Case study: A bespoke e-House for safe and efficient power generation 

Project Overview

Sector: Power Generation
Location: North Africa
Expertise: Electrical Engineering
Scope: Specify, Advise, Design & Build
Solution: Custom Electric House (eHouse) – a prefabricated modular enclosure designed to house electrical and plant room equipment.
Actemium BU: Actemium Instrumentation, Control and Switchgear
Project Value: £1.2 million
Client Relationship: 35+ years

Our client & their requirements

Our long-standing client – a globally recognised OEM in the power generation sector – required a robust and compliant solution to support the deployment of two 6MW gas turbine generator sets, intended to power critical plant infrastructure. The client needed a fully integrated, safe, and efficient solution to house and protect the electrical systems supporting the generator sets. They approached Actemium ICS to design, manufacture, test and deliver a solution that would meet their stringent requirements and speed up deployment on-site while reducing cost and ensuring compliance.

The Challenge

The project presented several technical and operational challenges:

• Designing a pressurised eHouse with dual 100% HVAC systems to maintain a Safe Area and support the fire suppression system.
• Ensuring ATEX Zone 2 3G IIB T3 compliance, suitable for hazardous environments.
• Segregating AC and DC cable routes within a raised floor void to meet safety and operational standards.
• Managing design changes throughout the project lifecycle while maintaining delivery timelines. 

The Solution

Actemium worked in close collaboration with the client throughout a year-long tender process to deliver a bespoke, fully engineered and factory-tested eHouse tailored to the project’s unique requirements.

Key features of the solution included:

• A custom-built eHouse integrating:
  • A low-voltage (LV) switchboard and 2 Motor Control Centres (MCCs).
  • 2 Generator Control Panels with Automatic Voltage Regulation, Synchronisation, and Protection.
  • An Auxiliary Synchronising Control Panel.
  • Integration of the client-supplied cabinets and batteries to support the overall control system.
• A dual 100% HVAC system providing +50Pa over-pressurisation, suitable for ATEX Zone 2 environments.
• A fully segregated battery room, temperature-controlled and equipped with:
  • Gas detection systems (Hydrogen sensors, ATEX-rated).
  • Automatic NOVEC 1230 fire suppression system with intrinsically safe smoke detectors.
  • Pressure relief dampers.

A comprehensive Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) was conducted to ensure full compliance and readiness for deployment.

Client Benefits

The delivered eHouse solution provided our OEM client and their end-user with key deployment and long-term advantages:

• Faster project delivery through reduced on-site installation and commissioning time.
• Lower construction costs by minimising the need for civil works.
• Enhanced safety and compliance with ATEX Zone 2 standards, over-pressurised HVAC, integrated gas detection, and fire suppression systems.
• Reliable performance from custom-built LV switchboards, MCCs, and generator control panels, ensuring seamless control and synchronisation of the gas turbines.
• A future-ready solution that supports our client’s continued leadership in global power generation.

Simon Mayo, Sector Manager at Actemium ICS, said: “At Actemium, we combine decades of proven expertise in power generation with a uniquely agile, customer-first approach. Our ability to adapt quickly, collaborate closely with clients, and deliver consistently high-quality solutions ensures we meet the most demanding technical and operational challenges—safely, efficiently, and reliably.” 

Need an Electric House (eHouse) to speed up and ensure the compliance of your project? Get in touch with our expert engineers today via reachout@actemium.co.uk.