Learn more about heat networks
What is a heat network?
A heat network is a proven solution to the challenge of decarbonising heating. It supplies heat from a central source (or a number of sources) to many buildings via underground, water-filled pipes – avoiding the need for gas boilers in buildings. Heat networks are able to use a wide-range of heat sources, and change sources over time.
The benefits of heat networks
Enabling net zero cities and towns
District heating networks have been proven to rapidly reduce emissions at scale globally. They provide accessible heat for cities and towns across the UK, enabling cities to meet net zero targets.
A financially viable solution
Heat networks are the most cost-effective, future-proof solution to the challenge of decarbonising heat – providing greater price certainty and long-term resilience.
Healthier cities, towns and communities
Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health – heat networks have been proven to address this.
Heat networks reduce carbon emissions and enable a healthier, net zero future.
Heating is the UK’s biggest source of emissions, accounting for 37% of the total, with 85% of buildings heated by fossil fuel gas – current systems are not fit for purpose. Heat networks address this challenge by removing the need for gas boilers. They represent the fastest, simplest way to decarbonise heat at scale.
What is 1Energy’s role in establishing heat networks?
1Energy’s mission is to decarbonise heat across the UK, accelerating the transition to net zero.
Our private sector-funded heat networks offer the lowest cost, simplest, and fastest route to decarbonising heat at scale, providing a foundation for net zero cities and towns while delivering affordable, cleaner heat.
Our team have delivered over 50 heat networks in the UK over the past 15 years – for industry-leading organisations – making 1Energy the leading independent developer of heat networks in cities, as well as towns.
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about heat networks.
A heat network is a system of insulated pipes that connect to buildings to provide heat from a central source. By connecting to a centralised energy centre, buildings can remove the need for individual gas boilers, with their associated impacts on air quality.
Heat networks are the most cost-effective and simple way to decarbonise heat at scale in a city centre because they:
- – Can simply replace the gas boiler in the plant room
– Once the pipes are in the ground they can connect to any low/zero carbon heating solution – buildings are not locked in to any one technology
– Have the lowest cost per kW to install for a commercial building, compared to other low carbon heating options such as individual air source or ground source heat pumps
– A large network with numerous users is more efficient and results in competitive pricing for users
– All maintenance and replacement costs are included in the energy price, so there are no unforeseen costs
A district heating network is a system of insulated pipes that take heat from a central source and deliver it to a number of buildings.
A Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) is like the heat pump in your fridge. It is designed to extract heat from one place (inside the fridge) and move it elsewhere (usually out the back of the unit). A heat pump, whether air or water, uses the principle of moving heat from one place to another, where the heat is concentrated and turned into useable heating which is transferred via insulated pipes around the network.
Whilst this process uses some electricity, the amount used is far less than using electricity as a direct source of heating. Consequently, as a heat pump uses energy that is already present in the environment (water, heated by the sun and earth in this case), the system itself does not burn any fuel and therefore emits no carbon dioxide.
In 2010, the Environmental Audit Committee said the cost of health problems linked to air pollution was likely to exceed £8 to £20 billion.
Using heat pumps to generate heat for cities and towns will make a significant contribution to improving local air quality. By avoiding the need for individual fossil fuel use in each building we can significantly reduce the gases and particles that are harming our health.
And let’s not forget the climate crisis – buildings which are connected to our networks will initially reduce their carbon emissions by 80% in comparison to using conventional heating sources such as gas boilers.
If the weather is particularly cold or there is a long term interruption to the electricity supply to the heat pumps, then we have back up heat. We will have back-up gas boilers which can take over the water heating if necessary as well as three thermal heat stores – big bodies of hot water – that can supply additional heat capacity. These will be on site at our network energy centres.
The Bradford Energy Network will cut carbon emissions and provide accessible heat for the city of Bradford. The heat network will reduce organisations’ heating emissions by at least 75% from the first day of connection, compared to gas boilers. 1Energy have an ambition to make the network net zero by 2030.
The Bradford Energy Network will also significantly reduce air pollution in the city, improving local air quality by replacing gas boilers with low-carbon heat.
The network will deliver a healthier, net zero future for Bradford – enhancing quality of life across the city.
We recognise the importance of local skills and training in our heat networks. If you’re interested in supplying services you can let us know about them via email info@1energy.uk.
The heat network in Exeter will be developed with a mix of private and public funds. Approximately a third of the investment will be from grant funding through the Government backed Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), and two-thirds from private investment, through our partners Asper Investment Management.
Asper has supported businesses across Europe to build sustainable infrastructure. It has invested in several heat network businesses like the Bradford Energy Network, and in the development of heat networks in both Sweden and the Netherlands. Asper plans to invest several hundred million pounds into heat network projects in the UK over the next 5-10 years, including more than £70 million into the initial phase of the Exeter Energy Network.
How can I get connected?
We are always looking to collaborate to accelerate the transition to net zero. If you are a business, local authority or facility interested in connecting to one our networks, working with us, or simply learning more about 1Energy, please get in touch.
