Welcome to the blog.
Urban Transitions in Comparison, Durham
26 Mar 2012 1:43pm
Scholars from around the world met at Durham University last week to discuss the diverse urban responses to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Written by: Janette Webb
Scholars from around the world met at Durham University last week to discuss the diverse urban responses to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The event was organised by Profs Harriet Bulkeley (Durham University) and Simon Guy (Manchester University), and presenters described cities as diverse in geography, wealth and culture as … (Read more)
American Association of Geographers conference and New York Steam Company
26 Mar 2012 11:10am
Post on AAG and NY SteamCo visit, DJCH.
Written by: David Hawkey
Between the 26th and 28th of February, I attended the vast annual meeting of the American Association of Geographers in New York. The conference was packed full of interesting sessions, and those I attended included focuses on technological innovation and urban sustainability. I presented some of our case study work, … (Read more)
06 Feb 2012 12:30pm
Multi-city visit to Genoa to inspect and comment on the city's Sustainable Energy Action Plan
Written by: David Hawkey
The City of Edinburgh Council invited me to join them as part of a Peer Exchange visit to Genoa, organised under the CASCADE project. The Peer Exchange method involves the host city producing a self assessment report, and representatives of peer cities producing a response by reviewing the report and … (Read more)
Renewable Heat Incentive Symposium
24 Jan 2012 2:30pm
Last Friday, Jan Webb and I gave a presentation at a symposium on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), organised by Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group and hosted by the University of Strathclyde.
Written by: David Hawkey
Last Friday, Jan Webb and I gave a presentation at a symposium on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), organised by Scotland’s 2020 Climate Group and hosted by the University of Strathclyde. The session, chaired by John Sheridan of the Scottish Construction Forum, was an opportunity to hear some of … (Read more)
Questions for Householders about to Switch to Communal Heating
24 Jan 2012 10:49am
Last week, the research team met housing managers from Edinburgh Council and Cube Housing Association, Glasgow to find out about plans for new communal and district heating systems in local housing. The research team are hoping to interview a range of these households in the next few months, as they find out more about their new heating systems.
In Edinburgh, the housing team have been working with residents of Cables Wynd House, Leith to renovate heating, alongside building insulation, and kitchens and bathrooms. The old heating was electric storage radiators with expensive prepayment meters, which meant many people struggled to keep their flats warm. A gas communal heating system has been installed in the deck access flats, and will go live this month. Heating bills are likely to be reduced by half to around £1/day. Residents have chosen to pay a flat rate per week for heat with rent. They will be charged only for the heat they use: a ‘smart meter’ will provide accurate readings and feedback to householders on their energy use, as well as showing how they compare with average consumption. Council officers have carried out a great deal of consultation about the new system, with a show flat, open day events, newsletters and on-site advice.
The Cube Housing Association is also renovating the multi-storey and maisonette housing, with 1900 households, at the Wyndford Estate in Glasgow. Investment in insulation, using British Gas CESP funding, and a gas combined heat and power system (CHP) should provide more affordable heat to residents, the majority of whom have complained about the high cost of the current electric heating. Scottish and Southern Energy (and subcontractors) will install the system this year and operate it on a 30 year lease. This is a particularly large and ambitious housing retro-fit district heating project for the UK. The payment system has not yet been decided, but may be based on prepayment meters. Unlike other prepayment systems however, the heat tariff is expected to be below the average price of gas from the ‘Big 6’ utilities.
Written by: Janette Webb
Last week, the research team met housing managers from Edinburgh Council and Cube Housing Association, Glasgow to find out about plans for new communal and district heating systems in local housing. The research team are hoping to interview a range of these households in the next few months, as … (Read more)
27 Oct 2011 11:19am
Written by: Janette Webb
Edinburgh Community Energy Co-op ran a Leith Community Energy Day on Saturday 15 October. Speakers discussed the opportunities for community organisations and households to invest in low carbon and renewable energy, including solar pv, wind turbines and district heating. The Co-op has Climate Challenge Funding, from Scottish Government, for a Leith … (Read more)
Workshop on ‘Local Energy Governance’, Oxford
24 Oct 2011 12:03pm
Written by: Janette Webb
Heat and the City PI, Jan Webb, attended a recent Oxford UK Energy Research Centre workshop on ‘Local Energy Governance’. The event was an opportunity for UK community energy researchers and practitioners to talk about common interests, problems in collaboration and experiences on the ground. The first day … (Read more)
Workshop on Low Carbon Cities, Resilience and Social Justice
19 Oct 2011 11:33am
Written by: David Hawkey
I attended an Incluesev workshop in Birmingham on the 17th of October. The one day event drew together a range of people, predominantly academics but with some community-group representatives, to discuss issues around Low Carbon Cities, Resilience, and Social Justice. Aidan While gave a really interesting introduction to the area, … (Read more)
AEA Study Into Heat Recovery from Power Stations for Scottish Government
05 Oct 2011 3:56pm
Written by: David Hawkey
A study into the use of waste heat from Scottish power stations, written by AEA for the Scottish Government, was published today. The main conclusion of the report is that feeding heat from power stations into large district heating (DH) networks is technically feasible but financially unattractive. The study argues … (Read more)
05 Oct 2011 12:54pm
Written by: David Hawkey
After about 10 months of unresolved technical difficulties, the Heat and the City blog is now working again! … (Read more)
This page was published on 5 April 2011