Over £3 million awarded to improve heat networks across England and Wales

Over £3 million of funding is being awarded through the Government’s Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) to enhance heat networks across England and Wales. The funding, allocated in Round 5 of the scheme, will improve the efficiency of heat networks for the benefit of 8,492 residents and various other private and public sector organisations.

The funding awarded in this round brings the total awarded by HNES to over £30 million. In Round 5, 24 organisations will receive support, totalling £3.2 million for 33 heat networks across the country. Almost 2,000 residents will benefit from direct efficiency upgrades to their heat networks.

An additional 6,500 residents, hospitals, universities, and public sector institutions are set to benefit from optimisation studies in round 5. These studies will unlock additional areas for improvement that reduce energy bills, reduce energy consumption, and minimise customer detriment.

An optimisation study for a heat network serving the Ministry of Defence is included in this funding round and will identify areas whereby Wellington Barracks can improve its efficiency levels. The study demonstrates how the British Army is actively looking at ways to reduce its carbon footprint and is an example of how HNES exists to improve heat networks across diverse sectors.

The impact of this funding extends beyond financial benefits. By supporting 33 heat networks, we can expect emissions savings from this round to be equivalent to taking 938 diesel cars off the road each year. These initiatives contribute to the UK’s broader efforts to become a net zero economy.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: “From Lancaster University to the British Army’s Wellington Barracks, heat networks are playing an important role in reducing energy use and cutting the UK’s emissions.

It’s fantastic that over 8,000 residents will now see improvements to their heating and hot water supply thanks to support from our Heat Network Efficiency Scheme, with over £30 million now awarded.”

Louise Singleton, Principal Consultant at Gemserv, said: “As of today, HNES has awarded over £30 million to existing heat networks in England and Wales to optimise their efficiency levels so they’re fit for decades to come. Not only this, but today’s announcement is the first to show how HNES funded revenue studies can then lead to tangible improvements funded through capital applications.

Optimisation studies, unlocked by revenue grant funding, are crucial to help identify and inform heat network operators of the opportunities that exist to improve a heat network’s efficiency levels. We are delighted to be supporting projects all the way through from study to implementation.”

Capital Grant Funding

Capital grant funding will go directly towards covering the cost of operational works to improve the efficiency of existing heat networks. In this round, over £2.7 million will directly improve the efficiencies of heat networks serving 1,966 residents.

Local Authorities

Isleden House

The City of London Corporation has been awarded £466,033 for the improvements to the Isleden House communal heating system. Benefitting 77 homes, funding will go towards increasing insulation levels across the distribution system, upgrading the system controls, installing a monitoring system, and upgrading the water treatment.

Improvements are expected to reduce the heating system’s energy use, ensure residents can better control their individual temperature levels and increase the reliability of the heating system.

Gospel Oak Royal Free Hospital (RFH) Waste Connection

The London Borough of Camden has been awarded £202,950 for the Gospel Oak RFH Waste Connection network. The scheme delivers waste heat from the hospital to Camden’s communal boiler houses serving 1,244 properties. Benefitting residents connected to the scheme, funding from HNES will go towards restoring waste heat to the heat network.

Holmleigh Court

Wandsworth Council has been awarded £343,640 for the Holmleigh Court heat network. Benefitting 39 residents, funding will go towards improving reliability across the network and installing a new Building Management System (BMS) to strengthen the ability to monitor and control the network. New pipework, HIUs, insulation and other infrastructure improvements will also be installed with the help of HNES funding.

Housing Associations and Social Housing Providers

Glamis Estate

East End Homes Limited has been awarded £918,580 for the Glamis Estate East – Elf Row, Glamis and Roslin heat networks. Funding will go towards upgrading the old and inefficient heat network, replacing pipework, customer controls in each dwelling and in the main plant room, whilst improving insulation across the network. This will benefit 265 dwellings.

Vega

Southern Housing has been awarded £203,632 for the Vega heat network in Brighton & Hove. Benefitting 40 residents, funding will go towards installing HIUs, new pipework, reviewing plant room controls and upgrading insulation across the network to improve efficiency levels.

Health and Education Sector

Lancaster Campus District Heat Network

Lancaster University has been awarded £560,387 for the Lancaster Campus District Heat Network. Funding will go towards upgrading infrastructure across the network and allow it to be “Heat Pump Ready”. The project therefore includes the installation of more efficient pumps and meters, improving the central building management system, enhancing insulation throughout the network. HNES funding will be crucial in achieving the University’s pledge to reach carbon net-zero for carbon emissions from electricity and heating by 2030.

Private Sector

The Williams Building

21-39 (Odd) Addenbrooke’s Road Freehold Limited has been awarded £52,409 for The Williams Building heat network. This project is the first main scheme capital project to be awarded funding for implementing improvements recommended by a previous optimisation study funded in Round 1.

HNES will support the repairing and recommissioning of infrastructure across the network including pumps and the overall control system. HIU’s will also be recommissioned, whilst new bulk meters and insulation will be installed. This will help to improve reliability and overall control over the heat network for 10 residents.

Seager Place

Freshplant Limited has been awarded £29,383 for the Seager Place heat network. Benefitting 267 residents, funding from HNES will go towards replacing control valves and sensors in order to reduce bills for residents and enhance network flow controls.

Revenue Grant Funding

In addition to capital grant funding, projects in Round 5 have also been awarded over

£443,000 of revenue grant funding to undertake optimisation studies to review the performance of their heat networks and identify areas for improvement.

Housing Associations and Social Housing Providers

Incommunities Limited, for the Ruth House and Rossett & Underwood House heat networks.

Vivid Housing Limited, for the William Hitchcock House and Wickham Court heat networks.

Local Authorities

Coventry City Council, for the One Friargate and Council House heat networks.

London Borough of Camden, for the Netley heat network.

Private Sector

Invicta Rentals Limited, for the Orchard Park – Holbeach House heat network.

Radius RTM Company Limited, for the Radius Development heat network.

RMB 102 Limited, for the Gooch House and Park Central heat networks.

LTR (Victoria Point) Limited, for the Victoria Point heat network.

Health and Education Sector

Medway NHS Foundation Trust, for the Medway NHS Foundation Trust heat network.

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, for the RUH District Heating Network.

University of East Anglia, for the UEA heat network.

University of Warwick, for the 20km University of Warwick heat network.

Other

A2Dominion Housing Group Limited, for the Barrington Court heat network.

The British Army, for the Wellington Barracks heat network.

Cambridge Cohousing Ltd, for the Common House and Apartment Block heat network.

HNES can provide up to 50% of eligible project costs for capital grant applications and up to 100% of eligible project costs for revenue (Optimisation Study) grant applications. Applicants will need to submit a completed application form along with supporting evidence – and will be assessed and scored against criteria.

Those interested in applying for the scheme can express their interest by emailing HNES@gemserv.com.

The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Guidance is available on the gov.uk website here.

General enquiries and expressions of interest can be sent to HNES@gemserv.com.

More information about HNES including upcoming events can be found on Gemserv’s website, the delivery partner for the HNES Scheme, here.

Gemserv has been appointed as the Delivery Partner for HNES supported by Ramboll who will be providing technical assessment, Turner & Townsend providing applicant support and Lux Nova providing legal support.

How businesses can future-proof their solar generation assets

Stephan Marty, CEO, Wattstor

The world’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions to fight climate change has fuelled a surge in renewable energy, particularly wind and solar power. Corporate investment in energy generation assets has accelerated rapidly in recent years, and it’s expected to increase at pace, driven not just by environmental concerns but also by the strategic and economic benefits renewable power offers businesses.

The movement towards onsite power generation has the capacity to reshape how companies think about and manage their energy needs, but as more businesses follow suit, how can renewable energy generation remain profitable and market resilient?

Using available renewable resources

Commercial and industrial organisations can benefit from onsite generation in a number of ways. After the initial investment has been paid, renewable energy generation assets have extremely low costs for producing electricity. Unlike fossil fuels such as gas or coal, there are no additional charges to source sunshine or wind. Once installed, the energy system can generate electricity at almost no expense, meaning that even at very low electricity prices, it is still profitable to generate renewable electricity onsite.

As well as a reduction in bills, businesses can benefit further by lowering their carbon emissions to support sustainability goals. They can increase their energy security by reducing their reliance on the grid for power, and any surplus electricity produced can be sold through a PPA, providing an extra source of revenue.

Too much of a good thing?

Considering all the benefits renewable energy can provide, it’s no surprise that 25% of businesses in the UK are investing in onsite power generation. However, as more companies join in and bring projects online, businesses need to consider any potential barriers that may arise when implementing an energy system.

At grid level, one potential challenge with renewable electricity generation is that it can’t be stored without the use of battery storage. Without it, the amount of electricity being generated and used needs to be balanced on a second-by-second basis. Businesses often have a PPA agreement to export any excess power into the market or to local businesses to support demand.

However, with an increased number of independent power generators exporting surplus power, the volatility of electricity prices has also increased over the past few years. We’re already seeing increased periods in Europe where the wholesale price of electricity is either zero or negative.

This is a phenomenon known as “solar price cannibalisation”.

Typically, solar price cannibalisation occurs during periods of high sunshine and wind, when renewable energy sources are abundant, or at times of low electricity demand such as on a Sunday or during the summer holidays.

If electricity prices are zero or negative, any electricity that is exported to the market and not locked into long-term PPAs has no value. In the future, this could mean securing a premium PPA could prove more difficult for generators.

Solar price cannibalisation could also make businesses less motivated to invest in onsite generation. If periods of zero electricity prices become more common, organisations may prioritise purchasing cheap or even free grid power at certain times, rather than focusing their investment on their renewable generation assets.

Investing in battery storage

Thankfully, there are relatively simple ways to avoid the negative consequences of solar price cannibalisation. One way to future-proof renewable energy build outs and maximise return on investment is to add battery energy storage. Adding battery storage means that the energy generated onsite can be stored and used at a later time to power operations, heat or cool business premises, charge EVs and more – rather than be sold to the market for little or no money.

Battery storage also allows businesses to store electricity for later use when simultaneous consumption and generation are not possible, such as during nighttime operations when there is no sunshine or on a sunny weekend when offices are closed. This reduces businesses’ need to rely on the grid for surplus electricity during periods of no energy generation. Additionally, battery storage allows for delayed exporting onto the grid to support peak demand.

Investing in renewable energy is essential to achieve zero emissions, and is the best way for businesses to mitigate the cost volatility of fossil fuels. However, when looking at the long-term return of a project, the cannibalisation effect should be considered. When investing in renewable energy, it is vital to consider battery storage as part of a whole system solution.

Although the upfront costs may be a concern, Wattstor’s fully funded energy systems enable sites to create significant savings, make money from electricity markets, boost their ESG credentials, and stabilise their electricity prices, all without risk.

Find out more about implementing renewable energy projects at https://wattstor.com/renewable-onsite-energy-guide/

This article appeared in the May 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Is the built environment ready for evolving cyber threats?

For quite some time, large organisations have been prime targets for cyber-attacks due to their profitable nature. However, with more advanced techniques and the development of artificial intelligence, small and medium sized businesses are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs as well.

Despite cybersecurity being integrated into every aspect of our world, research shows only 2% of organisations in the UK have the ‘mature’ level of readiness against cybersecurity risks. From office complexes to residential blocks, ensuring the cybersecurity of buildings is a key aspect to safeguarding both physical assets and personal data.

Jasper Nota, an esteemed ethical hacker from Secura, which is a subsidiary company of Bureau Veritas, discusses how building operators and security officers can safeguard their smart buildings.

Nota is the founder of the Hacker Playhouse, which is an awareness kit that demonstrates the simplicity of hacking popular smart devices, such as unlocking smart door locks and disabling alarm systems. For further information, readers can explore the Secura website: https://www.secura.com/services/iot/consumer-products/iot-hacker-playhouse

1. Network security

Networks must be designed with security in mind. Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention systems and proper network security protocols can all help to safeguard the infrastructure. However, it’s imperative to presume that cybercriminals could bypass one of these adopted defence mechanisms. Therefore, a defence-in-depth security architecture is recommended.

For example, dividing a network into separated sub-networks will help prevent the lateral movement of attackers whenever they gain a foothold within the network. Implementing (certificate-based) network access controls will ensure that unauthorized individuals who gain entrance to the premises will not automatically gain access to the internal network whenever they plug a device into a network port.

With all this in place, it’s still critical to continuously monitor network traffic as it can enable early detection of suspicious activities, allowing for a timely response to potential threats.

2. Physical access controls

Using robust access control systems, such as key cards that cannot easily be cloned, will help regulate who can enter the building, and designated restricted areas within the building. Restricting physical access to networking equipment, smart devices and server rooms can prevent an attacker from tampering with electrical devices. Through insecure (debug) interfaces, an attacker could easily compromise a device they have physical access to. The trust relationship between that device and other devices within the network could be abused to further attack the environment. Thus, it is crucial that systems are only accessible by authorized personnel. In case that this is not achievable, proper anti-tampering mechanisms should be added to the system design. Additionally, applying security cameras, and security guards may help to deter unauthorized access to equipment.

3. Device authentication and exposure

Security officers should ensure that only authorized users can access resources and perform specific actions on systems. Enforcing strong password and lockout policies, using multi-factor authentication, and using IP-based allowlisting are several examples that can decrease the likelihood of unauthorized access to sensitive resources. It is also advisable to map the external attack surface to determine which systems can be reached remotely. For example, conducting a search on Shodan, which is a search engine for connected devices, to determine whether the BACnet protocol is externally exposed. In addition to this, recurring audits of user permissions can help identify any gratuitous privileges, reducing the attack surface for potential breaches.

4. Regular updates

System manufacturers often release security updates to mitigate newly discovered vulnerabilities in software and hardware components. Security officers must stay aware of these and promptly push these updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation by cybercriminals. Note that updates should always be tested in a test environment before pushing them to production. Whenever vulnerabilities that cannot be mitigated with a security update are discovered within hardware components, manufacturers tend to released new hardware designs. Security officers should decide whether the risk can be accepted for their environment or whether they need to replace the device.

5. Third-party security

Ensure that all third-party vendors and suppliers adhere to strict security standards (e.g. IEC 62443) and protocols to minimize the likelihood of incorporating insecure devices into the infrastructure, and supply chain attacks. Inquire from third-parties whether they conduct security assessments to assess the security posture of their products, and whether products obtained any security certifications such as Common Criteria.

6. Educate building occupants

Human error can play a huge role in weakening the security posture of (smart) buildings. Occupants and staff should be educated about best practices for cybersecurity, including the importance of strong passwords, recognising phishing attempts, noticing when people are shoulder surfing or tailgating, and reporting suspicious activities promptly. Regular training sessions and awareness campaigns can empower individuals to play an active role in protecting building assets and data.

7. Prepare for the worst

Preparation is key. Despite proactive measures, security breaches can still occur. In the event that this happens, building operators and security officers should have a comprehensive incident response plan ready, which outlines procedures for detecting, containing, and mitigating cyber-attacks. This includes designated teams, communication protocols with stakeholders, and procedures for data recovery and restoring the systems in place. Regular drills and simulations can help test the effectiveness of these plans and prepare in advance.

In an increasingly interconnected world, prioritising cybersecurity is not just a matter of protecting the building itself, but about safeguarding the safety, privacy, and well-being of everyone within these spaces. By implementing robust access controls, securing network infrastructure, staying vigilant with updates and educating occupants and staff, buildings can strengthen their defences for the future.

For more information on how Bureau Veritas can help strengthen your cyber security, please visit https://www.bureauveritas.co.uk/our-markets/cybersecurity

This article appeared in the May 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

What’s happening in the REGO market?

REGOs have gone through a period of intense change. Prices have surged exponentially in recent years, as the graph below shows. Demand has grown and supply has dropped, and intermediaries have entered the market. But what’s caused this degree of flux – and can we expect stability any time soon?

What are REGOs?

Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates (REGOs) are the UK’s currency of renewable energy certificates (RECs). They’re transferable statements that represent proof that a generator produced 1MWh of electricity from a particular renewable power source and fed it into the National Grid.

When an energy supplier buys a MWh of renewable electricity from a generator, it can choose to buy the accompanying REGO, too. It passes this to (or registers it in the name of) its customer – the end consumer – as proof of renewable power purchase and consumption.

REGOs – and RECs in general – enable organisations to prove their low (or non-existent) Scope 2 emissions. They also facilitate the accurate calculation of a carbon footprint, as a baseline against which to track decarbonisation efforts.

What drove the price surge?

Supply and demand changes have seen the price of REGOs rocket by a factor of over 100x in the last four years.

The pressure on organisations to decarbonise and promote their environmental, social and governance (ESG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) progress has grown, so demand for REGOs has increased. This pressure’s come from both end-customer requirements and supply chain stipulations – many corporates will only work with suppliers with proven sustainability credentials.

Additionally, supply levels have dwindled. Following Brexit, European RECs (Guarantee of Origin certificates – or GoOs) became an invalid way of verifying renewable supply in the UK. That cut off a huge chunk of availability. But suppliers offering 100% renewable electricity contracts still need to prove the source of the corresponding energy. And organisations with sustainability pledges still need to prove the source of the energy they consume.

The REGO market’s developed, too, as additional players have entered. The added profit cut that intermediaries have introduced has affected prices. But these buyers-and-sellers have brought transparency to the market, meaning end users are more likely to get what they pay for.

What’s happening now?

Over the last 12 months, the market’s seen some degree of price balancing. The price surge has slowed – but of course REGOs still cost multiple times what they did only a few years ago.

So certain organisations may start diversifying their REGO investment across generation technology types – and, accordingly, price points. Others may look to spread their sustainability efforts across additional decarbonisation methods. These might include, for example, the purchase and installation of solar panels or wind turbines, or the set up of ‘direct wire’ agreements with renewable generators.

What next for REGOs?

Although prices are still high and other sustainability measures are available, REGOs will continue to play a key role in organisations’ decarbonisation efforts. The need to promote and prove sustainability credentials is only going to increase. And the alternative – paying for fossil-fuel power – is already difficult to justify for businesses making any kind of sustainability claims.

REGOs will continue to offer an accessible way for organisations of all sizes and buying powers to reduce reportable emissions. Experts are also predicting stabilisation and correction of REGO prices over the coming years. This is thanks in part to increased supply from the introduction of new, large-scale renewable-asset farms, such as Dogger Bank off England’s north-east coast.

The scrutiny of organisations’ claims about their sourcing of renewable energy is likely to increase, too. This will see the growth of the 24/7 matching market – REGOs assignable to each half-hour chunk of energy consumption – to enable more granular proof.

www.drax.com

This article appeared in the May 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Innovative university project is among first to be awarded funding under new Scottish Government grant

The University of Edinburgh is among public sector bodies making progress towards net zero targets, thanks to a multi-million-pound government grant programme delivered by Salix, writes Heather Jones.

Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund aims to support local authorities, universities and arm’s-length external organisations to decarbonise their buildings with a focus on heat.

The scheme, funded by the Scottish Government, was launched in July 2023, and opened to applications in November.

As well as the University of Edinburgh, other successful organisations to be awarded funding so far include Fife Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), North Lanarkshire Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Edinburgh Napier University.

These are ambitious projects all set on tackling the climate crisis we face. And our role at Salix is to support each project achieve its goal. As well as working with the Scottish Government we work with governments across the UK in driving the transition to a low carbon future.

The Scottish funding will help the organisations transition away from fossil fuel-based heating by supporting works that centre around the replacement of heating systems, accompanied with retrofitting energy efficiency measures.

Although these are the first projects to be awarded, a full list of successful applicants is expected to be released later this spring. These are being carefully assessed by our teams at Salix.

Our chief Executive Emma Clancy is determined to see a collaborative approach on the issue and is keen to see results.

She said: “We are delighted to be able to work with these organisations to support their decarbonisation journey and ultimately helping them towards net zero ambitions.

“The broad range of projects showcases some incredibly innovative solutions to the decarbonisation of heat in buildings, and we look forward to seeing the works come to fruition.”

As part of its funding, the organisations will work closely with Salix to deliver the projects.

The funding and projects to date:

The University of Edinburgh has been awarded £2,079,459 with this project focusing on reducing the heat demand at four key university buildings across the university’s estate, namely the James Clerk Maxwell Building and Christina Miller Building at their Kings Campus, and halls of residences Grant and Turner House in the city. As part of the project a heat recovery pump will recycle waste heat from one of the University’s data centres and upgrade it for use within a local district heating network.

Fife Council has been awarded £2,404,911. Two sites will be upgraded with this funding: St Andrews RC High School and Beacon Leisure Centre. They will install combination of air-to-water heat pumps and water source heat pumps as the primary heat source as well as heat demand reductions at St Andrew’s RC High School

Scotland’s Rural College SRUC has been awarded £387,130 and this project will be SRUCs’ first step on their journey towards net zero. The works will include retrofitting insulation at Grade II listed Kirkmichael House

Perth and Kinross Council has been awarded £324,546. This project will focus on upgrading the existing heating supply for Auchtergaven Primary School, a small, rural school situated north of Perth in the village of Bankfoot, with just over 120 pupils on their roll.

North Lanarkshire Council has been awarded £2,345,176.00. This project will redevelop the existing Strathclyde Park Watersports Centre into a ‘Net Zero Health Hub’ at the heart of the country park. Works covered by the grant will include a whole building retrofit, redesign and building extension to create additional space for recreational use.

Edinburgh Napier University has been awarded £1,241,966.00 and this project will focus on upgrades at the BE-ST innovation centre (Built Environment – Smarter Transformation, formerly Construction Scotland Innovation Centre). This work will include the removal of gas-based fossil fuel heating system as part of retrofit including mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, a sustainable innovative curtain wall system, a solar PV integrated roof system and a sustainable LED ready lighting control system.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has been awarded £2.5 million. The Dumfries Ice Bowl is a popular community venue and home to a dedicated ice hockey and skating rink, and a six-rink curling pad. It is a major sports hub from serving grassroots coaching to international curling and hockey tournaments, as well as figure skating.  The project focuses on building upgrades through the replacement of the mains gas system with a low emission water source heat pump with heat recapture technology.

Climate crisis is the biggest issue of our time and organisations must push forward to address the key challenges we face.

Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund encourages innovation and action as organisations develop a united approach to tackling our impact on climate.

At Salix, we are looking forward to working with the successful projects in Scotland, working with the teams, the organisations and with the Scottish Government.

Afterall, we have no time to waste, every day we see the impact of global climate change. Every day we must act.

Read more about our work at Salix at https://www.salixfinance.co.uk/

Heather Jones is Senior Programme Manager at Salix working with the Scottish Government to develop and deliver funding schemes to support the Scottish public sector’s transition to zero emissions.

This article appeared in the May 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

National Grid to help schools adopt solar power with new partnership

Schools seeking to install solar panels to cut carbon emissions and energy bills are being offered funding in a new venture from National Grid.

The electricity distribution company is launching a funding initiative as part of a five-year pledge to help schools in areas of high economic deprivation to reach net zero goals.

Working with Solar for Schools, it’s looking to give grants for solar projects at schools in its South Wales, South West and Midlands licence areas. The £2.7 million commitment forms part of National Grid’s Social Contract, which aims to add value to the environment and to the lives of communities and colleagues.

Ellie Patey, National Grid Electricity Distribution’s Community Engagement Manager, said: “This new fund aims to help more schools adopt solar power to decarbonise and to reduce energy costs. It’s also an important way to engage pupils in ways to reduce carbon and emissions.

“Working together with Solar for Schools means our grants can unlock significant financial and carbon savings, as well as educational benefits, over and above what could have been achieved working in isolation.”

Two Birmingham schools are the first to benefit. The Ark Victoria Academy and Ark Kings Academy have just had new solar systems installed and have saved £3,500 in the last month, with projected savings forecast to be more than £1.2 million over the lifetime of the solar panels.

The solar is also expected to save more than 1,153 tonnes of CO₂ over its lifetime; equivalent to taking 260 fossil-fuelled cars off the road for a year. The savings made by the schools will be reinvested back into education or vital school infrastructure.

As part of the project, around 2,000 students at the two schools have taken part in hands-on educational workshops, assemblies and a library of STEM-related resources, covering energy, efficiency, sustainability and economics.

Ann Flaherty, Solar for Schools UK Director, said: “Our education programme links the solar on the roof with the curriculum in the classroom. We always say, learn from your school buildings not just inside them. By getting solar on the roofs of schools we’re empowering students and helping them see they can do something locally to reduce carbon, that helps nationally to meet targets, and that’s globally helping to reduce our emissions.”

Bryan Knope, Head of Estates for Ark Schools, said: “We’re delighted to have received this National Grid funding and to be working with Solar for Schools to install photo voltaic panels at our schools in Birmingham, London and Hastings. Reducing CO₂ emissions is a top priority for Ark. We’ve set ourselves a tough target to cut consumption by 20% this year, and solar is one of the tools Ark is using to improve sustainability. The live energy-savings dashboard provided by Solar for Schools is also helping us to form a more detailed picture of consumption. Together with smart metering, we’re now able to report in more meaningful ways and use this data to shift behaviour.”

National Grid’s £2.7m grant will ultimately enable Solar for Schools to raise additional funding to enable about £10m worth of solar projects to happen – on schools that would otherwise not be able to go solar.

Robert Schrimpff, Solar for Schools CEO, said: “We hope that other companies will follow National Grid’s example to drive impactful change and decarbonisation.”

Applications for National Grid solar panel grants are now open. Schools can find out more about grant eligibility criteria and register their interest at: https://funnel.solarforschools.co.uk/NationalGrid

This article appeared in the May 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

The biggest problem with water heating? You don’t know which problems you have!

Adrian Barber suggests ways to maximise water heating efficiency.

Many student accommodation properties have multiple local hot water cylinders supplying groups or ‘clusters’ of rooms.

Cylinders are generally plumbed in, locked in a dark tank cupboard, and only see the light of day following ‘lack of hot water’ complaints.

Water cylinders engender many and varied issues. But identifying these problems, then locating and fixing them is time consuming and costly for maintenance teams. Older systems become a game of ‘whack-a-mole’ – one issue is resolved, others spring up. Problems cost time and money and disrupt room occupants!

The biggest problem with water heating, is that you don’t know which problems you have, or where they are.

With space heating in student dwellings, managers appreciate that monitoring and controlling at point-of-use is most effective in managing consumption. The more data, the better the management strategies. Even minimal savings per room become significant when multiplied by 500 occupants. When data capture is applied to water heating there are many other advantages too.

Problem solving

Most issues occur because it is simply not known what is happening in the system e.g. Volume of water entering; Water temperature within the tank; Leak/wastage; Flowrates through pipes; and tap temperature. Gathering this information requires several monitoring points with sensors and meters collecting data.

The new generation of ‘smart’ tank has such capabilities. Pre-plumbed and pre-wired with factory-fitted on-board controls ensures a consistency of production quality, and a familiarity of installations across a site. Fitting time, and costs are cut, and maintenance is more efficient.

When connected to a centrally controlled system, data is transmitted to a hub where Energy, Maintenance, and H&S Teams can see precisely what is happening throughout their system. In addition, unusual usage patterns, leaks/wastage, and faulty components are reported.

Savings

Three levels can be identified for Water heating efficiency-analysis.

Replacement: Cylinders are generally considered to be ‘a fit-it and forget-it’ product. Many are simply past their best and need changing. Greater efficiency will be immediate from a new cylinder, whatever its monitoring capabilities.
Pro-active analyses: Accurate and intense monitoring of both energy and water consumption accumulates data as never before. From this, heating strategies are better defined. This results in stricter temperature control, and greater maintenance efficiencies.
Nuances: An example is a pipe sensor. A small device that pinpoints invisible yet significant wastage. it detects water flow, and temperature at point-of-use. Dripping taps or faulty toilet cisterns are no longer imperceptible. Maintenance Teams are alerted. The swifter their action, the lesser the amount of water wasted.

Safety

Water safety is a subject where greater understanding of events and logging data is critical. What is the water temperature: In the tank? -When it leaves the tank? -At the outlet? Is Legionella a risk? Are Water Safety Plans adhered to? Can this be evidenced? Are taps and showers presenting scolding hazards?

These questions are answered when a water system is monitored absolutely.

Customer relations

The quality of student accommodation has soared in recent years, delivering superb facilities and outstanding comfort. Rental values are commensurate. But with this, increased resident expectations.

Unreliable water supply is unacceptable. As are frequent knocks on doors from maintenance teams hunting for problems. Remote monitoring reveal’s accurate location of faults, speeds up repair, and encourages scheduled maintenance regimes. All of which reduces interaction with, and interruption of, occupiers.

If a problem is known, it can be dealt with. But currently, those responsible for water heating efficiency, like their cylinders, are in the dark!

www.prefectcontrols.com

This article appeared in the May 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Despite The Rain, Potential UK Water Shortages Still Loom

The last 18 months leading up to March 2024 saw a record amount of rainfall across England, with Press Association analysis of Met Office statistics showing that 1,695.9mm of rain has fallen since October 2022.

This, the Guardian reports, is the highest level for any 18-month period in the country since comparable data first started to be collected back in 1836.

March itself saw 62 per cent more rainfall than average, with many counties seeing at least double the amount of rain than would be considered typical, including Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Cornwall and Gloucestershire.

Given all this wet weather, it might seem a bit of a stretch to suggest that water shortages and hosepipe bans could well be the reality come the summertime if conditions turn hot and dry – but this is exactly what scientists are now predicting because of a failure to store all this rainwater properly.

For example, no new major reservoirs have been built in the last 30 years or so, wetlands have either been drained, farmed or built over and rivers have been engineered so that water flows more quickly into towns and cities, which leads to flooding. Water shortages are the inevitable consequence of this resource mismanagement when the weather warms up.

These shortages mean that public supply will take priority over other uses, such as industry and agriculture, which will face abstraction restrictions that could mean operations have to come to a halt for some time. Bans will also likely be imposed on filling up ponds and swimming pools, as well as cleaning municipal buildings, washing cars and watering gardens.

Speaking to the Guardian, professor Hannah Cloke – water specialist at the University of Reading – observed that while it’s always beneficial to see high water supply levels as spring and summer approach, different regions may still see supplies dwindle if an extended dry spell manifests.

“Unfortunately, these all or nothing periods of rainfall we are experiencing in the UK are likely to increase as heat continues to build up in the atmosphere and oceans. We need to realise that our water infrastructure is creaking and requires billions of pounds of investment,” she said.

The expert continued, noting that as population growth continues to expand, water supplies are being put increasingly at risk. Rainfall patterns are also changing because of climate change and there has been insufficient investment in the changes required to “plug the gaps”.

“We have already seen in some areas what happens when high demand for water follows prolonged periods of drought: the pipes can run dry,” Ms Cloke warned.

Jamie Hannaford, hydrologist with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, made further comments, saying that despite the incredibly wet winter, if below-average rainfall is seen over the next few months or so, coupled with high temperatures, pressure could be put on water supplies in places with limited groundwater storage.

Regions such as upland northern and western parts of the country rely on reservoirs and rivers for water, but these sources can be rapidly depleted if spring brings with it warm, dry weather – even after a particularly wet winter, he added.

Why could water shortages still be seen?

There are various factors at play that could see water shortages become a reality, despite heavy rainfall over the last year and a half.

Climate change, for example, means that the UK can no longer solely rely on its annual rainfall levels to replenish natural water sources.

Previously, it seemed unnecessary to make investments in water storage facilities because there was so much rain to play around with, but as Mr Hannaford explains, water shortages are now becoming more frequent occurrences after flood events.

He cited the summers of 2018 and 2022 where exceptional drought conditions were seen, with exceptional floods taking place in between, with recent years displaying a “pattern of hydrological volatility”.

Destruction of natural habitats like wetlands is also having an impact, as these used to store a huge amount of water, but as the centuries have gone on, land has been dried out to make it easier to build on and to work for agriculture.

Farming practices also see the soil stripped of its nutrients and organisms, which makes it sandier – and this means that water is no longer stored in the ground, but falls through the soil and ends up in waterways instead.

And, of course, water leaks are a big problem for a large part of the country, with billions of litres of water lost each day to leakage.

The big issue here is that much of the sewer network dates back to Victorian times and is no longer fit for purpose, with significant investment now required to ensure it can withstand the pressures of 21st century society… investment that water suppliers seem somewhat reluctant to make.

Water usage is another reason why shortages may be seen this year, despite the amount of rain we’ve seen recently.

Businesses and individuals alike can do a lot to reduce their water footprint and help safeguard resources for future generations. For example, rainwater harvesting can prove particularly beneficial, as can installing energy-efficient appliances, investing in sustainable urban drainage systems and water recycling.

For corporations, the first step towards reducing your water usage and consumption is to have a water audit of your site carried out. This will show you how and where you’re using water, so you can determine the best way to go about conserving supplies and start operating more efficiently.

If you’d like to find out more about this kind of service and how it could benefit you, get in touch with the Switch Water Supplier team today.

This article appeared in the May 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Rinnai warms up the bonny banks of holiday lodges on Loch Lomond with off-grid LPG continuous flow hot water heating units

Rinnai 1600e continuous flow water heaters, powered by LPG, have been installed in accommodation units at an off-grid holiday park on the banks of Scotland’s Loch Lomond, the UK’s biggest body of freshwater at just over 36 kilometres long.

The Loch Lomond & Trossachs area is also a highly popular National Park – 1,865 sq. km (720 sq. miles) – and has a boundary length of 350km (220miles). Just over 50% of Scotland’s population lives within an hour’s drive of this National Park

The site, towards the southern end of the loch, is popular all-year round, as it is just 40 minutes from Glasgow. The site has a selection of lodges and chalets, many with outdoor hot tubs, accommodating up to 10 people per each unit. There is a leisure centre, swimming pool, restaurants and cafes plus communal areas used for concerts, especially tribute acts.

The Rinnai LPG water heaters are powered by LPG but can work just as efficiently on BioLPG – a lower carbon intensive alternative source of fuel. LPG is one of the lowest carbon emitting sources of fuel for the 15% of UK businesses and domiciles that function off-grid. Bio-LPG could be one of the replacements for LPG in the future meaning that off-grid sites can “drop-in” lower carbon fuels of the future and Rinnai continuous flow water heaters will be ready, thus futureproofing their hot water heating provisions.

BioLPG consists of renewable materials derived from a diverse mix of sustainable biological feedstocks and processes. Supported through cleaner sourced chemical ingredients BioLPG provides huge benefits in carbon reductions and air quality, compared to traditional off-grid fuels such as heating oil.

Further alternative fuel sources such as renewable biofuel Dimethyl ether (DME) can also be employed by Rinnai continuous flow water heaters. Renewable DME is like LPG. It is a molecule-based fuel that can be produced through a wide range of renewable feedstocks which allows for quick and long-term sustainable production.

DME combusts cleanly and releases no “soot” emissions. Dimethyl ether has many fuel properties that make it easily used in sites and appliances using heating oil. It has a remarkably high cetane number, which is a measure of the fuel’s ignitibility in compression ignition engines. The energy efficiency and power ratings of DME and heating oil engines are virtually the same. R DME is safe and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% better improving local air quality.

Rinnai is pioneering product development to support the green fuels of the future so that LPG water heaters and boilers today are ready for a greener tomorrow. Find out more about renewable liquid fuels by joining our newsletter at https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/contact-us/newsletter-sign

Rinnai’s range of products include domestic and commercial heat pumps that offer immediate property decarbonisation. Rinnai is determined to provide UK customers with cost effective low carbon solutions towards domestic and commercial hot water and building heating provision.

RINNAI OFFERS CLEAR PATHWAYS TO LOWER CARBON AND DECARBONISATION PLUS CUSTOMER COST REDUCTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL, DOMESTIC AND OFF-GRID HEATING & HOT WATER DELIVERY

www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/about us/H3

Rinnai’s range of decarbonising products – H1/H2/H3 – consists of hot water heating units in gas/BioLPG/DME, hydrogen ready units, electric instantaneous hot water heaters, electric storage cylinders and buffer vessels, a comprehensive range of heat pumps, solar, hydrogen-ready or natural gas in any configuration of hybrid formats for either residential or commercial applications. Rinnai’s H1/2/3 range of products and systems offer contractors, consultants and end users a range of efficient, robust and affordable low carbon/decarbonising appliances which create practical, economic and technically feasible solutions.
Rinnai is a world leading manufacturer of hot water heaters and produces over two million units a year, operating on each of the five continents. The brand has gained an established reputation for producing products that offer high performance, cost efficiency and extended working lives.
Rinnai products are UKCA certified, A-rated water efficiency, accessed through multiple fuel options and are available for purchase 24/7, 365 days a year. Any unit can be delivered to any UK site within 24 hours.
Rinnai offer carbon and cost comparison services that will calculate financial and carbon savings made when investing in a Rinnai system. Rinnai also provide a system design service that will suggest an appropriate system for the property in question.
Rinnai offer comprehensive training courses and technical support in all aspects of the water heating industry including detailed CPD’s.
The Rinnai range covers all forms of fuels and appliances currently available – electric, gas, hydrogen, BioLPG, DME solar thermal, low GWP heat pumps and electric water heaters More information can be found on Rinnai’s website and its “Help Me Choose” webpage.

RINNAI FULL PRODUCT AVAILABILITY 24/7 FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY of ALL HOT WATER HEATING UNIT MODELS INCLUDING 48-58kW UNITS-

SAVINGS OF

20% REDUCTION of opex cost,

30% REDUCTION of initial cost

15% REDUCTION in carbon

75% REDUCTION of space

Visit www.rinnai-uk.co.uk Or email engineer@rinaiuk.com

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com

Mine Water in Heat Networks

Last month, the Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero visited a project in Gateshead that received almost £6 million of funding from the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP). The project is a great example of heat network versatility and the potential opportunities for harnessing renewable and low carbon heat for homes, businesses and other buildings across the country.

In Gateshead, a geothermal system extracts underground heat reserves from abandoned mineworking. A water source heat pump utilises water from old, flooded mines 150 metres below the town centre, harnessing its heat energy and sleeving this to homes and buildings in the area. The system then returns the water back to the mine to be reheated, ready for the process to repeat. The project has progressed rapidly since it began construction in June 2021, providing low carbon sustainable heating to 350 homes, public and private offices, a college and an arts centre. The network provides up to 50% of the heat required by those connected to the network, putting the council way ahead of the game in their ambition to be zero-carbon by 2030.

The innovative solution in Gateshead is just one example of where disused coalmines can be used in positive ways to help accelerate decarbonisation efforts, building on the legacy of the UK’s first industrial revolution towards a new green age revolution. As the UK shuts down coal production in favour of renewable and nuclear energy generation, research by the Ordnance Survey has highlighted that just over 6 million homes, and over 300,000 offices and businesses live above abandoned coalmines¹. This demonstrates how a large proportion of buildings are living on top of an untapped renewable resource that can be harnessed to provide low carbon heating for generations to come. Over 60 local authorities have been identified by the Coal Authority and Ordnance Survey that could benefit from the geothermal energy provided by old coalmines².

These projects are also creating new green jobs in low carbon industries, opening opportunities in many sectors from engineering and financial procurement to community engagement and local development. The Heat Networks Industry Council estimates that the expansion of the UK’s heat network sector presents the largest investment opportunity in Europe, creating around 30,000 jobs across the UK³.

Another project funded by GHNF in the South West of England plans to harness deep geothermal heating from hot granite rocks beneath Cornwall. The project aims to provide cheaper, low carbon heat in the next few years to a new 3,800-unit development, along with the existing Royal Cornwall Hospital, decarbonising our vital NHS facilities. Another geothermal project just east of Cornwall is now close to completion, harnessing energy from beneath the famous Eden Project, transforming a former clay mine to a stunning, zero carbon garden and visitor attraction.

Geothermal heating is just one of the plethora of technologies available to help decarbonise the way we heat our buildings, and GHNF is continuing to fund new innovative solutions that will help the UK reach Net Zero whilst providing cheaper, reliable, sustainable heating for occupants. In the most recent announcement, projects in the North of England were provided funding to harness waste heat created through industrial processes and waste management. One project in Bolton is set to extract heat energy through a combined sewer running through the town centre, and another in Hull East will utilise waste heat from a local industrial facility. The industry is continuing to innovate with new technologies being deployed to deliver efficient heating and hot water. Heat networks funded by GHNF are currently set to provide low cost, low carbon heating at scale to over 32,000 residents.

Heat networks have the potential to provide up to 20% of the UK’s heating provision, and it is projects like the one in Gateshead that highlight the sustainable heat sources hidden across the UK that can help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase the country’s energy security. As energy bills increase, and focus on the climate becomes more crucial, the benefits unlocked by heat networks are needed more than ever.

Read more about some of the heat networks we’re supporting here: Some of Our Funded Projects – GHNF (tp-heatnetworks.org)

1 Project explores potential demand for mine water heat – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

2 Project explores potential demand for mine water heat – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

3 About – Heat Networks Industry Council % (heatnic.uk)

This article appeared in the May 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.