United Utilities
Background
Contractors working on multi-million-pound water and wastewater treatment projects currently underway for United Utilities in Cumbria have discovered how Prolectric’s solar lighting technology can help them to deliver project goals in environmentally sensitive locations. The project will see the construction of a 100km pipeline to bring water from Thirlmere reservoir to West Cumbria via a new treatment works, two new pumping stations and two new service reservoirs.
Challenge
With the project being delivered across environmentally sensitive locations it was critical for the team to find equipment that aligned with the project goals. The units also needed to support operational health and safety and provide reliable, bright lighting. To align with the project objectives the units needed to be sustainable and emission-free. Furthermore, the units needed to limit or negate the risk of spills associated with conventional diesel generator alternatives. With the locations being remote the lighting required needed to work autonomously as there’s no access to mains power.
The Solution
Trials of the innovative ProLight mobile solar lighting tower have been concluded at two sites by United Utilities’ delivery partner Advance – a Joint Venture between Balfour Beatty and Stantec (MWH). The ProLights successfully protected onsite operations, health and safety with reliable, bright lighting, without the emissions or risk of spills associated with conventional diesel generator alternatives during a 6-month period ending in May 2018.
ProLights have been used to illuminate access routes and pedestrian walkways at the Williamsgate construction compound, near Cockermouth, where 80 staff are currently employed between 7am to 7pm every day to construct a 48 megalitre underground service reservoir as part of United Utilities £300m West Cumbria Water Supplies Project.
The Result
The Advance JV deployed ProLights successfully at United Utilities’ £40 million wastewater treatment upgrade project at Bowness-on-Windermere where a new 6.5km large diameter rising sewer main is being built to reduce the risk of sewer flooding and overflows at the lakeside pumping station during heavy rain. Solar lighting provides illumination for vehicle and pedestrian access around the construction compound where there is no access to mains power.
The Advance JV further used Prolectric ProTemp LED Solar Lighting Columns to provide powerful and reliable lighting around the Windermere compound. The ProTemp is mounted on a concrete block and easily manoeuvred into place by forklift or sack barrow. As it does not use mains power, the ProTemp dispenses with the need for a contractor to dig trenches, install trunking or cables and saves significantly on groundworking and installation costs.
What our clients have to say
Environmental protection is at the heart of this project, working through the heart of the Lake District National Park, this is one of the biggest and most environmentally challenging projects in United Utilities’ history and it is vital that we minimise the impact of the work. The ProLight is a great example of some of the innovative thinking the team has employed.
John Hilton
Project Director, United Utilities
I was familiar with the off-grid benefits of Prolectric solar lighting from previous trials, so I knew using the ProTemps at Euston would mean reliable site illumination without mains electricity, saving on utility charges. As the site is near a residential estate, it was important to reduce impacts such as noise. My role at Skanska is to promote renewable equipment – solar-powered alternatives help reduce environmental impacts and save on project costs.
Richard Cattan
Environmental Manager, Skanska
The JV welcomed the opportunity to participate in the trial of this new sustainable power solution from Prolectric, confirming it as a viable and more sustainable alternative to traditional generators, and look forward to working with Prolectric again in the future.
Jon Muff
Project Manager, Balfour Beatty
Highways England’s environmental strategy seeks to help protect, manage and enhance the quality of the surrounding environment.
The use of Prolectric solar powered lights on the project is an excellent innovative approach by the A14 Integrated delivery team. The use of renewable power sources on the A14 scheme helps us to work in greater harmony with the environment.
David Bray
Project Director, National Highways
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