Ampd Energy Enertainers reduce emissions at London’s Olympia Redevelopment
Background
The redevelopment of the iconic Olympia Exhibition Centre in west London is one of the city’s most ambitious construction projects. Due to complete in 2025, the £1.3 billion project will transform the complex into an ultra-modern, multi-use destination, composed of two revamped existing Grade II-listed exhibition halls, 550,000 square feet of offices, 100,000 square feet of restaurants and bars, two international hotels, a 4,400-capacity live music venue, a 1,575-seat performing arts theatre, and more.
Having been commissioned to construct the 14-acre site, multinational engineering company Laing O’Rourke, and its subsidiary, Select Plant, began work in 2021, pursuing a strategy that mirrored their commitment to carbon reduction and energy conservation. The plan was to utilize the most modern construction methods and to deliver substantial reductions in carbon emissions, noise and other disruptions to the neighbouring area.
of air pollution saved*
of carbon emissions saved*
quieter than a diesel generator
in operating costs*
Introduction & Project Information
Site Setup
The Challenge
The site required the operation of three large tower cranes, which were initially powered by three conventional 500 kVA diesel generators. During the first few months, however, Select encountered problems with getting the required mains supply to the site. Along with the challenges posed by the limited mains supply, it also became evident that carbon emissions were increasing and air quality around the site was deteriorating.
Other factors were also compromising project efficiency: on-site crews faced breakdown and fuel-supply issues with the generator-powered cranes, as well as logistical problems in moving the cranes between indoor and outdoor areas.
The use of diesel fuel also brought its own problems. Together with the health and safety risks associated with handling diesel—such as spillages—vehicular fuel deliveries to the site were driving up CO2 emissions and transportation costs. Diesel wagon visits were also adding to local noise pollution and traffic congestion.
The Solution
Seeking answers to these issues, Select Plant partnered with Ampd Energy to replace the existing on-site diesel generators with three Ampd Enertainers—a move that represented the first-ever deployment of the Ampd battery energy storage systems (ESS) in the UK. Built to replace fuel-hungry and noisy diesel generators and specifically designed for the tough and space-constrained needs of construction sites, the Enertainers run almost silent compared to diesel generators and utilize state-of-the-art battery systems to deliver reliable power for demanding loads.
The Enertainers are also designed as plug-and-play units: making them easy, drop-in replacements for the diesel generators they substituted. This allowed Select to install and commission them quickly: enabling a fast transition to electric power for the cranes and swiftly lowering the demands on the power supply. While the generator-powered cranes would have required a peak of 500 amps direct from the mains supply—which was not available—each Enertainer only required about 20 amps to supply the 500 amps.
The Enertainers’ online dashboard also allowed Select to remotely monitor and manage each unit 24/7. Key data, such as energy consumption figures and fuel and CO2 savings compared to diesel power, were instantly available, and, together with automatic monthly performance reports, enabled smarter day-to-day and longer-term decision-making.
Results
Since their deployment, Select has calculated that the three Enertainers have delivered significant advantages and economies over the course of 12 months when compared to standard diesel generators.
The company estimates that the three units have not only collectively saved 192 tonnes of carbon emissions but also reduced operating costs by an impressive 70%—savings partly down to what Select cites as “the flawless performance” of the Enertainer-powered cranes compared to their diesel-powered counterparts. It also estimates that the deployment of the units has removed the equivalent air pollution of around 975 cars.
By enabling Laing O’Rourke, Select and the Olympia Redevelopment to capture these operational and environmental efficiencies—and helping transform how building projects use energy—Ampd Energy Enertainers are showing the way forward for low-carbon and sustainable construction.
"Deploying the Ampd Energy Enertainers at Olympia has been a game-changer in reducing carbon and maximising power reliability and availability at the site. Each Enertainer has removed a 500 kVA generator and all its associated emissions, noise, space, and cost. As such, they represent a huge step forward in our strategy of pushing the boundaries towards ever more environmentally and financially efficient, low-carbon, and innovative construction."
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Discover how our Enertainers can enhance efficiency while protecting the environment and reducing costs.
Download Case Study
Discover how our Enertainers can enhance efficiency while protecting the environment and reducing costs.
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