Heat Network Zoning Pilot Programme, DESNZ
5.12.2024 – Granlund UK was a technical consultant for Norwich, Cheltenham and Strood in the heat network zoning pilot programme. Our task was to help these towns and cities identify thermal energy needs, sources of low carbon energy, map zones (in which zoning regulations will apply) and identify heat network opportunities.
The Heat Network Zoning Pilot Programme (HNZPP) was part of the government’s transformation process to enable the development of low carbon district heating networks, at scale across urban areas of England. A Heat Network Zone (HNZ) is an area which is offers the conditions for heat networks to become the least-cost low carbon for heat decarbonisation.
Various powers under heat network regulations (due to come into force in 2025) is expected to enable local Zoning Coordinators to require properties and low carbon heat supply to connect to heat networks, which in turn will lead more certainty at the development stage and unlock the investment required in this rapidly emerging market. The pilot programme ran from 2022-2024, with the formal designation of zones expected to start in 2025.
We began by helping the communities to map the energy needs of their buildings and potential low carbon thermal energy generation. Heating, cooling and electricity data was gathered via open data, information provided by stakeholders through structured engagement with large building owners such as local councils, universities, hospitals and private business. Some of the low-carbon energy options we explored were geothermal, industrial-scale heat pumps, heat recovery (e.g. from data centres and water infrastructure), solar and heat storage.
Sustainable heating solutions
After analysing the data, zones were defined and tested with local stakeholder to complete final refinement based on local knowledge. Working alongside Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) the cohort of consultancies engaged in the project we developed and tested solutions for the various stages of work, ultimately completing zoning for Norwich, Cheltenham and Strood. We delivered project work packages to each city, which included economic feasibility of solutions and an analysis of major risks and opportunities for heat network deployment.
The pilot was new and unique for the UK, but the Granlund Group’s long experience developing heat networks in the UK and Nordic region was critical in identifying how to conduct zoning and efficiently identify and develop network solutions. We provided the cities with expert advice on regulations, technology and finances to create their own local heat networks, and for some we continue to support the specific project development.
Want to hear more? Contact
Robert Clark
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