New Partnership To Underpin Heat Network Quality

Heat networks, commonly known as district heating, are a cost effective way to distribute heat to multiple buildings or industrial processes, and many local authorities are considering how to initiate city centre networks.

CIBSE and the Combined Heat & Power Association (CHPA) have formed a new partnership to underpin the quality of heat networks with the drafting of a code of practice. The partners believe that the development of a widely recognised code of practice for heat networks will support the spread of the technology by increasing the confidence of developers and investors. Combined heat and power (CHP), integrates the production of usable heat and power (electricity), in one single, highly efficient process. Delivering a minimum of 10% energy savings, it makes the very best use of renewable and fossil fuels. This efficiency means less stress on precious fuel resources and lower carbon emissions. CHP works by recovering heat from the power generation process and putting it to work in industry, buildings and homes, often delivering significant cost and CO2 savings. CHP currently provides 7% of UK electricity and in 2010 provided emissions savings of 13 million tonnes of CO2. Phil Jones, Chair of the CIBSE Combined Heat and Power and District Heating (CHP-District Heating) Group stated: “A code of practice will provide confidence for both specifiers and clients and can be included in the tendering and contracting process. The Code will provide a foundation for training and differentiate those with specialist skills, through the accreditation and registration of heat network designers and engineers. “