New project launched to chart the rise of heat networks and their impact on the UK grid

Image Credit: UK Power Networks

Decarbonising heat is one of the most significant opportunities for the UK to achieve its journey to Net Zero. At present, heat networks supply only about 3 percent of the nation’s heating demand. This figure, however, is projected to climb steeply to around 20 percent by the year 2050. Shifting away from fossil fuels and moving towards electrified heat networks, which deliver heating and hot water from a centralized energy source, will be crucial in reducing carbon emissions. Yet this transition will also bring new challenges for the electricity infrastructure.

To prepare for what lies ahead, UK Power Networks has partnered with Arup, Environmental Resources Management, and Bring Energy. Bring Energy currently owns and operates the East London Energy Distribution Heat Network, and together these organisations have launched a project known as HeatScape.

HeatScape is designed to map the locations of existing heat networks, forecast their future growth, and estimate the amount of electricity they may require under various scenarios. This builds on the earlier Flex Heat Networks initiative and takes it a step further by combining datasets, advanced modeling, and real-world insights. The result is a detailed view of how electrified heat networks will interact with the grid. By feeding this intelligence into UK Power Networks’ Strategic Forecasting System, the project aims to support more informed planning and more thoughtful decisions about how the electricity network should evolve.

Another critical aspect of the initiative will be to look at how heat networks can be managed more flexibly. One example is the use of thermal storage to ease pressure during periods of peak electricity demand.

HeatScape will also engage with Bring Energy’s customers to explore their willingness to take part in energy flexibility schemes. At the same time, it will encourage the adoption of low-carbon technologies, helping to speed up the UK’s transition to cleaner energy systems. Together with Heatropolis, this project highlights UK Power Networks’ commitment to innovation in the field of heat decarbonisation.

Luca Grella, head of innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “Decarbonising heat is one of the biggest opportunities we have to create a cleaner, more efficient energy future. With HeatScape, we’re taking a proactive approach, working with our partners to understand where heat networks will grow and how they’ll interact with the grid. By combining data, modelling and customer insights, we can plan smarter, reduce costs and make sure the transition to low-carbon heating benefits everyone.” 

Stephen Hutchins, concession director at Bring Energy, said: "As operators of East London Energy, one of the UK’s largest heat networks, Bring Energy sees first-hand the importance of forward-looking, data-driven planning in the shift to low-carbon heat. HeatScape will give us a clearer picture of how and where heat networks are likely to grow, and what that means for our electricity infrastructure. We’re excited to be partnering with an industry leader in innovation like UK Power Networks to explore new ways to make heat networks more flexible, including smarter use of thermal storage. We believe this collaborative project will help accelerate the transition to cleaner, more efficient energy systems for communities across the UK."