|
One of the most interesting projects Land-Drill has been involved with recently is the innovative new eco-centre being built by West Lothian Council at
Beecraigs Country Park just outside of Linlithgow.
Land-Drill were commissioned to carry out the Site Investigation at the same time as the drilling of the boreholes for the ground
source heat system which will provide heating and hot water for this groundbreaking new project. West Lothian Council hopes
this will be their first building to achieve a Breeam "excellent" rating (BRE
Environmental Assessment Method is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings.
It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the de facto measure used to describe a building's environmental performance)
The site investigation comprised of looking at the mineral stability combined with a geotechnical assessment for the proposed foundations, as well as including an environmental appraisal of the site. Cable percussion and rotary drilling plant were deployed and nine boreholes were drilled.
These boreholes were groundbreaking in more than just the conventional sense of the word as the investigation was designed so that the exploratory and geothermal boreholes were combined in one exercise, giving a considerable cost saving to West Lothian Council. Once the investigative work was completed the boreholes were then utilised for ground source heat collectors, loops were inserted, grouted, flow/pressure tested and finally capped ready for connection to the heat pump when building work is completed.
The project has a host of eco friendly features designed to make the building completely carbon neutral. These range from the more conventional ground source heat pumps, solar powered roof panels and a wind turbine to more ambitious plans to form pile foundations from re-cycled tyres, and use slates made from re-cycled plaster and rubber. Traditional materials are being employed wherever possible, timber cladding will adorn the walls and a drystone wall will encircle the wind turbine.
This flagship project, when completed next year, will no doubt be seen as a serious attempt by West Lothian Council to improve their green credentials and give a much needed boost to renewable energy initiatives throughout the region.
|
