Kensa Utilities is demonstrating the blueprint for mass decarbonisation of British homes by installing renewable heating in hundreds of Cornish houses through Heat the Streets, a business-led high density heat pump project. Part funded by a £6.2 million grant from European Regional Development Fund, Heat the Streets is breaking down the barriers to decarbonisation of the UK’s existing housing stock and trail-blazing the net-zero pathway.

Ground source heating is the lowest running cost, lowest carbon, lowest grid impact heating available, however the high upfront cost and disruption of the long-lasting ground array infrastructure has always been a barrier to uptake. Kensa’s innovative business model knocks these two barriers down, by installing the infrastructure street by street and funding it, with households paying a standing charge to access the renewable heat energy captured by the array.

Kensa's two-year project showcases the company's vision for decarbonising home heating and deploying heat pumps en masse to meet the government's net-zero goal for 2050. Kensa Utilities’ network offers a viable renewable alternative to the mains gas network through the street-by-street roll out of the infrastructure, which residents pay to connect to. In similar fashion to traditional gas systems, each home will feature a ground source heat pump, providing residents with complete control over their heating, independent billing, and the option to switch energy suppliers whenever they wish.

Following a recent tour of the site in Stithians, George Eustice, local MP for Camborne and Redruth commented:

“It was great to recently visit the Kensa Utilities’ demonstration of ground sourced heat pumps in Stithians. One of the lessons from the current situation with Russia and Ukraine is that we must ensure that we increase our energy independence in a sustainable way.

“The Stithians demonstration is a blueprint for how ground-sourced heat technology can be rolled out UK-wide and a great example of how we can harness our readily available natural resources to reach net-zero by 2050 and ensure we reduce our reliance on natural gas imports. I look forward to continue supporting Kensa and their work as Cornwall continues its proud heritage of leading the way in developing new cutting-edge technology.”

Stithians, Cornwall is the focus of Heat the Streets’ retrofit program where existing heating systems will be replaced with efficient ground source heat pumps manufactured just 3 miles from site. Kensa Utilities is providing private match funding to supply households with renewable heating with no upfront cost. In return, residents commit to pay ongoing standing charges for heat supply for the next twenty years. The level of interest has been extraordinary with homeowners and tenants alike seeking ways to insulate against future energy price increases with highly efficient ground source heat pumps.

Kensa Utilities Managing Director Wouter Thijssen states:

“Now, more than ever, it’s clear we need to get off gas for heating, and what we’re demonstrating here in Stithians can be a blueprint for millions of homes across the UK.”

With far higher efficiency than air source heat pumps in the winter months when we use them most, ground source heating offers the potential for billions of pounds of avoided grid upgrade cost compared to a future with predominantly air source heating. Better yet, with the ground array infrastructure lasting over 100 years, ground source heating provides an opportunity for private investment that will lower the impact of decarbonisation on the public purse.

Since embarking on this journey, Kensa’s funded offer for new build developments has become commercially viable. By retaining ownership of the ground array, Kensa can offer developers ground source heating for less than the cost of air source.

To learn more about area-based decarbonisation, local authorities should contact Kensa Utilities.

The project is receiving up to £6.2 million of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

This article is sponsored by Kensa Utilities