UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC)

Working as Principal Contractor, we completed the fast-paced installation of mechanical and electrical (M&E) services at UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), the UK’s new £130m prestigious battery development facility.

UKBIC is a pioneering concept in the race to develop battery technology for the transition to a greener future and a key part of the Faraday Battery Challenge, a Government programme to fast track the development of cost-effective, high-performance, durable, safe, low-weight and recyclable batteries.

Based in Coventry, the publicly funded facility, which combines manufacturing, experimentation and innovation, covers the whole production process from electrodes to cell, module and pack assembly, and its clients span a wide range of sectors, including electric vehicles, rail, aerospace, industrial and domestic equipment and static energy storage.

The £14.6m M&E installation was completed in just eight months. This rapid delivery was made possible thanks to the use of the innovative construction techniques of our specialist Offsite Manufacture facility. The majority of M&E equipment, including more than 6km of pipework and 140 heavy duty service modules was produced here

Other solutions delivered using offsite construction techniques include the production of horizontal multi-service modules, which enabled rapid installation and innovative space-saving solutions including a multi-service bridge structure that reduced the amount of space needed to house essential services and maximised useful production areas.

We also manufactured and installed:

• More than 6km of pipework
• 140 horizontal heavy-duty multi-service modules (HDSM)
• Innovative space-saving 20m long, 5m high multi-service bridge structure to house essential services
• Six plant skids for both low temperate hot water and chilled water
• 10 HDSM trench modules for mechanical and electrical services
• Three 6m high bespoke floor standing multi-service heavy duty service modules
• 50 goal post frames for internal and external compound services
• 10 Air Handling Unit valve assembly modules
• Loose pipe spooling for site installation
• 12 distribution board assemblies.

Early engagement was key to delivering a scheme of this scale to programme. Our offsite team instilled solutions early, which led to approximately 17,000 hours of work being taken away from site; this created a safer working environment and reduced on-site congestion.

Following completion of the M&E installation, we were retained as Principal Contractor to support UKBIC with the installation of the facility’s specialist equipment.