Biomass specialist Re-heat has joined forces with the Energy Saving Trust and legal services firms Ward Hadaway and Harper Macleod and, to host a series of technical seminars throughout Scotland and northern England to advise operators and owners of biomass district heating schemes on the government’s new Heat Network Regulations.
The new Heat Network Regulations, which come into full force from December 2016, have significant implications for owners and operators of district heating schemes of all sizes.
Neil Harrison, Re-heat director and vice chair of the Wood Heat Association, explains: “The uptake of district heating using biomass boilers has been significant under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), with many hundreds of new schemes installed across the UK since the scheme was introduced in 2011.
“Many installers and scheme owners have implemented biomass district heating projects without fully understanding the new legislative environment in which they will operate. There is also mounting concern and evidence that many schemes are not operating as efficiently as they could.
“This is why we have developed our technical seminars to bring owners and operators up to speed to prevent them from falling foul of the new legislation. For example, the new legal requirements state that all heat customers must have a heat meter fitted and owners must meet other obligations or face enforcement action.
“The seminar series is part of our ongoing efforts to drive up quality standards in the biomass sector, and have been developed for the benefit of biomass district heating scheme owners. We want to provide expert guidance to help operators navigate regulation changes, maximise the operating efficiency of underperforming systems and increase their RHI income.”
The seminars are intended for anyone who owns or is developing a biomass district heating scheme or who provides heat to a number of end users in a property – particularly in the rural, forestry or agricultural sectors. Housing associations and local authorities will also benefit.
Sarah-Jane Laing, director of policy and parliamentary affairs at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Our members have been at the forefront of the biomass sector and many have used biomass to heat cottages and other buildings via a district heating system. This has enabled them to address energy efficiency and fuel cost issues which exist in rural properties.
“We are always looking for ways in which to help members improve the way in which they do things, and these seminars provide an excellent opportunity for both those who already have biomass heating networks and those contemplating installation.”
The seminar dates and locations are as follows; for more information, telephone: 01665 665040
- 27 September 2016 Ayrshire: Craufurdland Castle
11 October 2016 Aberdeenshire: Inverurie, Thainstone Centre
25 October 2016 Perthshire: Battleby, Battleby Centre
8 November 2016 Cumbria: Penrith, The Rheged Centre
15 November 2016 North Yorkshire: Moulton, The Black Bull
22 November 2016 The Borders: Carfraemill, Carfraemill Hotel
6 December 2016 Northumberland: Morpeth, Cockle Park
Pixie Energy is an incubator and a facilitator of strategic research and project work, focusing on energy regulation, policy and markets at the local and national level. Find out more about Pixie Energy