High Global Warming Potential refrigerants: phasing down and reshaping the energy environment

Liam Johnson, senior energy and carbon analyst, Salix Finance

Refrigerants are often overlooked contributors to climate change, yet their impact is considerable. High Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, most commonly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are widely used across refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technologies.

While these substances were originally introduced as less harmful alternatives to ozone-depleting chemicals, their high heat-trapping potential has pushed them to the front of global climate policy. As regulatory pressure intensifies across the UK and Europe, the phasing down of high GWP refrigerants is beginning to reshape the energy and built environment sectors.

As part of my role at Salix, I must ensure we’re always ahead of the technology shaping how best we can ensure the most energy efficient solutions that are kind to our planet.

HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) can have GWPs hundreds or even thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Common refrigerants such as R-410A, commonly seen in air conditioning and heat pump units, have a GWP of more than 2,000. This means that over time, with general wear and tear and poor upkeep, small leaks during operation, servicing or disposal can result in disproportionately large climate impacts. As the public sector moves towards decarbonising its buildings, heat pumps are increasingly important as low carbon heating sources, increasing the need to address refrigerant emissions.

From January 2025, new restrictions came into force banning the sale of certain air conditioning systems that use refrigerants with a GWP above 750. This effectively removes several commonly used HFCs from new installations and signals a decisive shift toward lower-GWP alternatives. Looking further ahead, UK government proposals intend to reduce HFC availability by almost 99% by the late 2040s, supplying a clear path forward for manufacturers.

These measures are meant to future-proof the UK’s energy infrastructure for the electrification of heating systems, particularly in the context of our work at Salix, where the use of more natural refrigerants in heat pumps is helping position manufacturers ahead of the trend toward phasing down HFCs.

The phasing down represents both an obstacle and an opportunity. Heat pump manufacturers are being forced to innovate and transition to refrigerants with significantly lower GWPs, such as R-32, CO2, ammonia, and hydrocarbons like propane (R-290). Each alternative comes with challenges. Natural refrigerants offer exceptional climate performance, though they can introduce design complexities due to higher operating pressures or flammability considerations.

As a result, each system design must include appropriate upskilling for fitters and updated industry-wide safety standards when carrying out our refurbishments or maintenance. Contractors and engineers must upskill to work confidently with these new technologies, while clients are being encouraged to think beyond upfront cost and consider the operational life of the heat pump. At the same time, the cost of high-GWP refrigerants has risen sharply, further supporting the financial case for early adoption of compliant alternatives.

The impact of refrigerant regulation is particularly visible within publicly funded decarbonisation programmes, including the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme – a programme we deliver at Salix on behalf of government. This has been designed to support public sector organisations in lowering emissions across their estates and has funded thousands of projects since 2020. These projects have involved the installation of a low-carbon heating system involving a heat pump, and supported building retrofitting and energy efficiency upgrades.

We’re currently delivering Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme with numbers of projects completing in 2028.

The Phase 4 guidance placed a greater emphasis on refrigerant selection. This means that applicants were expected to demonstrate that systems use low-GWP refrigerants wherever possible and provide commentary as to their choice.

Buildings across education, healthcare facilities, and local authorities have been affected by this shift, with some projects opting for natural refrigerant systems that better align with long-term regulatory and compliance requirements.

The phasedown of high-GWP refrigerants across the energy and buildings sectors is a structural change in how we think about emissions. As operating efficiency improves and the national grid continues to decarbonise, emissions from refrigerants are coming under greater scrutiny. This is driving a more thorough approach to system design, considering refrigerant lifecycle impacts and resilience alongside energy performance.

In the long term, early engagement with low-GWP refrigerants reduces risk, supports future compliance for Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme projects, and pushes forward with net zero. As cooling and heating demand continue to grow, refrigerant policy will play an increasingly central role in determining whether net-zero ambitions can be met.

Salix’s role is to support the UK government in driving the transition to a low carbon future and meet challenging net zero targets. See our website and discover how we deliver and administer grant and loan funding on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Scottish and Welsh governments. This is delivered across the public sector as well as housing.

We also play an important role in increasing awareness of energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation across the public sector throughout the UK. Our teams work closely with the public sector organisations throughout their decarbonisation journey; from the moment a grant is allocated to the moment the scheme is fully operational.

This article appeared in the March 2026 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Buildings, infrastructure and renewables drive net zero initiatives for Local Authorities

But budget pressures creating major challenges

Research reveals that many local authorities in England are making significant strides in retrofitting their buildings, adopting renewable energy and electrifying infrastructure as part of their net-zero journeys.

Despite this, two-thirds are not confident they will achieve targets by 2050, with 79% citing budget constraints as a significant barrier.

This is according to Freedom of Information (FOI) data from 199 local authorities in England, released today by Schneider Electric, the global energy technology leader.

Key initiatives that are driving the charge to net-zero

Local authorities across England are advancing towards their net-zero goals by retrofitting buildings, embracing renewable energy, and electrifying infrastructure in their efforts to meet net zero targets.

The vast majority (95%) have retrofitted existing buildings to improve energy efficiency
83% have electrified infrastructure such as EV charging points, buildings and heating systems
82% have invested in renewable technologies to decarbonise
61% are measuring real-time energy usage and performance metrics to identify where costs can be reduced and efficiencies gained

  Key barriers to decarbonisation

Whilst nine in ten local authorities (89%) have received either government or private funding for decarbonisation or energy efficiency initiatives in the past three years, there are challenges, particularly around funding, that could hold them back.

Budget constraints are the most significant barrier according to 79% of local authorities
Technology is an issue for over a third (37%)
Skills shortages and insufficient knowledge also a challenge for one in three (33%)

“Local authorities have a vital part to play in meeting our national net-zero targets and our research shows they are making significant progress. But they cannot do it alone,” said Alice Williams, Schneider Electric’s VP Digital Energy, UK&I. “There is an urgent need for continued investment and support to ensure they can hit their targets, delivering a sustainable future for their communities whilst at the same time reaping the financial rewards that energy efficiency brings at a time when budgets are tight.”

Methodology  

These findings are based on an FOI request which received 199 responses from local authorities in England.   

Related resources:

Discover EcoStruxure Building

EcoStruxure™ Power Monitoring Expert (PME)

www.se.com

This article appeared in the March 2026 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Energy Audits: The first step towards net-zero buildings

Kevin McGuane, Energy Services Director for DMA Group, discusses why making an energy audit should be considered an essential first step in any sustainable building upgrade.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors recently revealed that demand for both sustainable buildings and routine carbon measurement is slowing. Just 16 per cent of the real estate and construction professionals surveyed said that carbon measurement meaningfully informs material choices in their projects.

Yet, decarbonisation is now firmly embedded within industry regulations and guidelines:

The NHS is aiming to reach Net Zero by 2045 through its Net Zero Building Standard.
The Government Property Agency has published fresh sustainability requirements for workplace designers as part of the government’s general Net Zero 2050 plan.
In the 2025 edition of the Academy Trust Handbook, the Department for Education introduced new requirements for monitoring and reporting environmental performance.

Clearly, there remains a gap between policy ambition and day-to-day practice across the built environment sector. Bridging that gap starts with conducting thorough energy audits across estates – a key opportunity to identify energy wasters and reduce power consumption, cutting costs and lowering carbon emissions as a result.

Identifying energy wasters and achieving quick wins

An energy audit firstly establishes a baseline of current performance, identifying where energy is being used inefficiently and which issues require urgent attention. From this insight, a range of cost-effective changes can be implemented, some of which provide immediate savings.

Examples include:

Traditional lighting units are often energy-intensive and should be replaced with modern LED alternatives. Occupant sensors will ensure these lights are only on when needed.
Thoroughly cleaning the entire heating system and replacing outdated radiator valves can deliver immediate improvements to system efficiency and heat distribution.
Resealing air leaks and draught points around windows, doors and roof hatches helps reduce uncontrolled heat loss.

These quick wins become part of a bigger picture, helping to fund the major retrofit projects that will make the greatest difference over time. These may include transitioning from gas or oil boilers to high-efficiency heat pumps, alongside major upgrades to insulation, flooring, roofing, windows and doors to minimise heat loss further. Installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery storage, can then reduce grid reliance and improve resilience.

The all-important building management system (BMS) review

One of the most critical – but frequently overlooked – parts of an energy audit is a comprehensive BMS review. Too many estates currently rely on poorly configured BMS that simply aren’t performing optimally.

For instance, heating, ventilation and air conditioning schedules are often not aligned with live occupancy patterns or building timetables; they switch on too early and continue operating during periods when buildings or rooms are empty. Research shows that heating a space by just one degree above requirement can increase energy consumption by up to 10 per cent. When this occurs overnight, outside operational hours or for long periods of inoccupancy – during a school’s summer holiday period, for example – the cumulative energy waste and cost is substantial.

AI compatibility is now another important consideration in any BMS review. Automation is becoming increasingly important to modern building services, with SFG20 recently reporting that AI-optimised facilities can outperform traditional operations by 20-30 per cent. Yet many buildings still rely on legacy software that is incompatible with these technologies. In such cases, an entire BMS upgrade may be required to maximise savings, future-proof services and support long-term decarbonisation targets.

AI is only as good as the data its fed, so any plans for digital transformation – through upgraded BMS or other workflow and maintenance software solutions – must begin with ensuring data collection is accurate and robust.

The essential starting point for net zero

The journey towards Net Zero is a complex, long-term and often capital-intensive one. A thorough energy audit is the perfect starting point, providing the clarity, confidence and evidence needed to begin the transition in a structured and cost-effective way. Establishing a clear baseline of current performance, identifying quick wins and unlocking funds for deeper retrofit projects all depend on this essential first step.

Lessons from Rye Memorial Hospital

Rye Memorial Hospital is now the UK’s first carbon neutral Community Hospital. The starting point of this journey was an energy audit, which DMA conducted in 2021, identifying several ‘quick win’ opportunities for low-cost improvements. For example, the team replaced existing lighting with LED units and introduced an electrical monitoring system, enabling more accurate energy tracking and data-driven decision-making.

These initial changes helped fund large-scale retrofits: the installation of a new BMS to improve system control and monitoring; the integration of solar PV panels with battery storage to generate and store energy on site; and upgrades to pumps to improve the efficiency of water circulation.

Together, these measures have delivered measurable decarbonisation impacts:

A 40 per cent reduction in energy usage
Overall CO2 emissions cut by 260 tonnes
Becoming the UK’s first carbon-neutral community hospital
Improved patient services funded by reduced energy bills

This article appeared in the March 2026 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

From guesswork to clarity: Unlocking energy insights for blue-light estates

Police and Fire Services are the backbone of public safety, operating tirelessly across the country, but it’s not just the people that work around the clock. From national headquarters to local stations, control rooms, and training facilities, these estates never sleep and that means energy demand never stops. For blue-light organisations, reliability isn’t optional, it’s mission-critical. Yet, rising energy costs, carbon reduction targets, and aging infrastructure create a perfect storm of challenges. How can these services maintain operational readiness while meeting sustainability goals?

National programmes are already steering emergency services toward greater energy efficiency through estate decarbonisation and smarter energy use. But many organisations still face a major hurdle: fragmented data and limited visibility. Without a unified view of energy performance, inefficiencies go unnoticed, costs spiral, and compliance becomes a headache.

But visibility is only the first step. The real question is – how do you turn that insight into measurable results?

For blue-light organisations, the stakes are high. Every pound saved on energy can be reinvested into frontline operations. Every kilowatt-hour avoided reduces carbon emissions and brings services closer to being energy efficient. Yet, achieving these outcomes requires more than monitoring, it demands a strategy powered by actionable intelligence.

Optimum closes that gap.

E.ON’s Optimum is a cloud-based energy management platform designed for complex, multi-site operations. It brings together data from Smart Meters, Sub-Meters, Building Management Systems (BMS), and HVAC plant controls into one intuitive dashboard. This single source of truth empowers estates teams to monitor energy and carbon performance in real time, benchmark stations, and detect anomalies before they become costly failures.

Why does this matter?

Imagine spotting an HVAC system running off-schedule or identifying baseload waste at a custody suite. Optimum’s real-time monitoring and alerting features make this possible, helping teams act fast, prevent breakdowns, and plan maintenance proactively. In critical

environments where downtime is unacceptable, this level of insight ensures uninterrupted operations during both routine shifts and emergency activations.

Beyond resilience, Optimum drives measurable savings. By reducing baseload waste and targeting poor-performing assets, services can cut energy costs significantly, freeing up funds for frontline priorities.

Compliance Made Simple: Reporting Without the Admin Burden

When it comes to compliance, Optimum takes the pain out of reporting. Automated carbon and energy reports provide consistent, audit-ready evidence to support budget planning and operational decision-making. No more manual spreadsheets, just accurate, timely data at your fingertips and colleagues free to focus on meaningful work.

The Road Ahead

You can start by connecting meters at a few key sites to understand current energy use. Then, use Optimum’s analytics to rank stations by savings potential and build a data-driven action

plan like upgrading lighting or adjusting HVAC schedules all backed by data for maximum efficiency.

Police and Fire Services deserve more than an energy management system; they need a partner that drives transformation. Optimum delivers visibility, intelligence, and control to cut costs, reduce carbon, and strengthen readiness across vital 24/7 operations in partnership with E.ON – helping from visualisation through to large asset replacement.

Are you interested in learning more? Click here or scan the QR code to complete our online form for a tailored energy management package.

This article appeared in the March 2026 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Neutral current crisis – When harmonics turn the neutral into the hottest conductor

ca-mar-1 — Figure 4 – Latest Chauvin Arnoux power and energy logger

This technical article describes a neutral current overload problem caused by harmonic currents in a modern electrical installation. It further highlights how monitoring at a resort site helped identify the issue and why neutral conductors can become the most heavily loaded conductors in harmonic-rich systems.

How the issue was identified and addressed

Power quality monitoring was carried out at a resort site to measure phase currents, neutral currents, and voltages. The logged data showed a very high neutral current caused by harmonics. This allowed the issue to be quantified and corrective actions to be planned. Elliot Ajose, Regional Sales and Technical Manager for CA UK, reviewed the data and confirmed the harmonic-induced neutral load condition as he explains below.

Monitoring Data from a Resort Site

Phase currents, neutral current, and voltages were recorded using a Chauvin Arnoux power and energy logger installed at the main distribution board supplying guest rooms, lighting, HVAC, and common facilities.

The neutral current averaged nearly double the typical phase current and peaked at 410.3 A, higher than any individual phase maximum. This pattern, shown in Figure 1, is a classic sign of harmonic-induced neutral overload, common in modern setups where most equipment is non-linear and draws current in small, abrupt pulses.

The data shows that the neutral conductor was heavily loaded even when phase currents were moderate – indicating significant Triplen harmonics in the system.

Figure 1 – Monitoring chart and panel photo

Harmonic Multiplication Effect on the Neutral Conductor

The green fundamental currents at 50Hz are separated by 120 degrees and canceled in the neutral. The red harmonic alignment effect as seen in Figure 2., harmonic currents at 150Hz (3^rd harmonic) align in phase and add in the neutral. The same effect occurs for the 9^th,15^th 21^st and all other triplen harmonics.

This harmonic multiplication effect on the neutral can overload the neutral conductor. Many neutral conductors are the same size as phase conductors, which are no longer suitable in harmonic rich environments. In older installations, the neutral was sometimes reduced in size, which is dangerous in modern systems.

If the neutral overheats, insulation can fail, connections can burn, and the neutral can be lost. This can cause serious problems for the entire electrical system and connected equipment.

Figure 2 – Harmonic waveform showing Triplen harmonics adding in the neutral

Figure 3 – Voltage imbalance example when the neutral is lost

Voltage Monitoring Results

Site data showed stable phase to neutral voltages with averages of:

Figure 5- stable phase to neutral voltages

Although voltage was stable during monitoring, the high neutral current indicates a potential failure risk. Without monitoring, a neutral failure could go undetected until equipment damage occurs. Continuous monitoring is required to detect abnormal neutral current and voltage imbalance conditions.

Harmonic Observations

Analysis of consumption showed a strong third harmonic component on all three phases, with ninth and fifteenth harmonics also present but at lower levels. The third harmonic was clearly the dominant component, which explains why the neutral current was so high.

The captured waveforms were heavily distorted, with sharp current peaks. This is typical of LED drivers, switched-mode power supplies, and other electronic loads. Harmonic distortion was not constant and increased during the evening period, when lighting and guest room loads were at their highest.

Daily Load Profile and Neutral Behaviour

Load trends showed that phase currents followed expected daily patterns, with peaks during morning HVAC operation and evening guest activity. Neutral current followed a different pattern. Neutral current remained high even when phase currents were moderate, indicating that neutral loading was driven by harmonic content rather than fundamental load imbalance.

During low occupancy periods, neutral current remained elevated due to continuous electronic loads such as servers, networking equipment, security systems, and control systems. This behaviour is typical in modern commercial facilities where electronic loads operate continuously.

To be noted – the CA 6117 multifunction tester is a good alternative to run harmonic analysis. It was recently used at a large manufacturing plant, where the maintenance team noticed overheating of the neutral conductor in one of the main distribution boards.

Using the CA 6117 Multifunction Tester and clamp, they checked the three-phase supply for harmonics:

Voltage and current harmonics up to the 50^th order were measured.
56% of the load profile was identified on the 3^rd harmonic adding in the neutral conductor.
The 9^th and 15th harmonics were found at a smaller magnitude but still present, causing significant neutral overload.
Harmonics issues pinpointed towards the UPS system, and a passive harmonic filter was fitted.

Protection and monitoring limitations

Most protective devices are installed on phase conductors only. Neutral conductors often have no overcurrent protection. Residual current devices detect leakage but not neutral overload. Overcurrent relays typically do not measure neutral currents.

This means neutral overload can exist without triggering alarms or trips. Monitoring equipment is required to measure neutral current directly. Permanent monitoring systems or a Chauvin Arnoux PEL113 Power and Energy Logger can provide alarms when neutral current exceeds thresholds and helps prevent failures.

The progress made

Power and energy monitoring was carried out at the resort site to measure phase currents, neutral current and voltages. The monitoring identified very high neutral current caused by harmonics. The data confirmed that the neutral conductor was overloaded and at risk of overheating or even worse a lost neutral.

Want the full story on field insights, operational and safety compliance tips, and how customers can benefit from locating harmonic issues? View the complete case study on our website: cauk.net

This article appeared in the March 2026 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

A sanity-check for net zero plans: stop comparing apples to oranges

Energy managers get pitched “the answer” every week. Heat pumps. EVs. Insulation. Solar. Wind. Nuclear. CCS. Hydrogen. Each comes with its own unit, its own jargon, and its own sales curve. That makes it hard to test whether a plan is balanced, or whether it relies on a few wishful assumptions.

A new peer-reviewed research paper published in Science offers a simple fix: compare options using one common unit, then debate the trade-offs in plain view. The paper defines a “wedge” as a package of action that scales up from 2020 and avoids 2 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year by 2050. One wedge is the same climate outcome whether it comes from a building retrofit or an energy megaproject. The accompanying climate wedges website, is free and lets anyone build their own portfolio and see the implied scale of delivery.

Dr Nathan Johnson from Imperial College London puts the problem plainly: “Almost everything humans do contributes to climate change, meaning there are countless ways to reduce our impact. I can put solar panels on my roof, eat less meat, buy rainforest alliance certified products, or fly less.”

One unit, clearer arguments

A wedge does not tell you what to pick. It gives you a sanity-check. It helps you spot hidden dependencies, and compare options that normally sit in separate silos. It also shows why mixes matter. Some wedges compete for clean electricity, land, biomass, materials, workforce, or grid access. Some wedges also reduce the “space” for others. For example, insulation cuts heat demand, so the effect of adding heat pumps on top is smaller than a simple sum.

Dr Johnson frames the purpose like this: “People should have agency over how they live and what they vote for, but must be able to compare options to do so”.

What one wedge asks of eight familiar options

Below are eight wedges that show why “apples to oranges” comparisons break down, and why the delivery challenge differs across technologies.

Solar power: One wedge means generating about 2,840 TWh of electricity per year in 2050, about 6.6% of global supply. The core trade-off is integration. Output follows daylight, so grids, flexibility, and storage carry more weight than the panel itself.
Wind power: One wedge is the same electricity outcome as solar: about 2,840 TWh per year in 2050. The constraints differ. Siting, permitting, and grid connection shape pace and cost. Variability also shifts attention to system balancing and demand-side flexibility.
Nuclear: One wedge again means about 2,840 TWh per year in 2050. The value is firm low-carbon power. The trade-offs sit in delivery risk, capital intensity, and long project timescales, plus governance, safety, and waste management.
Heat pumps: One wedge means heat pumps supply about 5,050 TWh of heat per year in 2050, about 38% of global building heat. The wedge depends on clean electricity too. The definition implies about 1,300 TWh per year of additional clean power, around 0.4 of a “power wedge”. Fabric, controls, peak demand, and installer capacity set the real speed limit.
Insulation: One wedge means roughly halving average heat transfer through building envelopes, from about 1.5 to about 0.75 W/m²K. The trade-off is disruption. Retrofit work is labour-heavy and easy to get wrong. The payback is system-wide. Better fabric lowers bills, reduces winter peaks, and cuts the amount of new generation and network reinforcement needed.
Electric vehicles: One wedge means roughly 1 billion EVs are used to meet 17% of global passenger land travel. The wedge also pulls in clean electricity, around 2,000 TWh per year, about 0.7 of a power wedge. Charging infrastructure and grid capacity become part of the transport plan. Smart charging can turn that into a flexibility asset.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS): A power-sector CCS wedge is a build programme, not a bolt-on. It implies retrofitting hundreds of gigawatts of plant by 2050, plus CO₂ transport and permanent storage. It also brings an energy penalty. The paper notes that CCS in the power sector is far behind the implied scale today, which is why CCS wedges feel “heavy” even when the engineering is well understood.
Clean hydrogen: One wedge means producing about 150 million tonnes of clean hydrogen in 2050, about half of global supply. The wedge implies roughly 1.5 times today’s total production, and making it all clean. If most is made by electrolysis, it needs huge amounts of clean electricity, around 5,100 TWh per year, about 1.8 power wedges. The trade-off is conversion loss versus flexibility. Hydrogen can serve hard-to-electrify uses, but it needs new supply chains, storage, and end-use equipment.

Progress looks uneven, so portfolios matter

The wedges lens makes one contrast hard to avoid. Some options scale by repeating modular units, like solar panels, turbines, chargers, and heat pumps. Others depend on large sites, long lead items, and complex permitting. That tends to slow nuclear, and it raises the execution burden for CCS and hydrogen systems.

Dr Iain Staffell from Imperial College London summarises the option space: “Not every wedge is equally easy or acceptable, and people’s preferences differ strongly. Some don’t want to change their lifestyle, others oppose nuclear power. That’s ok, as there are trillions of workable mixes”.

Don’t forget complements beyond the energy system

The paper also includes behaviour change and nature-based options. These do not replace energy investment, but they can ease the build-out required elsewhere. Less food waste, lower meat consumption, and lower demand for high-carbon travel can reduce pressure on power and fuel supply. Protecting and restoring ecosystems can also contribute wedges, while bringing resilience co-benefits.

Practical takeaway for UK energy managers

Use wedges as a governance tool, not a spreadsheet trick. When a plan claims a major carbon impact, ask three questions.

What does one wedge look like for this option, and what is the delivery rate implied?
What enabling systems must scale at the same time, especially clean electricity and networks?
What trade-offs does it create in cost, skills, space, public consent, and operational risk?

Then test your own mix at https://climatewedges.com and bring the outputs into stakeholder discussions. The aim is simple: stop comparing apples to oranges, and start comparing like with like.

The article draws on peer-reviewed research published in Science: “Democratizing climate change mitigation pathways using modernized stabilization wedges” by Dr Nathan Johnson and Dr Iain Staffell of Imperial College London (https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adr2118). The study defines a “wedge” as an action that scales up from 2020 to avoid 2 GtCO₂e per year in 2050, and it quantifies what it takes for 36 mitigation strategies to deliver one wedge. The authors also provide a free interactive tool at https://climatewedges.com so readers can build and compare their own pathways.

SSEN becomes the first Distribution Network Operator to use smart video surveys to help customers move over to heat pumps and EV chargers

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has become the first Distribution Network Operator to use the latest smart video technology to improve its service for customers who need to upgrade an electricity connection to support low carbon technologies.

SSEN Distribution has embarked upon a new partnership with the software experts Vyntelligence. This will embed AI-powered video analysis into the customer connections process, to support the uptake of heat pumps and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, as well as the delivery of general upgrades to electricity connections. It will do this by reducing the need for site visits, thus simplifying the installation process for customers.

How this new solution works

SSEN is the first Distribution Network Operator to use this kind of smart technology in this way. Customers will be able to use their smartphones to provide SSEN’s connections experts with high-quality footage of where cables would need to be installed. This means SSEN’s teams would be well-prepared for the job without needing to carry out a site visit beforehand.

Benefits for customers

As the decarbonisation of communities and the economy gathers pace, SSEN Distribution aims to make more use of smart digital technology to support these goals. Such solutions can help customers have a simpler, better, and potentially briefer process.

Video surveys can also be used by customers needing to make various changes to electricity supplies, thus removing the need for them to arrange site visits.

Another benefit of this innovation will be to reduce the number of journeys SSEN’s engineers need to make in and around communities, which will help lower pollution levels.

Eliane Algaard, Services Director at SSEN Distribution, says:

“This partnership – and the new solution it’s literally putting in the hands of our customers – is vital as part of the wider process of decarbonising our communities.

“Thanks to Vyntelligence, we’ll be able to streamline the process of managing the demand for network upgrades. A successful two-year pilot of this technology has proven its effectiveness, so we’re now ready to roll it out more widely with confidence to customers across our network areas.”

With Vyntelligence, customers can now complete property surveys in minutes. It provides intuitive, step-by-step guidance to securely capture the video footage SSEN’s engineers need for their assessments. The results are simpler, potentially faster connections and alterations journeys for customers.

Kapil Singhal, Vyntelligence’s Co-founder and CEO, says:

“We’re delighted to be an early partner to help re-imagine SSEN Distribution’s customer journey. As the world changes and skilled field teams become harder to find, we’ve opened this process to be more inclusive, empowering customers to easily take an active role in the process. Everyone benefits when we collaborate, we achieve faster connections for our communities, a more efficient network, and a healthier planet for us all.”

As part of SSEN Distribution’s commitment to ensure services are accessible and open to everyone, customers who don’t have a smart phone, have difficulty using the platform, or would simply prefer not to use it, can still request an in-person visit.

Vyntelligence uses state-of-the-art AI and security measures to protect all content submitted with full encryption at every stage. Access to this data is restricted solely to SSEN’s authorised personnel who are accountable for making customer connection decisions.

Rinnai Hybrid Systems – A practical path of Net Zero energy provision?

Rinnai Director Chris Goggin evaluates the benefits of installing hybrid heating and hot water systems. Hybrid configurations can improve energy costs whilst offering performance that does not inhibit the continuity of daily operations that commercial properties require.

To learn more about Rinnai Hybrids request your free information pack today at https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/contact-us/ask-us-question

There are currently a multitude of low carbon technology options that the UK customer can select for commercial purposes. Mainstream media outlets often only mention singular technologies such as heat pumps, solar and natural gas boilers. One of the emerging options within the heating and hot water market is the hybrid system.

A hybrid energy system is considered to be a bridge technology in the way traditional fuels and carbon neutral technology is incorporated into one assimilated system. Rather than relying on one fuel source such as renewable electricity, hybrid options instead use two forms of power or heat generators to complete daily functions inside commercial applications.

Hybrid systems consist of a combination of traditional fuel sources like natural gas, oil or LPG and a renewable technology such as solar thermal or heat pump. Hybrid systems are designed to optimise factors such as outside temperature, current energy prices, property heating and DHW demand. Once this information is collected the system ‘brain’ can decide on selecting the appropriate fuel and technology that minimises carbon output and costs. For smart DHW hot water systems such as continuous flow water heaters used with heat pumps, the renewable heat generator provides the base load as the water heaters “top up” the temperature. This approach is inherent within the system and to ensure optimal performance.

Read more about smart Rinnai hybrids in action https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/about-us/case-studies/hybrid-solutions

Using two separate energies compacted into a singular system offers a range of benefits for the end-user. The first advantage is from a financial viewpoint: as electrical costs are higher than natural gas, utilising a system that accepts both renewable electricity and traditional fuel sources means that costs could be lower and more manageable when compared to exclusively electrical. From a capital expenditure perspective, the cost will be lower than a full electric system creating lower whole of life costs.

In terms of operational performance, a hybrid heating and hot water system combines the strengths of two energies and technologies that ensures energy efficiency and supports operational consistency. A hybrid system will preferably incorporate the heat pump or solar thermal technology during mild weather whilst using the other appliance during periods of cold conditions. This will optimise the strengths of each technological approach in separate weather condition circumstances.

A further benefit for the end-user is that both lifecycles of each technology is lengthened. As each technology does not have to apply full effort to satisfy demand, component and overall system longevity will be increased due to a lessening of required workload.

Hybrid systems offer a practical route for NetZero objectives to be accomplished. As not all customers can fully financially or practically commit to decarbonising practises, an alternative mix of technologies that incorporates both renewable and traditional technologies as well as fuels is offered to bridge this gap. This practical approach introduces customers to alternative and clean energies whilst maintaining control over energy costs by still relying on traditional and more cost-effective methods of energy usage.

A hybrid system comprises a number of features, components, technologies and fuels. The main elements of a hybrid heating and hot water system is listed below.

Heat Pump: The renewable backbone of the system. Most hybrid systems utilise air source heat pumps (ASHPs) due to their ease of installation and affordability. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are also viable for specific applications, particularly in commercial settings.
Condensing Gas Boiler / Water Heater: A high efficiency water heater serves as the auxiliary or backup heat source. Modern condensing water heaters are designed to extract as much heat as possible from combustion gases, increasing energy efficiency.
Solar Panels: When solar thermal collectors are included, they can contribute heat to the system directly or to a buffer tank. This heat can then be drawn upon before the system calls for either the heat pump, gas boiler and water heaters making it more energy efficient.
Control Unit / Smart Thermostat: The ‘brain’ of the hybrid system, responsible for deciding which heat source to use based on real time conditions. Many units are integrated with weather compensation and predictive algorithms.
Buffer Tank / Hot Water Cylinder: Optional but recommended for systems that provide domestic hot water (DHW). The buffer tank helps to smooth out demand fluctuations and improve efficiency. Other cylinders can include buffers for minimum water content and for additional hot water demand.
Sensors and Meters: These measure temperature, flow rates, and energy consumption, feeding data back to the control system to enable automated switching.

Hybrid heat pump systems provide practical, economic and technical solutions and are best exemplified at a recent installation at a luxury complex at Farringdon in the City of London. At this site a hybrid water heating array of Low-GWP 50kW heat pumps plus bespoke thermal water stores, with optimised coil transfer to maximize heat pump performance, have been combined with 10 cascaded Hydrogen blends ready (I2HY20 certified) continuous flow water heaters.

The systems were delivered direct to site in one complete consignment, ready for installation. This expansive complex comprises a new, luxury hotel, prestigious & contemporary office space alongside affordable housing units.

The site was originally a Victorian-era schoolhouse for poor children. It was a ‘Ragged School’ – the term ‘ragged school’ was used by the London City Mission as early as 1840 to describe the establishment of schools, ‘formed exclusively for children raggedly clothed’. From around 1845 until 1881, the London ‘Ragged’ schools gave rudimentary education to about 300,000 children who were the poorest in the local and surrounding community.

The expansive retrofit site will pay respect to this heritage with many of the original features retained in the 150+ bedroom luxury hotel, almost 20,000 sq ft of opulent capital city office space and nine new-build affordable residential units. The hotel group running the site already has one other unit in London with two others planned.

In addition to the City of London site, hybrid systems have successfully been installed and continue to offer seamless operational efficiency at alternative locations. A national chain of gyms has successfully piloted a LOW-GWP commercial ASHP (Air Source Heat Pump) with the aim of replacing their existing carbon intensive electric storage water heater systems which rely on multiple electrical immersions.

The flexibility of a bespoke hybrid system design has ensured that some of the existing electric water heaters can remain in place as part of a cost saving hybrid heat pump system – saving the end user on cost and reducing carbon emissions.

Each gym studio that has been measured revealed different kW load limits ranging from 8kW to 20kW. The gym owners were advised and then decided on the necessary decarbonizing technology required for each individual gym, these included:

LOW-GWP R290 ASHP’s
Electric Storage water heaters
Optimised Heat Pump Cylinder Coil cylinder or plate heat exchanger.
Unvented kit (cold water feed).
System controls

Consultants, contractors, specifiers and installers are advised to consider using manufacturers and suppliers of decarbonising technology with proven records of successful installations of hybrid systems that equip locations with the ability to reduce costs and emissions.

Rinnai aim to inform all UK customers and end-users of a wide variety of technological options, including and specifically, hybrid systems – that can supply all properties with hot water and heating requirements whilst decreasing carbon output and operational costs.

Contact us today for free support on your next heat and hot water project

https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/contact-us/help-me-choose-product

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/aboutus/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

This article appeared in the April 2026 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Notting Hill Genesis cures metering headaches with wireless KURVE

Kurve-Phone-Consumption-2 — KURVE ensures meter connectivity giving residents access to detailed, real-time usage data via the KURVE web-app.

Collaborative development ensures success and resident buy-in.

Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), one of London’s largest not-for-profit housing associations, is deploying a wireless KURVE solution across 18 of its residential heat network developments in a bid to not only reduce costs, but also to tackle energy debt, improve service to consumers, and improve operational efficiency ready for impending regulations.

Wireless KURVE is a new solution that greatly simplifies metering retrofits by securely connecting any heat meter to the cloud, while also significantly enhancing customer experience. It was developed by Insite Energy in close collaboration with NHG to restore functionality to residential heat meters that had lost communication with NHG’s legacy pay-as-you-go (PAYG) billing system. This was resulting in billing based on estimations, dissatisfied residents, increased energy debt, and expected non-compliance with upcoming regulations.

Wireless KURVE is set to resolve these issues, achieving 100%-meter connectivity, meaning residents are now billed accurately and transparently for the heating & hot water they use. They can also easily view their energy consumption data, top-up, and manage their energy account via any internet-connected device using the well-established and award winning KURVE PAYG web-app.

Laura Coleman, Heat Network Operations Manager at NHG, remarked, “Insite Energy has been a fantastic partner in helping us ensure our portfolio is compliant ahead of regulation. Their proactive approach and willingness to offer practical solutions have been invaluable. Wireless KURVE is a standout product, which we’ve already installed across eleven schemes, with seven more in progress. The transferable protocol hardware gives us flexibility in procurement and installation, and the set-up allows us to choose between PAYG and credit billing. Where PAYG is activated, the KURVE web-app empowers residents to monitor their energy usage and spending directly from their smartphones. It’s a clever, user-friendly solution that supports both operational efficiency and customer engagement – a real win for Notting Hill Genesis and our residents.”

Savings

Wireless KURVE uses a LoRaWAN connection instead of a wired or legacy 2G or 3G solution, making it quick and easy to retrofit in developments with no existing M-Bus link. Installations take just one hour in each property instead of the two hours typical for PAYG systems, and is about half the cost of alternative solutions. Insite’s data shows that customers using KURVE PAYG also consume 24% less energy on average compared to credit-billed customers.

“The switch to our wireless KURVE solution makes financial sense for NHG,” said Ellie Blacklock, KURVE Product Manager and Customer Experience Director at Insite Energy. “When you consider that just maintaining a legacy PAYG metering system in its final two years of life costs an average of £187 per property, and resident energy debt is nearly 20 times lower in households using KURVE PAYG versus monthly credit billed households, it’s easy to see how quickly heat suppliers can get a return on their investment. And that in turn means lower bills for residents, not to mention a much better user experience.”

Insite Energy worked closely with NHG to support residents through the transition to the new system, helping to manage appointment bookings, explaining the installation process, providing written information, and holding an in-person engagement forum.

Convenient and future-ready

Wireless KURVE is much more user-friendly and sustainable than the proprietary data collection hardware it replaces. This tends to take the form of physical in-home displays with greyscale screens offering limited user interaction, often hidden away in hard-to-reach corners or cupboards. Retrofitting wired In home displays can also cause costly and disruptive fire-stop issues.

All personal data transmitted via KURVE is encrypted, ensuring GDPR compliance. The technology should also comfortably meet the more stringent technical standards that are expected to be laid out in the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) due to be launched later this year.

“85% of heat networks are not metered in the social rented sector,” observes Ellie. “This puts them in a perilous position when regulations are tightened next year. The launch of our wireless KURVE solution is therefore likely to be very timely in helping them and heat suppliers alike to simplify and speed up retrofits, keeping costs to a minimum. And, because it was designed on the back of NHG’s real-world experiences, we know we’ve developed something that really meets the needs of housing providers and their residents.”

Insite Energy’s wireless KURVE solution uses a LoRaWAN connection instead of a wired or legacy 2G or 3G solution, making it quick and easy to retrofit in developments with no existing M-Bus link.

Socomec enables Trieste Airport to reach 70% renewable energy self-consumption and drastically reduce emissions

Innovative energy storage technology enables major Italian airport to cut more than 500 tonnes of CO₂ annually, reduce its dependence on the grid and demonstrate sustainability

Socomec, a specialist manufacturer of low voltage power management and battery energy storage solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Trieste Airport to decarbonise its transport infrastructure and accelerate its energy transition.

Trieste Airport, a major multimodal hub in Northeastern Italy serving 1.65 million passengers a year, wanted to support rapid growth in passenger traffic while meeting ambitious sustainability targets – Net Zero by 2027 – including maximising energy autonomy through on-site renewable energy generation. To meet this challenge, Socomec implemented an integrated energy management strategy based on the installation of three SUNSYS HES L modular storage systems, connected in parallel to achieve a total power of 600 kVA and total capacity of 3.3 MWh. Socomec’s Power Management System (PMS) – working in synergy with an external Energy Management System – then optimises battery charging and discharging cycles in line with photovoltaic output and the airport’s real-time electricity demand.

This smart infrastructure has radically transformed the airport’s energy mix after just one year of operation. With Socomec’s battery energy storage system (BESS) in place, Trieste Airport was able to cover 70% of its total energy demand from renewable sources, with 46% coming directly from its photovoltaic system and 24% supplied by batteries previously charged using solar energy. As a result, its dependence on the electricity grid has fallen dramatically, now accounting for only 30% of annual consumption.

The environmental impact of this energy independence is tangible. The airport’s direct CO₂ emissions have been reduced by 559 tonnes per year. Furthermore, by optimising the export of surplus renewable electricity – with 51% of excess generation fed back into the grid – the system has also prevented an additional 1,177 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, contributing to the decarbonisation of the region.

In addition to energy autonomy, the BESS has played a crucial role in the electrification of airport operations. Acting as a buffer between chargers and the grid, the system enables 42 electric vehicles to be charged overnight without requiring new investments in grid infrastructure. This has facilitated the electrification of 75% of the ground equipment, including baggage tractors and escalators – leading to a reduction in diesel consumption of approximately 14,000 litres per year and eliminating the associated emissions.

Socomec’s work with Trieste Airport was named Energy Storage Decentralised Project of the Year at the Energy Storage Awards 2025. The award celebrates behind-the-meter distributed energy storage projects of under 1MW which demonstrate innovative design and strong potential for replication at scale.

“This recognition further reinforces Trieste Airport’s commitment to reducing emissions and promoting green initiatives in the region,” said Francesco Mistrini, Infrastructure Director at Trieste Airport. “Energy efficiency is a priority objective for us, which we pursue constantly through technological upgrades and organisational improvements. Our vision is to minimise CO2 emissions for directly relevant processes so that energy consumption is not a cost but an indicator of the airport’s efficiency and its impact on the local area.”

“This award recognises our teams’ ability to deliver a complex project in a demanding environment, demonstrating how distributed storage can transform hubs such as Trieste Airport into leaders in sustainability,” said Pasquale Di Donna, ESS Project Manager for Italy at Socomec. “The modular and flexible nature of the solution ensures that the infrastructure can scale in the future to support further electrification and increased traffic – offering a sustainable growth model that can be replicated in other commercial and industrial facilities.”

To monitor real-time sustainability results, visit Trieste Airport’s Net Zero page here.