PIONEERING ZERO CARBON HEAT SOURCE FOR THE CITY OF LONDON

“Tackling the environmental impact of heating, especially in densely populated areas, will be key to meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero targets. Part of that challenge means re-imagining how energy is provided to homes, businesses and cities. In taking the next step and installing heat pump and geothermal technology at Citigen we’ve made a powerful statement of what can be done to reduce carbon usage on a large scale. “The Citigen building itself has a long and storied history, and our £4m investment in a zero carbon heating and cooling system gives it an exciting new chapter and makes sure it’s fit to support the capital’s cleaner future.“

E.ON has completed a £4 million project to install one of the UK’s largest zero carbon heating and cooling systems, beneath the streets of London.

The heat pump installed at E.ON’s Citigen energy centre in the heart of London’s square mile draws from the natural warmth of the earth as well as recycling waste heat from power generation which would otherwise vent into the atmosphere.

This energy can be stored in three boreholes extending 200 metres below the capital and provide zero carbon heating and cooling for buildings.

The 4MW of extra heating capacity is equivalent to the demand of 2,300 average UK homes and is complemented by a further 2.8MW of new cooling capacity to customers across the financial district.

The new technology adds to Citigen’s existing combined heat and power engines which already produce enough electricity and heating for the equivalent of more than 11,000 homes.

To celebrate the installation of the heating and cooling system, E.ON even unveiled an ice sculpture in Charterhouse Square taller than a London bus, showcasing iconic landmarks and E.ON’s heat network that lies beneath the city’s streets.

The innovative heat pump and borehole solution cuts the carbon emissions associated with heating and cooling by up to 50% and will help to improve local air quality by reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.

The project is now an important part of the city’s wider efforts to meet net zero targets and contributes to London’s climate emergency plans.

Michael Lewis, E.ON UK Chief Executive, said:

Energy Minister Lord Callanan, said: “Heating in buildings forms a significant part of the UK’s carbon footprint, so changing how we warm and cool our homes and workspaces is a vital part of eradicating our contribution to climate change by 2050.

“Heat networks offer an effective way of reducing carbon emissions while bringing down costs to consumers.

E.ON’s project is a commercial vote of confidence in heat networks and heat pumps, meaning homes and businesses across the City of London will benefit from clean heat and is another great example of how the pace of rolling out cuttingedge low-carbon technologies is being accelerated across the UK.”

Catherine McGuinness, the City of London Corporation’s Policy Chair, said: “This scheme offers a really creative solution to helping meet our energy needs and tackle climate change, by tapping into the earth as a sustainable energy source.

“Innovative projects like this will play a hugely important role in helping us meet the ambitious goals set out in our Climate Action Strategy of achieving net zero carbon status for our operations by 2027 and for the Square Mile as a whole by 2040.”

Hidden behind Listed Building facades in the Clerkenwell area, Citigen is the hub of E.ON’s Central London district heating and cooling network.

It powers a network of pipes running for more than 10 miles underground, providing heating, cooling and electricity to residential and commercial buildings in the Square Mile, including the Barbican, the Guildhall and the Museum of London.

Citigen currently runs off two high efficiency combined heat and power engines which will be supplemented by the new renewable technology, supporting Corporation of London and Greater London Authority to make London greener. www.eonenergy.