Bespoke electrical systems engineered for a pioneering sustainable structure — the first of its kind in the United Kingdom.
Case Study
This project represented a genuine first: the design and installation of a complete electrical system for the UK’s inaugural eco pod — a pioneering structure that challenged conventional construction methods and demanded an equally innovative approach to its electrical infrastructure. The eco pod was conceived as a fully self-sustaining commercial unit, designed to operate with minimal environmental impact while delivering the full electrical functionality expected of a modern occupied space.
Oleco was selected to deliver the entire electrical installation, from initial design through to commissioning and handover. The project required a contractor with the technical versatility to work with unconventional building methods, the creativity to solve problems that had no existing precedent, and the rigour to ensure full compliance with all applicable regulations despite the structure’s unique characteristics.
The eco pod’s design philosophy centred on sustainability and self-sufficiency, and the electrical brief reflected these principles in every detail. The structure required a hybrid power system capable of operating independently from the grid while maintaining the option for mains connection when available. Solar photovoltaic generation, battery storage, and intelligent load management were all specified as core elements of the electrical design.
The architectural form of the eco pod presented significant installation challenges. The structure’s curved walls, non-standard cavity dimensions, and composite material construction meant that conventional cable routing and containment methods were entirely unsuitable. Every element of the installation needed to be adapted to the building’s unique geometry without compromising the structural integrity of the envelope or the aesthetic vision of the architects.
The completed installation needed to support lighting, heating controls, ventilation, data connectivity, and monitoring systems — all within a compact footprint and with stringent energy efficiency targets. The client also required a comprehensive monitoring system that would provide real-time visibility of energy generation, storage levels, and consumption patterns, supporting their commitment to demonstrating the pod’s sustainability credentials with verifiable data.
Oleco’s approach to this project was defined by close collaboration with the architects, structural engineers, and the client’s sustainability team. Our design process began with detailed three-dimensional modelling of cable routes and component positions, ensuring that every element of the electrical installation could be accommodated within the pod’s non-standard structure before any physical work commenced.
The power system was designed as a hybrid arrangement: a roof-mounted solar PV array connected to a lithium-ion battery storage system, with an automatic transfer switch providing seamless failover to mains supply when available. A bespoke distribution board was designed and built to manage the pod’s multiple circuits, incorporating surge protection, residual current devices, and circuit monitoring — all within a compact enclosure engineered to fit the available space.
Cable containment required entirely bespoke solutions. We fabricated custom conduit brackets and cable management components to follow the pod’s curved internal geometry, ensuring neat, accessible installations that maintained the structure’s clean interior aesthetic. Where standard fixings could not be used due to the composite wall construction, we worked with the structural team to develop approved mounting solutions that preserved the building envelope’s thermal and moisture performance.
The lighting installation combined high-efficiency LED luminaires with a programmable control system, enabling the occupant to manage lighting scenes and schedules to minimise energy consumption. All luminaires were selected for their low wattage and high colour rendering index, supporting both energy efficiency targets and the quality of the interior environment.
An integrated energy monitoring system was installed, providing real-time data on solar generation, battery state of charge, grid import/export, and circuit-level consumption. This system feeds a web-accessible dashboard, allowing the client to demonstrate the pod’s energy performance to visitors, stakeholders, and the wider sustainable construction community.
The completed eco pod stands as a fully operational demonstration of what is achievable when innovative construction meets expert electrical engineering. The hybrid power system has consistently achieved the client’s self-sufficiency targets, with the pod operating independently from the grid for extended periods during peak solar generation months. Battery storage provides reliable power through overnight periods and low-generation days, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
The energy monitoring system has become a central feature of the pod’s public profile, with live performance data regularly cited in media coverage and industry presentations. The verifiable data produced by the monitoring platform has provided the client with compelling evidence to support future sustainable development projects.
From an installation quality perspective, the electrical systems have been praised by the architects and structural engineers for their seamless integration with the pod’s design. The bespoke cable management solutions and compact distribution board have demonstrated that high-performance electrical installations can be delivered within the constraints of unconventional structures without compromising on safety, accessibility, or aesthetic quality.
This project remains one of Oleco’s most technically rewarding case studies — a demonstration of the capability that our custom electrical installation service delivers when conventional approaches are not an option. It reinforces our position as a contractor that thrives on complexity and innovation.
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