The new real time CO2 calculator is an app that displays the real time carbon intensity of the UK electricity grid. It is updated every half an hour and illustrates how much lower carbon emissions are from ground source systems compared to burning fossil fuels.
The real time carbon intensity of the UK electricity grid value is used to calculate CO2 emissions from Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs). These are obviously zero, but the calculator shows the CO2 issued if a GSHP uses grid electricity. These values have fallen rapidly as grid electricity generation from coal has largely been replaced by gas and renewable energy generation.
The second tool launched by the GSHPA is a revised and user-friendly Environmental Good Practice Guide for Ground Source Heating and Cooling. The original version was first published in 2011 by the Environment Agency to provide information, advice and guidance to prospective users of ground source energy, their consultants and contractors. This has now been significantly updated by the GSHPA and focuses on good practice for open and closed loop GSHP systems.
The Ground Source Energy Expo 2017, hosted by the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) and held at Stone, Staffordshire, on 6th September, provided a platform to educate, promote and raise awareness of the significant benefits of ground source heating and cooling. This year’s event welcomed key players in the sector including the Environment Agency and was sponsored by MGS and Iftech. It consisted of a series of informative presentations by key individuals including the Environment Agency, followed by industry specific advice clinics by Ofgem E-Serve and Procure Plus, as well as, workshops to allow for discussions around practical issues, and tailored ‘Question and Answer’ sessions. The event covered a wide range of subjects, as well as, highlighting recent developments in the industry and what makes ground source heating and cooling, both a beneficial and viable, contender when considering heating and cooling alternatives.
“The Expo was a resounding success – both an invaluable day of learning, but also a testament to the huge knowledge and passion of the GSHPA members” said John Findlay, Chairman of the GSHPA. “The real-time CO2 Calculator is a sophisticated and insightful tool which brings to life exactly how much of a difference using GSHPs can make in contrast to burning fossil fuels. GSHPs are a low-carbon heating and cooling technology and becoming rapidly lower all the time. Raising awareness of this can only be positive news for us all! Similarly, the GSHPA, felt that it was important to update the Good Practice Guide to create a user-friendly document promoting good practice across closed and open loop GSHP systems. In that last 12 months, we have seen a significant increase in the uptake of this technology, which signals changing times, greater awareness of the advantages of renewable technologies and underlines GSHPs as the best available means to obtain efficient, long-lived renewable heating and cooling.”
Image: A ground source heat pump
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