Authored by 1Energy
Heat Networks
Heat networks centralise heat production and distribute it to homes, businesses, and public buildings through a network of insulated pipes, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional heating methods like gas boilers. These systems are the most cost-effective way to decarbonise heat at scale and they will play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in our towns and cities. In fact, DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) believe that by 2050 20% of the UK’s heat demand could be met by heat networks.
1Energy, a leading independent heat network developer, is focussed on building city-wide heat networks to help decarbonise heating systems at scale across the country.
Reduction of Carbon Emissions
One of the most significant benefits of heat networks is their ability to drastically reduce carbon emissions. In the UK, heating is responsible for around 37% of carbon emissions, in large part due to the widespread use of fossil fuels for heating. Heat networks, by contrast, use central plants that can be powered by a variety of low-carbon energy sources, including heat pumps driven by renewable electricity, and waste heat from industrial processes.
Replacing gas boilers with a connection to a low carbon heat network, like those being developed by 1Energy, can lower carbon emissions associated with heating by at least 75% from the first day of connection.
Flexibility in Energy Sources
The flexibility of heat networks allows for the integration of multiple energy sources, making them technology agnostic and highly adaptable to future advancements in green technology. As renewable energy becomes increasingly prevalent in the UK’s energy mix, 1Energy’s energy centres can incorporate even more low-carbon heat generation to utilise this renewable electricity.
Heat networks are a well-established technology and widespread in other parts of the world. In Denmark, for example, over 60% of households are connected to a heat network. Many of these were built during the oil-price shock of the 1970s and were initially powered by coal. Again, speaking to the adaptability of the technology, many networks have since transitioned (or are in the process of transitioning) to low-carbon heat generation, such as that seen in Esbjerg: https://www.man-es.com/discover/esbjerg-heat-pump
In addition to a range of fuels, heat networks can also use waste heat sources. At 1Energy, we are currently looking at the potential for our networks to incorporate waste heat from data centres, industrial processes, or even power stations, which would otherwise be simply emitted to the atmosphere.
The adaptability of heat networks ensures they will keep pace with the country’s transition to a zero-carbon future, playing a crucial role in achieving long-term emissions targets.
Improved Air Quality
Aside from reducing carbon emissions, heat networks also contribute to cleaner air. The burning of natural gas in conventional heating systems produces harmful pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM), which contribute to poor air quality, particularly in urban areas. By removing the need for local combustion of fossil fuels, heat networks decrease the concentration of these pollutants, resulting in improved public health outcomes and cleaner urban environments.
Economic and Social Benefits
Investing in heat networks not only supports environmental goals but also provides significant economic benefits. By reducing the long-term costs of heating and improving energy security, heat networks can support local authorities and developers in creating resilient, energy-efficient communities. As they become more widespread, heat networks may also help combat fuel poverty offering more affordable and stable heating costs, benefiting low-income households.
The process of building and maintaining heat networks can lead to significant inward investment to an area, and the creation of jobs in one of the low carbon industries of the future. For example, 1Energy’s Exeter Energy Network is expected to create 150 jobs during the installation of the network. And 1Energy are also working closely with Exeter College to develop apprenticeship opportunities within the supply chain for the project. Of the £110m forecasted spend on the installation roughly 2/3rds of it will be spent with companies in the southwest, and as close to Exeter as possible.
1Energy’s vision for the future
With ambitions to deploy £1bn within the next eight years, 1Energy is already building new city-wide, low-carbon heat networks across the UK – networks are currently being developed in Bradford, Milton Keynes and Exeter. These projects are demonstrating how heat networks can provide the lowest cost, simplest and fastest route to decarbonising heat at scale, while laying the foundations for healthier, greener cities across the UK.
