This month the Hub’s Project Development Team played a supporting role in getting three new energy projects underway in the South West.
Our Project Managers have worked directly with the local authorities, providing fully funded support and technical expertise to help to progress the following projects:
Heat Network – Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council
BCP Council is exploring plans for a low-carbon heat network to provide cleaner, more affordable heat to a range of public and non-domestic buildings, supporting the Council’s net zero ambitions and helping to tackle fuel poverty.
The project is looking at where heat demand is concentrated, which buildings could be connected, and where energy centres could be located to serve local areas. A range of low-carbon heat sources is being considered, including the potential use of geothermal heat.
The Hub-funded support helped move the project from an early idea to a clearer, evidence-based proposal for next steps by providing funded technical expertise to help shape the project, assess feasibility, and explore different delivery options.
Working with specialist consultants Ramboll, the project is now reaching the final stages of feasibility, with engagement with key stakeholders planned as the next step.
Rooftop solar – Dorset Council
While Dorset Council (DC) has installed solar across its estate, it lacks the capacity and specialist expertise to assess the viability of solar on leased buildings due to legal complexities.
Consultants Ramboll have been appointed to undertake a desk-based feasibility study of an initial shortlist of 122 leased properties.
The study will identify the 5 best sites which are technically and financially suitable for solar PV. It will also review existing tenant lease arrangements to identify legal barriers and develop draft approaches to amended leases and power purchase agreements.
The project will produce a high-level business case, enabling DC to make informed investment decisions, unlock an untapped income stream, and establish a pipeline for delivery.
The Hub’s funding, procurement and project management support laid the foundations of the project. The completed report is expected in March.
Bristol and Bath Science Park Heating and Cooling Network – South Gloucestershire Council
The Hub is working with South Gloucestershire Council on a project to investigate the potential of a heating and cooling network and alternatively an ambient temperature (5th generation) heat network at Bristol & Bath Science Park.
The project will investigate the opportunity to link up waste heat from a food retail distribution centre, industrial processes on site, and from the Isambard AI super-computers at the National Composite Centre, as well as using thermal energy from flooded former coal mine workings.
The project is out to tender currently (closing 28 January) and will start once a consultant has been appointed to carry out a study to assess the technical feasibility and economic viability. The Hub has provided procurement support and funded the study .
Our Project Development Team work directly with local authorities and other public sector bodies, providing fully funded support to help with scoping, project design, and unlocking the finance to progress projects.
If you work in the public sector and need help or guidance with a renewable energy generation project, contact the Hub and one of our project managers will be in touch.