UKERC EDC: Publications

AdHoc_ESD_EN2013_4.pdf

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Abstract:

This project seeks to identify the innovative solutions needed to deliver major reductions in the capital cost of heat network infrastructure and accelerate its deployment. Examining the technical, process and system developments needed to deliver a step change reduction in the capital costs, along with cost estimates and time frames for undertaking these developments. District heat networks supply heat to homes and businesses through pipes carrying hot water. They have great potential to deliver CO₂ emissions reductions and cost benefits through the use of low carbon heat, waste heat from power stations, industry and other sources, combined heat and power, and large-scale heat pump deployment.

This summary report summarises the entire project, in a readily-accessible manner. Readers may find it useful to study this report prior to studying the detailed engineeringreports.

Key findings from the project

Heat network capital cost reductions of 30-40% are possible. Eight route maps summarise the actions required to implement the most impactful solutions with a total funding requirement of c£10m

Cost modelling of a notional baseline network (constructed to current good practice in the UK) comprising a mix of types of dwelling from flats to detached houses and a group of non-domestic buildings showed that 77% of the total cost of a typical heat distribution network is associated with three key elements:

The civil engineering work to excavate and reinstate trenches (37%).
The transmission and distribution pipes and their installation (17%).
The supply and installation into the buildings of the heat interface units (HIUs) and associated pipework, which enable the connection of the DH network to the building’s heating system (23%).

A technical review of DH experience outside the UK revealed that the technical designs used in countries with established district heatingmarkets are broadly similar to the designs deployed in the UK. However, in other countries there is a widespread understanding of DH systems and better integration in practice across all delivery stakeholders, including a more standardised methodology for carrying out assessments, design and construction for new schemes.

The technical review also confirmed that the design and installation of pre-insulated pipe systems has reached a level of technical maturity after 40 years of development, and so the areas with the greatest potential for cost reduction are likely to be those concerned with completely new materials and products, new approaches to site work, or more radical system design. Additionally, Heat Interface Units (HIUs) have the potential for cost reduction through optimisation and mass production.

Subsequent technical and stakeholder engagement activity identified a range of innovation opportunities and technical solutions that could deliver substantial reductions in the capital cost (and lifecycle cost) of DHN infrastructure deployment.

These solutions have been prioritised and combined where appropriate to form eight broad groups for which ‘route maps’ have been developed which describe the mechanisms by which these solutions can be driven through to commercialisation.

Each route map details:

The particular challenge to be addressed
The proposed solution−
Development and commercialisation requirements
A plan of work.

Each activity within the plan of work has been separately defined with a scope, cost and implementation schedule. The funding needed to deliver the activities within the route maps is proposed to come from a combination of central government and the DH industry.

Publication Year:

2017

Publisher:

ETI

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000327

Author(s):

AECOM Ltd

Energy Categories

Class Name:

Subclass Name:

Category Name:

Energy Efficiency

Residential and commercial

Other

Language:

English

File Type:

application/pdf

File Size:

4868652 B

Rights:

Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials

Rights Overview:

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Further information:

N/A

Region:

United Kingdom

Publication Type:

Technical Report

Subject:

UK Energy Market

Theme(s):

Energy Storage and Distribution

Related Dataset(s):

No related datasets