Following an £80.6m investment earlier this year into heat networks utilising waste heat sources, Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management has stated that it will commit a further £20m to energy-from-waste (EfW) projects in Birkenhead and Loughborough.
An additional £2m will support a heat network in Portsmouth to harness heat from a local reservoir, it noted.
According to a statement, harnessing waste heat produced as a by-product from industrial processes is “an efficient and sustainable way to decarbonise our energy supply”. Through the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), projects across the country are rolling out this technology to recycle waste heat and drive the transition to greener energy solutions, it added.
Wirral Borough Council is benefitting from commercialisation funding to kickstart a project in Birkenhead, it noted, using effluent from an existing wastewater treatment plant as the heat network’s primary source. This network will go on to connect 21,000 homes being built over the next 20 years across one of the UK’s largest brownfield regeneration sites, the statement said.
In the East Midlands, Vital Energi has received funding to sleeve excess heat from the Newhurst Energy Recovery Facility (ERF). The network will connect a new build development and buildings located on the west side of Loughborough University, the statement added. Connections to other educational institutions across Loughborough are expected in future plans.
Further south in Hampshire, Last Mile Heat has secured funding for an ambient heat network which will take heat from Portsmouth Water’s reservoir for the Welborne Garden Village. The heat network is expected to provide low carbon heating to 15,000 new residents, shops, schools and commercial spaces.
Locating untapped sources of heat is vital to the UK’s overarching goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050, it cited. These projects, kickstarted by GHNF, are expected to save more than 48,000 tonnes of carbon over the next 15 years.
Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “The funding for these three fantastic projects will not only support the communities they serve, but also contribute to our clean power by 2030 mission, ensuring Britain has greater energy security.
“By investing in new, greener heat networks, we are helping more homes and businesses across England benefit from cleaner heating – leading to lower energy bills.”
Ken Hunnisett, programme director, added: “Harnessing waste heat that would otherwise be lost is a valued approach to enhancing energy security while reducing our dependency on non-renewable heating sources.
“Today’s announcement expands the growing portfolio of GHNF funded projects that are leveraging local heat sources to advance the decarbonisation of our homes, universities, schools and more.”