Utility Engineering Solutions Ltd completed the contestable electrical connections work for a multi-occupancy student development in Wembley. Technical excellence and high standards of project management were of paramount importance for this high-quality student accommodation.

The Need

The student development comprises of 699 bedrooms with an abundance of retail shops, bars and restaurants in proximity, with great transport links to the universities and central London.

The diversified power requirement for the development was approximately 1300kVA.

Standard substation arrangements would normally have resulted in the establishment of two substations to cater for the electrical demand, however space was at a premium, so a value engineered solution was necessary.

The Solution

The establishment of a ground floor level 1500kVA unit substation, with a single metering point via a CoP3 LV metering panel. The arrangement fitted within a standard internal substation footprint leaving valuable space for development.

Changes to transformer design and efficiencies due to environmental considerations meant a slightly larger transformer, however the design and installation team at UES worked relentlessly to ensure a safe and practical unit substation installation.

The new substation was looped into the local 11,000V cable network which was located approximately 30m from the substation.

Part of the cable route entailed crossing a busy road which was also subject to pedestrian and traffic sensitivities during events at Wembley Stadium. Timing of the connection was vital to ensure there were no clashes with events whilst managing the client’s expectations for timely power on to the development. Needless to say, power on was made without any requirements for extra time!