The ACC Liverpool Group has appointed heating, ventilation and air conditioning installation and maintenance specialist Kimpton Energy Solutions in a bid to continue with its pledge to reduce the site’s carbon impact.
With a commitment to working with local suppliers to support the Liverpool economy, the organisation – operator of the M&S Bank Arena, ACC Liverpool and Exhibition Centre Liverpool – will work alongside Kimpton Energy Solutions to manage and maintain the entire Facilities Management programme at the landmark waterfront event campus.
The alignment in social value goals mean this appointment is not just one that will provide a practical service, but the innovations proposed will support The ACC Liverpool Group in working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
Additionally, as Kimpton have been installing heat pumps since the 1970’s when they played a key part in helping Walkers Crisps and Golden Wonder develop the UK crisp industry, this long history and culture of innovation has resulted in them being involved in the development of two UK firsts in renewable technology. Firstly, with TATA Steel where they helped develop the first Transpired Solar Collectors in the UK which pre-heats air for the ventilation system. Secondly, they designed and installed the UK’s first Water Source Heat Pump in open sea at Plas Newydd, Anglesey for the National Trust.
Just some of the innovative solutions Kimpton will be looking at implementing include minimising the carbon impact of the M&S Bank Arena Arena through the potential installation of a transpired solar collector (TSC) on the south wall, which uses the power of solar radiation to pre-heat the air for a building’s heating system, minimising the energy therefore required to heat the venue. Matt, can you tell me which other example of innovation you propose that you’d like me to include here?
The ACC Liverpool Group’s Social Value Plan is aimed at creating positive social, economic and environmental impact. The strategy focuses on five key areas – community; environment, sustainability and climate action; procurement with purpose; event industry impact and people. Commitments include supporting the delivery of the government’s pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Meanwhile Kimpton’s first Social Value and Sustainability Strategy has allowed the company to leverage, deliver, measure, record and evidence social value activity alongside the delivery of sustainability targets and net zero goals, again aligning to The ACC Liverpool Group’s objectives.
Eddie dos Santos, assistant director of Operations and Facilities Management at The ACC Liverpool Group, said: “:
“Social value is at the heart of everything we do and Kimpton Energy Solutions is a proudly Liverpool company with values and passion for the city that match our own.
“We are focused on minimising our carbon impact across our campus – we appreciate that there are a number of challenging elements that we need to work through but we are confident that Kimptons will provide innovative solutions and support us as we navigate this process.
“One of our pillars of our Social Value Impact Plan is to support, influence and manage our local supply chain to deliver against our commitments and work with service partners to support the delivery of this plan – we have no doubt that Kimpton’s alignment with our own objectives will allow us to take steps to achieve this.”
Matt Breakwell, Business Development Manager at Kimpton commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with another of Liverpool’s key landmarks. We look forward to working with the team to further reduce the carbon impact of the heating and ventilation system, provide the highest quality maintenance, and innovative measures to install carbon-friendly solutions. As a local employer with a long-term culture of working with the community, encouraging young people to join the construction and engineering sector and placing environmental efficiency at the core of our innovative approach, it’s fantastic to now be working with a fellow-Liverpool business with an incredibly strong social value focus.”
