Clarke Energy, a Rehlko company, partnered with the prestigious Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland to deliver a resilient, efficient, and visually appealing hydrogen ready, cogeneration plant for their world-renowned site. This critical infrastructure project demonstrates our expertise in delivering energy solutions, tailored to our clients’ bespoke requirements.
Customer Challenge: High Standards, Low Impact
With 175 luxury rooms and spa and wellness centre, the Old Course Hotel required a long-term energy strategy that would:
- Increase resilience
- Cut operational energy costs
- Meet strict aesthetic and noise standards
- Avoid disruption to guest services during installation
The challenge was not only technical; it involved integrating advanced power systems into a historic, highly visible site, surrounding a world-famous golf course, all without compromising the hotel’s guest experience or architecture.
Our Solution: A Tailored, Hydrogen-Ready CHP System
Clarke Energy delivered a hydrogen-ready combined heat and power (CHP) plant based around an INNIO Jenbacher J312 gas engine, providing 635kWe of reliable, on-site power. This system includes:
- Heat recovery for increased efficiency
- A dry air cooler for thermal integration
- Advanced ventilation and exhaust systems
- Long-term operation and maintenance by Clarke Energy’s industry-leading service team
Designed Around the Guest Experience
To protect the hotel’s visual and acoustic environment:
- Clarke Energy worked closely with stakeholders to create a bespoke, textured pre-cast enclosure, designed to blend seamlessly with existing architecture
- The system operates at low noise levels, preserving the tranquillity of the hotel and its surrounding golf course
Installation was carried out with minimal operational disruption:
- A hot-tapping technique ensured uninterrupted hot water supply
- Thermal pipework was routed externally and colour-matched to the hotel façade to maintain visual standards
- Two existing hot water boilers were removed to allow thermal integration of the new plant with existing systems
Aesthetics and Technical Precision
Recognising that infrastructure such as ventilation systems and dry air coolers contribute to the site’s overall appearance, Clarke Energy designed custom louvred enclosures with finishes that harmonise with the building’s architecture. The result is a high-performance CHP plant that integrates seamlessly into its surroundings, remaining unobtrusive to guests.
The Outcome: Energy Security with Design Integration
This project highlights Clarke Energy’s engineering capability to:
- Design and deliver resilient, future-proofed energy solutions
- Engineer precisely around project-specific constraints
- Ensure uninterrupted operational performance
- Provide consistent, high-quality project support and long-term maintenance
Above all, it reflects our commitment to aligning technical excellence with the practical and aesthetic priorities of our clients.
