INTERVIEW | GARETH JONES The Energy Act 2023 paves the way for the mass rollout of heat networks in the UK, and the mandatory connection of many buildings. Alex Smith speaks to FairHeats Gareth Jones about government plans to regulate new networks and raise the standard of the 14,000 already in place NETWORK PROVIDER Gareth Jones is the founder of FairHeat, which is the technical author of the Heat Networks Technical Assurance Scheme T he Energy Act 2023 and the governments Future Homes and Buildings Standards (FHBS) are paving the way for a significant acceleration in the rollout of heat networks in the UK and the improvement of the approximately 14,000 heat networks already in existence. Currently, only 2% of the UKs heat is distributed by heat networks, but this figure will need to rise to 18% by 2050 to meet net zero targets, according to the Climate Change Committee. New homes and non-domestic buildings will be able to meet the FHBS, due in 2025, by connecting to existing and new heat networks that are adding new low carbon technologies or making use of existing, unused, low carbon heat. The Energy Act 2023 will introduce minimum standards for new and existing networks, and create heat network zones that will mandate the connection of certain buildings to heat networks. This will also come into force from 2025. Ofgem has been appointed as the heat networks regulator to licence developers and provide consumer protection. A key component of this new regulatory framework will be the introduction of a technical assurance standard and process, to ensure minimal levels of performance and reliability in heat networks. Gareth Jones, managing director and founder of heat network consultant FairHeat, is working with the government to develop the Heat Networks Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS). As technical author appointed by the Department for Net Zero and Energy Security, FairHeat has spent the past year working with industry specialists on the technical specifications that will underpin the scheme. Jones says six elements of a heat network have to be specified correctly for performance to be optimised: the energy centre; district distribution pipework; communal distribution pipework within the building; substations; consumer connections (heat interface units HIUs); and consumer heat systems The assurance scheme, which closely references CIBSE/ADE CP1 Heat Networks Code of Practice (2020), will validate designs and verify delivery to ensure the project is on track to meet the networks intended performance. After completion, a third-party assessor will verify the design has met minimum performance standards in operation. This is not about a big stick, but about putting in place a support process for developers and housing 36 January 2024 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Jan 24 pp36-37 Gareth Jones.indd 36 21/12/2023 15:36