system. Integrated with a 6KW ‘Disme’ system, the GSHP now provides full comfort heating. This is via a newly laid under floor heating system to the refurbished annex of the building. This provides a substantially lower cost to conventional heating systems and significantly reducing the carbon emissions of the building. This forms part of a greater redevelopment of the building that will now be used as a training center. The center is for both adults and young people in the area of construction skills, amongst other things. Groundwork provides trainees with the chance to put into practice what they learn on real working projects, such as installing the AQUAFLOW THERMAPAVE Energy System.
"The retrofit of the AQUAFLOW THERMAPAVE Energy System at this site is an excellent example of the versatility of the solution and demonstrates the remarkable results and benefits that can be gained," said Roger Garrett, Hanson energy renewables manager at Hanson FORMPAVE. "Up to 6KW of heating or cooling energy can be produced from a much smaller area than by any other means by using the AQUAFLOW paving installation and this is more than enough power to maintain a comfortable year round temperature - all with the added benefit of a water harvesting and storm management solution incorporated."
Hanson FORMPAVE partnered with renewable specialist Radiant Heating Solutions to design the complete system. From the subbase through to the under floor heating to provide a total thermal solution. The heat pump aspect was something quite new to team at Groundworks. To assist the installation team, Radiant were regularly on site to give technical guidance and advice. On completion Radiant assisted the installers throughout the commissioning process.
"We are really pleased with the system and already realising a return on our investment. It has been great to partner with such enthusiastic and knowledgeable companies in Radiant Heating Solutions and Hanson Formpave, so that we could fully meet our strategy in running an office that meets our carbon neutral policy," concluded Darren.
Editorial Information
Integrated Permeable Paving and GSHP
The AQUAFLOW THERMAPAVE Energy System is an industry-first solution that integrates the Hanson FORMPAVE patented permeable paving with the proven technology of ground source heat pumps (GSHP). The integration of these two key technologies delivers a unique and highly energy efficient system. The system is used for harvesting rainwater and managing floodwater, whilst using the earth’s heat to provide a sustainable heat and cooling solution for the interior of the building.
- Environmental benefits of the system include:
- Up to 70% saving on annual fuel bills
- Attractive and measurable payback within the first 5-6 years
- Low noise
- Up to 50% reduced CO2 emissions
- Reduced land take
- Reduced water bills by an average of 50%
- Water harvesting and reuse – water stored underground can provide a supply for re-use within the home, i.e. toilets, car washing and irrigation. The system plays a significant part in mitigating storm floodwaters effect on the environment.
Harvesting Rainwater, Harnessing Heat - How the AQUAFLOW THERMAPAVE® Energy System Works
The AQUAFLOW THERMAPAVE Energy System works by installing slinky pipes into the voided sub-base of the Hanson FORMPAVE AQUAFLOW system. The system is used to generate sufficient energy to allow the transfer (exchange) of heat into buildings during cold periods and out of the building in the summer months. There is an ambient temperature in the sub-grade area of 10 degrees that creates the energy within the refrigerant to affect the heat exchange.
The operational efficiency of this sustainable technology, when buried within permeable pavement, is more beneficial compared to conventional methods of being laid in soil for two key reasons:
1. The large water holding capacity of the pavement system ensures that the heat extraction pipes are constantly buried in water. Often running water, unlike in soil where fluctuations of the water table or soil drying can dramatically reduce the ground conductivity.
2. The termination of down pipes in the paving system leads to a replenishment of local heat in the stored water by mixing and the introduction of kinetic energy from the flow.