Energy Improvements Project

Location: Partick Healthy Living centre, 9 Stewartville Street, Glasgow G11 5PE

Technology: Solar panels, energy storage, heat pumps

Date installed/operational: 3 February 2025

Funder: CARES

Match Funding: FCC Communities Foundation, Itison Pumpkin Fund

Background

Annexe Communities is a community-led organisation dedicated to enhancing the health and wellbeing of its community through local engagement. It raises awareness about positive behaviours that can help reduce the negative effects of climate change. Annexe Communities does this by offering several educational initiatives, including carbon literacy training.

The board members of Annexe Communities wanted to make its Healthy Living Centre in Partick more sustainable and to decarbonise its operations as part of its plan for a net zero future. As the gas boiler in the centre was near the end of its life, this was seen as an opportunity to transition to a cleaner and sustainable heating system.

Project aims and objectives

Annexe Communities applied to Business Energy Scotland for an energy audit to learn which energy saving measures and decarbonisation strategies would be the most effective.

The project objectives were to:

• Improve the building’s insulation to maximise heat retention and reduce energy waste.
• Replace the outdated gas boiler with an air source heat pump and a smart time control system for optimal efficiency.
• Install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, along with battery storage to generate renewable energy.

Achieving these objectives would lower the centre’s energy costs, decrease its reliance on grid electricity and reduce its carbon footprint.

Outcomes and achievements

Annexe Communities successfully received planning permission and the building warrant in January 2025. The construction work began in the second week of January and the new systems were fully operational by Monday 3 February 2025.

The key systems installed by Annexe Communities include:

• A 36kW air source heat pump, with additional radiators and a smart control system for optimal efficiency.
• 9.8kW of solar PV panels.
• 17.4kW of battery storage to store renewable energy and enhance system performance.
• Attic insulation to improve heat retention and further reduce energy consumption.
• Cafe floor insulation

Annexe Communities are confident that the project objectives have been met. Although the full impact will become clear as the year progresses, it has already noticed a significant reduction in carbon emissions. The project will also positively impact the local community as the money saved on energy bills will allow more funds to be reinvested in community programmes. Annexe Communities will continue to optimise the renewable heating systems to achieve even greater benefits in the upcoming months.