Invitation to public meeting for Jackmans Estate Community Heat Network
A community owned, low carbon heat network is being investigated in the Jackmans Estate area of Letchworth. All are welcome to attend an evening workshop at Jackmans Community Centre on Wednesday 20th August, 7.00-9.00pm to find out more and help ensure local representation in this development.
Working with River Ivel Community Energy, Sharenergy have identified the Jackmans Estate in Letchworth as having heat network potential due to the density of housing, a number of possible anchor loads such as schools and a leisure centre and proximity to potential wind resources.
River Ivel Community Energy develop and manage energy projects in the Ivel Valley that help save money and reduce carbon emissions. These projects include renewable energy installations and low-carbon transport solutions.
Sharenergy are a cooperative who are helping to grow the community energy sector through supporting a range of community energy organisations and renewable energy projects. They are leading the Community Heat Development Unit project which is aiming to kick start a number of community owned heat networks across the UK.
Ben Cannell, Community Heat Network Consultant, Sharenergy, said the upcoming workshop at Jackmans Community Centre offers the opportunity for local residents to directly influence the future of a proposed low carbon heat network in Letchworth.
“We’re really looking forward to discussing the possibility of a community owned, low carbon heat network in Jackmans Estate.
We want to understand residents’ interest in decarbonising their heating systems and appetite for supporting a community owned and led heat network.”
Centralised district heat networks are becoming increasingly considered as a means of decarbonising heat in the UK. They connect a central heat source, such as large heat pumps, with buildings via pipework which is buried underground. The heat used by connected buildings is measured using a meter and billed by the network operator in much the same way as households buy gas and electricity. By attracting external investment, heat networks can also provide a heat decarbonisation route for those that can’t afford to install individual heat pumps.
Ben adds, “The UK Government is backing the development of heat networks however they’re focussing on encouraging private investment to cherry pick the very best locations, with little consideration of using heat networks to decarbonise the heating of peoples’ homes.
There is a real risk that communities who aspire to decarbonise their heating get left behind, with key public infrastructure being owned by private companies without local governance.
We think community ownership of heat networks is essential to avoiding the issues surrounding the operation of the rail and water systems following their privatisation. Community ownership ensures local governance and representation while supporting the local economy.”
Sharenergy is hoping to build upon their experience of supporting community heat projects having most recently supported the community energy organisation STCE who are pursuing a community heat and wind project in Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire. This project has seen recent success with a planning application approved for the development of a ~1MW wind turbine which is intended to generate much of the energy for a future heat network.
For more details of the Community Heat Development Unit project visit
https://communityheat.org.uk.
Workshop event details: 7pm-9pm, Wednesday 20th August, Jackmans Community Centre, Ivel Court Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 2NL.
Ben Cannell, Community Heat Network Consultant,
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Sharenergy
Sharenergy is a Registered Society (Co-operative) - number 31237R.
Also check out other Workshops in Letchworth, Meetups in Letchworth.
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