Process Monitoring Control Console For Showroom

In our Case Study Process Monitoring Control Console for Showroom at Flexitricity,  Flexitricity, a pioneering demand side response company, recently moved into new custom designed offices in the heart of Edinburgh. This gave rise to the requirement for a brand new control room. Thinking Space took on the challenge and delivered a beautiful, modern space that not only provides a comfortable base for Flexitricity’s operations team but also serves as a showpiece to impress visiting clients. The room was furnished with a console suitable for two operators and a whole host of monitors mounted to create a multi-screen display, all completed within a month.

Founded in 2004 by Dr Alastair Martin, Flexitricity changed the way the National Grid think about power distribution by introducing their demand response model into the marketplace. The word Flexitricity means “Flexible Electricity”, as they look for flexibility in electricity consumption and generation. With clients across the UK, Flexitricity works with the National Grid to provide extra reserve to the network during times of peak demand, in order to generate revenue for partner sites and help to secure UK’s energy supplies whilst cutting emissions. As a result of growth and expansion, a move of offices into new purpose-designed premises has occurred.

After a visit to the Thinking Space website, Flexitricity invited Thinking Space to tender for their new control room project. As the control room was intended as a showroom to potential clients, complete with a viewing gallery, looks and ergonomics were just as important as price. The solution offered by Thinking Space ticked all the boxes. With a tight timescale to work to due to an important visit the following month, Thinking Space worked quickly and efficiently with the client to agree a design solution for the new control room furniture.

Thinking Space Sales Specialist Jason Gregory sketched an initial design proposal, then worked alongside Flexitricity’s HR and Office Manager Samantha Redford, to finalise the control room furniture required. Room details, look, colours and branding, the size of console required as well as which equipment needed to be located within the room was discussed and agreed, following a site visit to Scotland by Jason. As part of the Thinking Space full consultation process, four views of 3D render drawings as well as 2D dimension drawings helped Flexitricity visualise how their room would look, assuring them of the wow factor that would be achieved. A two person console 4.5 metres in length, was designed within the large room in a curved configuration to avoid a linear look. Storage bays with lockable glass doors were also incorporated at either end to balance the console. In addition, the Thinking Space team had to ensure that the complete console could be seen from the viewing gallery, with operators seated in the middle on the 24/7 control room chairs. An important factor within the room was the location of sixteen 24” flat screens along the console. The Moni-Trak perfect positioning rail ensured that eight columns could be flexibly mounted to create a wall of monitors in a 2×2 configuration. Each column was cut to size accordingly, so that there was no excess column visible above the top level of screens. At the front of the control room, a custom designed Evolution Media Wall was designed and installed by Thinking Space to display eight 43” screens in a 4×2 configuration, achieving the perfect monitoring station set-up. The Thinking Space installation team worked quickly and efficiently to install the console and media wall within the new room, incorporating all the required branding elements. With the whole service, from consultation and design, to delivery and installation taking just over a month to complete, Flexitricity now have a brand new, highly functional control room to proudly showcase to its customers.