Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_WWU_032 | |
| Title | Assessment and bench marking of low carbon heating technologies | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Energy system analysis) 25%; Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Other oil and gas) 25%; Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Energy Economics) 25%; Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Environmental, social and economic impacts) 25%; |
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| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | SOCIAL SCIENCES (Economics and Econometrics) 25%; SOCIAL SCIENCES (Business and Management Studies) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 25%; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences) 25%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Systems Analysis related to energy R&D (Other Systems Analysis) 50%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Policy and regulation) 50%; |
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| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 February 2016 | |
| End Date | 01 April 2016 | |
| Duration | 2 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £29,333 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Technical Consultancy | |
| Region | Wales | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_WWU_032 |
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| Objectives | The objective of this study is to : ; Enable WWU to compare a range of carbon mitigation measures (either alternative heating sources or interventions within the existing asset base); Aid the understanding of the impact of various renewable solutions on the energy trilemma and thus create a reliable evidence base to underpin WWU’s strategy and planned investment in carbon abatement measures; Enable WWU to engage in policy discussions that impact the heating solutions for the UK as envisaged by the regulatory agencies (DECC, DEFRA and OFGEM) The output of the study will be a report that summarises the literature review. It will enable the development of a clear view of the carbon intensity of various heating solutions to allow WWU and other GDNs to engage in initial policy discussions with the Government and regulators. The output of this study will highlight the gaps in the current information available on this topic and will thus help to define the additional research that is required in order to develop well informed policy and support investment decisions related to heating solutions and the use of gas in the long term plans for energy distribution. | |
| Abstract | The GB gas distribution networks (GDNs) are operating against an uncertain backdrop. The UK’s carbon reduction policies coupled with increasing energy efficiency measures may result in a gradual decline in gas demand. The Government’s position is to move away from gas as the primary fuel for heating, with a target of zero percent fossil fuel usage in the provision of heat for buildings by 2050. Nevertheless, the demand for gas still exists; it remains the most cost effective solution for heating homes and commercial premises and consequently there are over 200,000 new connections annually. There are a plethora of low carbon options available and, although they are presented as a significant opportunity to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions, there is often a lack of evidence and reliable information on their performance. The higher levels of risk and uncertainty that emerge as a result of this lack of reliable information can be a major barrier to action, making it hard to develop a political, business or social case for investment in low carbon options. Legal commitments in the form of the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union 20-20-20 goals, the Climate Change Act and the Paris climate deal create a challenge for policy makers, regulators and the private sector to reduce carbon emissions in a cost-efficient way. The energy trilemma must be considered so that a balanced solution is achieved. Wales & West Utilities (WWU) ContextWWU have sought to clarify the feasibility of the Government’s strategy for decarbonising heat through an in-depth analysis of alternative heating solutions and a recently completed exercise to analyse the impact of low carbon heating solutions on a town in Wales. Due to the lack of evidence about these technologies WWU is not clear about the best way to deal with the energy trilemma. WWU would like to take this study further by including more detailed ecological, environmental and economic aspects of renewable technologies as it exists today. The study will provide a macro level analysis and evaluation of the key heating technologies, both established and emerging, to show medium and long term impacts on cost, reliability and carbon emissions. The study will be underpinned by a literature review. A key requirement is to determine the impact on carbon emissions if these new technologies were adopted on a macro scale. The initial study will enable initial policy discussions with regulators. The output of this study will also highlight the gaps in the current studies done on this topic and will help to define any future phases of work.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 10/07/18 | |
