Heat Pumps Today

www.acrjournal.uk/heat-pumps 13 G R O U N D S O U R C E H E A T P U M P I N S T A L L A T I O N Kensa’s response to CCC statement 290622 ‘Bigger picture thinking needed to enable game-changing low carbon heating solutions’ Kensa welcomes the fact that the CCC is challenging Government to improve its policies and legislation to get the UK on track to reach its climate change goals. The ground source heat pump experts are encouraging policymakers to engage with their ‘bigger picture’ Networked Heat Pump solution, which they say provides a tangible pathway for a wider transition to renewable energy. The decarbonisation of heating should be a key priority - over 34% of all emissions in the UK are attributed to the provision of heat. More than 80% of UK homes will still be in use in 2050 and existing buildings will have to undergo significant improvements to meet the net-zero challenge. Dr Matt Trewhella, CEO, said: “It is one thing to make low-carbon heating technologies like ground source heat pumps available, but it is entirely a different matter to achieve their installation in homes and their adoption for use on a mass scale. “Kensa is working to break down the perceived barriers to the widescale electrification of heat and showcase to policymakers and the public that Networked Heat Pumps can achieve mass decarbonization goals at scale for the lowest economic and societal cost.” Rather than replacing gas boilers with ground source heat pumps on a house-by-house basis, Kensa is urging key stakeholders to focus efforts on street-by- street installations of ground source heat pumps on shared ground loop arrays that utilise the natural heat in the ground, to facilitate the widespread roll-out of the technology. By installing the underground infrastructure required for ground source heat pumps a whole street at a time in a way that mimics the roll-out of the gas grid, entire communities would be able to switch to renewable heating when they are ready to transition. Kensa has develo0ped a split-ownership model - where energy companies, water companies, local authorities and pension fund managers fund, own and maintain the underground infrastructure in return for income via a long- term modest connection fee – which could provide a viable pathway for the replacement of the gas grid network. If this infrastructure is already provided at zero upfront cost to the consumer, then homeowners could be motivated to replace gas boilers with heat pumps in a phased switchover, subsidised by Government support. Add to this the scalability of the model from the street-by-street level right up to the town & city level, and Kensa say this could truly be a gamechanger. With the right legislative changes, this would be a self-sustaining, subsidy-free method for widespread decarbonisation. Whilst these policies are put into place, strategic Government subsidy investment could bridge this gap to kickstart a low carbon transition. In addition, if Government were to level out the current bias in levies on electricity by properly proportioning them against carbon emissions, thus reducing the price of supply, then highly efficient ground source heat pumps could save even more money when people need it the most. heat pumps will bring real benefits for the environment and our residents alike.” Stuart Gasden, Commercial Director of Kensa, said: “We are delighted to be working with Gravesham Borough Council to install ground source heat pumps at Merston Court and Hermitage Road. “The project's success is a result of close collaboration between the council, its residents and Kensa and will significantly reduce carbon emissions and positively impact residents' lives.