Heat Decarbonisation

Alongside electricity generation and transport, heating homes and businesses is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. We already have an established role in enabling renewable energy and electric vehicles, and decarbonising heat is our newest area of focus.

Looking to install an electric heat pump?

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The biggest test for Net Zero

Most properties in the UK – more than 85% – are supplied by natural gas for heating and cooking. Another four million homes are ‘off-gas grid’, meaning that residents burn oil or another carbon-intensive fossil fuel for cooking and heating. This produces even greater carbon emissions than on gas grid properties and is often more expensive than gas for bill payers.

Right now, lots of different ‘pathways’ for decarbonising heat are being explored. We know for certain electricity will play an important role and switching millions of customers to electric heating will drastically lower carbon emissions. However, doing is a monumental technical, logistical and economic challenge. There are more properties in the UK to retrofit with low carbon heating than there are minutes between now and 2050.

We know from our engagement and research so far that a one size fits all solution won’t work. In 2020, we launched our Heat Strategy and are underway on several projects to facilitate heat decarbonisation in partnership with customers and stakeholders.

Our Role

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Refine forecasts to inform policy

We’re generating granular data and developing evidence to inform heat related policy. We’re refining our forecasts, defining customer segments and analysing potential uptake scenarios.

Deliver great customer service

We’re engaging with heat stakeholders to review our customer journey and help educate consumers. We’re considering the needs of customers wishing to transition today and in the future, including those in vulnerable circumstances to ensure we leave no one behind.

Undertake least regret actions to ensure network readiness

We’re reviewing low carbon heat technologies, identifying gaps and developing a toolbox of innovative, cost efficient and least disruptive solutions that we can use to facilitate low carbon heating for our customers.

View our Heat Strategy document

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Our Heat Strategy served as open consultation for all stakeholders operating in the heat sector. We have collated a report to document the key feedback we received. Their feedback also told us to consider the specific needs of all customers and coordinate with the wider industry to raise awareness. That’s why we have co-developed “Heat Packs” with bespoke information for some of our key customer and stakeholder groups to support their transition to low carbon heat. For more detailed technical insight on low carbon heating, you can also view results from our ‘Heat Street’ research project.

Our Projects

Start Date: 01/08/2020
End Date: 01/07/2021

HyCompact

We are working collaboratively with gas network Wales & West Utilities to trial new hybrid heating systems which lower carbon...

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Start Date: 31/10/2020
End Date: 30/06/2022

CommuniHeat

We’re working with the community of Barcombe, East Sussex,  to create a low carbon heating blueprint for off-gas grid communities. The village could hold one of the...

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Start Date: 10/03/2020
End Date: 09/03/2021

Cold Start

Cold start is a research project that will help us to better understand the future, and keep power supplies running smoothly in a Net Zero world with electrified heat and...

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Start Date: 01/07/2020
End Date: 15/05/2021

Heat Street local system planning

Heat Street is a first of its kind research project to help communities map out their Net Zero carbon future at street level. It will take a data-driven look into the...

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