Crawley

Hemiko, formerly Pinnacle Power have been working alongside Crawley Borough Council to provide operation and maintenance services to Crawley’s first District Heat Network (DHN), supplying heat and hot water to local residences and buildings while significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.  

Crawley’s first district heat network was built in response to the city’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2040. The project aimed to provide a more sustainable and efficient energy solution for the community. It was developed in partnership with several stakeholders, including the local council and the Heat Network Delivery Unit, with services supplied by utility providers and the private sector.  

Project Design and Implementation:   

Infrastructure: The DHN comprises a flue, energy centre with a combined heat and power (CHP) plant, and a control room located on the Town Hall redevelopment site.  

Scope: In its first phase, the DHN supplies heat and hot water to 130 residential units, the new Town Hall, and The Create Building. It will also serve the proposed residential development on the former Town Hall site.  

Technology: The CHP plant generates electricity and heat which is used for powering and heating buildings and producing hot water, increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions.  

Impact and Future Plans:   

Carbon Emission Reduction: The DHN’s completion marks a significant step towards the council’s carbon reduction targets, with phase one contributing to annual carbon savings of around 102 tonnes, equivalent to removing over 260,000 driving miles from the road each year.  

Scale: The council is working on a business case for the second phase of expansion of the heat network, allowing more properties in the town centre to benefit from affordable low-carbon heat.  

Decarbonisation: The phase two study focuses on switching from gas to a low carbon heat source, such as air source heat pumps, further reducing the network’s carbon emissions.  

The completion of Crawley’s first District Heat Network’s phase one demonstrates the potential for local communities to adopt sustainable energy solutions and reduce carbon emissions. The project’s success paves the way for future expansion and decarbonisation, setting a strong example for other communities looking to implement similar initiatives to achieve their carbon reduction goals. 

The new Crawley Town Hall building