Published: 12/11/2024
Published: 12/11/2024
As part of our commitment to reducing our scope 1 emissions, we recently upgraded our Stonehouse Technology Centre in Gloucestershire to become our first low-carbon energy building in the UK. Utilizing innovative technology from Celsius Energy, an SLB New Energy venture, this is the third installation of the shallow geothermal system for SLB globally.
Related: Energy explained: What is geoenergy?
The Stonehouse installation marks a significant upgrade from the 20-year-old building’s conventional heating and cooling systems to a renewable geoenergy source. This novel technology leverages the temperature below the surface to regulate the building’s climate, making it the first SLB facility in the UK to transition from an aging HVAC system to a geoenergy solution. The new system replaces both the gas boiler and chillers with a renewable energy source.
Environmental Impact
The geoenergy system is projected to save up to 100 tons of CO2 annually — a reduction of 65% — and is just one element of our ongoing initiatives to achieve our environmental and carbon-neutral ambitions.
Innovative Technology
This installation uses a ground-source heat pump (GSHP), which meets 100% of the 4,500m2 building’s cooling needs and 84% of its heating requirements. The system was installed in just ten months with minimal disruption to the site, which accommodates 300 technology development professionals.
Efficient Design
The innovative Celsius Energy solution can be installed in new or existing buildings. A distinctive feature of the system is its closed-loop design and a unique pyramid-shaped well design, which requires significantly less space than traditional geoenergy installations.
“The unique design of the Celsius Energy solution allows an installation that maximizes the subsurface energy exchange while requiring a minimal surface footprint,” explains Karen Spenley, Celsius Energy’s UK manager. While conventional systems typically demand an area the size of a football pitch, the solution needs only the space of about two parking spots. This compact design therefore makes it an ideal choice for urban and space-constrained environments.
“Additionally, the Celsius Energy solution not only allows a reduction in a building's energy consumption but also reduces CO2 emissions by 90% compared with gas,” continues Spenley. “The end result is a turnkey, digitally controlled system that minimizes energy consumption while managing the temperature control needs of the building, campus, facility, or neighborhood.”