Bids invited for innovative low carbon heating networks

Local authorities in England and Wales are being invited to bring forward innovative proposals to develop low carbon heating and cooling networks and bid for their share of a £6 […]

Local authorities in England and Wales are being invited to bring forward innovative proposals to develop low carbon heating and cooling networks and bid for their share of a £6 million fund.

The Government is launching the grant scheme for technologies that draw heat energy “as much as possible” from renewable, sustainable or recoverable sources such as waste heat from industry, energy from waste plants and biomass combined heat and power (CHP). Bids will be assessed on a range of criteria including, the potential for commercial development and contribution towards low carbon and energy reduction objectives.

Heat networks supply heat from a central source directly to homes and businesses through a network of pipes carrying hot water, which means individual properties do not need to generate their own heat on site. Many university campuses, new mixed commercial and residential developments and high rise flats currently draw heat from low carbon heating networks.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker (pictured) said: “Increasing the use of low carbon heating in our buildings is helping to reduce our dependency on costly, imported oil and gas.

“Thanks to the Coalition Government’s support, many UK buildings have already made the switch from traditional fuels to low carbon heat sources. This new grant funding programme builds on these successes by helping Local Authorities develop more commercially viable low carbon heat networks.”

The bidding process starts today and will continue for 18 months through a series of six rounds.

Last month Southwark Council announced householders in the London borough will soon have their heating and hot water generated from an energy from waste facility.

Latest Podcast