Guide looks to stimulate uptake of surface-water heat-pump technology

CIBSE, ground source, renewable energy, heat pump, surface water, district heating, water source
Exploiting surface water for heat pumps — Phil Jones.

The application of surface water such as rivers, lakes and canals as the source for heat pumps is set to increase with the launch of a code of practice by CIBSE for heat pumps using such heat sources. The Government has identified surface-water-source heat pumps (SWSHP) as a key part of its strategy to reduce the UK’s energy use by 80% by 2050. Heating for buildings accounts for 45% of the UK’s total carbon emissions.

Phil Jones, chairman of the CIBSE energy performance group said, ‘This new code is exactly what is needed to give developers and investors the confidence to recognise the potential of surface-water heat-pump technology, ensure they do what it says on the tin, and give a serious boost to the UK’s carbon-emissions aims.’

Mike Spenser-Morris of Zero Carbon Partnership, who was the driving force behind the 2.3 MW scheme at Kingston Heights in 2013 that uses the River Thames as its heat source, said, ‘It would certainly have been a very useful tool for me and my team during the time we spent carrying out our installation at Kingston Heights. But unfortunately, we had to find out for ourselves a great deal of the information that is now available in the code of practice.’

Created with support from the Department of Energy & Climate, the code sets out best practice and minimum requirements for the whole life of an SWSHP that set the objectives which will ensure the best running of a system. It enables all parties involved in the construction and running of a system to be confident in the supply chain required to run it.

The guide was produced in association with the Heat Pump Association and the Ground Source Heat Pump Association.

It can be ordered or downloaded from the CIBSE web site.

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