Air Compressors for the Energy Sector

Did you know that a compressed air supply failure can cost an energy facility thousands of pounds per hour of downtime? Whether it’s a North Sea platform or a power station, compressed air is an essential utility – and a critical risk when it is poorly specified, installed, or managed.

This page details the specific compressed air needs of Scotland’s energy sector. It covers essential technologies, compliance standards, and service approaches necessary for maintaining operational integrity, maximising energy efficiency, and safeguarding your facility’s operating license.

Contact us for more information

Tailored Compressor Solutions for Scotland's Energy Landscape

Matching energy sectors have varying requirements for compressed air systems to meet their unique needs.

Air Compressors for Energy Sector

Upstream & Offshore Operations

Operating systems for upstream oil and gas must provide for an uncompromising level of reliability and safety, especially in the harsh environment of the North Sea.

  • Core Applications: Instrument air for use in control systems; gas lifting to aid the flow of production; air to drive pneumatic tools for drilling and testing wells.
  • Essential Features: Certification to ATEX standards to allow operation in areas of potential explosive risk. DNV 2.7-1 certification of frames and containers to enable safe lifting and transportation. Corrosion-resistant paint and cooling using seawater to combat the corrosive marine environment.

Downstream Refining & Petrochemicals

At major hazard process sites, such as COMAH establishments, for example, the Grangemouth complex, the integrity of compressed air can be a critical issue affecting both process safety and product quality.

  • Core Applications: Compressed air as a process fluid in chemical manufacturing, pneumatic transfer of powders, liquids, and granules, driving extensive instrument air valve matrices and safety shutdown systems.
  • Non-Negotiable Requirement: Process & instrument air must be 100% oil-free to ISO 8573-1 Class 0 (<0.01mg/m³ total oil) to prevent contamination. All plants supplied to to potentially volatile areas must be fully ATEX-rated to avoid ignition sources.

Air Compressors for Energy Sector

Renewable Power & Green Energy Applications

The transition to green energy introduces new and demanding applications for compressed air technology.

  • Onshore & Offshore Wind: Compressed air is vital throughout the asset lifecycle. It powers pneumatic assembly tools, provides high-purity oil-free air for the perfect adhesion of protective coatings during blade manufacturing, and drives essential tools for on-site maintenance crews.
  • Hydrogen Production: Hydrogen needs compression. After electrolysis, low-pressure hydrogen must be pressurised for storage (up to 700 bar) or pipeline use. That’s where specialised, oil-free, hydrogen-ready compressors come in.
  • Hydropower & Biomass: In hydropower schemes, reliable instrument air operates critical control gates and valves. At biomass facilities, compressed air is used for demanding pneumatic conveying of fuel and ash handling.
  • Marine Energy: Innovative Wave Energy Converters (WECs) utilise compressed air as their primary power take-off mechanism, where the motion of waves drives an air turbine.

Critical Power Generation

Baseload and peaking power stations are essential for grid stability, making the reliability of their auxiliary systems a national priority.

  • Nuclear Power: In a nuclear environment, there is zero tolerance for failure. Systems require absolute reliability, with built-in redundancy (duty/standby units), 100% oil-free air for instrument and control systems, and certified breathing air purification systems meeting BS EN 12021 standards.
  • Thermal & Peaking Power Plants: For gas-fired stations, efficiency is a primary driver. Compressed air is used for turbine startup and purging, fuel atomization, and ash handling. Optimising these systems offers significant operational cost savings.

Which Air Compressor Is Right for Your Energy Site?

Selecting the right air compressors for the energy sector is fundamental to achieving reliability and efficiency. As authorised distributors for Atlas Copco Air Compressors, we specify systems engineered for the demands of the energy sector.

  • Oil-Injected Rotary Screw (GA / GA VSD+): The industry standard for general plant and utility air. These units offer high efficiency and robust performance for less critical applications.
    • Power: ~5 to 500+ kW
    • Pressure: 7.5–13 bar(g)
  • Oil-Free Rotary Screw (ZR / ZT): Essential where air purity is non-negotiable. These compressors are Class 0 certified, eliminating any risk of oil contamination for sensitive instruments and processes.
    • Power: ~37 to 900 kW
    • Pressure: 3.5–10 bar(g)
    • Flow: Up to 150+ m³/min
  • Centrifugal Turbo (ZH): Designed for high-flow, steady baseload demand common at large power stations and refineries. They provide high volumes of oil-free air with excellent efficiency at full load.

Cut Energy Costs with Smarter Compressor Systems

Energy accounts for over 70% of a compressor’s lifecycle cost. A strategic approach to system design and management delivers significant savings.

  • Variable Speed Drive (VSD): Matches the compressor’s motor speed to fluctuating air demand, reducing energy consumption by up to 60% compared to fixed-speed models. Discuss with us the benefits of VSD upgrades that can reduce energy costs by 30–60%.
  • Heat Recovery: Captures up to 94% of the electrical energy input as usable hot water (up to 90°C), which can be utilised for space heating or process requirements, thereby drastically reducing site heating bills. One site using GA VSD+ compressors with heat recovery saved over £20,000 per year in water heating costs.
  • Central Controllers: Manages multiple compressors as a single system, ensuring only the most efficient combination of machines runs to meet demand. This prevents unnecessary operation and reduces idle/transition energy losses.
  • Air Treatment & Distribution: A correctly specified system of dryers (refrigerant or desiccant) and filters is essential to prevent corrosion and equipment failure. For critical instrument air in cold UK climates, desiccant dryers are required to achieve pressure dew points of -40°C or lower. Using a low-loss piping system, such as AIRnet aluminium, ensures that air pressure and purity are maintained from the compressor room to the point of use, minimising energy waste due to pressure drop.

Stay Compliant with PSSR, ATEX, and ISO Standards

For COMAH sites or those with ATEX Zones, compliance isn’t optional; it’s your license to operate. A generalist supplier is a risk you cannot afford to take. We deliver fully compliant packages engineered to meet the stringent legal and safety standards of the energy sector.

Our comprehensive compliance package includes:

✅ Written Scheme of Examination (WSE)

✅ PSSR 2000 inspections

✅ ATEX / UKEX documentation

✅ DSEAR Risk Assessment support

✅ Condensate management to local discharge consents

✅ ISO 8573-1 air quality testing

✅ BS EN 12021 breathing air certification

Need a PSSR inspection or WSE? We can handle it end-to-end.

Air Compressors for Energy Sector
Air Compressors for Energy Sector

A 360° Partnership with Design Air (Scotland) Ltd

Design Air (Scotland) Ltd is the trusted technical partner for Scotland’s energy sector. We provide an end-to-end service built on over 22 years of specialist experience and deep local knowledge of key energy hubs, such as Grangemouth and Torness.

Our team of DipCAM-qualified engineers, with over two centuries of collective experience, delivers:

  • Expert Consultation & Design: From a complete Compressed Air Energy Audit that can support your ESOS or ISO 50001 reporting, to turnkey system design and installation.
  • Uptime Assurance: We offer proactive maintenance contracts, critical spares management, and a 24/7 emergency breakdown service with a target response time of under four hours. Inquire about our emergency hire compressors, available for a 4-hour response.
  • Predictive Maintenance: Through Remote Monitoring platforms like Atlas Copco’s SMARTLINK, we track system health in real-time to forecast issues, prevent downtime, and optimise service schedules.
  • Specialist Capabilities: We design and install systems for specialised applications, including high-purity On-Site Nitrogen Generation and certified breathing air systems.

Secure Your Operations

Need air you can rely on? We’re here to help. From complete system audits to 24/7 breakdown cover, our engineers keep Scotland’s energy sector running safely, efficiently, and without surprises.

Contact our team today to schedule a site assessment and discover how we can enhance the reliability, efficiency, and compliance of your compressed air system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most sites in the energy sector specify ISO 8573-1 Class 1.2.1 or better for instrument air. Where contamination risks are high, Class 0 is required.

A Variable Speed Drive (VSD) matches air output to demand. Plants typically save up to 35–60% in energy costs compared to fixed-speed models.

Yes,  any area classified as Zone 1 or 2 requires ATEX-certified equipment to prevent ignition in hazardous atmospheres.

WSE inspections are required under PSSR 2000 at intervals set by a “Competent Person”. Most energy sector sites are reviewed on an annual basis.