Heat network projects: quarterly report - September 2024

Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund Capital Projects

Carron Estate ASHP Heat Network Project

Lead Organisation:

NG Homes

Project Stage:

Operational

Technology type(s):

Air Source Heat Pump; Solar PV

Location:

Springburn, Glasgow

Type of Support:

£3,695,187 SHNZHF grant

Project Timeframe:

Commissioned July 2022

Project Description:

Installation of ASHP system to replace existing electric wet system in 314 homes in tower blocks.

This project saw NG Homes install ASHPs into seven tower blocks in the Springburn area of Glasgow, North of Glasgow City Centre. There are four 16-storey high –rise tower blocks and three 9-storey tower blocks situated on the Carron Estate. The 314 dwellings within the blocks previously had a mixture of ‘old’ inefficient electric storage and electric wet systems, which are expensive to run.

The project installed a Commercial-Grade Mitsubishi Ecodan CAHV Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) system which is connected to an underground district heat network that will serve all seven blocks. The heat network has pre-insulated pipework connected to insulated steel risers through each of the blocks. Insulated copper pipework forms the lateral pipework into each of the dwellings.

The system also benefits from the installation of solar PV onto three of seven blocks.

MacKenzie Gardens’ Zero Emissions Heating Project

Lead Organisation:

Grampian Housing Association

Project Stage:

Operational

Technology Type(s):

Communal ASHP system with solar PV, battery storage and additional insulation measures

Location:

Turriff, Aberdeen

Type of Support:

£306,534 SHNZHF grant

Project Timeframe:

Commissioned August 2022

Project Description:

Grampian Housing Association received grant funding to install a communal air source heat pump system to supply low carbon heat to 23 social housing homes in Aberdeen. Solar panel were installed so solar energy can be stored (in battery storage) and used to reduce energy costs for tenants, with any excess energy been fed back into the grid or provisioned for use in other Grampian Housing Association housing stock nearby.

The system was also designed with the potential for adding additional properties in the future, with the ASHP system designed to allow heat pump modules to be added.

Arlington Street

Lead Organisation:

West of Scotland Housing Association

Project Stage:

Operational

Technology Type(s):

Communal ASHP system

Location:

Arlington Street, Glasgow

Type of Support:

£310,000 SHNZHF grant

Project Timeframe:

Commissioned May 2024

Project Description:

This project included replacing current communal gas boilers with a communal ASHP system including thermal storage to maximise heat output and window replacement.

Arlington Street is a sheltered housing complex for elderly people consisting of twenty five flats spread across three floors, which was previously heated by a communal gas-fired boiler plant in the ground floor. A communal ASHP was deemed the most effective clean heating solution with individual Heat Interface Unit (HIU) for each flat and a backup electric boiler.

The HIU allows tenants to control and be billed for their heating and hot water use rather than being billed for the buildings heating demand, which could exceed their personal use. The communal ASHP has reduced the carbon footprint of the building and offers reduction in energy bills for tenants with the support of fabric improvements, including thermal glazed windows.