Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme

The varying nature of the buildings, from large city centre developments to Grade I Listed theatres and from leisure facilities to industrial units, meant that there were many challenges in developing carbon reduction strategies that were appropriate and applicable.

Launched in October 2020 the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme offered local authorities up to 100% of costs for upgrading public buildings, with the aim that measures be installed and up and running by the end of September 2021.

The project focusses on a number of significant buildings, including Blandford House (Discovery Museum), City Library, Fenham Library, Royal House, Gosforth and East End Pools, YHN House and Warehouse, Palatine Products, Trampoline Park, All Saints Centre, Walker Activity Dome and Bells Close Industrial Units.

TGA are now working on the next phase of the project including, Gosforth Academy, Excelsior Academy, Blackfriars, Welford and Jesmond Pool.

The design information developed by TGA predominantly centred around the introduction air source heat pumps, the replacement of inefficient lighting systems and introduction of improved building control systems.

The wider scope of the project looked at the introduction of photovoltaic systems, improved building fabric and connection to the Helix district heating system.

In addition to the thermal modelling and dynamic simulations that were required for the project design stages, considerable investigation into and building electrical infrastructure as well as local network resilience was a major element of the works undertaken. Working closely with Northern Power Grid (NPG) Engineers, TGA developed bespoke solutions for each site in order to limit the need for network reinforcement.

TGA have subsequently supported the Salix 3b application process with Engie and Newcastle City Council and are hopeful of continuing the wide ranging decarbonisation of the City.