12 April 2011

The construction of a new Combined Heat & Power (CHP) unit for Severn Trent, at the Netheridge Sewage and Treatment Works in Gloucester, has reached a major milestone after it passed crucial safety checks from Central Networks.

Costain MWH, Severn Trent's Asset Creation and Renewable Energy team, together with the Services Delivery team, completed the construction and commissioning of the new 835KW CHP on March 14 and the plant will now be accredited with OFGEM, the gas and electricity industry regulator, with an effective handover date of May 5.

The new CHP unit will generate electricity for use at the sewage works site. Any surplus electricity will be exported into the national grid and used to offset electricity imports by Severn Trent Water elsewhere.

Richard Price, the Delivery Manager for the project, said it was important the milestone was achieved as the renewable energy incentive scheme 'Renewable Obligation Certificate' (ROC) was changed on 1 April 2011. The value of sewage gas derived electricity has now been reduced and this would have greatly affected the viability of this spend to save the project.

Construction work began in October 2010 and it wasn't long before severe cold weather threatened to hinder progress of the project.

“It was a major achievement to get it finished ahead of schedule as the project was only conceived in June 2010 and only signed off in October. The historically cold weather in December threatened to hinder our progress because it’s difficult to pour concrete in freezing temperatures, but everyone strived to get it finished and the whole site team worked very well to coordinate the civil, mechanical and electrical aspects that made up the whole scheme.”

Ian Moore, Severn Trent’s Waste Water Asset Creation Manager, said: “We are delighted with the performance of the team. Everyone worked extremely well together to deliver the project ahead of schedule and to secure the required business benefits for Severn Trent Water.”

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