Synergie Environ worked with Crosswind Developments and other stakeholders on the upcoming Elements Edinburgh development near Edinburgh Airport, acting as technical consultants for energy. Elements Edinburgh will be a sustainable, inclusive, low-carbon development using the latest in green technology to build 2500 homes and 95,000 m2 of commercial space, including a dedicated Digital Quarter, hotels and retail units. The site posed unique challenges and opportunities, being envisioned as a low-carbon development with facilities for electric car charging and no burning of natural gas, but also being located in an area with constrained electricity supply.
Starting with a high-level analysis of options at the site and developing this into a full energy strategy, our team proposed a combined approach of Passivhaus building construction to greatly reduce energy consumption, together with solar panels for power generation and a district heating network supplied by either ground source heat pumps, geothermal heat and / or wastewater heat pumps. These potential options fulfilled Crosswind’s vision of a pioneering green development, differentiating it from its competitors while also alleviating pressure on the local electricity grid.
Our team also prepared the Energy Statement and Sustainability Statement for the development, which together with our innovative Energy Strategy were included in the site planning application.
At the time of writing, the planning application for Elements Edinburgh is under consideration. We look forward to taking this project further into the design and build phase in 2021.
