A major district heating project for the centre of Liverpool has received approval to enter its next phase, which will provide hot water and heat for up to 9,000 homes once completed in 2023.
The plans, undertaken by Mersey Heat and approved by Liverpool City Council, involve the laying of 1.5km of underground piping between Central Dock and Clarence Dock that will link to the Future Energy Centre between Great Howard Street and Sherwood Street.
This next step of Liverpool’s ambitious heat network plan is part of the Liverpool Waters sustainability plan, to not only transform the city’s northern docks but to do so in a way that reduces heating bills and carbon emissions.
According to the contractors, the heat network could save up to 4,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, for a total saving of 168,000 tonnes over the network’s planned lifecycle of 40 years.
As well as the sustainability benefits, there are practical benefits for residents and office users, as they will no longer need to wait for their hot water taps nor their heating systems to warm up.
The nature of heat pump-based systems is that heating is provided immediately. Along with this, the service promises accurate metre readings, a 25-year warranty with 24/7 emergency repairs, a control system with free servicing every two years, and competitive prices for heating.
District heating and cooling systems have become an increasingly popular option to help reduce the carbon cost of energy, as by drawing energy as required from a central heating plant (often as a by-product of electricity generation, they can provide heating more efficiently.