City Of London District Heating System Praised

A case study into a district heating system that operates in the City of London has praised its efficiency and the way it has slashed emissions by changing the coolant used.

Energy firm E.On runs the system, which takes ground source hot water from an aquifer 200 metres below the famous square mile and also uses surplus heat from the combined heat and power plant, known as the Citigen energy centre.

HVN Plus has reported on how the system has become even greener by switching the coolant it uses to a refrigerant called R1234ze, which releases have the level of carbon of the previous coolant used. Buildings that benefit from the system include the Barbican arts and residential complex, the Guildhall arts centre and the Museum of London.

Head of low carbon solutions at the City Energy Solutions branch of E.On Antony Meanwell said: “Tackling the environmental impact of heating, especially in densely populated areas, will be key to meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero targets.”

To help achieve this, many more firms and buildings could end up using quick drying screed in London, as a means of laying down floors with embedded district heating systems.

While 2050 is the UK target for reaching net zero, London mayor Sadiq Khan has set a more ambitious target of 2030.

Earlier this month, Mr Khan set out a strategy for making London’s energy use more efficient, especially in homes. It has been estimated better insulation and new sources of energy could slash annual heating costs for the capital’s nine million residents by 44 per cent from £11.1 billion to £6.2 billion.

His pledge was based on a report by the Element Energy Consultancy, which also said that 56,000 jobs could be created by 2025 by employing people to install measures such as district heating systems and more home insulation.