By KLTV Newsdesk –
As part of its commitment to tackling the climate emergency, Kirklees Council has announced they have agreed on the next steps to take forward their Huddersfield Heat Network scheme.
The council recently carried out work to establish the economic viability of a network in Huddersfield.
Now, with funding from the Government’s Heat Networks Delivery Unit, the council says they are set to progress with works to develop the business case for this opportunity.
What is a ‘Heat Network’?
A Heat Network is a low-carbon enabling technology that features a system of insulated pipes, which distribute hot water to multiple buildings from a central heat generation plant.
This provides buildings with space heating and hot water, and the system removes the need for the buildings to have individual boilers
The town’s existing Energy-from-Waste plant, which processes non-recyclable waste from homes across the district, could be a potential source of heat and power for the network.
What are the benefits of a Heat Network?
Heat Networks such as the one proposed by the council are purposefully most effective in urban areas such as Huddersfield.
The council says that the development of this heat network will offer many potential benefits.
These include a reduction in energy prices, future energy security and local economic benefits including the creation of employment opportunities
Where will Heat Networks be established?
The network would initially provide heat and hot water to the council’s own town centre premises as well as key external public and private sector partners in the area.
The council hopes that this network would grow over time to include further partners and premises.
‘Significant Scale’
Councillor Paul Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees said: “As a council, we have set an ambitious target for the district to be carbon neutral by 2038 and we know that to achieve this challenge, we will need to consider projects of a significant scale.
“The Heat Network is one such project and I am delighted to see this progressing – not just for the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions its offers, but also for associated economic benefits it will bring to the town and those partners who connect to the network.”
‘Removing waste and reducing reliance’
Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “The council is committed to tackling the climate emergency and the possibility of using our own waste to generate heat and hot water is a fantastic way to do this.
“Not only are we removing waste from landfill but also we are reducing reliance on fossil fuels and the associated carbon emissions.”