Case study: Heat network development, London Borough of Barnet
Developing a heat network for Hendon and Finchley areas in Barnet
What is the project?
Project stage: Plan
The project involves developing heat networks for the Hendon and Finchley areas of the London Borough of Barnet, creating feasibility studies for both sites to determine viability against green heat network fund metrics.
The initial feasibility studies identified that the heat networks in both areas meet the minimum metrics to be viable and can be taken forward for market testing, business case development and potentially prospectus development.
The study incorporated a review of existing borough and area wide feasibility studies of North London heat network areas, to ensure the solutions developed considered options for future integration into a larger area wide network.
The project involves engagement with key stakeholders including developers, NHS trusts, universities and potential investors. It brings benefits such as:
- identifying opportunities to decarbonise key anchor load institutions (such as NHS trusts) and the associated benefits a heat network can bring such as access to lower cost low carbon heat and reduce maintenance.
- the development of standard principles and good practice guidance for heat networks in Outer London including typical delivery models and financing solutions.
“We are really excited to be working on these heat network projects with the Zero Carbon Accelerator.
“Their work is instrumental to helping us meet our ambitious net zero goals, by allowing us to explore the viability of heat networks within the borough, upskill council officers with regards to innovative low-carbon solutions and consider the most suitable delivery model for any future heat network projects.”
Chris Smith, Assistant Director Estates and Decarbonisation, Barnet Council
What building types are included?
This project focuses on heat networks that deliver low carbon heat to social housing, NHS buildings, universities, residential properties and council-owned buildings.
What support is being offered?
This project:
- supports the development of metrics for success
- promotes understanding of how heat networks could be used across future north London borough projects
- offers an upskilling opportunity for council staff
- identifies suitable funding opportunities and delivery models for networks
- encourages multi-borough engagement on lessons learned.
Mott MacDonald are:
- the technical project manager providing key technical oversight
- helping engage with key stakeholders, including NHS Trusts and developers
- offering economics expertise
- supporting the development of delivery models and financing solutions.
COWI are the heat networks specialists and undertake the desk study and additional modelling and design work for the feasibility studies.
What technology is involved?
Heat networks
How does this project align with the Zero Carbon Accelerator’s principles?
These are some of the ways that this project aligns with the programme’s principles:
- Ambition and scalability: The project aims to support other heat networks studies and transform the approach currently taken to upskilling council teams about similar heat network projects.
- Collaboration and innovation: There are collaborative opportunities with other heat networks and boroughs. We aim to engage other local boroughs to gauge their interest and share experience of different finance and modelling options.
- Building knowledge and capacity: Upskilling council staff in heat networks and sharing knowledge with other boroughs are key parts of the project.
What Knowledge Hub resources are we creating?
With every Zero Carbon Accelerator project, we aim to create resources that can inspire and support other organisations on their decarbonisation journey. These resources are shared on the Zero Carbon Accelerator’s Knowledge Hub.
For this project, we will develop:
- ‘good practice’ guidance to support with prospectus development for heat network projects
- a case study for heat network feasibility development and case study report templates.
- a standardised heat network delivery model.
What social impact commitments are being delivered?
The project will enable the delivery of low carbon heat to the Hendon and Finchley areas of Barnet. This supports a just transition to net zero by enabling more people in the area to access lower cost, low carbon heat that wouldn’t typically be able to access it, including social housing and schools.
We will share more specifics from the project as it progresses.
What’s the project timeline?
The project will run from October 2024 to October 2025.