ACR Journal

April | May 2020 HEAT PUMPS 44 The official launch of the Heat Pump Federation last month was one of many industry events hit by the coronavirus. As work to establish the new body gathers pace, Bean Beanland, Chairman of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association, outlines its aims and aspirations. Our aim is to become the solution of choice Volume 6 No.3 The Heat Pump Federation (HPF) is the new representative sector body that encompasses the full range of heat pump types and configurations, and addresses the complete range of industry participants, from supply chain and practitioners, right through to multiple end-users and operators, such as Housing Associations, commercial landlords, facility management teams and developers. The HPF has been formed by the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) and is intended to become the principal lobbying body for the whole of the heat pump sector, with the GSHPA focussing on specific ground- and water-source related topics, including ground array design training, and on its world class Technical Standards. The HPF will provide a full range of technology support to encourage corporate energy providers, mechanical consultancies and end users to join to benefit from the knowledge hub and peer- to-peer engagement. Demand has been seen from businesses who see a future in the heat pump sector but who are neither manufacturers, nor who want to be limited by a “ground-source” tag. The creation of the HPF, and its distinctive branding, are a demonstration of the heat pump sector looking to position itself as a key player in the progress to the UK’s legally binding target of Net Zero emissions by 2050. It is essential that our industry is seen as trustworthy and authoritative in order to build confidence in the technology with both domestic and commercial consumers. The initiative has received a very broad welcome from a number of key observers and policy influencers, who were concerned that the heat pump industry does not currently have dedicated and powerful advocating and evangelising representation. In parallel, the GSHPA has been rebranded to demonstrate a family relationship with the HPF, to portray a current and progressive front where electrification of heat is the only currently available practical option to achieve the decarbonisation of heating and cooling, and to build on the reputation for professionalism and quality that the GSHPA already enjoys. Authoritative voice The objective is for the HPF to rise to the demands of decarbonising the built environment in support of Net Zero 2050, so becoming the authoritative voice of the wider heat pump industry. The core aims for the HPF are: • enhanced and consolidated political lobbying for UK energy policy development supporting the electrification of heating and cooling in the built environment • to encourage the broadest participation of the whole industry sector right through to the end user, including knowledge sharing, thus allowing all members to contribute to one of the great challenges of our time • collaboration with all related bodies in the sector to build a genuine heat pump coalition with the strength and resources to promote the technology to government and to build the sector during the coming decade and beyond • to support the development and maintenance of industry leading technical standards and training, requiring cooperation with all other related parties to achieve this goal with a clear focus on robust consumer protection • to provide consumer procurement advice, both for individual homeowners, and for all other end users. A better equipped customer body will understand how to purchase quality, resulting in the continual improvement of the outcomes from UK heat pump deployment • the development a technical oversight capability in partnership with MCS, CIBSE and others, managed and policed by heat pump specialists, for heat pump specialists To deliver on this bold, yet vital agenda the HPF will collaborate ever more closely with the GSHPA (as a specific technology vertical), HPA, SEA, MCS, CIBSE and others to achieve low carbon emissions prosperity and improved air quality. Work has already started to build an HPF membership with the scale and reach to persuade government that there is no better low emissions technology available today to provide 21°C in our homes and commercial buildings. Very high temperatures, as delivered by combustion of natural gas, LPG or hydrogen, will be needed in industry, and these fuels will be required to decarbonise heavy transport, but for low temperature space heating, potable hot water and space cooling in commercial buildings and oces, heat pump technology must be the solution of choice. Bean Beanland, Chairman of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association