(archived) CP1 Heat networks: Code of Practice for the UK (pdf) (2015)

Contents

Part A – How to use this Code

i. Introduction

ii. Scope

iii. Legislation

iv. Applications for heat networks – challenges and opportunities

Part B – The Requirements

1. Preparation and briefing

Objective 1.1 To commission the project in accordance with the Code of Practice

Objective 1.2 To agree contracts that are fair and equitable with customers

Objective 1.3 To define appropriate service levels for the heat supply

2. Feasibility

Objective 2.1 To achieve sufficient accuracy of peak heat demands and annual heat consumptions

Objective 2.2 To identify the most suitable low carbon heat sources and location of an energy centre

Objective 2.3 To determine the location of top-up and standby boilers and use of existing boilers

Objective 2.4 To select suitable operating temperatures

Objective 2.5 To define heat network distribution routes, pipe sizes and costs

Objective 2.6 To determine building connection costs including heat metering

Objective 2.7 To minimise the negative impacts of phasing the development

Objective 2.8 To assess operation and maintenance needs and costs

Objective 2.9 To conduct a consistent economic analysis and options appraisal

Objective 2.10 To analyse risks and carry out a sensitivity analysis

Objective 2.11 To assess environmental impacts and benefits

Objective 2.12 To develop preferred business structures, contract strategy and procurement strategy

3. Design

Objective 3.1 To design for safety in construction, operation and maintenance and to achieve quality of design

Objective 3.2 To achieve sufficient accuracy of peak heat demands and annual heat consumptions

Objective 3.3 To select suitable building interfaces, direct or indirect connections

Objective 3.4 To design or modify suitable space heating and domestic hot water services systems

Objective 3.5 To achieve an energy-efficient heat network

Objective 3.6 To achieve a low cost network – optimisation of routes and pipe sizing for minimum lifecycle cost

Objective 3.7 To achieve a reliable network with a long life and low maintenance requirements

Objective 3.8 To select heat metering, pre-payment and billing systems that are accurate and cost-effective

Objective 3.9 To achieve an efficient heat distribution system within a multi-residential building, and to reduce the risk of overheating

Objective 3.10 To design a cost-effective and efficient central plant

Objective 3.11 To optimise the use of thermal storage

Objective 3.12 To update and refine the economic analysis, risk analysis and sensitivities

Objective 3.13 To assess environmental impacts and benefits

4. Construction and installation

Objective 4.1 To reduce health and safety risks to staff, customers and the general public

Objective 4.2 To achieve a high quality heat network construction to deliver a long asset life

Objective 4.3 To provide a high quality hydraulic interface unit (HIU) and building connection construction to provide good customer service levels

Objective 4.4 To reduce adverse environmental impacts of construction

5. Commissioning

Objective 5.1 To achieve consistently low return temperatures through commissioning building heating systems/controls

Objective 5.2 To provide HIU commissioning and heat network balancing to ensure demands are met at all times

Objective 5.3 To commission the heat metering and meter reading system to deliver accuracy and customer service

Objective 5.4 To commission the central plant to deliver an efficient and reliable service

Objective 5.5 To provide a smooth handover and sufficient information for the operations team

6. Operation and maintenance

Objective 6.1 To reduce health and safety risks to staff, customers and the general public

Objective 6.2 To achieve cost-effective, accurate and reliable heat metering, pre-payment and billing systems

Objective 6.3 To maintain a high level of reliability and a long life for the heat network

Objective 6.4 To deliver cost-effective and efficient maintenance of central plant that maintains a long life for the asset

Objective 6.5 To provide appropriate monitoring and reporting of central plant

Objective 6.6 To maintain the building connections to provide good customer service

Objective 6.7 To minimise environmental impacts of operation and maintenance

7. Customer expectations and obligations

Objective 7.1 To provide reports on energy supply and use and bills that are clear and informative

Objective 7.2 To develop communications with customers that meet customer expectations

Objective 7.3 Obligations to be met by customers

Appendices

A. Glossary of terms

B. Checklist for commissioning HIUs

C. Guidance on the use of SAP modelling of heat networks

D. Guidance on types of building connections and internal heating systems for dwellings

E. Guidance on achieving an energy-efficient heat network

Principal Author: Paul Woods (formerly at AECOM, now with Cofely), prepared by AECOM under contract to CIBSE and in association with the ADE

Steering Committee:

Phil Jones (Chair), Hanaé Chauvaud de Rochefort, Peter Concannon, Ed Palmer, Tim Rotheray, Paul Woods

And the following members:

Ross Anderson, Paul Appleton, Mark Baker, Aimee Betts-Charalambous, Huw Blackwell, Guy Boulby, Martin Crane, Dave Culver, Yan Evans, Lars Fabricius, Jacquelyn Fox , Roberto Gagliardi, Paul Kay, Charlotte Large, Peter North, Paul Martin, Graham Perrior, Marc Primaroh, Keith Shenstone, David Wagstaff, Mark Whettall, Robin Wiltshire and David Wickersham

Further comments were gratefully received from corresponding members including:

Sergey Barekyan Silver, Ashley Bateson, Will Griffiths, Paul Millard, Minhajuddin Mohammed and colleagues at E.ON, William Orchard, Chris Parsloe, Steve Richmond and Simon Woodward

Referees:

Vimal Bhana, Thomas Briault and Julian Packer