Date and time

Date: 4th December 2025

Time: 16:00-17:00

Overview 

This technical presentation will explore the award-winning SmartParc Derby Energy Centre. This project was awarded the IOR's Beyond Refrigeration Environmental Award 2024 for its pioneering approach to sustainable industrial utility systems. The project was singled out by the judges for its bold system design, proven environmental impact, and the quality of its performance data.

The presentation will highlight how the SmartParc concept was developed and delivered, addressing the technical and commercial challenges encountered during design, construction, and customer onboarding. Attendees will gain insight into the tangible benefits already being achieved by end users, including:

• Load shifting to increase system flexibility

• Reduced CapEx and OpEx through efficiency improvements

• Significant carbon footprint reduction, with thousands of tonnes of CO₂ avoided annually compared to conventional systems

The presentation will also examine how SmartParc integrates with wider heat networks and makes effective use of renewable energy sources to provide a scalable, future-ready model for decarbonising industrial utilities.

Why attend?
This is a rare opportunity to learn from an award-winning, operational project that exemplifies the IOR’s Beyond Refrigeration priorities. The SmartParc Derby project demonstrates what can be achieved when innovation, collaboration, and environmental responsibility are placed at the centre of industrial design.

Book your place here 

Presenters

Michael Roberts, Senior Technical Manager Ndip (Mech Eng) MInstR NeboshNGC 

Michael is a highly experienced Mechanical Engineer who has in his recent career specialised in the Temperature Controlled Food Industry Sector. Michael's focus at SmartParc is to ensure a coordinated and optimised approach to the design of site infrastructure and individual buildings, embracing new and emerging technologies to maximise efficiency, sustainability and reduce the impact on the environment.

Noor Ahmed, Senior Project Sales Proposal Engineer MEng AMIChemE MInstR

In his current role at GEA Heating & Refrigeration Solutions, Noor specialises in the early-stage design and  development of sustainable refrigeration and innovative heat recovery systems, often incorporating industrial heat pumps. With over seven years of experience in the energy sector, he has helped deliver several decarbonisation projects, enabling manufacturing facilities to effectively reduce carbon emissions associated with their heating and cooling utilities.