Client: Cornwall Council, 2021

Meeting Zero Carbon targets is critical for Cornwall Council, as set out in its Local Plan 2010 – 2030 and Climate Emergency Development Plan Document. One of the main challenges for Cornwall, and for councils across the UK, is how to decarbonise heat, which accounts for over a third of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The council asked Inner Circle for help to consider new ways to find, produce and distribute heat that would pioneer new ways of living and tackle the climate emergency. Its aim was to create ‘low carbon’ buildings while championing clean energy, urban agriculture, and the electric revolution.

Using naturally occurring ambient heat is a carbon reduction technology being supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), via technical and funding support. A heat mapping study identified Truro as one of 7 areas in Cornwall within the highest scoring category, meaning that it is a “district heat opportunity area”.

We successfully secured BEIS funding to undertake an enhanced feasibility study and formulate a Heat Strategy for Truro. The study will identify sources of natural or by-product sources of heat that can be captured to heat or part heat local buildings.

Our Impact

• A key response to meet these targets is an ambient loop district heat network serving local heat pumps, also known as a 5^th generation district heat network. This means that from day 1 of operation, no fossil fuels or carbon will be produced on site. The development will produce 60% of its energy needs on site.

• In supporting Cornwall Council to deliver carbon-reducing initiatives, we are also helping it to embed environmental resilience. As part of helping it to devise climate action plans, we can also help them to better delivery housing via best practice and the most up to date market knowledge.