BOILERS, PUMPS & VALVES WHY HYBRID HEAT PUMP INCENTIVES ARE NEEDED
The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) is calling for greater support for hybrid systems in the Government’s net zero strategy, in order to provide a practical method of achieving low-carbon heating for consumers. Launched in October last year, the Department for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS) Heat and Buildings Strategy outlined the key technologies in the UK’s transition to net zero. The £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme was the centrepiece of the development, offering homeowners grants of £5000-£6000 for the installation of heat pumps. However, this scheme only extends
to all-electric systems at present, with hybrid set-ups currently ineligible for funding. Following the conclusion of the Renewable Heat Incentive in March 2022, this now means that there is no subsidy scheme in place for those looking to install a hybrid system. Stewart Clements, director at the
HHIC, said: “The supporting initiatives surrounding heat pumps demonstrate the key role that this technology will play in the nation’s decarbonisation efforts. However, as this legislation does not currently extend to hybrid systems – in this case an air source heat pump and gas boiler, operated by an intelligent control system – we feel that BEIS has effectively discontinued support for one of the most viable routes to achieving low-carbon heating. “It’s important to acknowledge that transitioning
directly to all-electric technology simply isn’t going to be an option for many consumers. For this reason, it’s vital that this level of support is extended to hybrid
systems too as a means of bridging the gap.” The case for hybrid heating systems has been set
out in the HHIC’s latest whitepaper, Hybrid Heat Pumps: A Flexible Route to Decarbonise Heat. Within the whitepaper, which is available on the website, the HHIC raises the point that opting for a hybrid system allows for an immediate reduction in carbon emissions for those unable to transition to all-electric heating at present. From a practical perspective,
homeowners can then make gradual improvements to the fabric of their property for increased energy efficiency, before making the full switch to an all-electric system at their convenience. Hydrogen fuelled boilers may also be an option in the longer term so consumers have the flexibility of different fuel options including off grid bio-fuels. Elizabeth Wilkinson, head of domestic
product management at Groupe Atlantic and chair of the HHIC Hybrids Group, advised: “It’s clear that we will see significant diversification of
technologies used to supply homes with heating and hot water. Hybrid heat pumps can play a role in this by providing a consumer-friendly stepping stone to full decarbonisation, whether that’s through decarbonisation of the gas grid or an upgrade to a full electric solution. Hybrid heat pumps are a practical solution that enable carbon reduction in homes now, and with recommendations in this paper, such as clearly defined standards for hybrid control to ensure carbon savings, they should not be overlooked in policy as a route towards Net Zero.”
HHIC
www.hhic.org.uk SCHOOL LEARNS ABOUT HEAT PUMP BENEFITS
The oil-fired boiler system had been in place for more than two decades at All Saints Church of England Academy in Denstone and was reaching its end of life, with adverse environmental and budgetary impacts. So, the school decided to decommission the boiler and install a heat pump. Its building energy management system and
heating control valves will be also be upgraded, in a move which will see the trust significantly improve its energy efficiency and reduce its annual carbon footprint by more than 21 tonnes. The school was awarded £96,880 through
Staffordshire University Academies Trust, which received the money through the Public Sector
Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which supports heat decarbonisation projects within the public sector. The scheme is funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and delivered by Salix Finance, which improves energy efficiency in the public sector. The new system ensures the building is warm and
energy efficient, providing an environment which supports quality teaching and learning. As part of their curriculum, the children at the school
have been learning about climate change and last year, to mark COP26, they learned about positive changes they could make to support a healthier planet. Key stage 2 children made a pledge of the changes they are committed to with examples including walking more, switching lights and electrical items off, planting and growing more. They also wrote letters to Greg Hands, minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, about their pledges, the new boiler and heating programme, and the school’s anticipated improved energy rating.
Salix Finance
www.salixfinance.co.uk
PUMPS ENABLE EFFICIENT OPERATION AT POWER STATION
Pumps from Sulzer have been selected for a new gas-fired power station in North America to support its latest generation, air-cooled gas turbine and achieve world- class efficiency. Highly optimised boiler feed and condensate extraction pumps were custom engineered for this project and delivered by Sulzer’s global network. To make the most of the latest gas
turbine developments and ensure optimum performance, the auxiliary equipment, such as the boiler feed pumps, need to be finely tuned for each installation. Sulzer worked closely with the OEM of the gas turbine, which can achieve full load output from standstill in 10 minutes, and designed advanced boiler feed pumps to match their performance. Six Sulzer model MD boiler feed
pumps were supplied to the project. The testing phases of both the condensate pumps and the boiler feed pumps were a combination of remote witnesses as well as an independent expert witness who attended in person. Patrick Welz, head of tendering at
Sulzer, explains: “The design process for this type of project is quite dynamic, and we have to accommodate any changes to the facility to ensure that the pumps deliver the highest possible efficiency.” In addition to the boiler feed pumps,
Sulzer also supplied six 4-stage condensate extraction pumps. The SJD- CEP units from Sulzer can deliver high flows from single suction first stage solutions. The company’s single-suction, multi-stage pumps are a popular choice for this type of installation. Many other manufacturers can only offer double- suction designs for this capacity of pump, but Sulzer’s design reduces the complexity, length and overall footprint of the pumps, the company explains. Welz added: “Our extensive
experience in pump manufacturing enables us to customize designs quickly and ensure that we deliver a pump that offers optimum efficiency and reliability for a new project.”
Sulzer
www.sulzer.com
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ENERGY MANAGEMENT - Summer 2022
www.energymanagementmag.co.uk
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