Southampton- the CHP City

Autumn 2008

This is a summary of Alan's presentation on Combined Heat and Power (CHP) networks in Southampton. CHP networks substantially reduce energy use and carbon emissions by harnessing the excess heat that is produced when electricity is generated.

The presentation was originally given at the EU Renewable Energy Conference in the autumn of 2007.

Southampton now has four CHP networks:

City Centre Geothermal (producing 48GWh heating/cooling and 22GWh electricity)
The Combined Heat and Power engine at the City Centre hospital
The Holyrood Community Heating Scheme (heating 300 flats)
University of Southampton CHP (producing 1.5mw heat and 1.5mw electricity)

…and two large schemes being developed:

Millbrook District Energy Scheme – 4000 homes heated
Woolston Riverside Scheme – heating for 15 hectare site

Southampton's Geothermal Heating Network

Originated in 1987 using output from geothermal well (water at 71o C)
11Km of pipes in district networks
The network heats and cools Civic buildings, the Leisure Centre, a hypermarket, University Buildings, offices, four hotels, a shopping mall, a school and housing.
Now uses 90% gas CHP; an additional biomass boiler is planned

Grand Harbor DeVere Hotel, heated by the geothermal plant

The Millbrook district heating scheme currently in development

50mw engine in the docks
Will provide heat for 4000 homes in west of city
Not for profit company runs heat network capitalised through loans
Guaranteed heat take off fee from Council
Utility runs power station and sells electricity

Lessons for development of local networks:

Role of Local Authority is crucial
Company to ‘hold the ring’ either in partnership with LA or as separate body
Development of networks enables additional subscribers
Don’t be too prescriptive about heat source!

The future:

CHP has had development problems in the UK because of ‘Spark spread’
Funding networks is vital –needs underwriting for the future
Larger new power stations need to be CHP enabled and be close to possible networks
Revised UK ROC system likely to support CHP strongly in the future.

What do you think of this story? Email Alan

More information

You can download the original powerpoint file of Alan's presentation here