Connect with us

NewsBeat

How a police data centre is heating London’s homes

Published

on

How a police data centre is heating London’s homes

A west London project will use waste heat from a data centre to supply low-carbon heating to 4,000 homes and a new commercial district

With millennia of history, hundreds of miles of underground rail and thousands of miles of sewers and pipelines, making large-scale sustainable infrastructural changes in central London is incredibly complex. A redevelopment project in west London is nevertheless set to use waste heat from a data centre in an ambient loop network to supply low-carbon heating to 4,000 homes and a new commercial district.

The network will circulate low-temperature water through underground pipes to capture heat from the Mopac Tower data centre, nearby Tube tunnels and other local sources. Building-level heat pumps then raise it to usable temperatures for heating and hot water. The development’s latest sustainability statement says these systems operate at about 264% efficiency, far higher than traditional gas boilers of around 80–90% because it is simply moving heat to create energy, rather than burning energy.

Advertisement

Developers say the 44-acre, £8bn Earl’s Court project is one of the largest systems of its kind in the UK and almost entirely privately funded, supported by £1.3m of public grants.

Solutions every Saturday
Uplift your inbox with our weekly newsletter. Positive News editors select the week’s top stories of progress, bringing you the essential briefing about what’s going right.
Sign up

The development aims to be operationally net-zero carbon from day one, with a goal to eventually be energy positive, exporting low-carbon heat to nearby communities, says Peter Runacres, head of urban futures at the Earl’s Court Development Company.

Ofgem, which becomes the statutory regulator for heat networks next year, has promised to protect consumers and ensure they pay “a fair and proportionate price”, a necessary safeguard given the mixed performance of early UK schemes.

Advertisement

Heat networks elsewhere in Britain have struggled with outages, slow repairs and opaque pricing, so the risk is real. ECDC argues its design avoids the pitfalls. Sutton said the system has “inherent resilience”, with a back-up plant, three interlinked loops so two-thirds stay online if one fails, and large storage tanks that absorb peaks in demand. Because the system runs on ambient temperature water rather than high-pressure heat, she said, it is less vulnerable than older networks.

Concerns about two-tier access, where some buildings benefit and others do not, have dogged other projects. Sutton said all buildings within the masterplan boundary will have the option to connect, though it will not be compulsory. The company is in discussions with Hammersmith, Fulham and Kensington, and Chelsea to extend connections across borough lines and reduce fuel poverty.

While these loop systems remain relatively new in the UK, smaller versions already operate at developments like One New Change in the City of London. Countries including Sweden and Denmark have deployed district heating far more widely, helped by planning systems more supportive of shared energy infrastructure and by historically higher heating costs that drove innovation.

Advertisement

Images: ECDC

Be part of the solution

At Positive News, we’re not chasing clicks or profits for media moguls – we’re here to serve you and have a positive social impact. We can’t do this unless enough people like you choose to support our journalism.

Give once from just £1, or join 1,800+ others who contribute an average of £3 or more per month. Together, we can build a healthier form of media – one that focuses on solutions, progress and possibilities, and empowers people to create positive change.

Advertisement

Support Positive News

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NewsBeat

Man dual-wielding axes ‘sets Cane Corso on three police officers’ | News UK

Published

on

Man dual-wielding axes 'sets Cane Corso on three police officers' | News UK
A police officer was violently attacked with an axe during a dramatic police raid in Bermondsey.
(Credits: UKNIP)

Police have charged a man with attempted murder after an attack on three officers in London.

A suspect allegedly set his Cane Corso on officers attending a flat in Marine Street, Bermondsey on Sunday.

Police said their officers were also attacked by a man armed with axes.

The suspect was Tasered and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Advertisement

The dog was seized and taken to police kennels.

Two of the officers suffered injuries caused by an axe and the dog, and were taken to hospital.

Axe Assault Shakes Bermondsey A police officer was violently attacked with an axe during a dramatic police raid in Bermondsey. The suspect, who reportedly took control of a flat and a dog, swung the weapon right over the officer's head. Suspect Linked to Past Axe Attack A source close to the situation revealed the suspect's father had recently been released from prison after a prior axe attack on a girl. ???Now he???s attacked a police officer with an axe,??? the source said. The victim, Stephen Coombes, had tried to handle the situation after the suspect???s partner made a police report. Major Emergency Response Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service responded swiftly around 4pm on March 1. Police broke down the door to the flat in Bowley House. The suspect???s dog bit two officers. Territorial Support Group (TSG), the Met???s specialist unit, also arrived on scene. Witnesses saw officers looking over balconies at Bowley House amid a heavy police presence on Old Jamaica Road and Marine Street. Official Statement Pending We have contacted the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service for comment and expect an official statement on March 2. This story is developing.
Witnesses saw officers looking over balconies at Bowley House amid a heavy police presence on Old Jamaica Road and Marine Street(Picture: UKNIP)

Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing and they have since been discharged from hospital.

A third officer suffered a minor injury which did not require further treatment in the attack.

Stephen Coombes, 43 of Marine Street, Bermondsey, has been charged with attempted murder, being in charge of a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control, a racially aggravated Public Order Act offence, and harassment to put in fear of violence.

Advertisement

He is expected to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Brick ‘thrown’ through home window in Scarborough – police

Published

on

Brick ‘thrown’ through home window in Scarborough - police

Officers are appealing for information about the incident in Fieldside, Scarborough, on Sunday (March 1).

North Yorkshire Police said it received a report at about 7.50pm that an “unknown person has thrown a brick through a living room window”.

The force is urging anyone with information about the incident to report it by emailing mark.burrows@northyorkshire.police.uk or phoning 101.

Advertisement

Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.

Quote reference number 12260037658 when passing on information.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Exact date you should turn off your heating revealed

Published

on

Exact date you should turn off your heating revealed

A new survey has revealed that almost a third of Brits argue every year over when it is time to finally turn off the heating.

However, after analysing years of Met Office date, heating experts can reveal the date you should stop heating your home this year.

According to the NHS, heating should be used whenever indoor temperatures fall below 15°C, and BestHeating’s research shows that from mid-April, the UK’s average temperatures typically stay above that threshold for the rest of the year.

Advertisement

As a result, they recommend turning off your heating on Monday, April 20.



John Klee, heating technology expert at BestHeating comments: “There is a common misconception that when the clocks go forwards the heating is automatically used less, but that is not the case in Britain where warmer temperatures occur very gradually.

“There isn’t a specific temperature that heating should be turned off, but once the outside temperature reaches more than 15°C it is generally warm enough to do so.

“Research shows that this usually happens at the beginning of spring and with the rise in warmer temperatures this year, we can expect to have our heating turned off earlier than usual.

Advertisement

“If it is below 15°C, and even dropping to 13°C, outside then health issues can arise, especially in vulnerable people.

“With many still worried about their finances after another energy price cap increase, it can be tempting to turn the heating off sooner rather than later but jumping the gun could cause more issues than its worth.”

To help Brits keep bills as low as possible until April, as Brits continue to battle cold conditions, John has provided three essential pieces of advice:

Only heat the room you are in

Advertisement

“One of the simplest mistakes people make during winter is heating an unused space. Make sure to turn radiators off in rooms that are not in use such as bedrooms throughout the day.

“The one caveat to this is not to turn the radiators off in the room where the thermostat is located, or it could cause issues with the temperature of the rest of the home.

“Doing this will improve the boiler’s efficiency, allowing rooms you are in to warm quicker and saving over £100 for heating if used daily.”

Turn the thermostat down by one degree Celsius

Advertisement

“Research shows that by reducing a home’s temperature by a little, good savings can be made on energy bills. 20.8°C is the average thermostat setting in the UK, but 18°C should keep you comfortably warm throughout colder spells.

“This can save up to 10% on a fuel bill or an estimated £80. A clever way to assess if the heating is too warm is to turn the thermostat down by one °C and see how you feel.”

Choose the best times of day to blast the heating

“To keep bills low, be clever with when your heating is turned on. If the temperature is going to be lower than 10°C, set it to come on an hour before your alarm to take away the chill. If you are out all day, then do the same in the evening.

Advertisement

“Anyone with a Smart thermostat will be able to control their heating more easily, as they can make sure there is no wasted energy when out at work or shopping and can also set it so that they return to a warm house that is cost-effective.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Ryanair, easyJet, TUI, BA and Jet2 updates as Cyprus airport evacuated

Published

on

Daily Mirror

Passengers have been evacuated from Paphos International Airport in Cyprus amid reports of an unidentified drone flying into its airspace. Here are the latest updates from airlines with flights to the island.

Paphos International Airport in Cyprus ordered an ‘immediate and total evacuation’ this morning (March 2) amid reports that an unidentified drone had been flown into its restricted airspace.

Advertisement

Some European airlines including easyJet have already been cancelling their flights to Larnaca International Airport, a major hub for package holidays, after a drone strike hit the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Cyprus is a popular destination for Brits, with over 1.3 million visiting each year, and with the busy Easter period on the way, many holidaymakers may be wondering how this will affect their travel plans. Around 60 flights have been cancelled to the island today, and airlines will be closely monitoring the situation in order to make a decision on resuming flights in the coming days and weeks.

Check out updates from airlines including British Airways and easyJet below. Travellers to the island should also keep up to date with FCDO advice for Cyprus, as the situation is likely to change quickly.

British Airways (BA)

BA said in its latest statement: “We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of flights to the Middle East. We understand it is a difficult time for customers in affected destinations and we are in contact with them to offer reassurance and support. Safety is our top priority and we will only operate a flight if it is safe to do so.”

It added: “We have cancelled flights to Amman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv up to and including the 05 March and today’s Larnaca service [March 2].

“We have actioned a flexible customer booking policy which allows all customers due to travel between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv in the coming days the option to change their flights for free or get a refund. Customers travelling to Larnaca can rebook for free.

“We are advising customers to check their flight status on BA.com for the latest updates before travelling to the airport due to the evolving situation.”

Advertisement

EasyJet

EasyJet has been advising passengers on X (formerly Twitter) to check its Flight Tracker for the latest information on whether their Cyprus flight will be delayed or cancelled.

An easyJet spokesperson told The Express: “Due to the events overnight affecting the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus, as a precaution, three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK today will not be operating.

“Flights from 3 March are currently operating as planned but we would advise customers due to travel to and from Cyprus over the coming days to check our flight tracker for the latest information.

“We are doing all we can to minimise the impact for our customers and are providing options for rebooking including on other airlines or a refund as well as hotel accommodation and meals for those who require them.”

Advertisement

TUI

TUI haven’t released a specific statement on Cyprus holidays yet, either for passengers on TUI’s airlines or for package holiday customers. Paphos and Larnaca airport shows TUI flights scheduled from Wednesday onwards, with no cancellations or delays showing at the time of writing.

However, TUI has released a statement for customers due to fly out to the UAE or Qatar up to and including March 8, advising: “our pre-travel team will be in contact with you ahead of your departure date.” It also advises: “We are working though bookings in date order and will call you to discuss your options. However, if you would prefer, please call us on 0203 451 2688.” Should the current situation extend to Cyprus, it’s likely the process would be the same.

READ MORE: Emirates, British Airways and Wizz Air’s latest updates on UAE flight cancellationsREAD MORE: What travel insurance will actually cover if you’re affected by UAE travel chaos

Advertisement

Jet2

Jet2 flights scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday (March 3 and 4) are not yet showing as cancelled or delayed on the Paphos Airport website. Customers who have asked for advice via Jet2’s official X account have been advised to contact the Jet2 pre-travel team via Whatsapp to discuss their options.

Ensure our latest stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Shock as woman dies on footpath near Bolton church

Published

on

Shock as woman dies on footpath near Bolton church

Emergency services were called to Junction Road in Deane at just before 10am today, March 2.

But tragically upon arrival, a woman died at the scene.

Her age has not yet been released, but police have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances around her death.

Officers unloading a forensic tent (Image: NQ)

A GMP spokesperson said: “Emergency services responded to reports of a concern for welfare on Junction Road in Bolton this morning, Monday, March 2.

Advertisement

“Sadly, a woman died at the scene. The scene will remain in place whilst officers conduct their enquiries.”

A footpath which runs off Junction Road, down the side of the St Mary’s Church, Deane, cemetery, was seen cordoned off.

As of 10.45am, Junction Road itself had also been cordoned off, with at least eight NWAS vehicles on scene, including ambulances, rapid response vehicles and larger paramedic vehicles, as well as two air ambulances.

Forensic tent set up on the path (Image: NQ)

There were also a number of police vehicles on scene.

Advertisement

But by 11am the road cordon was lifted, with the ambulance vehicles and air ambulance leaving. Police remained on scene to guard the cordon on the footpath, which remained in place.

More officers later arrived to set up a tent on the path.

To see this event as it unfolded, follow this link for our live blog: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/25898612.emergency-services-scene-woman-dies-bolton/

Police and paramedics on scene (Image: NQ)

The path leads to The Middlebrook Valley Trail. The popular walking and cycling route connects Bolton town centre to the Middlebrook Retail Park/Horwich area, passing through Deane Church Clough, Ladybridge, and along the Middle Brook.

Advertisement

The Bolton News spoke to residents on the scene about how events unfolded today.

One said: “I just saw police cars, helicopters and the ambulances. 

“There was a lot of police and ambulances, then a lot of them went.” 

Upon hearing that a woman had died, he said: “Aw bless, it’s not nice.” 

Advertisement

CSI on scene (Image: NQ)

He added that there had previously been other police incidents in the area.

Another described it as “awful”.

One other added: “We didn’t see anything or hear anything at all until we heard the sirens at around 9.50am. 

“We heard a lot of sirens and helicopters, it was busy.” 

Advertisement

The resident added that nothing like this “ever happens around here”, with dog walkers using the path to cut through.

Another resident concurred that the path is regularly used by dog walkers.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Everything you need to know as police called following death of woman in Bolton

Published

on

Manchester Evening News
Everything you need to know as police called following death of woman in Bolton – Manchester Evening News

Advertisement
reach logo

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.