The challenge

EDF Energy's 1,300MW combnined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station at West Burton, Nottinghamshire, will meet the needs of 1.5 million people and employ more than 40 skilled operators. It is adjacent to EDF’s existing 2,000 MW coal fired power station and has been built using advanced, yet proven technology to provide an efficient and flexible power station to meet future energy supply requirements and to help reduce the intensity of the company’s CO2 emissions from its electricity production.

CCGT power generation is the most energy efficient and clean method of fossil fuel generation, burning natural gas, which turns a gas turbine with the waste heat used to turn a steam turbine. 

The solution

The project features 40,000m² of Building Systems UK (A Tata Steel Enterprise) Acoustic Structural Liner Tray Built Up System, for high sound reduction and absorption levels in three 32m tall, steel framed turbine halls, each measuring 82m long x 35m wide.

The very stringent acoustic requirements were fully met at West Burton, thanks to the wealth of experience Building Systems UK could bring to the project, drawing on an excellent track record in full acoustic systems at other CCGT power station projects at Rye House, Hertfordshire and Killingholme Lincolnshire.

A sound reduction figure of 36dB was achieved in each of the halls, significantly reducing their acoustic impact in the surrounding area.

The external roofs feature the Building Systems UK R32 profile. The external walls are clad in the C32 profile. Both products have a 0.7mm Colorcoat Prisma® Silver Metallic finish, plus a Denim finish on the lower levels of C32. Versatile, lightweight and strong, Colorcoat Prisma® is an ideal choice when it comes to exposed external environments like West Burton.

Offering outstanding UV resistance, Colorcoat Prisma® gives first-class colour and gloss retention, following comprehensive natural weathering testing in a variety of contrasting climates. The complete colour range of Colorcoat Prisma® has been classed as Ruv4 in accordance with EN 10169:2009, the highest classification available, providing reassurance that buildings will retain their true colour for longer.