Switch2 Energy Limited has won funding from The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES), in order to improve efficiency and carbon performance across nine of the district and communal heating schemes that it operates.
The £ 4.175 million HNES government grant scheme supports performance improvements to existing heat networks. The aim is to deliver sustained efficiency savings in fuel consumption and carbon emissions, so as to provide a greener, more reliable, cost-effective heat supply for residents.
Optimization studies to find ways to enhance efficiency
Switch2 Energy Limited will work with partners to carry out optimization studies, which will identify opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, at eight of the district and community heating schemes.
At the ninth project, funding will be used to support upgrades to heat network insulation and controls, which will result in cost and carbon savings.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled Optimize technology
The studies will be informed by Switch2 Energy Limited’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled Optimize technology
The studies will be informed by Switch2 Energy Limited’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled Optimize technology, which uses big data and remote connectivity to gain complete visibility of performance, across the entire heat network.
In this way, inefficiencies and faults can be identified, diagnosed and often remotely remedied. Switch2 Energy Limited’s Optimize platform has helped to deliver average 35% energy savings across other existing heat networks, where it has informed highly targeted improvements.
Supporting the transition to net zero carbon emissions
Richard Harrison, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Switch2 Energy Limited, said “Improving the energy and operational performance of the UK’s 17,000 legacy heat networks, many of which run at high temperatures and low efficiencies, can make a huge contribution to tackling rising energy costs and decarbonizing heat.”
He adds, “The HNES funding will enable us to take an intelligent approach to identifying and remedying these inefficiencies, to benefit the thousands of residents connected to the 9 heat networks involved, while supporting the UK’s transition to net zero.”