Technical Notes 2022, Issue 13 - ‘Re-Heat’ Project

1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide Members with an update in relation to the ‘Re-Heat’ project being developed by officers in partnership with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and energy supplier E.ON.

2. Re-Heat was initiated by SPEN and E.ON in response to the growing electrification of power; it aims to introduce domestic tools to accelerate deployment of low-carbon electrified heat at an efficient cost, ensuring that householders’ needs for warmth, comfort and efficiency are met whilst maintaining network reliability and security of supply. 

3. Using air source heat pumps and thermal storage in conjunction with smart controls, the project will seek to reduce peak demand on the electricity network.  In doing so, the project will allow greater use of wind energy which often has to be 'curtailed', involving its rejection from the energy grid due to capacity constraints.  

4. East Dunbartonshire Council will be one of three Scottish local authorities to pilot Re-Heat, which offers particular benefits to households which are off-gas and fuel-poor.  Data from the Energy Saving Trust will be used to identify priority dwellings to target and the findings from the project will provide evidence to support a wider roll-out by informing national policy and electricity networks’ investment strategy. 

5. The project will involve an investment of £1.019 million in East Dunbartonshire.  The Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) is a key funding source; a bid submitted by SPEN and E.ON has recently been approved.  ‘Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Schemes’ (‘EES:ABS’; previously ‘HEEPS:ABS’) funding from the Scottish Government is another key component and the project provides an opportunity for the Council to make use of this funding source for a further programme in addition to that of the External Wall Insulation (EWI) programme led on directly by the Council.  In contrast to the EWI programme, grant funding is sourced by SPEN and E.ON directly and, as such, the project does not require any Council funding. Furthermore, with providers dealing directly with householders, it will also not require a procurement process to be undertaken. This has benefits in relation to speed of delivery, which should support the expenditure of grant funding over the funding period.

.6. Re-Heat provides an important opportunity to showcase East Dunbartonshire Council as a national leader on climate change and aligns well with the timescale for the preparation of key local documents including the Climate Action Plan, the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy and the updated Local Housing Strategy.

7. The Council’s Sustainability Policy Team and Housing Investment Team are the lead contacts, and it is anticipated that Corporate Communications will play a supporting role.  Please contact Sylvia Gray (ext. 8655) by Friday 4 February 2022, should you wish to discuss the project.