From CHP to decentralised energy

Generating energy locally and using it more efficiently has allowed the UK to avoid building 14 new power stations, according to a report published today by the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE), the new name for what was until January the Combined Heat and Power Association.

The report shows the impact that demand side investments have made in delivering more economic growth for less energy, saving industrial, commercial and public consumers £37bn each year. ADE Director Dr Tim Rotheray said: ‘Cutting energy waste using demand side services delivers economy wide benefits: supporting 136,000 jobs, cutting carbon emissions by 462mn tonnes a year, and reducing our dependence on imported energy by two-thirds. These investments are distributed and often unseen but taken together have a huge impact on the UK economy.’

The Association said it had renamed to better reflect the wide range of its members’ interests and focus; it will remain the leading advocate for CHP, district heating and cooling, and demand side energy services.

Meanwhile, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey unveiled the 17 winning entries for a £7mn fund to support innovation in district heating networks. Winning projects included a project combining solar and heat pump technology in Exeter and a scheme trialling super-insulated pipes in West Cumbria.