Spatial and temporal data to study residential heat decarbonisation pathways in England and Wales

Area of Science:

• Energy Systems Analysis
• Environmental Engineering
• Building Performance

Background:

• Achieving the United Kingdom's net-zero target necessitates the decarbonisation of residential heating systems.
• Significant infrastructure changes are required to support the transition to low-carbon heating solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop methods for quantifying the impacts of residential heat decarbonisation on energy supply infrastructure in England and Wales.
• To provide data for assessing various heat decarbonisation pathways at a local level.

Main Methods:

• Estimation of annual heat demand for nearly 35,000 Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in England and Wales for 2018.
• Quantification of potential energy savings and indicative costs associated with energy efficiency measures.
• Synthesis of heat production and energy demand profiles for selected heating technologies based on temperature data and trial results.

Main Results:

• Creation of comprehensive datasets detailing dwelling stock, heating technologies, and annual heat demand per LSOA.
• Generation of indicative costs for energy efficiency improvements at the local authority level.
• Development of technology-specific profiles to analyse heating impacts under different decarbonisation scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The study provides crucial data for understanding and planning the national transition to low-carbon residential heating.
• The developed methodologies and datasets enable detailed assessments of heat decarbonisation strategies' effects on energy infrastructure.
• Informed decision-making regarding energy efficiency investments and technology deployment is facilitated by the research findings.