2015 – 2016

Greenfield worked with the council and key stakeholders to conduct heat network masterplanning for the city of Chester and the towns of Northwich and Ellesmere Port. Each is quite distinct with a range of different opportunities and constraints. Heat mapping of existing and new loads was conducted and heat network options were devel-oped and tested in each location. In total 15 heat network options were assessed with through technical modelling, costing and discounted cashflow and carbon analysis.

Both the Northwich and Ellesmere Port studies focused heavily on the use of heat recovery from industrial organi-sations including Stanlow oil refinery, Vauxhall Motors (car plant), Tata Chemicals (soda works) and CF Fertilisers (which uses an exothermic production process). Investigation into the off-take potential and the costs of bulk supply where developed after consideration of the various production facilities. Alongside these options new energy sup-ply options including gas CHP, biomass and water-sourced heat pumps were also considered in each of the study areas.

The Chester network solutions focused on key consumers such as the University of Chester, Countess of Chester Hospital and a £300m city centre property development project. In Ellesmere Port new major development projects are also significant within the analysis.
The viability analysis proved a business case for a number of the heat network options explored and subsequent review of risks and the development models has given the stakeholders confidence to proceed with subsequent project development and viability work, and the council is currently seeking additional funding from stakeholders and HNDU to support this.