Shetland Set for a Large Scale Sea-Water Source Heat Pump Scheme.

The schemes, in Shetland, Clydebank and Glasgow, will use water source heat pump technology to extract heat from water – even on the coldest days – to supply low carbon heat efficiently.

These are:

• A £1.6 million loan for a large scale sea-water source heat pump scheme in Lerwick, to allow 225 more households to join the existing heat network
• Funding of £75,000 for the Queens Quay Development on the site of the former John Brown Shipyard, to develop an investment prospectus for a district heating network using a water source heat pump in the River Clyde basin
• Funding of £75,000 for the University of Glasgow Western Campus to develop an investment grade proposal to install a water source heat pump in the River Kelvin to ensure the existing district heating network can service new buildings planned for the site of the former Western Infirmary hospital.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing made the announcement at the Scottish Renewables annual conference in Edinburgh today.

Mr Ewing said: “Supporting the development of district heating and wider low carbon technologies will help maximise the economic opportunities from Scotland’s low carbon sector.

“Heat is estimated to account for over half of Scotland’s total energy use and is responsible for nearly half of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions, so the imperative to take action is very clear.

“Continued growth in the number of homes and businesses benefitting from connecting to low carbon, affordable warmth provided by district heating networks helps the Scottish Government towards realising our ambition to increase the number of connections to district heating networks by 2020.”

Dave Pearson, Director of Star Renewable Energy said:

“Star welcomes the announcement today that the Scottish Government is supporting two projects to develop investment grade proposals for the deployment of Water Source Heat Pumps. Our company has been at the forefront of utilising larger heat pumps for several years. In 2009, we rose to a challenge set by the Norwegian city Drammen to deploy a large water source heat pump harvesting heat from the fjord and for use across the city in their district heating system.

“Drammen reduced their carbon footprint and stack emissions by over 80 per cent by switching from gas combustion to our 90C heatpump, achieving the COP21 2050 goals stated in Paris. The Scottish Government commitment will be a catalyst for a similar step in Scotland as we aim for a significant decarbonisation of heating.”