I remember covering the partnership announced between HVAC manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric and Chester Zoo last year and being delighted at how much sense it made.
The coming together of one of the foremost animal conservation charities and the heat pump manufacturer who has pushed a low carbon agenda further and faster than anyone else, seemed a natural fit.
As the UK’s number one charity zoo, supporting projects worldwide to prevent animal extinction and aid conservation, the people at the Zoo have realised that they can’t just add to the problem, they need to do something about the amount of carbon they produce.
At the same time, they have more than 37,000 animals and over 500 species to keep safe and comfortable, as well as making sure that they deliver of the almost two million guests to one of the UK’s top paying attractions.
So, they have realised that they need to decarbonise heating across the zoo’s 128 acre site and, when the zoo was looking to at the heating for its popular conference centre, it also needed a sustainable solution that would help reduce carbon emissions, while keeping guests warm and comfortable.
It’s not just about decarbonising animal habitats, it’s also about decarbonising human spaces as well
Carole Titmuss Editor of Refurb Projects
Satisfying both new and old
The Square event and conference facility was completed in 2023 and combines the historic Grade II-listed stables block – constructed in 1886, with a modern conference area that can seat 200 guests.
The stables were home to the zoo’s first animal collection, including bears, monkeys, chimpanzees and reptiles, with the west wing of the stables used to house lions, so it is an iconic part of the Zoo.
The development makes for a stunning venue for weddings, product launches and meetings for up to 380 guests, but there was a particular challenge for the heating and cooling requirements, because parts of the complex need high temperature heating for the Grade II listed elements, while the more modern elements need lower temperatures for the underfloor heating.
“The Square combines a conference space that is also used for weddings, plus some smaller spaces that are used for meetings and private functions in the older, listed-status areas and both elements have very different heating requirements,” explained Rob Arathoon, Mechanical and Electrical Projects Manager at Chester Zoo.
“This presented some specific challenges to the design as we’re trying to achieve a higher temperature circuit to heat the listed building, whereas the newer, more insulated area had to have a lower temperature circuit which was feeding a underfloor heating system.”
Low and high temperature heating
The solution sees two Ecodan CAHV air source heat pumps feeding a Climaveneta EW-HT water-to-water heat pump to provide a boosted temperature circuit. The CAHV units provide water at 45°C, with the EW-HT boosting the temperature to 75°C.
Together the heat pumps deliver very high temperature water for the radiators in the historic parts of the building and lower temperatures to serve the underfloor heating in the new part.
The Square also benefits from an Ecodan QAHV air source heat pump which delivers water temperatures of up to 90°C for use in the facility’s kitchen and toilet areas.
A cool venue
Aside from meeting the heating requirement at the Square, the designers also faced the challenge of how to cool the conference area in the summer, which is where three highly efficient Mr Slim R32 air conditioning systems come into play to provide a cool temperature to in an efficient manner when required.
The energy efficient air conditioning utilises R32 refrigerant which has a much lower global warming potential (GWP) and helps reduce the embodied carbon for the equipment.
Decarbonising heat
Chester Zoo opened in 1931 and is home to more than 37,000 animals and more than 500 species. As part of its commitment to sustainability, the zoo has an ambitious target to be carbon net zero in its Scope One and Two emissions by 2030 and a critical part of this is decarbonising heat right across the 128-acre site.
“As a world-leading conservation and education charity, we know that we can’t be part of the problem that we’re trying to solve, so we are developing sustainable plans that help us reduce carbon emissions and achieve our net zero targets,” explained Jennifer Kelly, Head of Sustainability at Chester Zoo.
“A major part of this is our partnership with Mitsubishi Electric and we’re also keen that this helps to showcase the best of heat pump technology in some of the most challenging applications to inspire others to act.”
Heat pumps will play an increasingly important role in the Zoo’s decarbonisation programme and have already been installed in several animal habitats including those for the Eastern Black Rhino’s and the Butterfly Habitat.
“The solution used at the Square goes to show that across the zoo’s estate, it’s not just about decarbonising animal habitats, it’s also about decarbonising and using the most efficient technologies to provide heating and cooling for human spaces as well,” added Chris Newman, Zero Carbon Design Manager for Mitsubishi Electric.
Carole Titmuss is Editor of Refurb Projects
