The Exeter Energy Network is the name of the heat network being developed within Exeter and is operated by Exeter Energy Ltd.

Exeter Energy Ltd is the company developing the Exeter heat network and is managed by 1Energy Group Ltd, an experienced independent UK developer at the forefront of Low-to-Zero-Carbon heat networks.

Team members at 1Energy collectively have decades of experience of delivering and operating over 50 heat network projects in the UK.

Exeter Energy Network will sit alongside a 1Energy portfolio of projects currently including Bradford, Rotherham and Milton Keynes.

We’re currently focusing on large consumers of heat in the city and we are interested in talking to owners of commercial premises and blocks of flats. If you would like to register your interest in a potential connection, please contact Exeter@1energy.uk.

In time we will be investigating the potential to connect to individual homes but this isn’t happening at present.

A building will need to have a “wet” heating system, i.e. heat emitters such as radiators throughout the building connected by pipes to a central plant room, typically housing a gas boiler. However, while this is the main requirement for connecting to the heat network, we would need to carry out a survey to understand if any further changes to a building’s heating system are required.

As a rule of thumb, newer buildings will be simpler to connect as the systems are already set up to run at the kind of temperatures served by the network. However, each building will vary so we would need to carry out a survey to understand what changes would be required in your building to make a connection.

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.

During the installation phase we will be working in parts of the highways network to install our underground pipes. We recognise any roadworks can be unwelcome so we’re working closely with the Devon County Council Highways team to identify the best routes to minimise disruption. Once we have agreed the route we’ll publish details of any works well in advance and we will be engaging with local residents and businesses to make sure they understand potential impacts and alternative routes.

Once the network is installed someone walking or driving through the city won’t even notice it, and it will go on serving the city with low carbon heat for many years to come.

The exact routes are still under consideration but we are looking to minimise disruption and hold ups as far as possible. The process involves trenching insulated pipes in the road which will require some traffic management but this will be set out in a formal traffic management plan nearer the time.

Yes, see above – but again, we are seeking to minimise any impact to local businesses and residents. The programme is at the exploratory stage, and we will liaise extensively with communities and commercial premises in advance. When we have more information we will let people know as soon as possible.

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.

Yes. At the moment we are actively talking with Exeter College about how apprentices could be involved. More information should be available shortly so please do check back regularly.

The Exeter Energy Network (EEN) will create a range of benefits across employment and training, health and the environment. It will also help Exeter achieve its carbon reduction ambitions.

Up to ten apprenticeships will be created each year during the construction phase to deliver new skills into Exeter, and it is also intended that local jobs would be created during the operation phase. We are working closely with Exeter College and other stakeholders to ensure we maximise opportunities for local job creation.

The project has a focus on local employment and local services where possible. Using local service suppliers helps us reduce our own carbon footprint for the project. It enables resilience and ensures we get the best value for money, as we are not paying for transport and accommodation for companies outside the area. We will need to deploy some specialist technical support but where possible the project commits to local suppliers.

Fossil fuels are a significant contributor to poor air quality. Every time they are used for heat and transport, their combustion produces fine particulates that can affect air quality. So by removing the need for individual gas boilers in commercial buildings in the city centre we’ll be avoiding the localised burning of fossil fuels for heating, and this will improve air quality in the city.

The proposed heat network would make a significant contribution to the achievement of net zero for Exeter. The EEN will reduce emissions in Exeter by approximately 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year in phase one.

A heating network provides the most economical option available for decarbonising heating in Exeter, for both the public and the private sector, with costs being around 30% cheaper than the most economical alternative zero-carbon heating option available.

The drive towards low carbon is impacting all aspects of business and commercial development. By providing this alternative heating method, and by offering a secure, local, heating source, Exeter can improve its competitiveness. It will make the city more attractive to inward investment, employers and companies – boosting clean growth.

The EEN will speed up the pace of decarbonisation as the simplest method of securing low carbon heating for buildings. We do almost all the work to connect the buildings to the EEN, and the method of connection is a simple replacement of the boiler with a heat network connection (other methods require each building owner to figure out how to decarbonise their building themselves).
The EEN will enable developers to meet the building regulations and local planning conditions at a lower cost, making it more attractive to build developments in Exeter than in other cities that do not have a heat network.

The network would become a major pillar of Exeter as a leading city in the battle against climate change, engaging developers and demonstrating Exeter’s credentials as the country’s leading clean growth district. The benefits of the EEN are also likely to prove attractive to potential new employers looking for an effective way to procure clean, reliable and cost-effective heating.