Combined Heat and Power
Combined technology brings benefits
Aberdeen Heat and Power (AHP) operate a district heating scheme in Aberdeen, using combined heat and power technology. High temperature heat is used to drive gas engines, which produce electricity. The waste heat from the engine is use to produce hot water that is piped to properties on the network, providing heating and hot water to customers.
This company won the VIBES Environmental Product or Service Award 2015, which recognises businesses that have developed, or are developing, a product or service that brings environmental and business benefits. The judges recognised that the business model used by AHP is an exemplar model in district heating due to it’s not for profit nature and the associated social benefits, such as reduction of fuel poverty and the associated health benefits from reheating damp, inefficient properties.
Ian Booth, general manager at Aberdeen Heat & Power Ltd, said: "Aberdeen Heat & Power Ltd. is delighted to be able to win this prestigious VIBES Award. The company was formed in 2002 to deliver affordable heat to alleviate fuel poverty, through a district heating model particularly for hi-rise social housing blocks, and this mantra is still very valid today."
Aberdeen Heat & Power was set up with the specific aims of alleviating fuel poverty and reducing the carbon footprint in hard to treat properties through installation of efficient heating systems. The aim was to replace the original costly and inefficient electrically heated systems, with affordable and controllable systems. In the multi-storey blocks this has been achieved through installation of a range of piping to all flats.
The company have used an innovative approach, taking an existing technology and optimising and adapting it to use in a new way for Scotland. Whilst they are using gas to power the system, they are running the gas engines for optimum efficiency and reduced NOx emissions.
The technology saves between 3 and 6 tonnes of carbon per property per annum, With over 2000 properties now connected to the network this is reducing the carbon footprint significantly. Alternative fuel technologies are also under investigation to offset the use of fossil fuel in the medium and long term, including potential link to the proposed energy from waste plant for the city.
AHP negotiate their gas contracts and set their customers prices well in advance. The fixed rate is set so that no-one is living in fuel poverty, ensuring that it is at the lowest level possible for people on benefits or a state pension. The power generated from the CHP system is sold to the grid, with the contract price for power also negotiated in advance.
Further Information
You can also search for good practice case studies on the European Resource Efficiency Knowledge Centre (EREK)