District heating plans to be unveiled

PLANS for the largest district heating scheme in the country, which could slash domestic energy costs by 15% and reduce carbon emissions, will be unveiled this morning.

Cork City Council’s Docklands directorate, the agency steering the city’s multi-billion docklands regeneration, will launch the findings of a major feasibility study on the region’s energy strategy which proves district heating is financially viable.

A district heating system works like a domestic central heating system, only on a larger scale. Water is heated at the scheme’s energy centre and circulated through an underground pipe network to customers.

A heating pipe runs from the energy centre into a building or home where it is connected to the internal circulation system to provide hot water and heating.

New heat exchanger technologies eliminate the need for water tank storage and individual boilers.

The council wants to transform the docklands into a new waterfront city – providing homes for up to 20,000 people and jobs for up to 25,000.

Consultants White Young Green were appointed to examine the viability of district heating in the docklands. Sponsored by Bórd Gais, the study has demonstrated concrete economic and environmental benefits.

“A project of this size represents the largest business opportunity in Ireland for an energy supply company (ESCO) or multi utility supply company,” the consultants said. It said the main spine network should be provided by the city.

The capital cost of the project would be in the region of €35 million and the annual turnover once fully operational is expected to be €22m. It would result in:

* environmental and carbon savings at a minimum of 20%;

* reduced energy and utility costs of 5 to 15%;

* and reduced installation costs for developers of at least €1,000 per unit.

A key aspect of the docklands development is sustainability, said Pat Ledwidge, the director of the docklands directorate, and the feasibility study on district heating is a key element of that, he said.

The docklands heating system arose from discussions with stakeholders, including the council’s own energy agency based at the Lifetime Lad, Bórd Gais, and the ESB.

All agreed that the provision of district heating could play a key role in the regeneration of Cork’s docklands.

It would provide opportunities to avail of proven technologies to generate heat and power which could be delivered efficiently to the proposed large-scale developments in the docklands, Mr Ledwidge said.

“This would provide both economic benefits through lower delivered energy costs to both business and home owners and environmental benefits, through lower carbon footprint due to greener emissions and the use of renewable green fuels.”

Two major docklands developments have already been given planning permission – Howard Holdings €2 billion Atlantic Quarter project, and Origin Enterprises’ proposals to demolish two of the city’s iconic R&H Hall grain silos to make way for a multi-million office and residential complex.