A low carbon heat network feasibility study was undertaken by Scene during 2022 in the village of Bildeston, Suffolk. The project sought to define how a low carbon heating system could benefit Bildeston residents and businesses through reduced energy bills and carbon emissions. The feasibility study was conducted with the support of the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) by Heating Bildeston, a not-for-profit group of Bildeston residents seeking to secure a low carbon future for Bildeston.
The feasibility study required in-depth assessment of the village of Bildeston, including defining the current energy demand and carbon emissions of the village, assessing landownership, and engaging with landowners, defining the local context, and identifying potential development constraints, engaging with the local community, and a full technical, financial, and commercial appraisal of heat network feasibility in Bildeston. Technologies appraised included air- and ground-source heat pump systems, with peaking options assessed across air-source heat pump and biomass systems. Geological assessment was conducted by TownRock Energy.