HMS Raleigh, the Royal Navy training establishment in Cornwall, is cutting its carbon footprint by using renewable energy to heat its swimming pool.

Specified by Wessex Design, Kier Group's specialist energy solutions team supplied Vaillant, Secon Solar and Bowman kit for the 33m pool.

The heating for the pool was previously taken off the main boiler on site so the decision was made to use renewable energy.

On ground level behind the outside of the pool, Kier installed 69 Vaillant VFK145 flat plate solar panels, designed to provide maximum efficiency, high performance and total reliability.

Two Bowman 4875/5 tube and shell heat exchangers were used to ensure maximum heat transfer between the solar panels and the swimming pool, along with an ES controller and a BX controller from Secon Solar to control the temperature.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change has helped to fund over 30 energy-saving projects for the MOD after it was awarded £8.5m in 2008. As well as HMS Raleigh, an improved heating system at Buckley Barracks in Wiltshire has been installed, delivering further cuts in carbon emissions.

HMS Raleigh is the Royal Navy's largest training establishment in the south west and new rating recruits to the Service undergo their nine week basic training course there. The establishment also conducts specialist training delivering seamanship, submarine operations, logistics, military and board and search skills.