Above: A packed venue saw our panel of experts discuss the challenges and benefits of community heat networks
The penultimate show of the 2024 festival explained what community heat networks are and why they are poised to become the primary method of heating homes and buildings in cities in the future.
Decarbonising heat by using more electricity is a common topic of discussion. Renewable electricity doesn’t contribute to climate change, but electric heating can be costly. With many people already in fuel poverty, it’s essential that any changes minimise the impact on fuel bills and support the climate change ambitions.
This session hosted a community engagement and empowerment session on heat networks, with experts spreading the message on what heat networks are, the benefits to homeowners and how community representatives can engage with the Clean Heat Edinburgh Forum to become champions of this technology.
Topics covered included:
- Welcome and introduction to HeatSource by Tom Warren, Built Environment – Smarter Transformation
- “Why Heat Network?” with the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute
- “Latest Developments” with Hilary Blackman, City of Edinburgh Council
- “Impact on Homeowners” with Simon Kerr, SAV Systems
The show ended with an audience Q&A, hosted by Tom Warren, in which there was plenty of discussion about this alternate heat source.
- Download a PDF presentation from this show here.
Thursday’s afternoon session saw plenty of lively discussion about the potential of community heating
