Building Capacity for Heat Networks

Buro Happold

31/01/2012 No comments

This workshop brought together a range of stakeholders, as part of the West of England Low Carbon Initiative, to discuss opportunities for the implementation of district heating networks in the West of England with particular attention to the Bristol North Fringe and Central Bath. Findings of the recent study into the potential for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy in the West of England, and experiences from experts in the field were presented, followed by focussed discussions on two live case studies to build capacity in the Bristol North Fringe and in Central Bath.

The workshop explored the process of implementing heat networks in these case study areas. Learning from the workshop has been documented and action plans developed.

Who attended?

Developers, planning agents, large businesses and public sector organisations with significant heat demands, planning officers involved with development in the Bath and in the Bristol North Fringe area, and others with a professional interest in developing capacity for heat networks in the West of England. A full list of attendees can be found in the workshop notes, sent to participants.

Agenda

• Findings of the recent study into the potential for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy in the West of England.
• Case studies and experiences from outside the West of England.
  • Cofely's approach to district heating and Southampton case study
  • Islington Perspective on Heat Networks
• The business case for heat networks.
• Workshops based on two live sites and discussions on actors and roles required to facilitate delivery. Next steps proposed during these workshops are described in the workshop notes.

Minutes of the workshop

Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Capacity in the West of England

The West of England Low Carbon Initiative comprises five studies to inform sub-regional planning for a low carbon economy, with the aim of providing an evidence base for making the West of England a low carbon place with a low carbon economy and low carbon communities.

Buro Happold has carried out all five of these studies.  Project 2, Lot 4 of the West of England Low Carbon Initiative focuses on renewable and low carbon energy capacity in the West of England. The first phase of this project built on the work of other West of England Low Carbon Initiative projects and other relevant studies in the West of England to identify opportunities for developing regional sustainable energy infrastructure.  The second phase involved organising and facilitating a series of workshops to build capacity among key stakeholders on a range of topics. The presentations from these workshops are made available on this website to download, for those who attended the workshops, and for other interested parties.