It is likely that many heat network suppliers already have a maintenance regime, or approach in place but quite often this does not seek to measure or target the efficiency of the overall heat network but instead focuses on immediate fixes, not considering any wider impact to the overall efficiency and ultimately the cost of operating the heat network.
We undertake many reviews of heat network tariffs and critically use available data to calculate efficiencies. This can highlight some terrible efficiencies, even below 40% but also seeing high-frequency data from bulk meters showing high return temperatures, not achieving design differences between the flow and return temperature, or Delta T (ΔT).
This is where the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) will come in and set minimum standards for new and existing heat networks (with a transitional period) that benefit heat network users within a minimum level of performance and reliability. The HNTAS consultation is expected shortly but we also know this is aligned in some respects to the CIBSE CP1 (2020), which has been made available free UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
We do not need to wait for HNTAS, or any other aspect of the regulations to review the heat network maintenance we are undertaking, including making use of metering, HIU, BMS and other data that is already available. This allows performance metrics and an appropriate approach to maintenance and performance characteristics can be measured, understood and targeted improvements made – including with funding already available through the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES), where we have supported successful funding bids and completed very successful heat network efficiency improvement works.
Sycous can help you!
We can help review your current efficiencies, understanding how this translates into a tariff calculation, benchmarking that efficiency against similar heat networks as well. We don’t just support you in only knowing what is happening but also drilling down into different elements of the heat network, from the energy centre, through the distribution network and into the HIU’s, allowing a more in-depth understanding and targeting improvements and interventions to have a measurable benefit and return on investment.
Alongside providing this analysis, we can provide in-depth training, including training funded by DESNZ to help your teams understanding and capabilities to take on the management of heat networks.
We know that you may not feel equipped to take this on yourself, which is why we have a team of experts on hand alongside our team of manufacturer trained engineers, with a focus on heat network performance. Just Get in Touch with our team, who can help understand and support your maintenance and compliance requirements.
