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HEAT NETWORKS
A hole-in-one for district heating at a championship venue
One of Scotland’s most prestigious golf venues, the Renaissance Club, turned to a district heating network to deliver low-carbon warmth to 16 new luxury residences without disturbing the estate’s iconic landscape
D
esigned by REHAU and installed by Culbertson Renewables, the solution uses a powerful central heat pump and an effi cient
underground pipework system to provide reliable, sustainable heating while preserving the site’s natural beauty and championship-level appeal.
Keeping warm on the green
The project involved expansive private homes positioned either side of the golf course. This rural location presented challenges of its own, combined with the need to preserve the Renaissance Club’s visual appeal. Work on the houses began in March 2024, with
REHAU brought in by the project’s consulting engineer in July to specify products and consult on how barriers such as no access to mains gas could be overcome. The Scottish Open in July, which draws the world’s top golfers to its fairways, added further pressure to the project, as it was imperative all works be completed ahead of the event – with all its supporter stands
and other event infrastructure – returning to The Renaissance Club in the April beforehand. The solution came in the form of a district heating network powered by a large central heat pump located 60-to-70 metres from the nearest dwelling. This system needed to deliver reliable performance and would be connected to the homes via a robust and effi cient pipework network. As part of this, REHAU recommended RAUVIPEX
pre-insulated district heating pipe and CLIP-FLEX shroud system – products known for their durability, thermal effi ciency, and ease of installation.
Course management at its fi nest
The installation was carried out by Culbertson Renewables, a family-owned renewable energy specialist based in Edinburgh. With nearly two decades of experience in sustainable heating and plumbing, Culbertson Renewables was well- placed to deliver to the project’s high standards. Yet as this was the company’s fi rst experience with underground district heating installations, expertise and technical support from both the manufacturer REHAU and distributor Mibec, were invaluable in delivering a successful outcome. “We’ve worked with REHAU for years, but this
was a step into new territory,” said Craig Culbertson, Owner of Culbertson Renewables. “Their support throughout the project was vital, especially given the tight deadlines and the need to preserve the site’s appearance. They were always available to answer questions and off er guidance, which gave us the confi dence to take on the full scope of the installation.” REHAU’s RAUVIPEX district heating pipe’s
combination of fl exibility, thermal performance, and durability was well-suited to this project. Manufactured with a fi ne-pored PUR foam insulation and featuring a robust outer jacket, it is designed to off er the optimum combination of low heat losses and fl exibility on the long pipework runs often required for district heating projects. Complementing this was the CLIP-FLEX shroud system, which off ers practical benefi ts including the fl exibility of accommodating angle deviations of up to 22.5° in all directions and certifi ed high watertightness of 0.3 bar. These component benefi ts signifi cantly
streamlined the installation process for the Culbertson Renewables team, helping them navigate site constraints and complete connections with greater speed and precision. While typically each pipework connection on district heating schemes is around 90 minutes, the use of RAUVIPEX and CLIP-FLEX reduced that time to just 60 minutes during the works at the Renaissance Club. This accounted for an almost-50% time saving that would prove invaluable on a project with tight deadlines, courtesy of the looming 2025 Scottish Open.
Achieving championship results
Beyond these technical components, the Renaissance Club installation highlights the importance of collaboration on projects of this type. Though this was a fi rst-of-its-kind installation for the company, the Culbertson Renewables team was able to deliver a high-standard district heating system against pressing deadlines. This was supported by REHAU’s hands-on support throughout the project to help to ensure the system was delivered smoothly and to specifi cation. “REHAU is known not just for reliable systems and pipework in this technical area, but also for being a trusted partner,” said Kenny Boyle, area sales manager. “From off ering technical advice and product-specifi c training, to being present on-site during key stages of the installation, we are here to support our customers every step of the way. “As this project proves, the service, the support, and the ability to adapt to each site’s unique needs is just as important as the solutions used. We’re proud to have worked alongside Mibec and assisted Culbertson Renewables to collectively deliver a high-performing low-carbon heat network on such a prestigious development.”
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