Got net-zero news, project updates, or product launches to share? Bradford courts set for pioneering switch to renewable heating.
The Bradford Combined Court Centre and Magistrates Court are set to make history by becoming two of the first court buildings in England to be heated by renewable energy. This significant milestone follows the signing of a groundbreaking deal to connect these iconic buildings to Bradford’s new heat network.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service has entered into a 20-year agreement to link the city’s courts to the pioneering Bradford Energy Network. This innovative £70 million development is poised to become one of the UK’s largest low-to-zero carbon district heating networks when it commences heat generation in 2026.
Over the duration of the two-decade agreement, it is anticipated that the Bradford Combined Court Centre and Magistrates Court will cumulatively save 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (tCO2) by tapping into the network.
The government recognises the importance of heat networks in achieving a net zero future for the UK. These networks are highlighted as a crucial and cost-effective low carbon heating solution for densely populated urban areas, such as the city of Bradford.
With a target for heat networks to supply 20% of buildings nationwide by 2050, a significant increase from the current 3%, the integration of courts into such systems marks a remarkable step towards sustainability.
Last September, Bradford Council granted planning approval for the ambitious Bradford Energy Network. Initially, the network will comprise 8 km of underground pipework, supplying heat to approximately 30 major buildings in the heart of the city.
At the crux of this network is the use of air source heat pumps, positioning it as a frontrunner in sustainable heating solutions. An 8 MW heat pump will be installed in a new energy centre at the intersection of Thornton Road and Listerhills Road, set to cater to the heating needs of 10,000 homes.
Upon its inception, the network will be supplemented by gas boilers to provide additional heat during extreme cold weather conditions and ensure operational resilience. However, as part of its commitment to achieving net zero carbon by 2030, the gas boilers will be phased out within four years, replaced by alternative low-carbon heat sources.
The integration of the Bradford courts into the Bradford Energy Network in 2026 is expected to reduce carbon emissions from heating by 75%. This reduction will progress further to a complete elimination of emissions when the network achieves net zero status four years later, as per the World Green Building Council.
Directors at 1Energy, the entity spearheading the Bradford Energy Network, affirm that connecting to this system presents the most economical path for organisations in Bradford city centre to transition to decarbonised heating solutions.
To facilitate the connection to the heat network, 1Energy and its technical partners, Fairheat, supported HM Courts and Tribunals Service in securing a £3.5 million grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, administered by Salix Finance under the aegis of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, plays a pivotal role in driving sustainability initiatives across the public sector.
Bradford serves as the vanguard in 1Energy’s agenda to establish heat networks in various towns and cities across the UK, with ongoing schemes in progress in Rotherham, Exeter, and Milton Keynes.
Marissa Granath, Project Director of the Bradford Energy Network at 1Energy, asserts, “The Bradford Energy Network stands as a project of national significance, laying the groundwork for Bradford’s net zero infrastructure beneath the city’s streets.”
Granath continues, “The 20-year commitment to deliver low-carbon heating to two prominent structures in Bradford not only underscores the confidence of HM Courts and Tribunals in the network but also presents a significant leap towards sustainable urban development.”
She explains, “For property owners and developers looking to decarbonise buildings in Bradford, the choice narrows down to either a building-scale heat pump or connecting to our heat network. The latter proves to be the most cost-effective way to decarbonise heat, with overall costs estimated to be 30% cheaper than installing individual air source heat pumps.”
In a nod to collaborative efforts, Salix Finance’s Director of Programmes, Ian Rodger, commends the partnership with HM Courts and Tribunals Service on their pioneering journey towards decarbonisation.
Rodger states, “This project is a testament to the value of local collaboration and partnerships in actualising our net zero objectives, marking a significant stride towards a more sustainable future.”
With approximately 350 courts and tribunal buildings scattered across England and Wales, the imminent connection of the Bradford Combined Court Centre and Magistrates Court to the heat network signifies a crucial advancement in sustainable infrastructure development.
This illuminating piece was featured in the April 2024 edition of Energy Manager magazine, spotlighting the impactful strides taken in the realm of sustainable heating solutions and urban development.
