An innovative Combined Heat and Power scheme in Aberdeen is lifting Council tenants out of fuel poverty and cutting greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Three cleaner, greener Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects created by the council are providing heat and hot water to more than 700 flats and public buildings including a leisure centre, ice rink, sports changing facility and a beachfront ballroom. The installation of the CHP units has brought residents an 80% cut in their fuel bills whilst also reducing carbon emissions and generating electricity. The natural gas powered CHP plant is located in a new building which also accommodates the changing facilities for the football pitches. It takes up less space than a 3 bed semi detached house but supplies heat to all the surrounding buildings. The building also features a green roof and extensive use of sustainable and recycled materials.

Any excess electricity is bought by green energy uk and fed into the National Grid. Aberdeen Heat and Power, the operating company have plans to install a second engine which will be twice the size and will be capable of eventually using biomass rather than natural gas which will make the system more sustainable.

green energy uk’s chief executive, Doug Stewart, is enthusiastic about the project. He said: “We are very pleased to be supplying our customers with electricity from these three cleaner, greener CHP units in Aberdeen. Cleaner, greener CHP works for everyone in reducing carbon emissions by combining the production of heat and electricity, whilst at the same time reducing the cost of fuel bills. It is very efficient; one fuel source is producing heating, hot water and electricity. Nothing is wasted. What’s more, the units are smaller than a three-bed house, so are ideally sized for urban areas and do not pollute like brown energy power stations do. We would like any local authority thinking of planning something similar to get in touch.”

The CHP scheme replaces electric storage heaters. Prior to the installation of the units, the average National Home Energy Rating for a multi-storey flat in Aberdeen was 3.3 (from 0 = poor to 10 = excellent). The running costs were around £38 per week (to heat a flat completely), and the total carbon emissions were 1597 tonnes per annum.

Once the CHP units were in place, the energy rating increased to 6.2 – 8.1, the heating costs are now £7.75 per week, and the total carbon emissions have reduced by 45% to 936 tonnes per annum. By not having individual meters and instead charging by ‘heat-with-rent’, the heating charge is VAT exempt and reduces the residents’ costs.

The initiative was recognised at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s recent UK Housing Awards, where Aberdeen City Council won the ‘Increasing Environmental Sustainability’ award and also scooped the top award: ‘Outstanding Achievement in Housing’.

Credits:: Image of the CHP buildings from Ramsey&Chalmers consulting engineers.