The project saw the replacement of the hospital’s main low-voltage (LV) and high-voltage (HV) infrastructure and back-up generator systems. Working with 40-year-old infrastructure, principal contractor EX2 developed the design from RIBA Stage 4i to full Construction Stage (RIBA Stage 5). A point cloud survey and Autodesk Revit model of the existing infrastructure enabled early identification of coordination issues and buildability constraints – reducing on-site rework and material waste.
The comprehensive upgrade included the replacement of four HV 11kV transformers, installation of three 2MVA generators to replace the existing 1.1MVA units, and modernisation of the hospital’s main LV distribution system.
This included two 6300-amp generator switchboards, four 3200-amp switchboards, 6300-amp and 3200-amp cast resin busbar systems, new primary containment, and replacement submain cabling – providing greater electrical resilience, capacity, and flexibility for future development.
To facilitate the new infrastructure, substantial construction and enabling works were undertaken. This consisted of construction of a new steel framed generator switch room, construction of a maintenance walkway to provide a resilient services route for distribution of services, relocation of medical gas manifold rooms, and the repositioning of the main high temperature heating pumps.
The modernised infrastructure provides RD&E with improved power resilience, safeguards critical medical equipment and services, and supports future expansion of services and new technologies.
Martyn Beale, managing director at EX2 Group. said: “This was a truly complex piece of electrical engineering delivered within a live acute setting. Our team’s collaborative approach, technical precision, and proactive problem-solving were critical in safely delivering this upgrade while supporting operational continuity for the Trust.”
John Horwell, capital projects manager of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “Improving the power resilience for a major acute hospital like the RD&E is an extremely complex undertaking. Through strong collaboration and careful planning with EX2 Group, we successfully delivered this five-year programme in line with all our strategic and technical objectives. This has been one of the most intricate infrastructure projects we’ve managed, and it has resulted in a significantly more resilient and future-proof power system that will support the hospital’s services and the wider community for many years to come.”