carbon limited

Brilliant report. Pöyry finds that, where DHNs can achieve high penetration in built up urban areas, the carbon abatement costs of various district heating options are more cost effective than stand alone renewable technologies.

But the report indicates that unless there is a shift in the present market or regulatory environment, the take up of DHNs in existing building stock is likely to be limited, particularly in the domestic sector.

Dorothy Thompson, chief executive of the Drax group,doubts whether CCS would contribute anything significant to Government targets for reducing carbon emissions by 34% by 2020. Ms Thompson pointed out that, should a modern coal-fired station be fitted with CCS today, it would need to generate 25% more electricity just to power the equipment to remove the increased carbon being emitted. Ms Thompson finished with a warning against planning for the future and neglecting the present.

A review of MVHR in use. The BRE’s report said: “There is no market for replacement filters, with several manufacturers reporting no filter sales at all. Even basic maintenance is not undertaken.”