Setting schools on their net zero pathway

With ambitious government decarbonisation targets to meet and inflated energy prices to mitigate, sustainability is now high on the school agenda. Anne Wraith, Head of Building Services at Baxi, discusses the role of heat pumps in the net zero journey and approaches to help schools achieve their goals.

Decarbonising heat across all sectors, including education, is central to the government’s strategy for net zero. Ultimately, the goal is to transition to low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps. However, while new school buildings will be optimised for net zero and high efficiencies, refurbishing the ageing heating and hot water systems that many existing schools rely on can be a more complex task. A whole range of factors – from the variety of building type to available funding and time constraints – will all influence how quickly and easily refurbishment can be achieved.

Certainly, heat pumps offer a multitude of benefits, but here’s the caveat: they are not a panacea in themselves. For schools to reap the many advantages from optimal heat pump performance, each is likely to need a bespoke solution tailored around the individual requirements.

Plan ahead

Where, then, to begin? The immediate aim when refurbishing existing buildings should always be to reduce operational energy usage and heat losses. Understanding where and how energy is being used will help determine any opportunities for improvement and how and where ASHPs can best be used. Taking advantage of the free site surveys that some manufacturers offer can be beneficial at the outset to identify and evaluate the options.

If planning a phased refurbishment project, set immediate, medium and long-term goals that factor in the available time to complete the work and the budget. Take time to investigate any funding opportunities such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme as this will make the transition to heat pumps more affordable.

All-electric approach

If possible, consider an all-electric approach. Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) can provide a highly efficient, sustainable method of supplying low carbon heating or hot water requirements. We are pleased to be expanding our range to include both high and low temperature ASHPs. With an exceptionally high seasonal co-efficient of performance (SCOP) of up to 400%, they can deliver up to 4kW of heat output for every 1kWh of electricity used to run the heat pump.

Once the heat pump design is locked in, address the following considerations.

First, electrical connections – is there sufficient capacity? Avoid any delays by notifying the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) immediately and completing the necessary connection application form.

Next, space. Ensure that sufficient external space is allocated for the heat pump. Contacting your chosen manufacturer at the early stages is advisable on school projects due to fixed nature of project schedules.

Finally, consider including additional renewable technologies such as solar panels as these may enable you to produce all the energy you need to run your heat pump.

Hybrid approach

Where an all-electric solution is not an option, a hybrid system that integrates heat pumps with condensing boilers or water heaters can provide an effective means of overcoming retrofit challenges.

Whether using hybrid heat pump solutions for space heating or domestic hot water generation, a well-designed system will reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, meeting heat demand more sustainably.

The aim should be to maximise heat pump contribution performance where possible, while taking all project limitations into account. The benefit of working with manufacturers from the early stages is that they will be able to provide guidance on these aspects so that the system is designed to maximise the efficiency of both technologies.

Case in point

A recent example of best practice planning, design and collaboration is the decarbonisation programme implemented by the Priory Federation of Academies Trust at a series of its academies. The carbon reduction initiative targeted the swimming pool buildings, where gas boilers were previously heating the water in the pool and Air Handling Units.

Oakes Energy Services and Baxi collaborated to propose the best solutions at each of the three academies, bespoke to the individual requirements in each building.

At both Witham and LSST Academies, two Remeha 88kW ASHPs now supply all the heat demand in the building, feeding underfloor heating and radiators, and providing hot water for the changing rooms and the swimming pool plant. Remeha is part of Baxi.

At Lincoln Academy, which has a larger 25-metre swimming pool, five Remeha 88kW ASHPs supply heat to calorifiers for the hot water system as well as to the swimming pool heat exchanger in what is the first phase of the decarbonisation programme.

The proposals developed by Oakes, which illustrate the expected carbon savings, were used to securing funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme operated by Salix. In total, the design of the entire scheme is expected to save 227.5 tonnes of CO₂a year, equivalent to planting 7,000 trees.

Collaboration is key

While the enormity of the decarbonisation challenge facing the public sector cannot be ignored, inaction is simply not an option. Projects like the programme outlined above illustrate how, by applying careful planning and a school-by-school approach, the heating industry can work with the education sector to tackle the task at hand. Encouraging early collaboration and information sharing, as well as tapping into manufacturers’ valuable experience, will all serve to set schools on their unique pathway to net zero.

To book a free site visit or find out more about Baxi’s commercial heat pump range, visit: Low Carbon Solutions | Remeha Air Source Heat Pumps

Why energy consultants will be crucial to businesses survival and net zero success

Anthony Ainsworth, Chief Operating Officer, npower Business Solutions

Over the past two years, businesses have had to deal with a hugely volatile energy market. High prices have seen many organisations reprioritising where and how they invest their capital, with sustainability measures falling down the list for many.

As a result, the role of Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs) has become increasingly important, particularly when it comes to advising organisations on energy purchasing strategies and the most appropriate measures to invest in that deliver maximum returns.

That is why we recently launched a new version of our Business Energy Tracker report, Energy, net zero and business survival: the crucial role of Third Party Intermediaries. Alongside the 100 businesses that participated in our original report, the updated edition now includes the views of more than 50 Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs).

We work closely with TPIs across the country, and believe that, to get a full understanding of the perspective of business energy users, their views need to be taken into account.

Therefore, this updated edition of the Business Energy Tracker represents a collective voice of both TPIs and businesses on today’s key energy issues.

So, what did they tell us?

Energy was the biggest risk their customers faced in 2023

Global wholesale energy volatility, the cost-of-living crisis, rising inflation and political upheaval have all had an impact on business confidence.

As a result, the report revealed that more than half (55%) of TPIs say energy was the biggest risk their business customers had faced, with 84% stating that energy is now firmly a board level concern.

In addition, the TPIs we interviewed highlighted the important difference between commodity and non-commodity costs, predicting that the largest increases will come from non-commodity charges. This is because the UK will need to invest in infrastructure, such as upgrading the transmission network, to help the UK move towards net zero.

Longer term government support is needed

TPIs also believe that more can be done to support organisations through challenging economic conditions. Almost three quarters (71%) felt that the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) – which was introduced on 1 April 2023 as a replacement for the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) and is due to end on 31 March 2024 – didn’t go far enough to support businesses.

As a result, they told us that a long-term strategy to help businesses reduce overall energy demand needs to be a top government priority.

Organisations back net zero, but the cost of delivery is a concern

Linked to this is how TPIs believe their customers are prioritising net zero. The good news is that many said their customers were being proactive, by investing in energy efficiency, using energy management tools, switching to renewable energy and installing on-site generation. In fact, energy efficiency was seen as the top way businesses could manage energy risk.

However, concerns around the cost of funding and delivering the net zero transition are high, with 87% of TPIs saying their customers are very or a little concerned about the potential economic impact on their operation. In fact, one told us that, “Although they (our customers) want to be doing the right thing and go ‘green’, some of them just can’t afford it at the moment.”

So, while many TPIs and the businesses they work with understand the commercial, environmental and reputational benefits net zero can bring, it is clear that responding to the economic challenges of the here and now has become the primary focus.

A proactive approach can pay

What this latest version of the Business Energy Tracker has told us is that future government support needs to be pro-business and focus on both supply and demand. While new policies such asthe Energy Act provide a more certain pathway for energy security, a focused and long-term approach is needed to enable businesses to reduce energy demand and improve their energy efficiency.

With a General Election likely to take place in 2024, there is a real opportunity for political parties to introduce pro-business policy that supports the important contribution organisations will make to both energy security and net zero.

That said, TPIs, alongside energy suppliers, have an important role to play to help their customers understand the best measures they can invest in right now, to lower energy demand and reduce risk. An informed and proactive approach to a business’s energy strategy can pay dividends in terms of reduced costs and carbon emissions.

www.npowerbusinesssolutions.com

The Prefect year

The start of a new year is the time to make plans, but also to take a moment and reflect on last year’s performance and achievements.

Huge energy saving statistics, new product launches, and two awards made 2023 a milestone year for Prefect Controls.

Smarter products

The first Irus SMART Tanks rolled off the production line. This new product is the only hot water cylinder, pre-plumbed, pre-wired with factory fitted on-board control. SMART Tank is proven to make significant savings in both energy and water consumption.

It monitors the volume and temperature of water entering the system. Providing accurate readings inside the tank, plus hot and cold water at point-of-use. It also alerts maintenance teams to leaks, and when water is flowing through the tundish.

Analysis since launch suggest more than 25% savings in energy consumption. While leak detection sensors attached to one toilet cistern measured more than 72K litres of water wasted during a 21-day period before maintenance teams attended the fault.

Control saves energy

During May, data from the Irus installation at the University of the West of England (UWE) was analysed. Heating is controlled in more than 3000 rooms at the Frenchay campus. When comparing energy consumption from 2021-23 with pre-pandemic years (2017-19) almost 900,000kWh is being saved per year.

Irus is a central control system where all programming and monitoring is maintained via the secure web based portal. The system monitors individual rooms and prevents energy from being used unnecessarily. Rooms are maintained at a comfortable temperature but, should the occupant require more warmth, they press a button engaging Boost range. Temperatures rise to a pre-determined level for a pre-set time, after which it reverts to Setback.

Adding in safety

To add to the scope of Irus, HobSensus has also been installed at the Bristol campus. HobSensus is a kitchen safety device that prevents hobs from being left switched on if kitchens are left unattended or temperatures on the cooking surface approach dangerous levels.

100+ Irus sites

2023 saw the largest Irus installation programme Prefect has ever encountered. The team of Project Managers travelled the length and breadth of the UK PBSA estate from Aberdeen to Exeter. 21 sites were added to the Portal bringing the total number to 101. In September a milestone was met when the 50,000th room was commissioned.

The award goes to…

In November, Prefect attended the Electrical Safety First (ESF) annual conference at Westminster. ESF is a campaigning organisation recognised by government and industry as the leading authority on electrical safety. It aims to reduce death and injury caused by electricity.

As part of the conference, the Safety Innovation Award is presented. The 2023 winner was HobSensus. Collecting the award on behalf of Prefect, Adrian Barber commented, “Recognition from an authority such as Electrical Safety First demonstrates the scale of the issue that exists with kitchen fires. It would be reassuring if this type of device became as commonplace as CO₂ monitors and smoke detectors.”

The eventful year was capped off in December with the UWE installation being recognised at the Energy Saving Awards by winning the Education Sector Project of the Year title.

Kirsti Norris, Energy Manager at UWE commented, “I am delighted that Prefect Controls has received recognition of their fantastic product and customer service. The Irus system has made UWE significant savings in energy, money, and carbon. It has also improved the comfort of our students, and the service we give through improved controllability of the accommodation heating systems.”

So, on reflection, 2024 has a lot to live up to!

www.prefectcontrols.com

Hot Water Metering For Gas To Electric Transition

The most consistent issue we see in commercial hot water systems is oversizing, whether through lack of understanding of application design or concerns over providing suitable back up to ensure system continuity. The result of oversizing is however always the same, unnecessary capital costs for system supply and installation, and ongoing excess operational costs associated with higher energy demands and therefore greater carbon emissions.

As organisations seek to adopt greener building operations, replacing old gas-fired systems with like-for-like electric is another guaranteed way to gain an oversized system. It can also lead to undersizing if storage is not large enough to account for low, slow heating associated with heat pump based electric systems. Getting that balance right is key as per kW price of electricity remains much higher than that of gas. More importantly, if the new electric system is oversized the required amperage could exceed a building’s available electrical supply. Bringing in new supply means excavating, possibly as far as the substation. This can best be avoided by understanding your actual hot water demands and designing the replacement so that it is optimised to meet the specific needs of the building, this is why accurate data is so valuable.

To support commercial and public sector organisations intending to replace legacy gas systems with more sustainable electric applications Adveco has created a Live Metering service for domestic hot water (DHW) systems. Adveco Live Metering is a simple to install, non-invasive onsite process that generates consistent 24/7 data on existing hot water systems to accurately understand actual usage, including critical peak demands. Adveco’s specialist engineers will visit the site, providing an overall visual assessment, fit the meters and monitor for an agreed period, typically a month before returning to remove them. The data will then be processed, and a report generated incorporating design recommendations for a replacement system that meets the exact needs of the building.

Data collected with Adveco’s Live Metering Service has already enabled organisations to avoid excess capital costs whilst reducing emissions in line with decarbonisation strategies. It has demonstrated, for example, that a gas-fired hot water systems operating at 60 kW can be directly replaced by a system based around a smaller 12 kW ARDENT electric boiler and a cylinder optimised to meet storage requirements reducing carbon emissions by 2800 kg per annum. The demands of a system operating two 50kW gas-fired water heaters could be replaced with a 24kW electric water heater and heat pump supplying the preheat, reducing emissions by 5100 kg per annum. With both replacement designs rated at 120% they provide more than enough storage capacity to meet unexpected peak demands and carbon emissions are expected to continue to fall as grid electricity supplies continue to decarbonise in the future.

By optimising the use of air source heat pumps, electric boiler and hot water cylinders, not only are capital investments reduced, but so too is the system size and complexity, making for easier installation and potential to recover valuable plantroom space.

Confident that accurate modelling would prove its immediate value, Adveco factored a minimal cost for engineering assessment, data collation and interpretation. With an agreement that 50% of this charge would be waived should the project proceed with the recommended system from Adveco. This have proven to be cost-effective with thousands of pounds saved on capital outlay on the system alone, offsetting any initial assessment costs. Critically, where re-cabling from the local grid has been avoided, savings of more than £250,000 were seen. Preventing such soaring project costs is helping ensure important decarbonisation projects are not stalled or cancelled outright.

Five things to consider when purchasing a load bank

Ensure your set-up is effective and tailored to your application

Investing in a load bank is a decision any organisation relying on backup power systems needs to make. Load banks play a crucial role in testing and maintaining the performance of generators, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and other power sources. However, there are several important factors to consider before making the purchase. Here, Andrew Keith, director of load bank manufacturer Power Prove, outlines his top five considerations for prospective buyers.

1. Load bank capacity

The first step in choosing a load bank is to determine capacity that best suits your needs.

Load bank capacity is measured in kilowatts (kW) and should match the power rating of the equipment you plan to test. It’s essential to consider your current needs and ensure you select a capacity that is neither less nor in huge excess of your testing needs.

It’s equally important to anticipate future needs. Purchasing a load bank with a capacity slightly higher than your current equipment’s power rating can be a strategic move. This approach provides room for growth and adaptation as your electrical systems or equipment evolve. Look for load banks with adjustable load steps, which allow you to fine-tune the load applied, ensuring flexibility in various testing scenarios.

2. Portability and installation

Next, you need to consider where you need your load bank to be. Some load banks are portable and easy to move around, like Power Prove’s AC100-CPT, while others require a permanent installation. This makes them ideal for use in hard-to-reach areas or for testing temporary applications. They can also be used across different locations. On the other hand, permanent installations are typically more robust and suitable for continuous testing in a fixed location.

Additionally, consider the power source needed to operate the load bank. Some load banks require a specific power supply, while others are designed to work with standard electrical outlets. Make sure the facility can provide the necessary power source to operate the load bank effectively.

3. Control and monitoring features

Load banks offer varying degrees of control and monitoring capabilities. Advanced load banks come with digital controllers that allow you to precisely adjust the load settings, monitor real-time data and conduct automated testing. These features save time and ensure accurate results during testing.

It’s also essential to consider remote monitoring and control options. Some load banks offer remote access through mobile apps or web-based platforms, allowing you to monitor and control testing from a distance. This can be especially valuable for organisations with multiple testing locations or those looking to streamline their testing processes.

4. Compliance and safety standards

Ensure that the load bank you choose complies with industry standards and safety regulations. Safety is paramount when conducting load bank testing, as it involves high electrical currents and voltages. Look for load banks that meet or exceed safety standards such as IEEE 450-2010 and NFPA 70E.

Additionally, consider the ease of maintenance and safety features incorporated into the load bank design. Features like emergency shut-off switches, overcurrent protection and cooling systems enhance the safety of your testing operations and protect your equipment.

5. Budget and total cost of ownership

Carefully evaluate your budget and the total cost of ownership (TCO) when purchasing a load bank. While it’s tempting to opt for the cheapest option, it’s essential to consider the long-term costs, including maintenance, operation and potential upgrades.

Compare prices, warranties and the reputation of the manufacturer before deciding. Investing in a high-quality load bank from a reputable manufacturer may save you money in the long run by reducing downtime, maintenance costs and the need for frequent replacements.

Properly planning your electrical testing ensures your facility isn’t caught out in the event of a sudden power outage. But just having testing equipment is not sufficient — careful consideration into the type, size and quality of the load bank you choose is essential to a safe, compliant and effective testing process.

Power Prove, the load bank division of resistor manufacturer Cressall Resistors, provides a whole range of off-the-shelf load banks to support a host of applications and specifications. To discuss your individual requirements, please get in touch.

Lighting: A Smart Approach to Energy Use

The installation of a smart lighting system has the ability to deliver huge energy savings in buildings of all uses and sizes. In this article we speak with Chris Anderson, Technical Manager at Ansell Lighting who highlights the many benefits of the technology, exploring its ability to revolutionise energy use throughout the built environment.

Accounting for almost 40% of all energy used in commercial buildings in the UK, lighting is a significant source of energy consumption and can have a huge impact on organisational sustainability and operating costs.

Given its considerable effects, efforts to enhance lighting installations with the latest, efficient technologies are paramount in today’s world, if energy use is to be optimised and buildings efficiently run.

Alongside the use of LED’s, which use 80% less energy than traditional bulbs alone,
when it come to the pursuit of more efficient and sustainable lighting solutions, smart lighting is a must. Harnessing the power of automation, connectivity, and intelligent control, it has the potential to reduce lighting energy use by up to two thirds, providing energy-efficient, sustainable, and adaptive illumination at the touch of a button.

At the core of its offering is the fact that smart lighting enables every single detail of lighting, both indoors and out, to be programmed and automated, ensuring that energy is used only where and when it is needed. From the timings of operation to the colour, brightness, intensity, and combinations of lamps in use, smart technology allows organisations to programme and control the output of every individual light fitting in their building down to the most minute detail, meaning that energy use is controlled to this exact level too.

Its agility and controllability mean that smart lighting can be used to illuminate any type of space from offices and classrooms, to storage areas, car parks and outdoor recreational spaces. It is particularly effective where lighting requirements change regularly and in buildings that are being used sporadically. Here, fittings with motion or presence/absence detection sensors can be seamlessly integrated into smart lighting systems, enhancing functionality further in areas where lighting needs are more responsive. Such technology eliminates any reliance on human intervention, making issues such as unnecessarily leaving lighting switched on, a thing of the past.

Smart lighting systems can also offer real health and wellness benefits to staff and other building users. Light is one of the biggest influences on circadian rhythm, which controls the natural 24-hour cycle of sleep, wake, hunger, alertness, hormone release and body temperature experienced by humans. By setting ‘scenes’ to mimic the pattern of natural lighting indoors, it can be used to enhance circadian rhythm – our body’s natural internal clock – resulting in improved focus and productivity during the day and fewer sleep disturbances at night.

Despite it being an advanced technology, another major benefit of smart lighting is that it is incredibly easy to fit and install, causing minimal disruption to ongoing operations. Operating wirelessly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, systems are controlled and hosted on the cloud, so there is no hub or wiring required and most units are simply installed like a lamp or switch. These user-friendly interfaces and intuitive installation processes ensure that businesses can seamlessly transition to smart lighting without significant downtime, making it an ideal option for a wide range of settings.

Smart lighting systems are also incredibly easy to use and operate and are controlled via remote control, app, voice or by using an ecosystem such as Hey Google or Amazon Alexa. They also provide real benefits when it comes to measuring and monitoring energy use. Controls such as dashboard monitors provide a visual display of a building’s lighting system in real time, supporting organisations to monitor usage and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary wastage. They can also be used to carry out maintenance testing. Instigating tests automatically and wirelessly, they can highlight remotely whether an individual luminaire or driver is operating outside of expected operational parameters.

When it comes to energy optimisation in the lighting arena, smart lighting is an exceptional technology and its benefits clear to see. Offering substantial consumption and cost reductions, it is an essential choice for organisations seeking to improve sustainability, reduce environmental impact and maximize energy efficiency.

www.ansell-lighting.com

Local authorities across the UK rely on Mer’s EV expertise to meet carbon, mobility and community goals

Mer, a leading European electric vehicle (EV) company, is helping public sector authorities to make greater strides towards meeting their electric mobility, EV adoption and net zero goals.

Alex Hinchcliffe, interim Managing Director at Mer UK, said “Mer’s work, most recently with Eastleigh Borough Council, Breckland District Council and Hart District Council are just a few examples of our commitment to working with public sector bodies to build a strong public charge point network. Working with installation partner Joju Charging, we are delighted to be supporting the growth of the EV market by optimising and expanding our networks with local authorities in line with driver demand, bringing charging to new pockets of the UK, and helping councils achieve their ambitions for reaching net zero.”

Mer’s work with Eastleigh Borough Council began with installing charge points at four sites. Due to growing demand, phase two of the partnership is already underway, which includes further charge point installation at new sites across the borough and the expansion of the phase one sites. This will ensure the public charging network in Eastleigh remans fit for purpose as usage increases.

Andy Brennan, Climate Change Manager at Eastleigh Borough Council, said, “Mer has provided our district with future-fit EV charging infrastructure. Following the success of phase one, which included installing a mix of fast and rapid charging at Romsey Road Car Park, Places Leisure, Channon Retail Park and Chestnut Avenue Retail Park, we are thrilled to be expanding our network with Mer.”

Mer is also working with Breckland District Council, building a mix of rapid and fast charging infrastructure in several locations initially, with plans for a wider charge point roll out in the near future. Helen Crane, Executive Member for Waste, Environmental Health, Licensing and Sustainability at Breckland District Council, said, “We are working with Mer to enhance the electric mobility experience in our area so the community will see a reliable EV charging network come to life. The move will enable our residents to have greater accessibility to electric vehicle charging ports and is another step towards becoming a more carbon neutral district.”

Mer was recently awarded a contract to work with Hart District Council through a competitive tender process. The Council has set climate goals including becoming a carbon-neutral authority by 2035, a carbon-neutral district by 2040. It has incorporated the reduction of CO₂ emissions in Hart at the centre of policies and formal decision-making.

Following a site survey and application for power through the District Network Operator, Mer plan to deliver a number of EV charge point bays with the Council. Councillor Richard Quarterman, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Corporate Services at Hart District Council, said, “Electric mobility is an exciting prospect in response to the climate crisis, but installing charging infrastructure is an important step in making it happen. That’s why we’re working with Mer on an EV charging network, to make EV driving a more attractive opportunity for more of our residents and visitors.”

Since launching in the UK in 2021, Mer has worked on public EV charging infrastructure developments with over 50 public authorities, including Durham County Council, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, New Forest District Council, and Isle of Wight Council. Now, Mer is supporting more councils enable the transition to electric mobility within their communities. To find out more, visit Mer’s website.

Wave launches high consumption alerts to support business sustainability

To support small and medium sized businesses with their drive to become more sustainable and identify potential cost savings, national water retailer Wave, has introduced High Consumption Alerts (HCAs).

Now available to all of its customers, HCAs provide businesses with the opportunity to identify and rectify potential issues in relation to increased water consumption.

Data shows that the UK loses over 3 billion litres of water every day through leaks, with smart meter data showing that up to 25% of business water consumption is continuous, so likely to be leakage. By helping businesses to better track their consumption it then becomes easier for them to spot when a leak has occurred.

HCAs use the meter read data submitted by customers and Wave’s meter readers* to support them by monitoring water consumption, helping them to gain a better understanding of their usage. HCAs can also help to highlight any potential leakage or inefficiencies within a business, which can then be actioned to prevent water waste and excessive usage resulting in monetary savings.

Wave customers will now be alerted if there is around a 20% increase in consumption compared to their average read, however it is important for customers to take regular reads in order to for this service to be as effective as possible.

Alert thresholds are tailored to the customers’ specific usage and will contain information about the business’ site and meter location, so that it can be investigated as soon as possible.

Wave is passionate about helping businesses drive down their water usage, to become more sustainable and save on their bills. Between April 2021 to April 2023, Wave helped customers to save over 2.9 billion litres of water, which is the equivalent to approximately 116 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Lissa Balmer, Director of SME Customers at Wave, said: “We’re pleased to introduce this new service to our small and medium sized customers and are keen to work with them to support their water efficiency. Undetected or unaddressed leaks not only waste water, but also waste our customers’ money. We’re using meter read data to highlight changes in their usage and give them the power to investigate and address any unexpected consumption as soon as it’s recorded. The more frequent reads we receive, the sooner we can identify any abnormalities or potential cost savings, so we encourage all our customers to take and submit regular reads, if it’s safe to do so.

“As part of our Social and Sustainability promise, we’re committed to playing our part to address the water scarcity issue in the UK and following the launch of our Not a Drop to Waste campaign, being able to provide all of our customers with HCAs is a big step forward and an opportunity to really highlight potential water savings.”

For more information on Wave visit www.wave-utilities.co.uk.

New product launch programme of low GWP heat pumps, electric water heaters, hot water cylinders & plate heat exchangers from Rinnai

RINNAI expand products for heating and water heating in all fuels – gas, electric and renewables.

Rinnai is embarking on an ambitious and innovative programme of launching several new products within its H1 – Hydrogen and DME ready water heaters, H2 – Hybrid systems and H3 – Low-GWP heat pumps product categories. These new products will ensure the company offers a comprehensive range of appliances and systems for heating and hot water suited to both commercial and residential applications.

The programme will commence with the launch of the new low-GWP air source heat pumps with R290 refrigerant. Following this will be an innovative range of electric cylinders of multiple sizes and instantaneous electric water heaters ranging from 21-27kw. Also there will be the introduction of the KCM and E Series of condensing gas-fired water heaters for light commercial and residential applications.

Later in the first quarter of the year will see the launch of plate heat exchangers for larger commercial and industrial sites.

Rinnai is determined to provide UK customers with cost effective low carbon solutions towards commercial hot water and building heating provision.

For an exclusive pre-launch pack call us on 0300 373 0660 or register your interest at https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/contact-us/request-brochure

Achieving EPIC network performance from better communication

Effective communication between stakeholders is key to delivering network investment in time to meet demand and ensure optimal outcomes. So how can new network analysis tools help plot the most efficient path to net zero? Shahab Khan, Senior Consultant, PSC Consulting explains.

Since almost the earliest days of electrification, network planning has been a challenge, and it’s becoming steadily more complicated. Not only has generation capacity migrated to the edges of the network with the widescale rollout of rooftop solar, but there are also significant changes in demand profiles with the advent and uptake of devices like electric vehicles and air source heat pumps.

Transmission and distribution network operators deploy various analytical tools to support decision-making for network investment – but it’s vital to continue updating this toolbox to meet the challenges of a changing energy landscape.

Managing network investment

Changes to energy use and generation call for an even greater need for coordination between energy networks and the various energy network stakeholders, particularly local authorities and councils. The policies being developed by many of these stakeholders to help deliver their clean energy ambitions inevitably impact electricity and gas networks. For example, many local authorities are making long-term plans to install large numbers of heat pumps or EV chargers in specific locations. Failure to communicate this may result in a mismatch between the ambitions of the local authority and the additional load that Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are expecting to see on their networks. Where this occurs, network reinforcement may be delayed, resulting in a knock-on delay to stakeholders’ energy plans.

National Grid Electricity Distribution, formerly Western Power Distribution (WPD), creates Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES) to support its strategic goals, including net zero, economic and industrial growth, and broader societal benefits. As it stands, local authorities are consulted and invited to give their input, although their longer-term plans are currently not incorporated into DFES – arguably a missed opportunity to take a more holistic view of future investment options. Because DFES are based on national scenarios using data captured from whole licence areas over a relatively short period of time, it is not currently possible to fully incorporate local authorities’ longer-term plans for specific geographic areas.

This approach means that, for example, planning for an anticipated rollout of air source heat pumps in an area could be wholly upended where the local authority is already developing a district heating network. Putting in non-hybrid heat pumps adds to the electricity network load and might prompt investment in network reinforcement. However, in this scenario, investing in an over-engineered transmission and distribution network is entirely possible but may result in an inadequate gas network. This highlights the importance of increased coordination between the gas and electricity networks and the local authorities to ensure all three have clear visibility of each other’s plans.

To increase the effectiveness of its distribution network planning tools, National Grid set out to discover if it was possible to integrate more data from local authorities into the network planning process. In response, it launched its Energy Planning Integrated with Councils (EPIC) project. The project aimed to develop a process that considers the impacts of local authority energy planning on both the electricity and gas networks. By bringing these considerations into play, project EPIC is expected to enable better decision-making on network reinforcement investment that will, in turn, result in lower overall costs to the consumer. Ultimately, better oversight enables clean energy targets to be supported by the energy distribution networks more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Project EPIC

Funded under the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) by Ofgem, EPIC was a joint project funded by National Grid’s distribution business and Wales and West Utilities (WWU) with an overall budget of £540,000. Project EPIC, which concluded in December 2022, explored how DNOs and local authorities could work more effectively to create local energy plans based on the impact of fundamental ‘building blocks’ within DFES. These building blocks – including EV chargers, domestic PV systems, heat pumps, and new housing developments or industrial centres – all impact network demand profiles. The building blocks reflect local authority plans and are used to determine where and when network capacity issues may be expected.

Although EPIC was a trial to explore and develop a process to deal with different data sets from various partners and stakeholders, one of the key deliverables was the High Voltage Network Analysis Tool (HV NAT). HV NAT had to be developed from scratch because no such tool was previously available. HV NAT, which was developed by PSC as part of the EPIC project, is a Python-powered module that allows network operators to feed all the relevant data into conventional and commonly used network planning software, in this case, the Siemens PTI’s PSS SINCAL platform, which is used in over 100 countries by transmission and distribution planning engineers. The outputs from HV NAT can subsequently inform a cost-benefit investment analysis to direct knowledge-based decision-making.

The HV NAT tool that was developed considers both the top-down and bottom-up analysis of the network. The top-down approach is how the TNOs and DNOs conventionally conduct planning. It typically considers impacts as far as 33 kV and above. The novel bottom-up elements consider what goes on at the local distribution levels and then build up detail to determine the load pattern up to the HV feeder. As part of the subsequent assessment, considering the top-down and bottom-up approach, one of the goals of EPIC was to determine how closely these different analyses align. This was a unique treatment for both the sub-33 kV network and the gas network to see if it is possible to get a clear view of the most strategically important investment in the network considering all these elements.

Another use-case considered by the HV NAT tool, amongst others in project EPIC, was the timing of potential investments. One strategy is the so-called ‘fit for the future’ method, in which the maximum upgrade, such as the size of a transformer, is chosen in the first instance. In this case, the network may have excess capacity but allows for possibly realisable benefits in the future as the demand profile changes. An alternative approach is ‘just in time’ in which the next upgrade will cater only to the immediate need rather than looking 10 or 20 years ahead. In any event, HV NAT determines where and when issues emerge in the networks based on all available inputs.

Learning how to learn

Overall, the objectives of EPIC were met, and the project successfully explored the idea that network operators could work closely with councils, access the relevant data, and combine it with grid information to perform more precise network analysis. The outcomes reveal a good correspondence between what the HV NAT model showed and both the bottom-up and top-down analysis.

However, this was an innovation project, and the lessons learned are essential. For example, one of the challenges of the EPIC project concerned the accuracy of the various demand profiles associated with the DFES blocks, such as the effective modelling of the heat networks and solar PV volume. This information came partly from National Grid and partly from the various project partners and is critical to represent the load on the network. There will be an improvement over time, but some assumptions must be made to create a profile. The results of any analysis will only be as good as the quality of the data used. There were differences in specific results, as expected. Still, the data itself needs to improve for more meaningful conclusions to emerge, and some sort of data sense checking would be beneficial. For example, assumptions regarding PV panel performance could be better informed with orientation information, such as if they are facing southwest or not. That is part of the challenge.

Nonetheless, EPIC and HV NAT improve the visibility of how to best deal with different data sets from various partners and how to make that information work together to deliver actionable outcomes. The analysis tool allows network operators to develop reasoned decision-making based on specific primary inputs. It reveals whether it will be beneficial to execute upgrades and what the most favourable outcomes will be if adopting the ‘fit-for-future’ or ‘just-in-time’ approach.

The key conclusion is that TNOs and DNOs must work with local authorities to get better quality data to achieve the most cost-effective and advantageous network investments. Ultimately, that leads to optimal network development that can allow us all to meet our clean energy ambitions.