LHEES Low Temperature Heat Networks Assessment and Modelling

Tender description

ClimateXChange (CXC) wishes to commission a project to develop an approach and carry out a national assessment of locations suitable for low temperature heat networks in Scotland. Lot 1: ClimateXChange (CXC) wishes to commission a project to develop an approach and carry out a national assessment of locations suitable for low temperature heat networks in Scotland. Local authorities in Scotland are required to develop local heat and energy efficiency strategies (LHEES). These strategies set out opportunities for area-based action to decarbonise heat, improve energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty including where there is potential for heat networks to be developed. The current approach for assessing potential for heat networks focuses on 3rd and 4th generation district heat networks for large urban areas but doesn’t include low temperature such as shared ground loop (SGL) or other 5th generation (5G) potential. There is a requirement to understand where these types of heat network would be suitable and the extent of the opportunity in Scotland. Low temperature heat networks could play an instrumental part in decarbonising heat in buildings by facilitating the roll out of heat networks to lower density areas. They can also help balance requirements for future electricity grid enforcement as they are likely to require less energy than installing individual heat pumps in each property. This approach could also be instrumental in supporting the decarbonisation of social housing as areas with large numbers of properties owned by one organisation make rolling out a network much easier. This research will inform the Scottish Government on locations likely to be suitable for these types of heat networks and support the priority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the buildings sector. The aim of this project is to develop an approach and carry out the first national assessment of locations suitable for low temperature heat networks. This should include both consideration of heat demand as well as heat supply. The findings will be shared with Local Authorities for their consideration as part of delivery and further development of their LHEES as well as being published on the Scottish Government’s website.