Renewable heat network wins DECC funding
ZERO Carbon Future Ltd has won a substantial Government grant to deliver the uptake of heat networks in the UK.
DECC's development grant, part of the 'Heat Networks Demonstration SBRI Competition,' rewards scalable, cost effective technology innovations. ZERO will leverage the cash to hasten development and availability of renewable heat solutions nationwide.
Why renewable heat?
The Government wants heat networks to supply 43% of the UK’s heat demand by 2050. The existing 2,000 UK networks will require substantial expansion to do so. Local authorities are already building 150 schemes, across the UK, with more in the pipeline.
ZERO will improve these statistics, using its sector expertise and ground-breaking tech solutions to put more sustainable options in place.
What is a renewable heat network?
Solar thermal panels, heat pumps or biomass boilers can all replace or work alongside fossil-based district heating schemes. The Government is keen to promote such change, because renewable technologies offer far lower heating costs alongside reduced carbon emissions.
ZERO Managing Director Finian Parrick said: “This is brilliant news, as it means our development team can move forward with our project.
“We will encourage the use of heat networks and drive down energy bills while boosting low carbon heat supplies in the UK. We are passionate about advancing low carbon heating technologies. This grant will help us do exactly that.”
Uptake must hasten
Data from June, reported in EDIE.net, shows why ZERO's technology is so badly needed. In 2013, the percentage of UK heat supplied renewably was a meagre 2.6%.
But the UK has set itself a 12% target for renewable heat, as part of legally binding EU aims to source 15% of overall energy from renewables.
If these are missed, costly EU fines will come. More importantly, there would be missed opportunities for businesses to cut their heating bills and CO2 emissions through renewable heat networks. Firms can gain additional cash incentives for reducing carbon this way.
In a recent press statement from REA chief executive Dr Nina Skorupska, she champions the part the sector plays: “Our industry holds the key to meeting these obligations, securing cost-effective green energy and cheaper bills, while also creating thousands of skilled jobs in the process.”
Mr Parrick echoes the REA’s sentiment: “The opportunities and potential for renewable energy are significant – but this potential needs to be ‘unlocked’. Our grant from DECC will help to do just that – and it is a very welcome move in the right direction.”
With DECC's funding promise to ZERO, it looks as though this thriving future for renewable heat may be on the cards.
http://www.zerocarbonfuture.com/
