Orkney Islands Council has been installing heat pumps in schools and public buildings for more than 15 years in a bid to decarbonise heating and end reliance on oil. Andy Pearson looks at the lessons learnt and how a smart electric grid could soon take advantage of the relentless winds that batter the Islands
Tag: heat pumps
Taking shape: shape memory alloys in air conditioning
A shape memory alloy technology could be a GWP-free, cost-effective successor to vapour compression refrigeration. Liza Young finds out more
Hydrogen’s role in a net zero future
With the government’s decision on the use of hydrogen for heating expected in 2026, Max Fordham’s Bill Watts discusses the options for decarbonising heating systems
Storage beater: compact energy stores
One barrier to heat pumps in smaller homes is the requirement for a large water cylinder to store hot water. Midsummer’s Jez Climas looks at how compact thermal-energy storage systems could solve the problem
Pump primer: heat pump installation
CIBSE’s new heat-pump installation guide aims to equip designers, installers and operators with the knowledge to successfully deliver the 300,000 annual installations needed by 2025. Arup’s Joshua Bird summarises AM16
A new era for heat: Queens Quay heat pump
A large-scale ammonia water source heat pump at the Queens Quay heat network in Glasgow promises to decarbonise heat for new and existing buildings. Vital Energi’s Lee Moran describes the scheme
Podcast: how heat pumps are changing the future of heating and cooling
The design implications of specifying heat pumps for commercial projects
Zeroth Energy System: connecting ambient loops and higher temperature district heat networks
Why more developments are connecting the Zeroth Energy System to a district heating network
Designing community heat pumps systems for heat networks
Over the past 18 months, heat pumps have replaced CHPs on heat networks, according to FairHeat’s Michael Ridge. The challenge now, he says, is to integrate the technology successfully, while still providing reliable and affordable heat for customers and residents
What are the considerations for comfort cooling in city-based apartments?
As global temperatures continue to rise, we look at considerations for thermal cooling in city-based apartments