Queens Quay District Heating Network
The Queens Quay District Heat Network is the first, large-scale, water source heat pump scheme of its kind in Scotland. It has been developed as a demonstration of how water from a river can provide heat to a number of different types of customer via a connected heat network. The development is part of the increasing drive to decarbonise heat in Scotland.
The network acts as a showcase so that other organisations can see the technology ‘in action’ and how it might be replicated in different areas of the country, and beyond. In addition to reducing carbon emissions and helping to address fuel poverty, the network has also provided the opportunity for Scottish based low carbon heat companies to generate new business, including through the manufacture and supply of the actual water source heat pumps. The significant projections for growth in demand for low carbon heat solutions in Scotland and elsewhere means there is an attractive market opportunity for Scottish companies.
Heat from the River Clyde
The Queens Quay District Heating Network is an innovative renewable energy infrastructure project developed by West Dunbartonshire Council. The project is part of wider ambitious development plans at Queens Quay including homes, shops and office developments. The project uses a heat pump to turn the low temperature heat from the River Clyde water into higher temperature heat, which is then carried to users, via pipes in a district heating network. In addition to helping to reduce carbon emissions, West Dunbartonshire Council are also able to reduce the cost of heating to users, including those affected by fuel poverty.
Where is the network located and who uses the heat?
The network is located on the former John Brown Shipyard, in Clydebank, near Glasgow. The energy centre, which houses the heat pumps, is located on the banks of the River Clyde where water can easily be accessed directly from the river. From here, a 5km network of underground pipes transfer the heat to homes, shops and offices across the Queens Quay site. The network now provides affordable and low carbon heating to the newly constructed West Dunbartonshire Council offices, Clydebank Leisure Centre and the Queens Quay House Care Home, amongst others. The heating pipework has been designed to ensure further new buildings can be connected when constructed. This includes a proposed new health centre, library, town hall and around 1,200 homes. There are also plans to connect the Golden Jubilee National Hospital which would be a significant addition to the overall scheme.
What is novel about the project?
The ground-breaking network uses water source heat pumps to extract renewable heat from the River Clyde at a scale which has never been attempted in Scotland before. The two 2.65 MW thermal output heat pumps are powered purely by electricity and provide at least 80% of the heat to the network users. The district heating network enables all heat users to reduce carbon emissions. The project provides a showcase for other organisations considering making a similar investment, lowering the risk they face now that a full-scale system has been successfully delivered.
Financially, the scheme will generate long-term sources of revenue for West Dunbartonshire Council through heat sales to users of the network. Both the Council and its customers benefit through reduced heating bills and reduced costs to operate and maintain the network, compared to more traditional fossil-fuel based options.
The Council has made a significant commitment to this innovative solution, demonstrating leadership in adopting low carbon heating solutions. The investment was £14.5M in capital expenditure with the Scottish Government funded Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme providing just under £6M in grant funding towards these costs. The scheme also generates income through the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, which is guaranteed for 20 years.
Low Carbon Technologies used
Water Source Heat Pumps
Water Source Heat Pumps capture low temperature heat energy stored in water then concentrate this energy to create higher temperatures that be used as a heat source for the district heating network. Water is extracted from the River Clyde, passed through the heat pumps, to extract the energy, and then returned back into the river. Typically, for every unit of electricity used by a Water Source Heat Pump, three units of heat are generated. They are classed as a renewable technology since they harness energy from naturally occurring and replenishing sources. Since they don’t burn any fossil fuels to operate, they don’t produce any direct carbon emissions, leading to improved air quality, compared to traditional gas-fired heating.
Heat Network
A total of 5km of underground pipes is used to transfer heat from the energy centre to customers. The pipework is highly insulated and required specialist welders during construction to minimise heat loss. Heat Interface Units are located at each customer’s building and are used to transfer the heat from the network to the customer and to measure the amount of heat used, to facilitate the billing process.
How are Scottish low carbon heat and renewables companies benefiting?
The design and development of the network involved a broad team of professionals and suppliers, many of whom are based in Scotland. One of the key elements in the system, the Water Source Heat Pumps, were designed and manufactured less than 10 miles away from the Queens Quay site by Star Renewable Energy, who had previously led a water source heat pump project in Drammen, Norway. The project has enabled a range of Scottish based suppliers to demonstrate and develop their low carbon heat capabilities and skills. The main Scottish based companies that contributed to the success of the project were:
Star Renewable Energy | Glasgow | Design and manufacture of the water source heat pumps
DAWN Developments | Glasgow | Development Managers
Cooper Cromar | Glasgow | Project Architect
Goodson Associates | Glasgow | Structural and Civil Engineering
Vital Energi | Operations Centre in Bellshill | Heat pump system and district heating network design and installation
West Dunbartonshire Energy | Operation and Management of the heat network
Muir Construction Ltd | Fife | Main contractor for Energy Centre
The Benefits Expected
Carbon emission savings
— Predicted annual savings of 85 tonnes of CO2e annually, compared with the originally planned liquified petroleum gas systems. This is equivalent to:
- Taking 340 average petrol cars off the road (700 in the longer term).
- 4,645 aircraft flights from Glasgow to London.
For Users
— Reduced energy costs.
— Reduced levels of fuel poverty.
— Increased energy security for users of the heat network and less reliance on fossil fuels.
For Stakeholders
— Regeneration and economic development for the local community.
— Successful demonstration of large scale water source heat pump technology at the infrastructure level for the first time in Scotland.
— Local job creation and upskilling.
— Improved air quality.
The project is being supported by the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme.
This case study has been developed with support from:
