Renfrewshire's Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan (LHEEDP) Full Report
Renfrewshire Council · 28 August 2024
Back to Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board — 28 August 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board On: 28 August 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Renfrewshire’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Reducing Carbon Emissions is one of the principal measures to address climate change and is a key priority for all Local Authorities. Renfrewshire Council recognises that climate change will have far reaching effects on Renfrewshire’s economy, its people and its environment and is determined to lead by example in tackling the causes of climate change. 1.2 Renfrewshire Council declared a climate emergency in June 2019 and approved the Plan for Net Zero in August 2022, which committed to working towards net zero by 2030 for both the Renfrewshire area as a whole and Renfrewshire Council as an organisation. This challenging target covers all aspects of energy use within the Renfrewshire wide area. Homeowners can help achieve these targets by ensuring their home is energy efficient. In doing so, there are many long-term benefits, such as carbon savings, reducing energy bills and by supporting the local economy. 1.3 In 2022, the Scottish Parliament passed The Local Heat and Energy Efficiencies (Scotland) Order 2022. This places a statutory duty on Local authorities to publish a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) and Delivery Plan (LHEEDP), and for these to be updated at intervals of no more than 5 years. 1.4 LHEEDP are designed to be local authority-led, however stakeholder engagement and partnership working are key as the plan addresses all building stock at a local authority wide level (Council, public, private, 3rd sector and all tenures of residents). 1.5 It is hoped that LHEEDP will also act as a prospectus for government funding and external investment using a robust evidence base and place-based approach. 1.6 Renfrewshire’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) was approved by the members of the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board on 24 January 2024. ___________________________________________________________________
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2. Recommendations It is recommended that members of the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board: 2.1 Approves the proposed Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan 2.2 Notes the high-level information available at this time on Renfrewshire’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan 2.3 Notes that updates will be provided to the relevant Policy Boards outlining potential opportunities and proposed projects, activities, and interventions. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 In addition to Scotland’s net zero targets, there are strategic national targets relating to lowering emissions from our buildings through the decarbonisation of heat. These targets are: • improving energy efficiency in domestic and non-domestic building stock; • removing poor energy efficiency as a driver for fuel poverty; and • in 2040, as far as reasonably practicable, no household is in fuel poverty. Clean Energy is one of the 5 focus areas as approved within Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero which aligns with these targets at a local level. 3.2 Development of Renfrewshire’s LHEEDP includes identifying: • a range of projects and actions to be developed, with outline costs and carbon savings associated with the proposed interventions. • an assessment of potential large-scale heat supply – not just looking at new infrastructure but also using existing infrastructure and assets (such as water sources) and innovative methods of waste heat recovery, such as those used in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) district heating network in Renfrewshire. • opportunities for partnership working and engaging with all key stakeholders throughout the process. __________________________________________________________________ 4. Next Steps 4.1 Following approval of the LHEEDP, progression of the plan’s actions can be made. This will also allow feasibility studies and outline business cases to be carried out and to seek appropriate funding on conclusion of the studies if/where potential delivery area opportunities are identified. 4.2 Continued engagement and collaboration are critical in the successful delivery of LHEES to understand the views, opportunities, and constraints. Stakeholders were identified through a range of engagement activities during the preparation of the Strategy which was approved January 2024 as noted in section 1.6 of this report. All stakeholders have been mapped out in an action plan to support the delivery. This will provide a good understanding of the level of engagement required for each stakeholder.
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4.3 The Delivery Plan is a living document and is expected to be updated in line with policy and target development using version control. __________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – No current implications. The Scottish Government committed to a funding package of £75,000 per annum for each Local Authority from 2023 to 2027. Delivery of the LHEES will have resource implications for the Council and includes a commitment to working collaboratively to ensure best value for our approach. As the full extent of the resource implications for Renfrewshire Council emerge, reports will be brought to the relevant future Policy Boards. 2. HR & Organisational Development – No current implications. 3. Community/Council Planning – No current implications. However, delivery of Renfrewshire’s LHEES will require engagement and collaboration with local residents, businesses, partners and communities on the climate emergency agenda. The Delivery Plan will highlight the continued activities which support the key priorities set out in the Council and Community Plans to tackle inequality and widen opportunity. 4. Legal - No current implications. However, future actions may have some level of implication. 5. Property/Assets - No current implications. However, delivery of Renfrewshire’s LHEES may have significant implications for property and assets given the nature of the work involved. 6. Information Technology – No implications. 7. Equality and Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety – No implications. 9. Procurement – No current implications. However, delivery of Renfrewshire’s LHEES will have significant procurement implications given the nature of the work involved. 10. Risk – No current implications. 11. Privacy Impact – No current implications. 12. COSLA Policy Position – Renfrewshire’s LHEES aligns with COSLA’s current work alongside the Scottish Government in response to the climate emergency. 13. Climate Risk – as noted in para 3.1, Renfrewshire’s LHEES aligns with Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero, specifically the Clean Energy theme. 14. Childrens Rights – No implications. ___________________________________________________________________
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List of Background Papers: None Author: Ryan Cameron, Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy Officer Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure
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Table of Contents RENFREWSHIRE’S LOCAL HEAT & ENERGY EFFICIENCY DELIVERY PLAN (LHEEDP) Environment, Housing & Infrastructure
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2 Table of Contents Page No 1. Introduction to Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan 03 2. Approach to Delivery Plan 04 2.1 Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy Priorities 04 2.2 Renfrewshire Priorities 04 3. Action Plan 05 4. Summary of Actions 07 5. Actions in Detail 10 6. Renfrewshire Examples 17 6.1 Pilot Project 17 6.2 Housing-led Regeneration Programme 18 6.3 New Build Homes Programme 19 6.4 Eco Flex 4 19 6.5 Energy Advocacy Advice 20 7. Feasibility Studies 21 7.1 Paisley East/West/Central 21 7.2 Paisley North 22 7.3 Johnstone 22 7.4 Foxbar 23 Appendix 1 – Glossary of Terms 24 Appendix 2 – Stakeholders 28 Appendix 3 – National Policies 32 Appendix 4 – Local Policies 34
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3 1. Introduction To Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan (LHEEDP) This document is the Delivery Plan for the Renfrewshire Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES). It should be read in conjunction with the Renfrewshire LHEES itself. The Delivery Plan sets out how Renfrewshire LHEES is to be implemented, with a focus on actions over the period 2024 to 2029. The plan proposes to support Renfrewshire Council and our partners to work towards delivery of the changes and opportunities identified in the Strategy. This is intended as a 5 year term delivery of actions, based on local priorities, LHEES considerations and stakeholder engagement. This helps understand what actions can currently be delivered, given the changing policy landscape as well as understanding that new future policies and programmes will be developed alongside new technologies being adopted as they become viable. Continuing engagement with both internal and external stakeholders will be critical to support the delivery of LHEES and embed LHEES within the local governance structures and processes, not just of the Council but our Community Planning Partners and all stakeholders, in order to identify and optimise new opportunities, including collaboration and partnership working opportunities as they arise. The high-level LHEES Delivery Plan is a living document and is subject to change when the Council and partner organisations start delivering LHEES and/or large-scale renewables projects as well as new developments and the emergence of new technologies. It is expected to be updated in line with local and national policy and target developments, with a statutory obligation to update at intervals of no more than 5 years.
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4 2. Approach to Delivery Plan 2.1 LHEES Priorities The purpose of this Delivery Plan is to detail the specific opportunities and delivery mechanisms for Renfrewshire to reduce our energy emissions and decarbonise our heating systems through large-scale projects, such as developing local heat network portfolios (both new network developments and expansion of existing networks). Also by installing measures at individual building level through improving energy efficiency to reduce energy costs and alleviate fuel poverty. This covers short and medium goals within a 5-year timeframe and longer-term aspirational actions; thus the plan focuses on opportunities and approaches for this first phase of the LHEES, with the next Delivery Plan scheduled to be published no later than December 2028. 2.2 Renfrewshire Priorities Renfrewshires two key themes to guide the development of this Delivery Plan are intended to maximise the effectiveness of LHEES delivery are: 1. Maximising and exploring in detail the potential for heat networks beginning with the 6 first phase heat network zones identified in the Renfrewshire LHEES. 2. Investigating the outline costs of installation and potential savings (carbon and cost savings) of identified solutions on an area by area basis, with the alleviation of fuel poverty as a priority.
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5 3. Action Plan Officers have identified a mixture of high level actions which are set out in the summary of actions in section 4 and these will be incorporated and developed in more detail on a project by project basis to ensure benefits are optimised and will include specific details relating to timescales, inputs and desired outcomes. Through a monitoring and evaluation process we will work towards targets set throught the delivery plan and from this we can identify more specific projects within the Renfrewshire area. These actions in a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) delivery plan are crucial for its success. This involves a comprehensive approach to communication, education, awareness raising and collaboration with all stakeholders. Heat Networks: This involves creating infrastructure for distributing heat efficiently across multiple buildings. Heat networks (or district heating systems) provide centralised heat from a single source or a combination of sources to multiple end-users via buried pipework leading to more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective heating solutions when compared with individual carbon-intense heating systems within each building and through the optimisation of low carbon heat sources and waste heat recovery. Funding: This is a critical component for the successful delivery of a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES). Securing adequate funding ensures that all phases of the project, from planning to implementation and maintenance, are carried out effectively ensuring sustainable and impactful energy solutions for the community. LHEES is also an opportunity for private investment opportunities attracting private sector-led projects, public sector exemplar opportunities, and external funding; coordinating and collaborating on joint ventures; and identifying innovative delivery models to turn sectoral ambitions into investable projects.
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6 Skills and Jobs: LHEES is an opportunity to upskill and reskill the local workforce and create significant sustainable jobs opportunities across various sectors, from design and contruction through to operation and maintenance, as well as local supply chain and manufacturing opportunities. By developing these skills and creating related job opportunities, the delivery of a Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy can effectively contribute to both environmental sustainability and local economic growth. Awareness and engagement: This involves a comprehensive approach to communication, education, awareness raising and collaboration with various stakeholders. Within the Plan for Net Zero, Renfrewshires LHEES is a key thread where the proposed solutions reflect local needs and priorities of our communities and extensive engagement will ensure that the needs of all groups are considered with a focus on addressing inequalities and fuel poverty. Building Level: This involves a series of steps to improve the energy performance of individual buildings, whether residential, commercial, or public. This plan ensures that each building within the target area benefits from improved heating systems, enhanced energy efficiencies/savings, and reduced carbon emissions leading to enhanced living conditions. It is important to consider the whole building as a system when understanding retrofit works and associated costs. The ‘fabric-first’ approach considers what is required, prioritising repairs, insulation, draught-proofing and ventilation as key first measures to ensure energy conservation, reducing the amount of energy needed and reducing energy waste in our buildings.
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7 4. Summary of Actions It should be noted that the actions along with stakeholders within the delivery plan will be updated and amended as projects are identified and feasibility studies are concluded. Heat Networks • Conduct feasibility studies to explore heat network opportunities, including expansion of existing networks to meet heat decarbonisation targets. • Ensure that the Delivery Plan aligns with new and existings plans for example the new Local Development Plan. • Engage with key internal and external stakeholders in relation to heat network potential. • Further develop heat network portfolio of projects identified in the Strategy. • Engage with non-domestic properties within heat network zones that have high suitability for heat network connection and/or anchor load potential. • Explore collaboration opportunities with neighbouring Local Authorities, including potential cross-boarder heat networks. • Building Assessment Reports (BARs) including, identifying the best approach to implementation in partnership with Scottish Government and all 32 Scottish Local Authorities. Funding • Identify and review existing funding programmes and schemes for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation. • Consider national and local levels on available opportunities for different housing stocks. • Engage with the Scottish Government to report the funding gap, as identified by this LHEES and further analysis, for energy efficiency measures of regional building stock (domestic and non- domestic). • Explore innovative delivery models, including regional approaches, joint ventures and public-private partnerships. • Outline Business Case Development has been successful for accessing both Council and external funding. • Outline Business Case (OBC) Council and Scottish Government matched funding has been successful for Paisley North (AMIDS) and Paisley Central – progress to next steps developing the OBC.
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8 Skills and Jobs • National and regional co-ordination of skills and jobs baseline to identify and address the skills gap and develop the skills transition. • Support the development of new and existing supply chains to encourage growth of local skills and reduce the risk of local skill shortages. • We will produce a proposed pipeline of our major infrastructure projects in order to link with skills transition and local employment opportunities and identify skills gaps, shortages and requirements ahead of time. This proposed pipeline will build on work that is already underway to encourage investment in local areas; enable local supply chain and manufacturing opportunities to be identified; de-risk private sector investment; and bring about regeneration of local areas. • We will work with colleges, schools, universities, local training providers, apprenticeships and staff training, to ensure that the courses and training opportunities exist for the stable and sustainable, quality jobs that will be created to ensure every person is able to reskill and upskill. Awareness and Engagement • Work collaborativly to improve data with a focus on non-domestic buildings in order to gather information on energy consumption, carbon emissions, building types, and existing infrastructure that may be incorporated into a network. • Community surveys and stakeholder consultations to understand local energy needs and behaviors. • Use media channels to promote and educate about energy efficiency, as well as providing energy advice and support. • Host workshops and training sessions to spread awareness of the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy. • Provide details of funding opportunities and financial support schemes available to residents and businesses. • Continue with internal working group for discussing LHEES delivery with relevant people/organisations. • Engagement with Scottish Power to identify existing grid capacity to meet heat decarbonisations requirements and identify innovative solutions to local grid constraints.
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9 Building Level • Further work to understand the scale and costings of the specific energy efficiency retrofit works and heat decarbonisation measures required across Renfrewshire for domestic and non-domestic building stock. • Set out planned projects to decarbonise heating within buildings and housing stock. • Set out planned projects to improve energy efficiency within buildings and housing stock. • Align with Historic Environment Scotlands ‘Historic and Traditional Buildings’ report to ensure traditional contruction buildings specific needs and characteristics are taken into account. General • Ongoing data collation and verification to inform projects and identify high certainty actions and low regret measures and ensure the most current information is being used. • Continue to review methodology to inform future iterations of the Strategy and the Delivery Plan. Table 01 - Summary of actions
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10 5. Actions in detail Please see Appendix 2 which sets out the various stakeholder groups that are referenced in the tables below. The Delivery Plan is a live document and details of funding, timeframes and progress will be included as they become available. Heat Networks Actions Lead Stakeholders Timeframe 01 Conduct feasibility studies to explore heat network opportunities, including expansion of existing networks to meet heat decarbonisation targets. Energy Management Unit • Internal • External 01 2023-2024 02 Ensure that the Delivery Plan aligns with new and existings plans for example the new Local Development Plan. LHEES Working Group • Internal • External 01 2024 03 Engage with key internal and external stakeholders in relation to heat network potential. Climate Team N/A 2024-2029 04 Further develop heat network portfolio of projects identified in the Strategy. Energy Management Unit • Internal • All External 2024-2029 05 Engage with non-domestic properties within heat network zones that have high suitability for heat network connection and/or anchor load potential. Climate Team • Internal 2024-2029
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11 06 Explore collaboration opportunities with neighbouring Local Authorities, including potential cross-boarder heat networks. Climate Team • Internal Ongoing 07 Building Assessment Reports (BARs) including, identifying the best approach to implementation in partnership with Scottish Government and all 32 Scottish Local Authorities. Building Standards • Internal 2024-2029 Funding Actions Lead Stakeholders Timeframe 01 Identify and review existing funding programmes and schemes for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation. Energy Management Unit/Housing Investing Team/ Climate Team • Internal Ongoing 02 Consider national and local levels on available opportunities for different housing stocks Energy Management Unit/Housing Investing Team • Internal • All External Ongoing 03 Engage with the Scottish Government to report the funding gap, as identified by this LHEES and further analysis, for energy efficiency measures of regional building stock (domestic and non-domestic). Energy Management Unit/Housing Investing Team • Internal Ongoing
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12 04 Explore innovative delivery models, including regional approaches, joint ventures and public-private partnerships. Energy Management Unit/Housing Investing Team/ Climate Team • Internal • All External 2024-2029 05 Outline Business Case (OBC) Council and Scottish Government matched funding has been successful for Paisley North (AMIDS) and Paisley Central – progress to next steps developing the OBC. Energy Management Unit • Internal 2024-2025 Skills and Jobs Actions Lead Stakeholders Timeframe 01 National and regional co-ordination of skills and jobs baseline to identify and address the skills gap and develop the skills transition. Climate Team • Internal • All External Ongoing 02 Support the development of new and existing supply chains to encourage growth of local skills and reduce the risk of local skill shortages. Climate Team • Internal • All External Ongoing 03 We will produce a proposed pipeline of our major infrastructure projects in order to link with skills transition and local employment opportunities and identify skills gaps, shortages and requirements ahead of time. This proposed pipeline will build on Climate Team • Internal • All External 2024-2029
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13 work that is already underway to encourage investment in local areas; enable local supply chain and manufacturing opportunities to be identified; de- risk private sector investment; and bring about regeneration of local areas. 04 We will work with colleges, schools, universities, local training providers, apprenticeships and staff training, to ensure that the courses and training opportunities exist for the stable and sustainable, quality jobs that will be created to ensure every person is able to reskill and upskill. Climate Team • Internal • All External Ongoing Awareness and Engagement Actions Lead Stakeholders Timeframe 01 Work collaborativly to improve data with a focus on non-domestic buildings in order to gather information on energy consumption, carbon emissions, building types, and existing infrastructure that may be incorporated into a network. Energy Management Unit • Internal • All External 2024-2029
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14 02 Community surveys and stakeholder consultations to understand local energy needs and behaviors. Climate Team • Internal • All External Ongoing 03 Use media channels to promote and educate about energy efficiency, as well as providing energy advice and support. Energy Management Unit/Communications Team • Internal Ongoing 04 Host workshops and training sessions to spread awareness of the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy. Climate Team • Internal Ongoing 05 Provide details of funding opportunities and financial support schemes available to residents and businesses. Climate Team • Internal • External 01 Ongoing 06 Continue with internal working group for discussing LHEES delivery with relevant people/organisations. Energy Management Unit • Internal 2023-2029 07 Engagement with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) to identify existing grid capacity to meet heat decarbonisations requirements and identify innovative solutions to local grid constraints. Energy Management Unit • Internal • External 02 Ongoing
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15 Building Level Actions Lead Stakeholders Timeframe 01 Further work to understand the scale and costings of the specific energy efficiency retrofit works and heat decarbonisation measures required across Renfrewshire for domestic and non-domestic building stock. Energy Management Unit/Housing Investing Team/ Climate Team • Internal 2024-2029 02 Set out planned projects to decarbonise heating within buildings and housing stock. Energy Management Unit/Housing Investing Team/Planning/Buildin g Stanadards • Internal Ongoing 03 Set out planned projects to improve energy efficiency within buildings and housing stock. Energy Management Unit/Housing Investing Team • Internal Ongoing 04 Align with Historic Environment Scotlands ‘Historic and Traditional Buildings’ report to ensure traditional contruction buildings specific needs and characteristics are taken into account. Climate Team/Planning • Internal • External 01 2023-2029
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16 General Actions Lead Stakeholders Timeframe 01 Ongoing data collation and verification to inform projects and identify high certainty actions and low regret measures and ensure the most current information is being used. Energy Management Unit • Internal 2023-2029 02 Continue to review methodology to inform future iterations of the Strategy and the Delivery Plan. Climate Team • Internal • External 01 Ongoing
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17 6. Renfrewshire Examples 6.1 Projects Housing Investment Team - pilot project where insulation works and fabric improvements have been carried out in conjunction with an Air Source Heat Pump. The project will assess whether the heat demand has been reduced sufficiently to allow a heat pump to run at lower or at least equal costs for the tenant as a gas combi boiler (Wenlock Road, Paisley). Renfrewshire are also working on various work programmes outwith the regeneration programme which is detailed below in section 6.2. The Council were granted funding from the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund (SHNZHF). The project will aim to deliver energy efficiency measures and low emission heating and will allow the Council to assess whether this is something which can feasibly be rolled out to the wider housing stock. To achieve a sufficient reduction in heat loss and heat demand, designs using passive house principles will be produced and then the homes will be retrofitted with a package of energy efficiency improvements which will include external wall insulation, loft insulation, roof replacement with integrated Solar PV arrays, new energy efficient windows and doors and other related works such as Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems. Individual Air Source Heat Pumps will then be installed to replace existing Gas Combination Boilers. Of the 12,000 properties within the housing stock, around 10,000 of these have gas combi boilers installed, and currently these are the cheapest, most controllable systems for tenants. It is important to note the risk that changing to lower carbon heating systems before reducing the demand, could put tenants into fuel poverty. Over a period of time the boilers will have a replacement programme but it is important to find the balance between meeting carbon targets and fuel poverty.
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18 Various capital programmes will include returning to properties where external wall insultation and new roofs over the last 10 years were installed, to now install PV panels, top up loft insulation and install new windows. A large scale window replacement programme of all our housing stock will also be progressing. 6.2 Housing-led Regeneration Programme Our Housing Regeneration and Renewal Programme will improve the quality of housing in eight areas across Renfrewshire. We are taking forward a £100m ten-year investment programme to help improve council housing within Renfrewshire by creating modern, affordable, high-quality, energy-efficient council homes. Phase 1 will focus on eight areas across Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone. The programme will make major improvements to existing buildings, but it is about much more than that - we will also consider how to improve the wider environment, including outside and communal areas, and how to keep fuel bills down by making homes more energy-efficient. As well as improvements to existing homes, we are building around 350 new council homes across four of the areas. Residents were consulted in summer 2021 on the initial plans for their area, and changes were made to the plans based on the responses to that. This will in most cases include measures such as: • new roofs, including new roof trims, gutters and rainwater pipes, and the addition of solar panels; • external wall insulation; • new close doors, repainted closes and repairs to stair treads; • (in some cases) new windows; Further details of the programme can be found on our website at: Housing-led Regeneration Programme
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19 6.3 New Build Homes Programme 70 new build affordable homes will be delivered as part of the Howwood Road Area regeneration in Johnstone with a further 60 affordable homes to be constructed at Gallowhill, Paisley. These homes will be delivered to Gold Aspects 1 – 8 of the Scottish Technical Standards (domestic) in terms of sustainability with Air Source Heat Pumps being the primary source of heating complimented mechanical ventilation heat recovery and solar panels. These homes will also be digitally enabled. The Council’s new build housing specification requires that our new build homes meet Gold Aspects 1 – 8 of the Scottish Technical Standards (Domestic) as a minimum with the primary source of heating provided by Air Sourced Heat Pumps. Where suitable Ground Sourced Heat Pumps and district heating systems will be used. 6.4 ECO Flex 4 Renfrewshire’s Energy Management Unit manage the ECO Flex 4 funding scheme. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO Flex 4) is a scheme where funding is available to make eligible homes more energy efficient. It applies to: • private housing in Renfrewshire • fuel-poor households that do not meet criteria for other schemes • low-income or vulnerable households that are vulnerable to the effects of the cold • energy inefficient homes who may benefit from heating and energy saving measures. The scheme does not apply to Council Housing or Registered Social Landlords. Further details of the scheme can be viewed on our website at: Funding to make homes more energy efficient (ECO4 Flex)
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20 6.5 Energy Advocacy Advice Renfrewshire Council have been providing Energy Advocacy since 2012. The energy advocates support residents of all tenure within Renfrewshire. This includes fuel debt, supplier disputes, priority service provision, supplier switching and energy usage. The advocates partner with a wide range of external partners in order to offer an integrated, more comprehensive and efficient service to the advantage of our clients. Renfrewshire Council has provided Energy support to its residents for over 25 years and continues to be very successful at providing invaluable assistance to the local community. Considering recent and expected rises on fuel costs, the service is destined to become even more essential than ever before. Further details on Renfrewshire’s energy advice service can be viewed on our website at: Renfrewshire Energy Advice
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21 7. Feasibility Studies Renfrewshire Council obtained funding to carry out feasibility studies at a number of locations across Renfrewshire which are detailed below. These initial areas were identified through data analysis during the preparation of the Local Heat and Energy Efficiecy Strategy identifying as having the high heat demand, being close to an energy source and in the presence of public buildings as potential achor loads. The areas not currently within the first phase heat network zone will be looked at in closer detail to identify opportunities for smaller scale networks or communal heat sources. 7.1 Paisley East/Paisley West/Paisley Central East There is an opportunity for a new heat network around the Abbey in Paisley, making use of air source heat pumps at an energy centre, with electric boiler top up. Thermal storage at the energy centre can maximise the annual heat demand to be provided by heat pumps while backup/top-up electric boilers provide resilience and can facilitate meeting peak demands. West There is an opportunity for a new heat network in West Paisley, making use of wastewater (sewer) source heat pumps and air source heat pumps at an energy centre adjacent to George Court, with electric boiler top up. Thermal storage at the energy centre can maximise the annual heat demand to be provided by heat pumps while back-up/top-up electric boilers provide resilience and can facilitate meeting peak demands. Central There is an opportunity for a new network in Paisley Central, making use of waste heat recovery and wastewater source heat pumps alongside air source heat pumps at an energy centre adjacent to Renfrewshire House, with electric boiler top up. Thermal storage at the
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22 energy centre can maximise the annual heat demand to be provided by heat pumps while back-up/top-up electric boilers provide resilience and can facilitate meeting peak demands. 7.2 Paisley North – Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) There is an opportunity for to extend the existing AMIDS wastewater heat recovery heat network to Glasgow Airport making use of water source heat pumps at each building supplied by AMIDS as the main source of heat. Buffer vessels at each building can maximise the annual heat demand to be provided by AMIDS while back-up/top-up electric boilers provide resilience and can facilitate meeting peak demands. Following the results and findings of the Paisley Central and Paisley North (AMIDS) feasibility studies, Renfrewshire are progressing with outline business case applications to the Heat Network Support Unit which would enable Renfrewshire Council to further develop the opportunities which have been identified at a scale and will also enable knowledge sharing and lessons learned that can be applied across Scotland. 7.3 Johnstone The proposed location for the district heat network (DHN) was Howwood Road area, within the area several buildings were identified as having the potential for district heat connection. The main buildings identified for the pre-feasibility report include Johnstone High School, Johnstone Community Sports Hub, Fordbank Primary School and West Johnstone Shared Campus. In addition, it was proposed a number of residential sites should also be considered within the DHN; two sites owned by Linstone Housing Association, one site owned by the council near Howwood Road. The conclusion from the study determined that the area is not heat dense and a heat network solution may not be the most cost- effective approach in this specific scenario. It was recommended to consider other routes to net-zero. For example, consider an options appraisal for discrete scale, as buildings connected in a localised area, and building-level low-carbon heat such as ASHP.
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23 An options appraisal for routes to net zero could include considerations on the following: • Discrete scale heat networks and building-level low-carbon heat with low-carbon heat technologies • Energy efficiency opportunities, including heat demand reduction measures, heating system control • Consider complementary renewable low-carbon electricity technology (e.g. PV for on-site electricity generation) • Building condition survey – assess heat equipment age and condition (replacement plans), opportunities to reduce heat operating temperatures building-side, connect with survey for energy efficiency measure opportunities. • Consider funding opportunities for discrete scale heat networks and building-level improvements – low-carbon and energy efficiency. Ultimately, although heat networks are an efficient means to distribute low-carbon heat, they are not the only solution to achieve low- carbon heating. It is equally valid to consider building-level and discrete scale low-carbon heat opportunities as part of the Council’s route to net zero. 7.4 Foxbar The conclusion from the study determined that the area is not heat dense and a heat network solution may not be the most cost- effective approach in this specific scenario. It was recommended to consider other routes to net-zero. For example, consider an options appraisal for building-level low-carbon heat technologies such as individual ASHP. An options appraisal for routes to net zero could include consideration of: • Building-level low-carbon heat with low-carbon heat technologies • Energy efficiency opportunities, including heat demand reduction measures, and heating system control • Consider complementary renewable low-carbon electricity technology (e.g. PV for on-site electricity generation) • Building condition survey – assess heat equipment age and condition (replacement plans), opportunities to reduce heat operating temperatures building-side, connect with survey for energy efficiency measure opportunities • Funding opportunities for building-level improvements – low-carbon and energy efficiency Ultimately, although heat networks are an efficient means to distribute low-carbon heat, they are not the only solution to achieve low- carbon heating. It is equally valid to consider building-level low-carbon heat opportunities as part of Renfrewshire’s route to net zero.
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24 Appendix 1 – Glossary of terms Terms Description Anchor Loads Buildings with significant heat demands that are critical to making a heat network viable and have high potential to be one of the first connected demands on a network. Baselining A fixed point of reference for reference for comparison. For LHEES this is to understand at local authority or strategic level, the current status of all building stock against the LHEES Considerations. Building-level Pathway The outcome of assessment to provide the likely energy efficiency retrofit technologies, as well as the low carbon heating system (where applicable) to support building level decarbonisation. Carbon Dioxide The most abundant greenhouse gas (making up around ⅔ of greenhouse gases). It is naturally occurring but is also a by-product of human activities such as burning fossil fuels, land-use changes and other industrial processes and contributes to climate change and global warming. It is the reference gas against which other greenhouse gases are measured. Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) A metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases based upon their global warming potential (GWP). Carbon Emissions The release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Carbon Offsetting The process of compensating for carbon dioxide emissions arising from activities by participating in schemes which remove equivalent levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, e.g. tree planting, carbon capture, peat bogs. Climate Change Refers to any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time, including major changes in temperature, rainfall and severe weather patterns that occur over several decades or longer. Data Zone Output areas which have populations of around 500 to 1,000 residents.
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25 Decarbonisation The reduction or removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere resulting from human activity, with the eventual goal of minimising emissions as far as possible. Delivery Area Areas at a higher granularity (higher level of detail) than Strategic Zones. These spatial zones should set out clusters of buildings within a Strategic Zone that identify potential solution(s) at a delivery level. They will be an important starting point for identifying a range of projects, regulation and actions to be developed in the LHEES Delivery Plan. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Gives information on how energy efficient a building (including homes) is; how it could be improved; and an environmental impact rating to show CO2 emissions. Buildings are rated on a scale of A to G, with A being the most energy efficient. An EPC is required for new buildings/homes; when you are selling a building/home; or when renting to a new tenant. Fossil Fuels Non-renewable energy sources formed from fossilised plants and animals over millions of years such as coals, oil and gas. Fuel Poverty Defined as any household spending more than 10% of their income on energy after housing costs have been deducted. Greenhouse Gases Any gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming and climate change. Intermediate Zone Statistical geographical areas (2,500 - 6,000 household residents) within local authorities, built up from aggregates of data zones.
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26 LHEES Considerations The LHEES Considerations are a list of technologies, building typologies and policy priorities used to identify and target interventions. They include: - Heat networks - Off-gas grid buildings - On-gas grid buildings - Poor building energy efficiency - Poor building energy efficiency as a driver for fuel poverty - Mixed-tenure, mixed-use and historic buildings LHEES Delivery Plan A document setting out how a local authority proposes to support implementation of its local heat and energy efficiency strategy. Linear Heat Density A measure of heat load per meter of district heating pipework. In short, this approximates how much revenue a branch of a network can generate for a given capital cost. Low Temperature District Heating Network Reduces the amount of energy lost converting and transporting heat to buildings. Net Zero Emissions When greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by removals over a specified period. Resilience The capacity to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, absorb and recover from the stresses imposed by climate change from significant multi- hazard threats with minimum damage to social well-being, the economy and the environment. Strategic Zone A visualisation of the potential pathways to decarbonise the building stock at a local authority level, split out by intermediate zone or data zone. These are useful to understand the baseline performance, the scale of potential and initial areas of focus, which could be used to inform Delivery Areas and follow on engagement.
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27 Wet central heating system A system with central heat source (usually a boiler) that produces hot water which is distributed around the building, heating radiators and can be used for hot waters from hot taps and showers.
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28 Appendix 2 – Stakeholders Renfrewshire Council - Internal Stakeholders Councillors Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board Planning and Climate Policy Board Housing Services Property Services Planning and Building Standards Corporate Governance - Legal Services Finance and Procurement City Deal and Infrastructure Regeneration and Economic Development LHEES Officers Working Group Climate Team Energy Management Unit
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29 Renfrewshire Council - External Stakeholders 01. National • Scottish Government • Energy Saving Trust • Coal Authority • Historic Environment Scotland • Scottish Environmental Protection Agency • NatureScot • National Trust for Scotland • Zero Waste Scotland • Viridor (Energy from Waste – Clyde Valley Waste Partnership) • Energy Savings Trust Scotland • Home Energy Scotland • Scottish Futures Trust • Community Energy Scotland • Local Energy Scotland • Scottish Local Authority LHEES Forum 02. Energy/Utilities • Scottish Power Energy Networks • Scottish Gas Network • Scottish Water 03. Housing Associations • Bield • Blackwood • Bridgewater • Cairn • Ferguslie Park • Hanover • Horizon • Key
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30 • Link • Linstone • Loretto • Paisley • Sanctuary • Williamsburgh 04. Community Planning Partners • OneRen • University of the West of Scotland • West College Scotland • NHS • Police Scotland • Scottish Fire and Rescue • Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership • Renfrewshire Chamberof Commerce • Engage Renfrewshire • Scottish Enterprise • Skills Development Scotland • Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Authority 05. Skills and Supply Chains • Schools • Colleges • Universities • Training providers • Apprenticeship providers • Local employers
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31 06. Other Key Interest Groups • Community Councils • Community Groups • Local Partnership Areas • Care Homes and Nursing Homes • Tenants Groups • Developers • Third Sector Organisations • Local Businesses • Large Businesses (Potential Anchor Loads) • Industry (potential Anchor Loads and Potential Waste Heat) • Neighbouring Local Authorities
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32 Appendix 3 – National Policies Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 Sets a 2045 net zero emissions target and interim targets: 75% by 2030; and 90% by 2040. Climate Change Plan: third report on proposals and policies 2018-2032 (RPP3) Sets out the path to a low carbon economy while helping to deliver sustainable economic growth and secure the wider benefits to a greener, fairer, and healthier Scotland in 2032. Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan Sets out clear policy positions and a route map of actions with a focus out to 2030 that the Scottish Government will take and the changes that the UK Government must deliver. Energy efficiency in social housing Aims to improve the energy efficiency of social housing in Scotland. It will help to reduce energy consumption, fuel poverty and the emission of greenhouse gases. It is based on the minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. All social housing must meet, or be treated as meeting, EPC band B, or is as energy efficient as practically possible, by December 2032. Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019 Sets targets relating to the eradication of fuel poverty; to define fuel poverty; to require the production of a fuel poverty strategy; and to make provision about reporting on fuel poverty. no more than 5% of households in Scotland are in fuel poverty, no more than 1% of households in Scotland are in extreme fuel poverty, the median fuel poverty gap of households in Scotland in fuel poverty is no more than £250. Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 Regulates heat networks, supporting objectives in the Heat in Buildings Strategy to grow heat network opportunities. This strategy helps Renfrewshire meet part of its duty within the Act by identifying potential heat network zones. Heat in Buildings Strategy Sets out our vision for the future of heat in buildings, and the actions we are taking in the buildings sector to deliver our climate change commitments, maximise economic opportunities, and ensure a just transition, including helping address fuel poverty. Housing to 2040 Sets out a vision for housing in Scotland to 2040 and a route map to get there. It aims to deliver our ambition for everyone to have a safe, good quality and affordable home that meets their needs in the place they want to be.
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33 National Planning Framework 4 Sets out spatial principles, regional priorities, national developments, and national planning policy. How Scotland will work together in the coming years to improve people’s lives by making sustainable, liveable, and productive places. Central Scotland Priorities: To deliver sustainable places, Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Plans in this area should support net zero energy solutions including extended heat networks and improved energy efficiency, together with urban greening and improved low carbon transport. To deliver liveable places, Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Plans in this area should pioneer low carbon, resilient urban living by rolling out networks of 20-minute neighbourhoods, future proofing city and town centres, accelerating urban greening, investing in net zero homes, and managing development on the edge of settlements. To deliver productive places, Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Plans in this area should target economic investment and build community wealth to overcome disadvantage and support a greener wellbeing economy. Across these priorities, there is a need for greater investment in, and development of, net zero homes and places supporting green jobs. Local Development Plans and strategies like Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies will focus on decarbonising heat and energy networks, and the just transition to greener, low carbon heat generation.
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34 Appendix 4 – Local Policies Council Plan – 2022-2027 "Creating a fairer Renfrewshire built on innovation, wellbeing and opportunity". The Council Plan sets out how the Council will collaborate with partners, communities, and business to progress our five strategic outcomes. There are five strategic outcomes: place, economy, fair, green, and living our values. Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme A £100m ten-year Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme aimed at delivering modern, high quality, energy-efficient and affordable council housing throughout Renfrewshire, and creating nicer places to live. Renfrewshire Community Plan 2017-2027 Developed together and signed up to by key public, private and third sector organisations. It marks a shared responsibility to work together to get things right for people in Renfrewshire, and a real commitment to addressing the inequalities that exist. The content of Our Renfrewshire is the result of conversations with partners and local people about opportunities, challenges, and aspirations, informed by a comprehensive data and evidence set. Renfrewshire Economic Strategy 2020-2030 Sets out the ambitions and actions to achieve sustained, inclusive growth of the Renfrewshire economy over the next 10 years. Renfrewshire Local Development Plan Sets out the spatial strategy and proposals for Renfrewshire over the next 10 years. Renfrewshire Local Housing Strategy 2023- 2028 Sets out the strategic approach of the Council and its partners to delivering high quality housing and housing related services across all tenures to meet identified housing need in Renfrewshire.
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35 Renfrewshire’s Plan for Net Zero Developed in collaboration with all our stakeholders, we are committed to working towards net zero by 2030 for the whole of Renfrewshire to ensure a safer, healthier, greener, and fairer place for everyone to live, work and spend time in. Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan Identifies affordable housing projects which are to be supported by Scottish Government funding and sets out how this investment will be targeted to meet the strategic priorities of Renfrewshire’s Local Housing Strategy. Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy The strategy identifies actions to promote the redevelopment and/or re-use of brownfield and previously used land to enhance places and support sustainable economic growth.
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Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Renfrewshire Council Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BR