Development of a new Heat Networks Code of Practice

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Session 7 Paper 4, University College London, 16-17 April 2015

If heat networks are to form a significant part of our future low carbon energy infrastructure in the UK then they need to be designed, built and operated to a high standard to deliver customer satisfaction. A new voluntary code of practice1 on heat networks (district heating) has been produced to assist in achieving that aim by raising standards right across the supply chain. The code is structured around a new cradle-to-grave heat networks plan of work. This unique code of practice has been produced as a joint project between CIBSE and the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) previously the Combined Heat and Power Association.

Setting minimum (and best practice) standards should provide greater confidence for specifiers and developers. Standards can also be included in the tendering/contracting process to specify minimum standards set out in the code. The adoption of this code of practice by developers could ultimately be used to support marketing by providing assurance to customers and property purchasers that the district heating scheme has followed a set of design, installation and commissioning standards. The assurance provided by the standards should therefore have a significant effect on the district heating market. Work is currently underway to introduce training, accreditation and registration of heat network professionals to ensure that the skills necessary to implement the code of practice are available across the sector. The code of practice, supported by these trained professionals should provide a step change in the district heating sector.

This paper sets out the thinking behind the code of practice, why it takes the approach it does and why some of the minimum standards/figures in the code have been selected as they are. The paper also discusses the likely impact on the sector and the future for the code alongside the opportunities this presents for CIBSE codes on other technologies.