Heat network projects: quarterly reports – July 2023

Heat Network Pre-Capital Projects

Edinburgh BioQuarter

Lead organisation:

City of Edinburgh Council

Project Stage:

Pre-capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network or connection to existing heat network (heat source: energy from waste)

Anticipated Delivery Model:

Service Concession / Independent Heat Network provider

Location:

BioQuarter site, Little France Drive, Edinburgh

Type of support:

£47,125 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility Study completed Q1 2023. Stakeholders developing next steps.

Project description:

The project explores the supply of heat to the Edinburgh BioQuarter site via a heat network. This is proposed to serve new buildings on Edinburgh's BioQuarter site masterplan, with connection to existing buildings on site in due course, including the NHS Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, and the potential to serve social housing off-site. The feasibility study examines the potential for a new heat network or connection to the upcoming Shawfair Heat Network in Midlothian.

Dundee Caird Park

Lead organisation:

Dundee City Council

Project Stage:

Pre- Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Existing heat network extension

Location:

Regional Performance Centre for Sport, Dundee

Type of support:

£34,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility report completed March 2023

Project description:

The Caird Park project was originally supported by the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme. A pre-feasibility study to expand the network was published in January 2022 as part of an initiative to boost heat networks by the Scottish Cities Alliance. This study analysed opportunities to expand the existing network towards additional heating loads (a school, a college, a sports centre and a gymnastics centre). The project aims to deliver these expansions to their heat network.

Inverness West Bank

Lead organisation:

The Highland Council

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Inverness

Type of support:

£36,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility report completed April 2023. Stakeholders developing next steps.

Project description:

The Highland Council are looking to establish district heating networks within Inverness. The main buildings identified for connection include Inverness Leisure Centre, Inverness Ice Centre, Highland Archive and Registration Centre, Inverness Botanic Gardens, Highland Council HQ and Eden Court.

Inverness Castle

Lead organisation:

The Highland Council

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility Study

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Inverness

Type of support:

£27,500 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility report completed April 2023. Stakeholders developing next steps.

Project description:

Highland Council are looking to develop a district heating network within the immediate area surrounding Inverness Castle which is a council administration centre. Potential heat sources include ground source heat pumps, river source heat pumps, sewer heat recovery, biomass and large scale air source heat pumps.

Perth City Centre Heat Network

Lead organisation:

Perth and Kinross Council

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Perth

Type of support:

£36,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility report completed in March 2023. Stakeholders developing next steps.

Project description:

Various non-domestic and domestic buildings including a concert hall, council offices, tower blocks and a hotel have been identified within Perth city centre that are potential connections for a heat network. A range of low carbon heat sources are recommended to be considered including river and ground source heat pumps.

Blar Mhor

Lead organisation:

NHS Highland / University of the Highlands and Islands

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility Study

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Fort William

Type of support:

£17,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility report completed in March 2023

Project description:

Proposed heat network to serve the Blar Mhor development site, including connections to the proposed STEM centre for UHI – West Highland College and NHS General Highland hospital. Air source and ground source heat pumps are being considered as heat supply technology.

Glasgow Polmadie

Lead organisation:

Glasgow City Council

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Glasgow

Type of support:

£44,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility report due August 2023

Project description:

Project secured grant funding to undertake a review of prior feasibility work to determine the potential for the Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC) to be used as a heat source for a district heat network serving a mix of domestic and non-domestic properties in the south side of Glasgow.

Queen's Quay Extension

Lead organisation:

West Dumbartonshire Council

Project Stage:

OBC completed – commercialisation

Technology type(s):

Extension of existing heat network (heat source: water source heat pump)

Anticipated Delivery Model:

Contracted via Vital Energie

Location:

Clydebank

Type of support:

Capacity building and OBC support

Project Timeframe:

OBC submitted December 2022

Project description:

The project proposes the extension of the Queens Quay heat network to connect to the Golden Jubilee Hospital and hotel as well as nine of West Dunbartonshire Council's multiblock flats at Dalmuir and Littleholm (6 currently on electric, 3 on gas).

Granton Waterfront

Lead organisation:

City of Edinburgh Council

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Commercialisation

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network (proposed heat source: sewer source heat pump)

Location:

Granton, Edinburgh

Type of support:

£50,000 Scotland's Heat in Buildings Development Funding Invitation Grant

HNSU Advisory Support

Project Timeframe:

Contract Noticed published May 2023. Council looking to appoint a development partner by the end of 2023 and reach financial close by August 2024. Heat on to first customers targeted for September 2025.

Project description:

The project proposes a new heat network to serve new buildings on the Granton development site. The site is of mixed use with approx 3000 homes and 9,000m² non-domestic space, including a primary school, medical centre, business, retail and leisure. The projects looks to create the heat network with the potential to connect to nearby areas of heat demand to the south of site including existing schools and a leisure centre.

Edinburgh Airport Low Carbon Heat Network

Lead organisation:

Edinburgh Airport Ltd

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital - OBC

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh

Type of support:

£42,350 Scotland's Heat in Buildings Development Funding Invitation Grant

Project Timeframe:

OBC due to be submitted in 2023

Project description:

The project will develop the technical and economic case for a district heat network which would supply heat to Edinburgh Airport, while acknowledging opportunities for future expansion to the Crosswinds and West Town developments (eg with regard to energy centre/pipe sizing).

Hamilton Heat Network

Lead organisation:

South Lanarkshire Council

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Hamilton

Type of support:

£35,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility report submitted January 2023

Project description:

Proposed heat network centred around the council headquarters, and investigating the connection of several other non-domestic public sector properties, tower blocks and proposed new-build housing in the area. Ground source heat pumps are the recommended primary heat supply technology.

Blindwells Heat Network

Lead organisation:

Hargreaves Land

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Blindwells, East Lothian

Type of support:

£30,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility report submitted February 2023

Project description:

The project involves a quarry and mine regeneration scheme creating new-build residential and commercial properties. A suggested approach is recovering heat from minewater which will be fed through an ambient loop to households each of which will have individual heat pumps.

Edinburgh Gracemount

Lead organisation:

City of Edinburgh Council

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

South Edinburgh

Type of support:

£45,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility report completed February 2023

Project description:

Network for public sector buildings including council-owned offices, an NHS health centre and an Edinburgh Leisure building in close proximity. The project proposes using both air source and ground source heat pumps to provide low carbon heat.

Barrhead Mainstreet

Lead organisation:

East Renfrewshire Council

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Barrhead, Glasgow

Type of support:

Circa £35,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility study due December 2023

Project description:

This project proposes a new heat network for for public sector buildings that include a leisure centre and library, council offices and a primary school. Potential heat sources include sewer heat recovery and a water source heat pump.

Eastwood Park

Lead organisation:

East Renfrewshire Council

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Eastwood Park, Glasgow

Type of support:

Circa £35,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility study due December 2023

Project description:

This project proposes a new heat network with sewer water heat recovery as a potential source. The proposed heat network would supply public sector buildings that include Eastwood Park Campus, schools and a leisure centre.

St Andrews

Lead organisation:

University of St Andrews

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Extension of existing heat network (heat source: biomass)

Location:

St Andrews, Fife

Type of support:

£50,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility study underway due Autumn 2023

Project description:

This project proposes the extension of an existing biomass heat network in and around St Andrews. Since its commissioning in 2017 the existing heat network, sourced by a 6.5MW biomass boiler has provided heating and hot water to 50 University campus buildings via 27 km of pipe, accumulating savings of 20,000 tCO2e. The feasibility study will explore different options to identify a preferred extension scenario, which could include public sector buildings, schools and hospitality venues.

Dundee Baldovie

Lead organisation:

MVV Environment Baldovie Ltd

Project Stage:

Pre-Capital – Detailed Feasibility

Technology type(s):

Proposed new heat network

Location:

Whitefield & Douglas area, Dundee

Type of support:

Up to £50,000 HNSU Grant

Project Timeframe:

Feasibility due March 2024

Project description:

This project proposes the creation of a heat network for the Whitefield and Douglas area with heat supply from the Baldovie Energy from Waste facility. The proposed heat network would supply a newbuild school with potential to extend the scheme towards Dundee City Centre.