CHP & DISTRICT HEATING


Doubling the Wick woodchip


scheme WILSON ENERGY, a Midlands-based provider of fully integrated heating, metering, pre-payment and billing and bureau services, has helped double the size of the Wick District Heating Scheme in Wick, Caithness, Scotland. The scheme utilises woodchip combustion to generate heat, supplying steam to Pulteney Distillery and heat to the local hospital, assembly rooms, and 250 homes and public buildings. The original aim of the scheme,


New build network solution based


on an air source heat pump electricity prices. This stored energy can be utilised during peak times, reducing the need to run heat pumps or electric boilers and keeping heat bills affordable for homeowners. The flexible operation of the thermal stores also helps manage grid connection capacity as more heat pumps and renewable energy sources are added. Stephen Andrew, group technical


GTC has designed and developed a heat network solution for low-density housing developments that delivers a net zero carbon future for new homes, which will be installed alongside electric, fibre, and water networks. The Community Heat Hub is an efficient and sustainable heat network solution that can be utilised across low-density, new-build housing and mixed-use developments. The solution can be deployed competitively on development sites with over 150 units. The heat network at Westland Heath


will use large air source heat pumps to generate low-carbon heat which will then be transported through a network of insulated plastic pipes to deliver heat and hot water to the 950 homes on the Westland Heath development. To optimise efficiency and cost savings, the Community Heat Hub incorporates large thermal stores that can store excess energy as heat during periods of low


director at Taylor Wimpey, comments: “As we move towards the Future Homes Standard (FHS) in 2025 and the introduction of zero carbon heating with no natural gas, the network heat pump offers an innovative solution to meet FHS. Whilst this was previously used in dense high-rise apartment schemes, this innovative approach offers the opportunity to provide community heating to other types of residential developments, including family homes.” ▄ www.gtc-uk.co.uk


initiated by the Highland Council, was to provide sustainable and cost-effective heating and hot water services to 500 homes in the town. The expansion of the district heating system has reduced fuel costs for tenants and increased sustainability in the area. With a population of around 8,000 people, Wick


had a significant number of residents in fuel poverty prior to the scheme. A spokesperson from the Area Gas and


Contractor administration team at the Highland Council says: “For some time, we have been considering ways to support sustainable power while easing the financial pressure on consumers and reducing fuel poverty. The roll-out of this heating network is strong evidence that this is achievable and we are pleased that our aims are being met in ways that benefit everyone.” ▄ www.wilsonenergy.co.uk


Installation saves Tewkesbury hotel A bespoke BMS was implemented to


Contributing to decarbonising the UK


The latest generation of highly efficient heat pumps from CARRIER operate on ultra-low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants, which contribute to more efficient and lower carbon heating systems in buildings. The company says the construction of heat networks based on heat pumps will also contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of heating. The latest line of high-temperature


and very high-temperature heat pumps, the AquaForce and AquaSnap 61 ranges, are designed to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. The advanced units, with capacities from 30 to 735kW and water temperatures up to


18


120°C, can harness both natural and waste heat sources, and offer up to six times the efficiency of fossil fuel- powered boilers. These heat pumps are already being


used in heat networks across the UK. Two notable projects include one of the largest banking estates in Glasgow and E.ON’s Citigen district heating scheme in London. ▄ www.carrier.com/commercial/en/uk


on its combined energy bill At the height of the energy crisis, Tewkesbury Park hotel found its combined energy bills set to increase four-fold. Director Chris McIntosh had read about combined heat and power (CHP) and wanted to see if this could be the answer to reducing their power costs. He contacted HELEC, a Bristol-based independent M&E contractor, asking them to review the hotel’s energy systems and see what could be done. Helec replaced the hotel’s outdated and inefficient oil boilers with new LPG boilers and installed combined heat and power units.


The old oil boilers were replaced with


new Strebel S-FX320 LPG boilers. Next, six new Grundfos pumps were installed, integrating three Galu 2,500 litre thermal stores. In addition, two new CHP units were installed. A 50kWe model will operate almost continuously to satisfy the hotel’s base load. A second unit (75kWe) will top up any shortfall while also offering a standby power facility in the event of power cuts.


monitor and control the energy distribution within the hotel. It is managed remotely, making updates and improvements quick and easy. This setup now provides the hotel with


absolute energy security. Its remote location meant reliance on the National Grid came with connection issues and the very real possibility of outages. Now, with dual engines installed, operations can continue completely unimpeded by the chance of power cuts. Transitioning from oil-powered boilers


to LPG boilers, alongside the installation of CHP units, has resulted in a substantial reduction in overall operating costs and environmental impact. The hotel benefited from immediate savings of 30% on heating bills, further electricity savings from the CHP’s reduced carbon emissions, and improved environmental credibility for Tewksbury Park. Future savings are estimated at £114K (electricity) and £120K (heating) per year. ▄ www.helec.co.uk


EIBI | MARCH 2024


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