Wednesday 2 February 2011

London council to use waste energy to heat homes

Southwark Council in London is looking at the possibility of heating nearly 3,000 homes across five estates using waste from a nearby energy plant.

The council is working with its waste and recycling partner Veolia Environmental Services, which will play a key role in managing the project.

The contract would mean both a cheaper and much more energy efficient method of heating some 2,700 homes, and there is potential to bring substantial environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions by 70% and nitrogen oxides emissions by 90%.

SELCHP is the South East London Combined Heat and Power facility, and is one of only a few such facilities of its kind in London.

Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council, said:"This scheme has the possibility of providing renewable energy to thousands of homes, in a much more environmentally friendly way than before.

"Residents will not notice any difference in their heating, except for the knowledge that it will be provided in a cheaper, more local, and more secure manner."