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Heating systems
‘World fi rst’ in-road retrofi t of ground array infrastructure
Residents in the Cornish village of Stithians have had their ground source heat pump (GSHP) connected to an ambient heat network that will draw energy from under the street
Zoning and statutory rights for heat networks
Zoning is an area-based approach to decarbonising the UK’s heating systems, which ensures that the deployment of low-carbon heat solutions like heat pumps is targeted and eff ective.
I
t’s thought to be a world fi rst shared ground array being retrospectively installed in a public highway. The pioneering project, Heat the Streets, is run
by Kensa Utilities and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and represents a signifi cant investment in the future of sustainable energy.
Each dwelling involved in Heat the Streets will swap
either carbon intensive oil or LPG fossil fuels for its own low carbon Kensa ground source heat pump that will provide 100% of the property’s heating and hot water year round. Homeowners will pay a monthly standing charge to access the heat network, much like the existing gas connection fee. The in-road GSHP network, also known as Networked Heat Pumps, in Collins Parc, Stithians, will consist of 42 boreholes, drilled to an average depth of 106m. It allows homeowners to utilise the heat from the ground to keep their houses warm and reduce carbon emissions. The infrastructure emulates the existing gas grid and has been designed to accommodate future connections, allowing households who were not ready to change their heating system to connect at a later date. Unlike traditional district heating, there is no need
for a central plant, no heat loss around the network, and customers can still change their energy provider
anytime they want to, promoting energy independence. Heating accounts for around 30% of the UK’s
carbon emissions and The Committee on Climate Change estimates 80% of the buildings that will be here in 2050 have already been built. As GSHPs are electrically powered, non-combustion devices that emit no local emissions or air pollution, they will reduce the carbon output associated with heating each home by around 70%. Wouter Thijssen, managing director of Kensa Utilities comments: “It’s fantastic to have the fi rst heat pump up and running on this landmark project which provides a blueprint for the decarbonisation of heating in the UK. Our model replicates the gas network with a pipe in the ground, a fl at rate standing charge to consumers and a little white box in the house. “Just as Burton Upon Trent was the fi rst UK town to
By dividing the country into diff erent zones based on factors like heat demand, renewable energy potential and infrastructure, the government can prioritise and streamline the deployment of low-carbon heating solutions. The combination of zoning and statutory
rights for heat networks provides a comprehensive approach to decarbonising the UK’s heating systems and is essential to meeting the country’s Net Zero ambitions.
convert to natural gas in 1968 – at the time a cheaper, better, cleaner fuel than towns gas – we believe Stithians is the fi rst UK town to convert to the 21st- century equivalent: networked heat pumps. Residents will have access to a network that will provide cheaper and cleaner heat for 100 years to come”. Some locals have already been connected to a
parallel scheme in Stithians which involves drilling a borehole into their front drive. They’re delighted with the results from their Kensa ground source heat pumps. Caroline Bolitho, resident of Stithians who’s heat
pump was switched on commented: “As a grandma I feel that I’m doing my bit for future generations and reducing my carbon footprint by having a GSHP system which is important. I have been using oil heating before this and I feel really privileged and excited to have the system up and running.” Jackie Barson, a resident of Stithians is already
connected, she commented: “I am happy with it. It’s smart and effi cient. It’ll take a few weeks to fully get to grips with the operation, but I have no regrets. I do know there are other residents who are disappointed they’re not part of the project.” Kensa believes that street-by-street deployment of this infrastructure is the most effi cient way for the country to reduce the carbon output associated with heating for the lowest overall system cost. In order to make projects like Heat The Streets
easily replicable across the country, eff ective zoning and the granting of statutory rights for heat networks are crucial.
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