The SSE Heat Networks Team ran a workshop entitled: ‘Enriching the heat networks development process to accelerate project delivery,’ at the ADE and the Energy Institute Heat and Decentralised Energy Conference today (Sept 23).
I strongly believe in the low carbon potential of heat networks to support the UK Net Zero target, though I see too many projects delayed or shelved at development stage and I think there are many ways that sector experts like SSE Enterprise can help address this issue.
We’ve been operating heat and cooling networks in the UK for over eleven years, designing, building as well as adopting in both new build and retrofit arenas. Based on my experience, I can undoubtedly say that one crucial element for success is the integrated approach which should consider long term asset management, operability, delivery and commercial models from the outset. This can bring huge benefits in reducing construction and operating costs, improving system efficiency and crucially, lower bills for customers; and yet it is one often undervalued, if not ignored, in the project development stages.
As heat networks increasingly become a cornerstone of the UK heat decarbonisation strategy, it’s crucial we deliver the most efficient and lowest cost infrastructure we can. That might sound obvious, though challenges in the project development process, mean that this outcome is not always a given.
I have witnessed, first-hand, the negative impacts of a ‘silo approach’ on projects, with oversized plant and networks that are designed to meet theoretical peak loads rather than to operate optimally. Our business focus is to provide expert insight to show the commercial and operational realities of proposed designs when they are still on the drawing board, enabling a long term planning from day one.
In Wandsworth Riverside, London, we own and manage an innovative landmark district heating scheme. It is an integrated energy system which combines open loop ground source heat pumps drawing water from four wells up to 100m deep under the site, with gas CHP to provide low carbon heat, hot water, cooling and electricity to 550 residential units and over 2,000 square meters of commercial space.
I am very proud of this ambitious heat network which stems from a best in class collaborative approach, pulling together high level expertise and competences from many different actors, with a constant strategic eye to system optimisation and long term asset performance.
I really hope that public sector clients will also see the benefits of such an approach and that this will stimulate the development of strategic public-private partnerships that can attract private capital and help drive the low carbon heat revolution.