Energy & Power, Heating, Cooling & Drying

Innovative zero carbon passive ventilation system installed at Asda Automated Distribution Centre

Phil Black - PII Editor 22/04/2014

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Tate Consulting have worked with Asda Wal-Mart and Developers Bericote to overcome common challenges of high internal heat gains from process equipment, in this brand new £100 million 600,000 sq ft development in Warrington.

Through detailed thermal simulation modelling, Tate Consulting have been able to design and implement a totally passive natural ventilation system, which will overcome temperature increases caused by the facility’s automation equipment. This innovative zero carbon measure uses louvers in the roof and walls controlled by the facility’s building management system (BMS) and is the first installation of its’ kind in Asda’s new breed of distribution centres.

The development in Warrington, the first at Omega South, is due to be completed in July 2014 and contains a number of other sustainable features including photovoltaic panels, high efficiency lighting controlled by movement sensors, LED external lighting and low water consuming sanitary fittings.

It is the next development in the line of a number of low carbon distribution and warehousing developments that Tate Consulting have designed for Asda Wal-Mart, with most recent examples including the £41m distribution facility in Rochdale, which recently achieved a Design Award with Rochdale Borough Council for its’ sustainability achievements. Tate Consulting has worked with Asda for over a decade, advising the supermarket giant on how to meet its target to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2015, as well as delivering core consulting engineering services.

Shane Tate, founder Director of Tate Consulting, said: “Our latest low carbon solution for Asda overcomes a common problem in automated facilities. Whilst traditionally they would either overheat or require cooling, we have managed to design a system which is natural and zero carbon. This initiative is commonly used in office or education developments but is rarely used in industrial buildings of this size and type.

This new approach highlights our mission to make new and existing buildings as simple and as energy efficient as possible. We take a strategic approach to design out energy intensive and expensive equipment, saving costs for our clients not only in upfront capital expenditure but also in ongoing maintenance”.

Andy Walker, Engineering Manager at Asda Logistics Services, said “We set Tate Consulting a difficult low carbon challenge and are delighted with this new solution, which will be rolled out to future facilities. This innovative natural ventilation measure is the next step in Asda’s low carbon journey and seeks to address our mission to both drive down carbon emissions but also ensure that internal conditions are comfortable for our staff. Yet again Tate Consulting has helped us to set a precedent for low carbon design in the industry.”