New project to examine UK's heat networks
The project, announced today, will focus on increasing the deployment of efficient district heat networks of which only around 2% of UK buildings are connected to, whilst also examining the cost and time frames of any proposed developments.
It will also look to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions produced from heating buildings, which currently stands at 20% of the UK’s overall emissions output, with heat accounting for more than 40% of the UK’s total energy demand.
The 12-month project, launched by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), which will also fund the initiative, will be supported by energy firms Cofely and Total Flow, with all companies involved hoping to identify innovative solutions to reduce the capital and total lifetime costs of heat network pipes and their installation.
Amber Rudd emphasised the need for innovation in Britain’s heat system in her ‘policy re-set’ speech yesterday.
“Nowhere in the energy system is the need for innovation more acute than in how we use heat to keep warm in our homes and for industrial processes,” she said.
“Heat accounts for around 45% of our energy consumption and a third of all carbon emissions. Progress to date has been slower here than in other parts of our economy.
“There are technologies which have great potential, such as district heating, biogas, hydrogen and heat pumps. But it is not yet clear which will work at scale, so different approaches need to be tested. We need a long-term plan that will work and keeps down costs for consumers.”
The project announcement comes after a report from the ETI, which identifies potential pathways towards cutting carbon emissions from homes requiring low carbon installations by 2050.
Nick Eraut, ETI Project Manager, believes improved methods and technologies for heat network installation could help enable a transition to a flexible, cost-effective, long term heat supply.
“The project outputs will be used to inform government and industry stakeholders about opportunities for heat network cost reduction to help steer investment in heat network developments,” he commented.
David Ross, Regional Director of Sustainability and Building Engineering at AECOM, says the company is looking forward to working with the ETI on the project.
“We are seeing a drive to increase installation of district heating in the UK. It provides a significant opportunity to deliver cost-effective low carbon heat and help meet the country’s climate change mitigation goals. However, a key current barrier to wider adoption is its relatively high upfront costs,” he said.
“We have brought together a strong team to deliver this project. This includes AECOM and Cofely who have significant knowledge and experience in the delivery, operation and viability of district heat networks, while Total Flow brings multi-industry expertise in managing the innovation process which will help the project team to identify improved solutions.”
