William Eichler 05 March 2020

Islington Council launches ‘revolutionary’ energy centre

Islington Council today launched a new energy centre which converts waste heat from the London underground network into heating for homes, schools and leisure centres.

Situated on the site of a disused underground station, the Bunhill 2 Energy Centre uses a fan to extract warm air from the Northern line tunnels below.

The warm air is used to heat water that is then pumped to buildings in the neighbourhood through a new 1.5km network of underground pipes.

The energy centre and new pipework adds a further 550 homes and a primary school to the existing Bunhill Heat and Power district heating network, launched in Islington in 2012.

The network already provides heat to two local leisure centres and more than 800 homes, but the new energy centre gives the system the potential to supply up to 2,200 homes.

The centre’s combined heat and power technology means it also generates electricity that is fed into the London underground network and an adjacent tower block, powering its communal lighting and lifts.

In addition, the two-metre fan, installed in an existing six-storey London underground mid-tunnel ventilation shaft, can also be reversed to help with cooling the tube tunnels in the summer months.

‘This pioneering project recycles heat that was simply being lost to the environment. We are cutting carbon emissions in a way that also reduces people’s energy bills, helping us to help them at a time when the cost of living is soaring,’ said Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport.

‘Not only is this contributing to Islington’s commitment to be a net zero carbon borough by 2030, but this initiative also helps to reduce fuel poverty and make Islington a fairer place, while offering our communities a sustainable, cheaper and greener future.

‘I’m very proud of this exciting project, which promises to make a real difference to residents and the environment.’

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘It’s great to see this highly innovative project up and running, recycling waste heat from the tube to provide a low-carbon, affordable way of heating local homes and businesses.

‘I’ve set London the target of being carbon-neutral by 2030. It’s an ambition that will require innovative projects like Bunhill to help deliver it. If we’re truly going to tackle the climate emergency we will need progressive partnerships between local authorities, City Hall, TfL and others as was demonstrated so perfectly by this project.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Data, Monitoring and Citizen Science Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 10 £37,035 to £40,476 p.a. (Pay Award Pending)
We are looking for an organised and reliable individual to join our team here at the North Pennines National Landscape in Stanhope for a period of 15 Stanhope
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Enhanced Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Enhanced Teaching Assistant Grade 5, £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata 37 hours per week, Term Time only + 2 weeks Permanent     Required from 1st September Ferryhill
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Structures Commissioner

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Rough Sleeper Outreach Officer - WMF2139e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£31,067 - £31,586
We have an excellent opportunity for a motivated candidate to apply for the role of Rough Sleeper Outreach Officer. Penrith, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Customer Operations Assistant

Wyre Borough Council
£12.26 Per Hour
Marine Hall is a vibrant and dynamic venue dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for our audiences and customers. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council
Linkedin Banner