As
the UK’s implementation of sustainable and efficient district heating
technology continues to lag behind other European nations, a new whitepaper is providing technical advice on
district heating pipework to help bridge this gap.
Mainland
Europe remains ahead of the curve in adopting heat networks, with Statista
highlighting how the technology is used in a quarter of all German new-build
homes.
By
comparison, heat networks facilitate only 2% of the UK’s heat demand despite
government targets of 20% by 2050, demonstrating a need for greater urgency and
guidance to enable a more effective national rollout.
Taking
these concerns into account, REHAU’s district heating design team have launched
a new technical whitepaper, Trends in District Heating Pipework.
The document aims to provide district heating specifiers and contractors with
key considerations and technical points for the next generation of heat
networks, as Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building
Solutions UK, explains:
“As
recent reports have demonstrated, the current rollout of heating networks in
the UK pales in comparison to the Government’s net zero ambitions, and lags
behind many European nations,” he said. “To catch up and meet such lofty goals,
industry needs greater guidance on how to implement district heating technology
– more specifically, fourth and fifth generation networks.
“This
involves more awareness of key considerations with these new systems, including
the jointing process, heat network design and other installation and site
considerations. It is with this in mind that we have published our latest
whitepaper, detailing the factors and variables behind implementing the
technology that is set to form a major part of the UK’s national heating
infrastructure.”
The
whitepaper goes on to discuss material pipe choices and includes frequently
asked questions in the component selection process. This includes covering
important topics such as the difference between carbon emissions during
transport, the importance of shrouds and flow and return temperatures. Also covered
are the differences between single and twin pipes, district and communal
heating systems, and fourth and fifth generation district heating systems
against their third-generation counterparts.
“Current
government thinking suggests that 20% of UK heat demands will be met by
district heat networks,” says Bean Beanland, Director for Growth and External
Affairs at the Heat Pump Federation. “Whether to improve comfort conditions in
social housing, to facilitate the removal of gas from high rise buildings, to enable
the capture and sustainable use of waste heat, or to deliver technology leading
efficiencies with simultaneous heating and cooling, enormous growth in the heat
networks sector is certain.
“Supply
chain leaders, such as REHAU, have a massive contribution to make in training,
quality and product innovation, so the Heat Pump Federation is delighted to
welcome the publication of this report, and its contribution to the
decarbonisation of heat in the UK.”
For
more information and to read REHAU’s guide, Trends
in District Heating Pipework, please click here.
