Policy SI 3 — Energy infrastructure

Policy SI 3 Energy infrastructure A Boroughs and developers should engage at an early stage with relevant energy companies and bodies to establish the future energy and infrastructure requirements arising from large-scale development proposals such as Opportunity Areas, Town Centres, other growth areas or clusters of significant new development. B Energy masterplans should be developed for large-scale development locations (such as those outlined in Part A and other opportunities) which establish the most effective energy supply options. Energy masterplans should identify: 1) major heat loads (including anchor heat loads, with particular reference to sites such as universities, hospitals and social housing) 2) heat loads from existing buildings that can be connected to future phases of a heat network 3) major heat supply plant including opportunities to utilise heat from energy from waste plants 4) secondary heat sources, including both environmental and waste heat 5) opportunities for low and ambient temperature heat networks 6) possible land for energy centres and/or energy storage 7) possible heating and cooling network routes 8) opportunities for futureproofing utility infrastructure networks to minimise the impact from road works 9) infrastructure and land requirements for electricity and gas supplies 10) implementation options for delivering feasible projects, considering issues of procurement, funding and risk, and the role of the public sector 11) opportunities to maximise renewable electricity generation and incorporate demand-side response measures. C Development Plans should: 1) identify the need for, and suitable sites for, any necessary energy infrastructure requirements including energy centres, energy storage and upgrades to existing infrastructure 2) identify existing heating and cooling networks, identify proposed locations for future heating and cooling networks and identify opportunities for expanding and inter-connecting existing networks as well as establishing new networks. D Major development proposals within Heat Network Priority Areas should have a communal low-temperature heating system: 1) the heat source for the communal heating system should be selected in accordance with the following heating hierarchy: a) connect to local existing or planned heat networks b) use zero-emission or local secondary heat sources (in conjunction with heat pump, if required) c) use low-emission combined heat and power (CHP) (only where there is a case for CHP to enable the delivery of an area-wide heat network, meet the development’s electricity demand and provide demand response to the local electricity network) d) use ultra-low NOx gas boilers 2) CHP and ultra-low NOx gas boiler communal or district heating systems should be designed to ensure that they meet the requirements in Part B of Policy SI 1 Improving air quality 3) where a heat network is planned but not yet in existence the development should be designed to allow for the cost-effective connection at a later date. E Heat networks should achieve good practice design and specification standards for primary, secondary and tertiary systems comparable to those set out in the CIBSE/ADE Code of Practice CP1 or equivalent. 9.3.1 The Mayor will work with boroughs, energy companies and major developers to promote the timely and effective development of London’s energy system (energy production, distribution, storage, supply and consumption). 9.3.2 London is part of a national energy system and currently sources approximately 95 per cent of its energy from outside the GLA boundary. Meeting the Mayor’s zero-carbon target by 2050 requires changes to the way we use and supply energy so that power and heat for our buildings and transport is generated from local clean, low-carbon and renewable sources. London will need to shift from its reliance on using natural gas as its main energy source to a more diverse range of low and zero-carbon sources, including renewable energy and secondary heat sources. Decentralised energy and local secondary heat sources will become an increasingly important element of London’s energy supply and will help London become more self-sufficient and resilient in relation to its energy needs. 9.3.3 Many of London’s existing heat networks have grown around combined heat and power (CHP) systems. However, the carbon savings from gas engine CHP are now declining as a result of national grid electricity decarbonising, and there is increasing evidence of adverse air quality impacts. Heat networks are still considered to be an effective and low-carbon means of supplying heat in London, and offer opportunities to transition to zero-carbon heat sources faster than individual building approaches. Where there remains a strategic case for low-emission CHP systems to support area-wide heat networks, these will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Existing networks will need to establish decarbonisation plans. These should include the identification of low- and zero-carbon heat sources that may be utilised in the future, in order to be zero-carbon by 2050. The Mayor will consider how boroughs and network operators can be supported to achieve this. 9.3.4 Developments should connect to existing heat networks wherever feasible. New and existing networks should incorporate good practice design and specification standards comparable to those set out in the CIBSE/ADE Code of Practice CP1 for the UK or equivalent. They should also register with the Heat Trust or an equivalent scheme. This will support the development of good quality networks whilst helping network operators prepare for regulation and ensuring that customers are offered a reliable, cost-competitive service. Stimulating the delivery of new district heating infrastructure enables the opportunities that district heating can provide for London’s energy system to be maximised. The Mayor has identified Heat Network Priority Areas , which can be found on theLondon Plan Policy SI 3 · official source →