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Tuesday 8 Nov 2016

Birmingham New Street station launches carbon-savings calculator to showcase savings generated through district energy scheme

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

A new carbon-savings calculator has been unveiled at Birmingham New Street station, to demonstrate the emission reductions resulting from its connection to the Birmingham District Energy Scheme.

As part of the scheme, Network Rail’s Birmingham New Street station and the newly developed flagship John Lewis store are supplied with low-carbon heating generated by a combined heat and power (CHP) plant. The plant generates power on-site, using the excess heat to provide warmth.

Launched in 2007, the scheme aims to help the city achieve its goal of reducing CO₂ emissions by 60% by 2027. Buildings connected to the district heating network include the Birmingham Town Hall, International Convention Centre, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Aston University campus. This local, low-carbon energy infrastructure means the city is less reliant on national grid for its power, thereby reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The station and John Lewis store are now supplied with heat from an energy centre on Broad Street and will also connect to a newly constructed CHP plant that is in the final stages of completion on the station roof. Extending the scheme in this way will increase its capacity, efficiency and resilience.

To date, connecting the station and John Lewis store has generated considerable carbon emission savings. The completion of the new CHP is expected to generate additional emission savings of more than 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. 

Sam Clarke, Head of Energy Partnerships for the Midlands at ENGIE, says: “Adding these two landmark buildings to the scheme has created a better connected, more integrated network across the city, so more organisations can benefit. The launch of the new carbon-savings calculator at New Street station will enable visitors to see the contribution it is making in reducing the city’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

Patrick Cawley, principal programme manager for Network Rail who has been overseeing the project said: "Reducing the station's carbon footprint by building our own combined heating and power plant is an important part of creating a sustainable station fit for the future. The excess heat created by the station’s plant can now be used by the city’s shared district heating network to heat surrounding offices and businesses."

Councillor Lisa Trickett, Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, Recycling and Environment, says: “The BDEC partnership is one of our leading carbon-reduction programmes. I’m looking forward to seeing more buildings connect to the scheme to play their part in reducing the city’s carbon emissions and save money on their energy bills.”

ENDS

Notes to editor:

The facilities are owned and operated by district energy specialist ENGIE, through the Birmingham District Energy Company a partnership with Birmingham City Council. The scheme is a result of work by Birmingham City Council, Network Rail, The John Lewis Partnership and ENGIE in reducing carbon emissions and developing a greener redeveloped station and new John Lewis store.

About Birmingham District Energy Company (BDEC)

Birmingham District Energy Company (BDEC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of ENGIE Urban Energy Limited. It is a working partnership between ENGIE, Birmingham City Council, Aston University and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. It comprises three schemes, all built and operated by ENGIE, which use large-scale CHP technology to supply electricity and heating to public and private sector users in the city.