Technical Assurance Scheme draft documents released
We know that many of you are eagerly awaiting more information on the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme and associated technical documents. We are therefore delighted to share the first tranche of draft technical documents for the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS). These provide an overview of the proposed draft technical specifications and assessment procedures for new build networks.
We recognise there is a lot to get through here, as they're the culmination of months of work led by our technical author FairHeat. The technical specifications alone have been developed through extensive collaboration with over 100 industry representatives through technical working groups.
These documents are being released now, ahead of our formal consultation on HNTAS, to provide you time to familiarise yourself with what is being proposed. The formal consultation will cover the proposed scope of the scheme, governance structures and assurance processes of assessment and certification.
We are still developing other aspects of the technical documents for new build networks, and for existing networks. These will be released in due course prior to the launch of the scheme in 2026.
Engagement as HNTAS has been developed
We value the expertise of the heat network sector and have undertaken extensive engagement as the scheme has been developed. To date, 190 individuals from 111 organisations have been engaged as part of the development of HNTAS so far through:
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working groups for the development of technical requirements, which involved over c.60 industry workshops
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working groups for the development of technical standards and associated HNTAS ‘sphere’ documents
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The New Build Pilot scheme
Alongside this, we have established a Stakeholder Consultation Forum to improve visibility and transparency of HNTAS policy proposals and test these with industry. The invitation list covers around 70 industry participants including multiple trade associations and housing associations. If a member of your organisation does not already attend, and you’re interested in joining or submitting a topic for discussion, please contact HNTASEnquiries@gemserv.com.
Clean Flexibility Roadmap published
In the Clean Flexibility Roadmap, published in July as part of our Clean Energy Superpower Mission, we committed to working with Ofgem and the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO) to maximise the role of heat networks as flexible grid assets in meeting net zero.
The roadmap sets out the government’s vision for increasing flexibility within the electricity system to support achieving clean power by 2030.
We’re excited about the potential benefits that low carbon heat networks can offer to the electricity system and new research is coming soon on tackling practical barriers to greater uptake of thermal storage in UK heat networks.
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New data covering registered heat networks in Great Britain published
New data has been released looking at heat networks in England, Scotland and Wales which have been registered as a result of the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 between January 2019 and December 2022. It includes analysis of the number of registered heat networks, the number of buildings and customers serve, capacity, generation and supply, and primary fuel and primary technology.
It provides useful insight into heat network locations, distribution and operator characteristics but is not a reliable indicator of market size.
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