Homes could be in heat pump study
Smart community energy system is ultimate aim
An east Perthshirebased project has been announced as the only Scottish initiative to be involved in a study that aims to encourage the use of domestic heat pumps.
Working in partnership with Power Circle, a Scottish social enterprise, the HEAT Project – which is part of Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust – is exploring options for undertaking a heat pump project in the Blairgowrie area with funding from the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
HEAT Project manager Martin Mathers said: “Our aim is to develop a package for households that really reduces their energy use, tackling climate change and hopefully reducing energy bills – a win-win for consumers and the environment.
“A heat pump is a device that absorbs heat from the air, ground or water around a building and converts it into a form that can be used to heat houses.
“Heat pumps can produce three to four times as much heat as the electricity needed to run them and are part of the government’s efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from heating and tackling the declared climate emergency.
“The feasibility study will look at the most cost-effective way to introduce heat pumps for consumers, including the option of installing the pumps in combination with roof-top solar PV panels and battery storage to reduce the running costs of the pumps.
“The solar PV panels and battery would provide electricity to operate the heat pump, which will reduce the amount of energy the heat pump needs to draw from the grid.
“The overall aim of the study is to develop a model that makes the installation and operation of heat pumps more affordable and therefore available to more people in the community.”
Power Circle is a social enterprise which supports social housing providers, private house owners, communities, and the private sector to access affordable, low carbon energy, helping them establish smart, local energy systems.
Jon Cape, managing director of Power Circle, commented: “If we can get enough households to take up this package, there may be the potential to then link the heat pump and PV/battery systems together into a smart community energy system.
“This can help householders get even more benefits.”
Over the next few months, the project team will be seeking feedback from the community on the proposals through questionnaires, focus groups and one-to-one discussions.
If you are interested in knowing more and participating in the consultation, get in touch with Martin on 07834 962361, email the team through the contact form on www.theheatproject or complete the online survey at www.theheatproject.org/heatpumps-survey-in-blairgowriescotland/
Overall aim is to develop a model that makes installation and operation more affordable ... Martin Mathers