Ringsend Electrical Upgrade Project
Uisce Éireann
Upgrade
Dublin, ROI
In September 2023 CAW, together with partners TES Technology and Farrans Construction (the FaCT3 Consortium) was awarded the Electrical Upgrade contract to increase renewable energy generation on the site.
The upgrade is one of the multiple upgrade projects being commissioned by Uisce Éireann at the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of its commitment to improving the performance, capacity and sustainability of wastewater services in the Greater Dublin Area.
Based on CAW’s considerable specialist expertise in the utilisation of Biogas and the conversion into renewable energy, CAW led this Project, on behalf of the FaCT3 Consortium, delivering end-to-end project management, including the MEICA design, civil works, supply and installation of mechanical and electrical equipment, testing, and commissioning.
The project was successfully completed in April 2025 and included one significant variation, which was a Heat Recovery Project targeting the recovery of heat from the CHP engine coolant system.
CAW continues to operate and maintain this new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Installation as part of its on-ongoingoing Operation and Maintenance Services at the Ringsend site.
Project Highlights
Project Scope and Delivery
As part of the FaCT3 Consortium, CAW was responsible for the MEICA design, build, supply, installation and commissioning of mechanical and electrical equipment. In addition, CAW undertook a number of key roles in the delivery of this project, not least of which, were the roles of Project Supervisor Design Phase (PSDP) and Health and Safety Coordinator. The main components of the Scope of Supply for the Electrical Upgrade Project, including variation orders, included:
5th Engine Upgrade
- The provision and installation of a new 1.067MW Jenbacher CHP Unit;
- The installation and commissioning of an insulated exhaust system from CHP to the newly installed steam generator;
- The provision and installation of a new 4MVA Transformer;
- Various modifications and additions to the existing Bio-Gas pipework and electrical/SCADA.
Heat Recovery Works
- Supply and installation of a 75m³ thermal store with insulation;
- Piled concrete base for the hot water storage tank and pump skids;
- Supply and installation of two heat delivery pump skids (one VSD, up to 50m³/hour flow rate and one VSD up to 30m³/hour flow rate);
- Mechanical installation of 316L pipework, supports, and pipe bridges;
- Fill system with ethylene glycol mix for frost protection and corrosion inhibition;
- DN100 hot water ring main to the THP building;
- Supply of four process heat exchangers (H/E 1-4);
- Integration into the existing Deaerator system.
Project Delivery and Outcome
The supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the new 1.067MW Jenbacher CHP Unit and associated electrical and mechanical equipment was delivered against an overarching imperative that there was to be minimal disruption to the operation of the 4 No. existing CHP Units on the Ringsend WwTW. Whilst this presented a number of challenges, CAW adopted an approach involving the creation and implementation of a detailed sequential supply and installation strategy, in collaboration with the Existing Operator, which ensured the safest and least disruptive delivery of the new CHP Unit.
One such significant challenge was the connection of the exhaust pipe from the CHP Unit to the existing steam generators within the CHP Building which involved the routing of the emissions pipework along the roof of the existing building. CAW, through the application of BIM AutoCAD 3-D Modelling and the development of a detailed Project Management Programme based on P6 Primavera Software, coordinated and managed this work alongside other activities in the same area, to ensure the continued operational integrity of the existing CHP Units.
Comprehensive Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) assessments were carried out to assess any potential hazards within both the existing CHP and new CHP Installation. One such hazard which was identified was the inadequacy of the fireproofing within the existing Transformer Bays. As a consequence, the fireproofing in both the Eastern and Western Transformer Bays was upgraded to provide a 90-minute Fire Rating. This proactive approach enhanced the overall safety not only of the existing CHP Plant but also of the new CHP Unit installation.
In delivering the Ringsend Electrical Upgrade Project the CAW Team successfully integrated a very complex installation of major renewable energy infrastructure without disrupting existing operations, maintaining both the safety and performance of the existing Plant throughout the Project.
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