Kingspan Provides the Energi for Asda

Asda’s new £42 million eco-depot at Sutton Courtenay, Didcot is the latest project to benefit from Kingspan EnergiPanel, the only insulated panel able to generate renewable energy in the form of solar air-heating.

Designed by Architects Chetwoods, this eco-depot which serves 33 stores across the south of England has replaced the former distribution centre three miles away, providing an extra 250,000 sq ft of space, making a total development of 424,000 sq ft, as well as a whole host of energy saving technologies.

Nigel Hupfield of Chetwoods said “Kingspan EnergiPanel acted as a cost-effective solution which helped to answer the sustainability objectives of our client. The panels have the potential to cut running costs and carbon emissions which is something that we will be monitoring, and these advantages are enhanced by the competitive pricing of the panels.”

The Kingspan EnergiPanel in Merlin Grey integrated easily with the rest of the wall cladding of the depot, which comprised Kingspan’s KS1000 RW trapezoidal system in Goosewing Grey, Merlin Grey and Sapphire Blue. All of the panels were supplied in Kingspan’s XL Forté colour range.

Kingspan EnergiPanel is an innovative insulated solar air-heating system designed for roof and wall applications, acting to supplement the main heating system. The system offers a low cost and reliable renewable-energy source which can provide a rapid payback on investment and can help to deliver up to 3 credits in BREEAM 2008 assessments.

Kingspan's large scale test facilities have shown that heating costs can be reduced by as much as 20%, offering the potential to significantly reduce a building’s carbon emission rate. The introduction of a renewable source of energy into the building composition can also increase the chances of achieving planning permission where Merton pro-renewables planning policies are being implemented.

Because it is a single-component system, Kingspan EnergiPanel allows fast-track construction, and with there being no additional steel; solar absorber plate, supporting framework or additional fixings involved, the overall carbon footprint associated with the installation is minimised. It integrates seamlessly with other panel systems from the Kingspan range, and is available in a range of colours (the darker the external colour of the panel the greater the solar absorption). It uses Kingspan’s existing high quality insulated panel technology coupled together with a tested and proven solar air heating capability.

The EnergiPanel solar air-heating system has the flexibility of either being integrated with the existing HVAC system or being utilised in a standalone heating capacity. It is also available with the Kingspan Total Guarantee, offering thermal and structural performance.