Renewable power scheme moves one step closer

HEAT PUMP PURCHASED TO HARNESS TYNE WATER

Coun Joan Atkinson, lead member for area management and community safety with responsibility for climate change and Mohsen Kohannejad, construction and technical services manager at the site of the forthcoming Viking Energy Network in Jarrow

A MAJOR renewable energy scheme using the River Tyne to help heat council-owned buildings in Jarrow has taken a step forward following a decision by council bosses.

The Viking Energy Network would work by harnessing lowgrade heat from the river and exporting it to 11 buildings ranging from high-rise flats and schools to sheltered accommodation.

The scheme is also expected to help slash South Tyneside Council’s annual carbon emissions by around 1,475 tonnes and save around half a million pounds a year.

Last month the authority’s ruling cabinet agreed to purchase the system’s water source heat pump, which will allow the council to benefit from government subsidy money.

There is currently a fund, the Renewable Heat Incentive, in place for the use of this type of renewable technology, which could generate additional savings for the council of up to £150,000 a year. The equipment would normally be purchased following the appointment of the main scheme contractor, which is not scheduled until later this year.

However, to take advantage of this boost, the pump must be installed and connected to the network by March 2021.

Lead member for resources and innovation on the council,Coun Ed Malcolm welcomed the move.

“It makes sense to approve the early purchase of the water source heat pump and to enable the council to meet the time scales to benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive,” he said.

“This district heating system is highly innovative; it will be the first of its kind in the country and we’re keen to drive it forward.

“As it stands it will save around half a million pounds a year. If we meet the deadlines for the subsidy it could save up to £150,000 a year more over 20 years – that’s three million pounds.”

Water source heat pumps work by extracting heat from a body of water, compressing it to increase the temperature and then converting it into useful energy in the form of hot water in a network of insulated pipes connecting buildings.

The Viking Energy Network will see an energy centre built on the banks of the Tyne and will combine a river source heat pump, a combined heat and power backup system, a solar farm and a private wire electrical network with storage battery. The project has already attracted a £3.5m European Regional Development Fund grant and has been deemed viable following a feasibility study, with detailed designs currently being drawn up.

South Tyneside Council is striving to become carbon neutral by 2030 following last year’s ‘climate emergency’ declaration

To that end it has since developed a climate change strategy and five-year action plan.

Lead member for area management and community safety with responsibility for climate change Coun Joan Atkinson, added: “Our drive towards carbon neutrality is strong and focused and we are implementing strategies that bring about real change.”

Coun Ed Malcolm

This district heating system is highly innovative; it will be the first of its kind in the country