(2024-06-06) CHEF co-hosted this event held at Napier University, Merchiston campus. The key takeaway from the event are:
– New regulations for the sector, with the new roles for Ofgem (Customer protection), HNTAS (Technical regulation), what are devolved regulations (Development and operation of HN), reserved regulations (Customerprotection), and in between (Technical).
– Update on ongoing projects in Edinburgh (Shawfair and Granton), and options to develop further District Heating across the city.
– The EastLothianQuestion and the opportunity to extend heat networks outside the city’s boundaries. This will enable to reach CheapAndWasteHeat from LothianCouncils which have heat sources but low density demand.
– Good discussions about the LinearHeatDensity as a metric to evaluate the viability of new projects (Simon Kerr).
– Opportunities to use existing infrastructure like rail or disused tunnels, to reduce costs and limit disruptions (Professor Sean Smith).
– Alternative delivery models that could be explored (Chris Cook).
– The challenge to move away from an energy model relying largely on the gas network (Janette Webb).
and some questions suggested for the research community:
“How can the impact of regulation be monitored to determine whether the Scottish Government’s targets are on track to be achieved?” (Fraser McKay, Burges Salmon LLP).
“What is the most effective way of weaning consumers off gas?” ; “What comes first; fabric efficiencies or decarbonised heat?” ; “Does decarbonized heat have to be less expensive than gas?” (Courtney Macdougall, Vattenfall Business Solutions UK).
“Looking beyond LHEES: The East Lothian Question?” (Simon Shackley, The University of Edinburgh).
“What cost of electricity can be achieved by the development of a private wire from offshore windfarms directly to an energy centre?” “How does the cost of electricity from a private wire impact heat network viability?” (Dave Pearson, Star Renewables ).
“What degree of (de)centralisation heat generation could achieve with heat networks?” (Regna VJ, student @ Edinburgh Napier University’s SCEBE ).
and many more…
The event attracted 40 delegates from The Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust, Buro Happold, Ener-Vate, SAV Systems, EnergiRaven, The City of Edinburgh Council, Sweco, Vital Energi Utilities Limited, EnergyForAll, OCS, Third sector, Community groups, with also students and researchers from Edinburgh Napier University and The University of Edinburgh.
(contact at Napier Uni: Antoine Reguis)
