Project lead: Perth and Kinross Council
Local Energy Challenge Fund award amount: £19,750
Area: Perth and Kinross
Perth’s River Tay heat pump project aims to demonstrate that it is both possible to safely use water source heat pumps in an ecologically sensitive river such as the Tay without damaging wildlife, and can create a district heating network which will supply heat to buildings adjacent to the river.
The water source heat pump in the Tay will generate renewable energy which will be supplied to the district heating network. Natural gas boilers will provide top-up heating during times of peak demand, allowing the heating network to meet the total heat demand of the connected buildings.
Thermal stores will be used to hold the heat energy produced by the heat pumps during times of lower heat demand, and some of the heat energy will be stored in the district heating network itself. The business model and delivery vehicle selected for the project will aim to retain local value while providing affordable heating to customers.