The winners of a competition aimed at driving down energy bills and boosting low carbon heat supplies in the UK have been unveiled.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey made the announcement at the Association for Decentralised Energy’s Parliamentary Reception yesterday.

The 17 projects will share a £1 million fund to carry out feasibility studies, following which up to 10 of the best will bid for a £6 million share to fully implement their plans.

Winning ideas include super insulated pipes, heat recovered from industrial waste and a project combining solar and heat pump technology.

Mr Davey told ELN a lot more local authorities are getting involved in feasibility studies, adding: “I’m really quite excited by the impact these competitions have in stimulating new people in coming up with fresh ideas.”

According to DECC, the value of the district and heat network market is expected to rise to around £530 million this year.