District Heating

District Heating

Accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon heat and a zero-carbon electricity system is essential to addressing the climate emergency. It can also bring wider environmental, public health and economic benefits, and improve the security of our energy supply.

Renewable, low or zero carbon heating and cooling can be provided via district heating. District heating (also known as heat networks) supplies heat from a central source to consumers, via a network of insulated underground pipes carrying hot or ambient temperature water. Heat networks can serve large areas including towns and large parts of cities or supply small clusters of buildings or units, or even a single building, avoiding the need for individual boilers or electric heaters.

A review of the current policy and further evidence work is currently underway to understand and explore the potential for future heat networks within the district. There is now an opportunity through the local plan to review the current policy and further strengthen the policy to enhance the potential for heat networks in the district.

Subject to the developing evidence base, we are proposing to update the current policy.

C/DH: District Heating – Proposed Options

No	Options	Advantages	Disadvantages
1	Update the policy to include a requirement that developments will connect to existing district heat networks in the locality. Additionally, where it has been identified that a heat network will provide the lowest cost decarbonisation solution in an area and a B&NES Heat Network Zone has been designated, developments within that zone must be designed around a low temperature heating system and be capable of connection to that network. Where appropriate, proportional contributions to enable a network to be established, completed or extended will be sought. Where a proposed development is expected to generate heat energy from processes or plant (for example from large refrigeration units, data storage, or energy from waste) the development should provide for effective distribution of waste heat to maximise energy recovery and reuse by localised users.	New development will be heated and cooled by reliable low-carbon sources where possible.	Viability considerations (to be tested).