Omega Proteins Ltd, part of the Leo Group who operates the Penrith animal by-products processing plant to the west of Penrith, has submitted an application for planning permission to install a district heating system.
District Heat networks are a way of centralising heat generation, taking advantage of larger scale generation and renewable energy sources such as excess heat from industrial processes.
There are 2 types of Heat networks the term community heat networks is normally used to describe a system that has a central plant room to generate heat and hot water normally in a single building such as flats or a small development of buildings.
District Heating Network is about distributing heat from large scale generation and waste heat sources around large areas, usually within cities, connecting community heating schemes together.
District Heating is about pipes laid in roads delivering heat to heat homes and hot water for homes as a utility like our electricity, phone line, water etc is delivered into the home.
By utilising heat networks in towns and cities, it means that we can reduce CO2 emissions, cut household heating coats and also address social issues such as fuel poverty and affordable warmth.
District Heat Networks have been used around the world for decades one example is the Copenhagen district heating system one of the world's largest, oldest and most successful District heating networks supplying 97% of the City with clean, reliable and affordable heating.
Set up in 1984, the system simply captures waste heat from electricity production normally released into the sea and channels it through pipes into peoples' homes.
The heat network cuts household bills in Copenhagen by 1,400 EUR annually, and has saved Copenhagen district around 665,000 tons CO2 a year.
The Omega Proteins project will harvest waste heat from industrial processes at Omega Proteins Penrith and transfer it via a new dedicated subterranean pipeline to Sewborwens Farm and Newton Rigg Estate where it will be used for space heating of buildings. The proposed pipeline would be about 2,100 metres long and would run underground.
The pipeline route has been chosen to minimise the impact on trees and natural habitats. Most of the route runs through farmland of low ecological value, which can be easily and quickly restored once pipeline construction is complete. Restoration of disturbed land would take place during the development phase, as would any compensatory planting required to support local biodiversity. Once constructed, the pipeline will no longer be visible.
The heat network the company are proposing is a closed loop system, with pipes passing clean hot water through the network and returning it to the heat source, where it is recharged and returned to the cycle. The use of heat exchangers ensures that the industrial heat source does not mix with the clean water flowing through the sealed heat network pipes.
The company has said the “project is in line with our corporate strategy and policy, as Leo Group is committed to using the best available techniques and adopting environmentally friendly technologies to help the UK achieve its net-zero ambitions. Protecting the environment and reducing our CO2 emissions is a top priority for us. “
Andrew Watts at Maze Planning Solutions, Leo Group’s planning consultant commented: “The Government’s Energy Act became law on 26 October; it includes measures to promote and support the creation of heat networks as a means of addressing the challenges of climate change, so the principles of the scheme proposed for Penrith finds support at the highest level. The construction of heat networks is recognised as a crucial part of how the UK will reach its net-zero targets. It is one of the most cost-effective ways of decarbonising heating systems in the UK, which presently rely heavily on boilers fuelled by natural gas and oil.”
Nina Schwarz, PR Manager at Leo Group, said: "The proposed Omega / Sewborwens / Newton Rigg heat network would be the first of its kind in Cumbria. When completed, it also has the potential to expand to heat up to 3,000 homes and businesses in Penrith. And it is another building block and part of our ongoing commitment to introducing environmentally friendly technologies at our Penrith site, with the aim of becoming carbon neutral. For this commitment we have just been awarded the regional Planet Saver Award by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce."
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