Client Background & Needs
Hi Group is a leading provider of sustainable energy centres across the UK, with facilities in Barnstaple, Accrington, Nelson, Maidstone, and Gillingham. These sites integrate renewable technologies such as solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps—enabling each building to operate like a mini power plant that generates, stores, and distributes energy efficiently.
To ensure the ongoing safety and reliability of their infrastructure, Hi Group required a review of existing earthing systems after some below-standard installations were identified. Pendulum Power Earthing was appointed to assess the sites, carry out soil resistivity testing, and produce new compliant earthing system designs tailored to each location.
Challenges & Approach
The Hi Group project presented several challenges:
- Tight Schedule: Covering five sites across the UK in just three days required precise planning and efficient on-site execution.
- Inconsistent Installations: Variations in the quality of the original earthing installations needed thorough assessment to bring all systems up to standard.
- Site Diversity: Each location had unique soil conditions and electrical load requirements, making accurate soil resistivity measurement critical for effective design.
Our approach was to deploy experienced engineers across all sites, carrying out comprehensive measurements and assessments, before rapidly developing new designs using advanced CDEGS software.
Implementation & Solution
Pendulum Power Earthing delivered a complete solution in three focused stages:
On-Site Assessment & Testing:
- Visited five sites across Barnstaple, Accrington, Nelson, Maidstone, and Gillingham in the space of three days.
- Conducted soil resistivity measurements at each energy centre to determine accurate ground parameters.
- Inspected and assessed existing earthing installations, identifying deficiencies and compliance issues.
Design Development with CDEGS:
- Used CDEGS software to model site-specific earthing designs.
- Optimised layouts to achieve low resistance values, effective fault current dissipation, and compliance with BS EN 50522 and ENA TS 41-24.
Delivery of New Earthing Designs:
- Produced five amended earthing designs within days of site visits.
- Provided clear recommendations for implementation to ensure long-term safety and performance.
Results & Impact
The project was delivered with outstanding outcomes:
- Rapid Turnaround: Five sites assessed and redesigned in just three days, minimising disruption for Hi Group.
- Enhanced Compliance: New earthing designs aligned with industry standards, eliminating risks from below-par installations.
- Future-Proof Solutions: Accurate soil resistivity data and CDEGS modelling provided Hi Group with robust and reliable earthing systems for their energy centres.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
The Hi Group project showcases Pendulum Power Earthing’s ability to deliver fast, reliable, and compliant earthing system solutions across multiple sites. By combining soil resistivity testing, expert on-site assessments, and advanced design software, we ensured that Hi Group’s energy centres operate safely and efficiently.
For organisations managing multiple energy sites across the UK, Pendulum Power Earthing provides proven expertise in earthing design, testing, and compliance—helping safeguard critical renewable energy infrastructure.
