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Heat networks are a key technology proposed in the UK Government's Clean Growth Strategy for delivering low carbon and low-cost energy to urban communities in the UK. Currently, around 2% of all heat in the UK is provided by heat networks compared to other countries such as Sweden/Denmark, where they have more than 30% delivered in this way. Most of the Scandinavian systems use high temperature 3rd or 4th generation heat networks (>50-80°C) [>122-176°F] and these are often driven by fossil fuel powered Combined Heat and Power (CHP), which are carbon intensive and also impact on local pollution/particulates. In the UK there is a drive towards 5th generation heat networks involving ambient temperature loops (13 - 25°C) [55-77°F]. These systems deliver additional benefits and savings as they are able to share heat/coolth across the network and capture waste heat from secondary heat sources like the heat from London Underground ventilation shafts and local data centres. They utilise heat pumps to deliver heat or cold from the loop to individual applications or buildings and they avoid emissions of particulates associated with CHP. This paper investigates how existing 3rd and 4th generation networks can be connected into 5th generation systems. It uses the 3rd generation Bunhill CHP installation in the London borough of Islington as a case study to investigate the relative performance when converting a system. The paper describes the techno-economic models developed to show how the Bunhill installation might perform when connected to 5th generation, including CAPEX and engineering connection approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, the UK became the first major economy to pass laws to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Meeting this ambitious target not only requires a shift in energy supply from fossil fuels to low carbon energy sources, but also a reduction in energy demand through the roll-out of energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings. The UK has some of the oldest and most inefficient housing stock in Western Europe and the building sector is responsible for approximately half of energy consumption. The present work has a strong focus on exploring low carbon heat supply tehcnologies could be applied to existing housing stock, using the London Borough of Islington (LBI) as a case study. The applicability of low carbon energy efficiency measures to a range of different building archetype prominent within LBI is discussed and evaluated. The methodology implemented includes both qualitative and quantitative assessment of the opportunities and benefits, with a focus on applicability, cost, and carbon savings associated with two low carbon heat supply options. The overall evaluation approach presented in the paper is applicable to other urban areas in the UK and elsewhere. Key conclusion from the study and planned next steps are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]