Decarbonisation pathways for fossil fuel-based district heating networks using heat pumps

Decarbonising the energy sector is crucial for addressing climate change concerns. Traditional UK district heating networks heavily rely on large, centralised gas-fired plants driven by economies of scale. However, the changing energy landscape necessitates a shift towards low-carbon alternatives in existing heating systems. This study fills a significant knowledge gap by examining strategies to decarbonise district heating networks (HN) through the integration of heat pumps (HPs) at different temperatures. It comprehensively assesses cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and operational carbon emissions. The findings emphasize the seamless integration of HPs into diverse settings, enabling them to extract heat from air, ground, or water sources and resulting in substantial carbon savings. Moreover, harnessing waste heat from the London Underground presents a substantial opportunity for emission reductions. Nevertheless, the viability of biogas is limited in densely populated areas like London. This research makes a noteworthy contribution to UK decarbonisation efforts, offering a practical roadmap for widespread adoption of HPs and a sustainable future.