Project Summary

The Aberdeen pilot project aims to lower carbon emissions and reduce fuel poverty by developing a low carbon heat network utilising waste heat from an Energy-from-Waste (EfW) Plant.

The Aberdeen Pilot project is located in the Torry area of the city. This area was chosen as it is an area of multiple deprivation, which indicates higher than average levels of fuel poverty, and is within close proximity to the new EfW plant. 

The pilot has initially connected three non-domestic buildings to an existing district heating network. The existing network serves three multi storey blocks of flats with energy supplied by gas boilers. It has been designed with a focus on 4th Generation District Heating principles. We have adapted the existing systems within these buildings to meet the requirements. This has been achieved by careful design and the utilisation of smart controls.

The plan in the medium-term is to connect the new, enlarged network to the new EfW plant, using the waste heat produced at the plant to heat the buildings. This will provide significant carbon reductions in the network. Construction of the EfW plant is underway, and it should be fully operational by 2022. The pilot network will be used as a test area during the commissioning of the plant and the associated Heat Distribution Facility. Following which, further properties will be added to the network in order to fully utilise the waste heat generated by the plant. The outline plan is to connect a further 800 domestic properties and a new community campus to the network.

Find out more in the Case Study Report Cards and Evaluation Report.