Vital Energi

Vital Energi: generation, distribution and management of low-carbon energy in the UK

Vital Energi presents itself as a company that develops renewable energy systems across the UK and helps businesses achieve their net zero goals through generation, distribution and energy consumption management solutions. Its offering spans from the concept development of each project to the construction, financing and ownership of assets, as well as their operation and maintenance.

Energy generation and storage

The company works with multiple low-carbon generation technologies. Its portfolio includes geothermal, hydro and air-source heat pumps; battery storage; biomass; combined heat and power (CHP); energy centres; solar power; trigeneration —the simultaneous production of heating, cooling and electricity from a single fuel— and waste heat recovery. Waste heat recovery is aimed at capturing excess heat generated in processes to supply it to customers through district heating networks. It also offers thermal storage to improve efficiency and resilience during peak demand, and biomass boilers fed with wood pellets or chips.

Distribution: heat networks and multi-utility services

In the field of distribution, Vital Energi develops district heating and cooling networks, multi-utility networks, pre-insulated pipes, risers and laterals, and acts as an independent connection provider (ICP) and in IDNO services. The company states that it installs services such as district heating and cooling, gas, high voltage, communications and cold water in a single trench. It also performs testing and cleaning of networks after installation, and manages the associated civil engineering, from brownfield sites to urban centres with densely buried services. Regarding traffic, it indicates that it collaborates with highway departments and maintains communication with local stakeholders to minimise disruption.

Consumption management and equipment

Supply and consumption management includes energy conservation measures, metering and billing, the Glass Smart app and its portal, vTherm heat interface units (HIU), cooling interface units, heat meters, electric vehicle charging points, control systems and boiler plant upgrades. The Glass app allows customers to check their consumption and pay bills or top up at any time. The vPro2 smart metering system is presented as a tool to visualise consumption and manage bills more efficiently.

Cross-cutting services and financing model

In addition to products, the company offers concept development, design and build, energy performance contracts, energy services company (ESCo) services and operation and maintenance. Regarding financing, it proposes a flexible offer: it can develop and build assets for the client or assume ownership and financing. Its climate education programme includes talks in over 200 schools, according to the company itself.

Sectors served

The site lists applications for universities, residential development, energy centres, substations and peaking plants, grid services, agricultural farms —including greenhouses and vertical farms—, manufacturing and prisons. In the residential sector, it works with developers on the design and construction of energy centres and their long-term energy plans. For universities, it proposes reducing emissions and greener campuses with lower energy spend in existing and new buildings. In the prison sector, the company mentions upgrading energy generation and distribution and improving efficiency with strict security protocols.

Experience and cited clients

The company claims two generations of experience and presents itself as one of the most established companies in the UK sustainable energy sector. Among the testimonials it reproduces are officials from the University of St Andrews, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Liverpool, who highlight the ability to add value, adherence to deadlines and expertise in district energy networks and cogeneration.