Ener-Vate

District heating is a centralised system that provides low-carbon heat to multiple buildings or areas from a single source, typically a large-scale renewable energy source.

This method of heating offers significant efficiency benefits compared to individual heating systems, as it allows for the utilisation of waste heat and the implementation of advanced low-carbon technologies. By optimising energy usage and incorporating renewable sources, district heating systems contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the goal of achieving Net Zero. They frequently represent the most economical solution, especially in densely populated areas, and therefore are a vital component of a greener and more sustainable future.

Since heating is responsible for approximately 37% of the UK’s carbon emissions, decarbonising heat is currently the key focus for the government, captured broadly within strategies like the Net Zero Strategy, the Heat and Buildings Strategy, and the recent Powering Up Britain. The Energy Act, which received Royal Assent in October 2023, provides The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) with the powers to introduce heat network regulations and zoning policies respectively from 2025.

These regulations will enable the oversight of district heat networks' operation and ensure that end users receive the same service standards and protection as in other regulated utilities.

As proof of our commitment to a more sustainable future, we have developed a district heating business within the group. As such, we are now developing heat networks at a number of our strategic waters developments, including Liverpool Waters – one of the North West’s largest regeneration and investment schemes.

Ener-Vate is a market-leading commercial consultancy firm with an extensive portfolio of low-carbon district heating and large-scale energy infrastructure projects spanning the entire United Kingdom. As specialists in district heating, Ener-Vate became part of the Peel Group's Natural Resources portfolio in 2020. Leveraging the collective expertise of progressively growing team, Ener-Vate is actively engaged in spearheading some of the most groundbreaking projects currently underway in the UK.

Ener-Vate's operational bases in the North West, Scotland, with main headquarters located in Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Glasgow, and London enable Ener-Vate to provide comprehensive support for the development of low-carbon heat networks on behalf of various clients, including local authorities, housing associations, housing developers, and prominent landowners and developers nationwide.

Since the establishment in 2014, Ener-Vate has consistently guided heat network projects from their initial feasibility assessments to successful implementation and ongoing operation and management for end-users, including, but not limited to, Peel’s own schemes in development or construction.

Ener-Vate actively operate and understand the realities of these complex schemes, and their commitment to excellence has earned an industry recognition with multiple accolades in various categories at the prestigious ADE (Association of Decentralised Energy) awards in both 2022 and 2023.

Image credit: Vital Energi

Liverpool Waters

Liverpool Waters is an ambitious 30-year vision to completely transform the city’s northern docks, creating a sustainable world-class, high-quality, mixed-use waterfront and bringing life back to the historic docklands. As the largest single development opportunity in the city, Liverpool Waters is a seamless extension of both Liverpool’s Commercial Business District and its iconic world heritage waterfront. Extending to over 2km along the banks of the River Mersey, this £5 billion scheme has outlined planning permission for 6000 residential units, 2 million sq ft of mixed-use development floor space across 60 hectares.

To supply heat and hot water to Liverpool Waters and to provide a high standard of service for the residents, we have created Mersey Heat Limited, an energy service company wholly owned by Peel L&P. Mersey Heat Limited has been successfully retailing heat energy to domestic and commercial occupants of the buildings within Liverpool Waters since 2021.

Benefits of Heat Networks for Developers:

Reduced electrical capacity requirements and reinforcement costs if the alternative generation technology is electrical.

Technical support to M&E contractors on secondary and tertiary heating systems design.

Opportunity to optimize building fabric design taking into account the system’s low carbon credentials.

Fully integrates with existing building management systems.

Reduced size plant room is required as generation plant is located off-site.

Tailored welcome packs and round-the-clock customer service provided by Mersey Heat ensure users understand the system from the moment they move in.

Reduced costs for heating and hot water infrastructure provision - all HIUs and underground distribution pipes will be supplied by Mersey Heat.

One-off connection fee for heating and hot water, paid when the building is ready to connect.Reduced costs for heating and hot water infrastructure provision - all HIUs and underground distribution pipes will be supplied by Mersey Heat.

Benefits for Occupiers:

Accurate bills, remotely read and metered utilizing the latest energy monitoring technology.

Complete peace of mind, no boiler to fail, repair or replace.

A price promise: as the heat customers are unable to switch supplier, the heat price carries a ‘price promise’ ensuring customers will not pay any more than if they were connected to a traditional heat source.