re:heat has joined forces with leading law firms Ward Hadaway and Harper Macleod and the Energy Saving Trust, to host a series of technical seminars throughout the north and Scotland to advise operators and owners of biomass district heating schemes on the government’s new Heat Network Regulations.
Neil Harrison, re:heat director and vice chair of the Wood Heat Association, said: “The new Heat Network Regulations, which come into full force from December 2016, have significant implications for owners and operators of district heating schemes of all sizes.
“The uptake of district heating using biomass boilers has been significant under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), with many hundreds of new schemes installed across the UK since the scheme was introduced in 2011.
“Many installers and scheme owners have implemented biomass district heating projects without fully understanding the new legislative environment in which they will operate. There is also mounting concern and evidence that many schemes are not operating as efficiently as they could.
“This is why we have developed our technical seminar series in partnership with two leading law firms in Scotland and the north of England. We aim to bring owners and operators up to speed to prevent them from falling foul of the new legislation. For example, the new legal requirements state that all heat customers must have a heat meter fitted and owners must meet other obligations or face enforcement action.
“The seminar series is part of our ongoing efforts to drive up quality standards in the biomass sector, and have been developed for the benefit of biomass district heating scheme owners. We want to provide expert guidance to help operators navigate regulation changes, maximise the operating efficiency of underperforming systems and increase their RHI income.”
The seminars are intended for anyone who owns or is developing a biomass district heating scheme or who provides heat to a number of end users in a property – particularly in the rural, forestry or agricultural sectors. Housing associations and local authorities will also benefit.
Along with getting more information about the new regulations, attendees will also hear from re:heat engineering experts on how to optimise district heating scheme outputs through improved controls, metering and measuring to increase RHI income and reduce wood fuel costs.
They will also receive an update on national biomass policy, the future of the RHI scheme and the biomass sector in general. The seminars also provide an opportunity for guests to network with other owners of biomass district heating schemes in their area.
To book a place or find out more about Biomass District Heating and the Heat Network Regulations seminar series, contact Penny Stewart at re:heat by emailing: penny@reheat.uk.com or telephone: 01665 665 040. Details are also available online at: www.reheat.uk.com/heatnetworks.
Seminar dates and venues:
Tuesday September 27, 2016** at Ayrshire – Craufurdland Castle Tuesday
October 11, 2016 at Aberdeenshire – Inverurie, Thainstone Centre
Tuesday October 25, 2016** at Perthshire – Battleby, Battleby Centre
Tuesday November 8, 2016 at Cumbria – Penrith, The Rheged Centre
Tuesday November 15, 2016 at North Yorkshire – Moulton, The Black Bull
Tuesday November 22, 2016 at Scottish Borders – Carfraemill, Carfraemill Hotel
Tuesday December 6, 2016 at Northumberland – Morpeth, Cockle Park
*Each seminar starts at 9.45am and ends with lunch and networking.
** On these dates, the Energy Saving Trust will also be speaking on district heating project funding opportunities.