Getting familiar with heat networks

Futurebuild has always championed sustainability and innovation - across both seminars and the exhibition - but it was particularly interesting this year to see the focus shift towards delivery and implementation.

I am unembarrassingly passionate about heat networks, so a highlight for me was hearing Steve Hunt from Ener-Vate confirm that we have all the technology, expertise, and commercial drivers needed to deliver heat networks at scale… and that the biggest challenge now is familiarity. Familiarity for developers, designers, and decision-makers, yes - but most importantly for residents and end users.

This really stuck with me, as it’s something I’ve seen first-hand during the masterplanning and planning application stages of recent projects. The key to unlocking these potential new heat networks was knowledge sharing - highlighting the benefits that could be realised through lower bills, reduced maintenance needs, and lower peak electricity demand… with carbon savings as an added bonus.

This call to increase familiarity with heat networks was reinforced by another UKDEA-led seminar focusing on policy and regulation to 2030 and beyond. DESNZ provided the strategic picture, setting out the targets of the ‘Warm Homes Plan’ to deliver 20% of all building heat demand via networks by 2050, with an interim target of 7% by 2035. Meanwhile, Ofgem presented the foundations of the developing heat network regulations.

The strongest message, once again, was that consumers need to have trust and clarity in both the technology and the operators - another clear call for the industry to continue knowledge sharing in all forms… sign me up!