Unlocking innovative solutions for a sustainable, Net Zero future for Scotland
Scotland, alongside Sweden and Germany, is leading global decarbonisation efforts with an ambitious 2045 Net Zero goal. This demands immediate action because while 2045 may seem far away the choices we make today can create a sustainable tomorrow.
The key to reaching this goal is to integrate innovative solutions in essential services and operations across Scotland that are not only sustainable but more cost-effective and efficient. The solutions are already out there and we can help tailor them to meet public and private sector building and operational needs.
The Road to Net Zero: Solutions in Practice
Efficient energy management solutions are playing a pivotal role in helping organisations reach Net Zero. At Veolia, our wide-ranging scope of solutions uniquely positions us to deliver comprehensive decarbonisation upgrades that meet an organisation’s needs. We provide comprehensive support from initial funding acquisition to project delivery, establishing baselines using International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol Methods. With a wide range of accredited experts, we can help identify opportunities to decarbonise and support capital investment plans to achieve the targeted outcomes.
Delivering Value at Rotherham General Hospital
Rotherham General Hospital is a 500-bed acute general hospital. The Urgent and Emergency Care Centre (UECC) sees approximately 75,000 visitors annually, and there are approximately 55,000 inpatients and 250,000 outpatients a year. With so many patients to care for, delivering life saving care around the clock, the hospital wanted to undertake a self-funded project to reduce its carbon emissions and move closer to its Net Zero targets. This needed to be done by improving the resilience of its energy systems and reducing operating costs for energy and maintenance.
Veolia’s specialist energy team worked closely with the hospital and proposed a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) solution which comprises multiple battery cells that store electrical energy for use when needed. Based on lithium-ion technology, the battery unit is capable of delivering 500 kWh, enabling the hospital to store energy at night and then discharge this energy during the day when demand is higher. The solution provides an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to a large part of the hospital’s energy network. It can also be configured to cover either the Operating Theatres or the Intensive Care Unit. In the event of failure of the external energy supply, this back up can ensure there is no interruption of power, which is essential for hospital operations.
A separate LED lighting project was also undertaken, installing 7,000 new fittings. This further reduced energy usage and is projected to save nearly £250,000 and 500 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
Veolia was able to support Rotherham General Hospital move closer to their Net Zero targets by introducing both innovative and simple, but effective, energy solutions that can replace fossil fuels. The 500 kWh battery storage capacity will contribute to targeted EPC savings of over £1 million per year, provide an energy income, increase resilience of the energy supply, and will cut carbon emissions by over 20,000 tonnes over the contract. All in all, Veolia has helped sustainably future-proof this healthcare facility that provides urgent care to the community.
Developing Electric Recycling & Waste Collections for Local Authorities
In partnership with Veolia, Westminster City Council has undertaken the UK’s largest municipal fleet electrification project.
With an 80-strong recycling and refuse collection fleet completing 50 million collections annually, Westminster sought to decarbonise its essential operations as part of its Net Zero 2040 goal. The council invested £20 million to introduce 45 new eRCV’s, transforming waste collection operations to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Veolia developed and implemented a cutting-edge electrification strategy, including a purpose-built depot. This state-of-the-art facility features smart charging infrastructure capable of simultaneously charging 54 vehicles. The depot is powered via a private wire connection to the South East London Combined Heat and Power (SELCHP) facility. This energy-from-waste plant converts non-recyclable waste collected from Westminster households and businesses into electricity which directly powers the vehicles, providing a circular energy solution.
Smart charging technology continues to enhance sustainability by drawing power during off-peak hours, optimising local energy use and supporting National Grid resilience. This exciting innovation has delivered a 50% reduction in annual emissions of 2,000 tonnes, and reduced NOx and particulate emissions across Westminster. This initiative also earned industry recognition, including the EVIE Fleet Electrification Strategy of the Year (under 100 vehicles) Award, demonstrating how public-private partnerships can drive innovation in municipal services.
Groundbreaking Work to Decarbonise the Food Sector
With food production accounting for around one third of global greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonising the food sector is imperative to meet Net Zero targets.
In 2023, Veolia worked closely with food manufacturing campus, SmartParc, to install a 9.8km district heating and cooling network that supplies the 155-acre site with low-carbon energy. Alongside this, Veolia also operates the energy centre consisting of ammonia refrigeration, heat pumps and the associated High Voltage network, and provides full metering, billing, and customer care services to the tenants.
Between 2024 and 2030, the district heating network is anticipated to provide an annual CO2e saving of circa 27,000 tonnes. By capturing refrigeration waste heat, the heating network will also deliver a further CO2e saving of 3,500 tonnes per year, compared to gas boilers.
What’s Next?
To meet the ambitious 2045 Net Zero target, Scottish organisations and businesses need to adopt groundbreaking technologies to drive forward sustainability sooner rather than later.
At Veolia, we have a wide range of innovative decarbonisation solutions which we always develop in close collaboration with our customers, just like we did with Rotherham General Hospital, Westminster Council and SmartParc.
To discover how partnering with Veolia can help you reach Net Zero, visit veolia.co.uk.