The Aberdeen Heat and Power district energy schemes

District energy schemes seemed to be the right decision for the Aberdeen City Council (ACC). They had conducted a study of its housing stock and established that the multi-storey buildings (of which they have 59 in Aberdeen) were too expensive to heat. These buildings also had lower energy ratings, thus people living in them were subject to high energy bills. In 2002, as one of the results of the study, they set up the ‘not for profit’ company Aberdeen Heat and Power (AH&P) to manage the new solutions to these problems. The study had revealed up to 70% couldn’t afford to heat their homes properly, and technically were living in fuel poverty, so taking action was necessary.

Aberdeen Heat and Power (AH&P) decided Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and district energy schemes were the most appealing and cost effective options towards a sustainable Aberdeen. Clarke Energy was asked to supply gas fuelled power plants for their prestigious projects in the Aberdeen community area. Aberdeen Heat and Power started with one engine at their Seaton plant in 2008 and due to the success they have worked on additional district heating schemes around the area. In partnership with Clarke Energy they have achieved the decrease of carbon emissions together with lower energy bills for the residents. The heat and hot water from the schemes is supplied to flats and other buildings in the nearby regions.

Clarke Energy supplied the first engine for the Seaton District Heating scheme in 2008 and has additionally added a second one in 2011. Together both engines create 2.2MWe, enough to power 5.700 standard UK households. Aberdeen Heat and Power are now working on new energy centres for both Tillydrone and Cairncry areas.

Clarke Energy will supply both new centres with 1 GE’s Jenbacher 320 engine, each generating 1MWe, which is the equivalent of powering 2,600 standard UK homes.

It has been proven from the first project that the local residents are extremely satisfied with the implementation of the schemes and that heating bills have been reduced significantly.