• £4m zero carbon heating and cooling system draws and stores energy from 200m beneath the city, while recycling waste heat from power generation
• 4MW of extra capacity equivalent to heating 2,300 homes and will cut carbon emissions by 50%, contributing to capital’s net zero ambitions
• To celebrate, E.ON installs ice sculpture taller than a London bus, showcasing iconic landmarks and its network beneath the city streets

E.ON has today announced the start of a £4 million project to install one of the UK’s largest zero carbon heating and cooling systems, beneath the streets of London.

The heat pump being installed at E.ON’s Citigen energy centre in the heart of London’s square mile will draw from the natural warmth of the earth as well as recycling waste heat from power generation which would otherwise vent into the atmosphere. This energy can be stored in three boreholes extending 200 metres below the capital and provide zero carbon heating and cooling for buildings.

The 4MW of extra heating capacity is equivalent to the demand of 2,300 average UK homes and is complemented by a further 2.8MW of new cooling capacity to customers across the financial district. The new technology adds to Citigen’s existing combined heat and power engines which already produce enough electricity and heating for the equivalent of more than 11,000 homes.

Celebrating the installation of the heating and cooling system, E.ON has unveiled an ice sculpture in Charterhouse Square taller than a London bus, showcasing iconic landmarks and E.ON’s heat network that lies beneath the city’s streets.

The innovative heat pump and borehole solution will cut the carbon emissions associated with heating and cooling by up to 50% and will help to improve local air quality by reducing nitrogen oxide emissions. The project forms part of the city’s wider efforts to meet net zero targets and contributes to London’s climate emergency plans.

Michael Lewis, E.ON UK Chief Executive, said: “Tackling the environmental impact of heating, especially in densely populated areas, will be key to meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero targets. Part of that challenge means re-imagining how energy is provided to homes, businesses and cities. In taking the next step and installing heat pump and geothermal technology at Citigen we’re making a powerful statement of what can be done to reduce carbon usage on a large scale.

“The Citigen building itself has a long and storied history, and our £4m investment in a zero carbon heating and cooling system gives it an exciting new chapter and makes sure it’s fit to support the capital’s cleaner future.“

Energy Minister Lord Callanan, said: “Heating in buildings forms a significant part of the UK’s carbon footprint, so changing how we warm and cool our homes and workspaces is a vital part of eradicating our contribution to climate change by 2050.

“Heat networks offer an effective way of reducing carbon emissions while bringing down costs to consumers. E.ON’s project is a commercial vote of confidence in heat networks and heat pumps, meaning homes and businesses across the City of London will benefit from clean heat and is another great example of how the pace of rolling out cutting-edge low-carbon technologies is being accelerated across the UK.”

Catherine McGuinness, the City of London Corporation’s Policy Chair, said: “This scheme offers a really creative solution to helping meet our energy needs and tackle climate change, by tapping into the earth as a sustainable energy source. Innovative projects like this will play a hugely important role in helping us meet the ambitious goals set out in our Climate Action Strategy of achieving net zero carbon status for our operations by 2027 and for the Square Mile as a whole by 2040.”

Hidden behind Listed Building facades in the Clerkenwell area, Citigen is the hub of E.ON’s Central London district heating and cooling network. It powers a network of pipes running for more than 10 miles underground, providing heating, cooling and electricity to residential and commercial buildings in the Square Mile, including the Barbican, the Guildhall and the Museum of London.

Citigen currently runs off two high efficiency combined heat and power engines which will be supplemented by the new renewable technology, supporting Corporation of London and Greater London Authority targets to make London a greener city.

How does it work?

The heat pump, bore holes and heat recovery system work alongside Citigen’s combined heat and power plant, providing heating and cooling through a network of super-insulated pipes to nearby buildings and electricity to the grid.

The heat pumps are powered from the CHP, making best use of the power generated on-site.

They take renewable heat from the earth through the 200m boreholes under London’s streets, combined with recycled heat from the cooling towers. That heat can either be saved for future use in the thermal store within the building or pumped down into the boreholes for longer term storage.

Benefits:

• Reduces energy waste by recycling heat that would otherwise be ejected into the air
• Electrical systems reduce dependence on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions
• Increases security of supply while making best use of space in the congested city centre
• Combines heating and cooling installations into one, limiting investment and operating costs
• Allows Citigen network to extend and expand to further customers
• Multi heat source approach adds flexibility and paves the way for innovations and new heat sources

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