Ground Source Heat Pump at Riviera Produce

Scope of our work:

Riviera Produce grow and pick vegetables on a year-round basis to provide a sustainable and continuous crop cycle to meet the consistent demand for fresh food – and are one of the UK’s leading growers of Brassica.

Based in Cornwall, they employ over 500 staff to supply cauliflower, broccoli, courgettes, cabbage and a mixed range of squash to major retailers – and their existing heating system was performing below the levels required.

We were tasked with providing a ground source heat pump capable of generating enough heat to supply their existing offices and onsite staff accommodation, whilst also allowing for future expansion.

To meet the brief, we designed, procured and installed a new 2-stage ammonia heat pump producing 1.5MW of heating, which utilised the existing capital plant, such as pumps and vessels, where possible. This enabled us to provide the most cost-effective solution for the client.

This complex project also required us to rectify the existing energy centre piping network, as well as installing new electrical wiring and a bespoke Siemens control system, allowing Riviera to have 24/7 visibility of all operations. Alongside this, we completed the design and installation of the plantroom.

Removing all the old plant through the roof of the building proved to be the trickiest part of the process – all whilst making sure the site remained fully operational.

Having successfully completed the project, Tom Marshall, Head of Technical and Projects at CambridgeHOK Refrigeration, believes it perfectly showcases our ability to provide heating systems as well as refrigeration solutions.

“We dedicated considerable effort to ensure full compliance with Government lead incentives and now have substantial expertise in these requirements, enabling us to adeptly support future clients,” explained Tom.

David Simmons, Managing Director at Riviera Produce, said: “We were delighted to use CambridgeHOK Refrigeration to carry out the installation of a new ground source heat pump. They were very professional in the way this was carried out and their workmanship was first class. We would have no hesitation if recommending them for future work.”

Dave Wood, CambridgeHOK Refrigeration Contracts Manager, added: “We are thrilled to receive excellent feedback from Riveria who are delighted with the performance and aesthetics of the new plant, as well as the exemplary work of our on-site engineering team.

“Following initial commissioning, the system has operated reliably and is consistently delivering the necessary heat required.”