GREENSCIES islington, London
In a world where resources are finite, GreenSCIES shared energy grid project redefines the adage 'waste not, want not,' by intertwining homes, businesses, and electric vehicles in a verdant symphony of sustainable power.
Project Overview
setting a new standard for energy efficiency in urban areas
As urban landscapes across the globe seek clear-cut action plans to embark on a low-carbon future, Islington, one of London's busiest neighbourhoods, blazes the trail toward sustainability with GreenSCIES, a community-focused energy grid weaving affordable, low-carbon electricity, warmth, and transport into the lives of 33,000 residents and 80 enterprises in the vicinity.
GreenSCIES is no ordinary energy project— it's an ingenious energy matrix outshining its UK predecessors. Harnessing waste heat from neighbouring data centres, GreenSCIES bestows locally sourced power upon the multitude. With an astounding 80% plummet in emissions and a remarkable curtailment in consumer costs, this avant-garde project revolutionises the district's energy landscape while etching a captivating blueprint for other cities to follow suit.
THE APPROACH
Democratise
Engage local communities in decision-making to cultivate trust and instil a sense of ownership, inspiring Islington's populace to actively engage in the energy transition.
Decarbonise
Harness renewable energy sources and integrate heat recovery and energy storage systems to liberate the community from fossil fuel dependency.
DECENTRALISE
Embrace interconnected local systems in favour of centralised power plants to increase resilience, adapt to fluctuating demands, and recover swiftly from potential disruptions.
DigitalisE
Facilitate real-time monitoring and control of generation and consumption, responding to energy demand oscillations, minimising waste and optimising resource usage.
”Being smarter and more sustainable with how we generate and how we consume heat and power in the heart of our cities is a key challenge for the UK to hit its 2050 net-zero targets. That will only be achieved through greater collaboration, and GreenSCIES is putting this into practice – bringing together a complex ecosystem of partners, from academia and the public sector through to large corporates and SMEs.”
Michael Lewis, CEO of E.ON UK
Quote Source
Project background
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As cities around the world are seeking clear-cut action plans that pave the way to a zero-carbon future, we stand at a crossroads. Our journey demands a transformative shift in perspective; no longer can we exploit Earth's seemingly boundless resources. We must acknowledge our intricate, interwoven role within this planet and the ripple effects of our actions.
To conquer sustainability, we need visionary plans transcending temporary solutions and targeting our environmental quandaries' core. Embracing a 'thrivability mindset' cherishes both human and planetary well-being, forging resilient, equitable, and just communities.
Constructing smart energy infrastructure, aligned with community values and aspirations, is a pivotal stride on this path. By championing renewable energy and shedding our fossil fuel shackles, we can sculpt a healthier, sustainable legacy for future generations. The onus is upon us to act and forge our low-carbon future.
participants & Methods
The alliance
Our journey required a transformative shift in perspective; to conquer sustainability, we need visionary plans transcending traditional solutions and targeting our environmental quandaries' core by embracing a ‘thrivability’ mindset that cherishes both human and planetary well-being, forging resilient, equitable, and just communities.
The expedition bore fruit, and now, we stand as a Centre of Excellence, eager to share our gathered wisdom and pass the torch to other local communities and landowners.
In a world where net-zero challenges loom large, unity is our guiding star. It's that spirit of togetherness that fuels our strategic alliance, piecing together the fragmented puzzle of a complex supply chain.
London Southbank University and the Borough of Islington sit at the helm of the GreenSCIES project in a tale of true collaboration from every corner of the board: academia, the public sector, the big leagues, and the inventive small businesses. And we're in this together, bound by the common thread of a low-carbon, resilient future.
WHAT is THE SMART LOCAL ENERGY SYSTEM?
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The pièce de résistance of GreenSCIES is its low-temperature district heating network, nestled in the heart of Islington. This game-changing system comprises a network of nimble, modular heat pumps, sprinkled across the landscape like stars in the night sky, sharing heat between buildings.
This technology brings flexibility and efficiency that traditional district heating systems could only dream of. It sparks connections, nurtures ownership, and knits together the fabric of the community. GreenSCIES is a testament to our commitment to reducing waste and creating sustainable energy solutions.
GreenSCIES is an innovative energy system. It boasts ground source heat pumps and a solar network as its core components. This technology draws warmth from neighbouring data centres and significantly reduces reliance on dwindling energy reserves. The system provides guilt-free heating while maintaining a smaller carbon footprint.
To further optimize the efficiency of the system, GreenSCIES features a thermal energy storage tank. It acts as a guardian of surplus heat, poised to step in when demand peaks. This trailblazing contraption unlocks the doors to a world where energy storage systems elevate efficiency and shrink the carbon shoes we've grown accustomed to wearing.
Analysis and Discussion
The GreenSCIES Islington case study stands as a dazzling exemplar of what can be wrought when communities and technology unite in harmony. By amalgamating democratisation, decarbonisation, decentralisation, and digitalisation, the project paves the way for a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient energy future – a future that could ignite a wildfire of similar endeavours across the UK and beyond.
A tapestry of Innovation for Sustainable Urban Living
At the core of the GreenSCIES system lies a magical invention – a ground source heat pump that gently extracts warmth from the earth, using it to heat the buildings above.
The system cleverly converts waste heat from local data centres and tube stations into a valuable resource, using it to heat and power homes, harnessing every possible source of energy, ensuring that no warmth goes to waste.
The system connects multiple buildings, enabling the sharing of excess energy and reducing overall demand, and it boasts a thermal energy storage tank, a treasure trove of heat that can be tapped into during times of high demand.
The wonders of GreenSCIES don't end there, however. As the sun shines down on Islington, the GreenSCIES system integrates solar energy into its repertoire, enhancing the sustainability and resilience of the community's energy supply,
This solar component provides yet another way for the community to reduce their carbon footprint and move closer to a sustainable future, along with an integrated electric vehicle (EV) and mobility network, connecting the town's residents with clean, efficient transportation options.
The low-temperature district heating network, however, is the crowning jewel of the GreenSCIES system in Islington. This state-of-the-art network relies on small, modular heat pumps scattered throughout the area, enabling unprecedented levels of flexibility and efficiency compared to traditional district heating systems.
It offers an opportunity to explore the potential of community-based energy systems, where residents work together to manage and maintain the system, fostering a stronger sense of community and ownership.
a sense of connection.
the spirit of greenscies
Beyond the tangible benefits of the GreenSCIES system, what is truly remarkable is the deeper connection and relationship the community has formed with their environment. They were becoming more aware of the impact their energy consumption had on the environment and were taking steps to reduce it.
Through the low-temperature district heating network, the system distributed heat to the buildings in the site using small, modular heat pumps that encouraged the community to work together to manage and maintain the system.
It was an opportunity for the community to come together and take ownership of their energy system, fostering a stronger sense of community and connection.
the ripple effect.
Scaling Thrivability
Thanks to GreenSCIES, the Islington community has been able to reduce its carbon footprint and forge a deeper connection with the world around them, becoming more aware of the impact their energy consumption has on the environment.
As the project continues to develop and expand, it has the potential to become a model for sustainable energy systems in other communities around the world.
Through its emphasis on connection and relationship, it's showing us that it's not just about reducing our carbon footprint but also about fostering deeper connections with nature and with one another. And that's a story worth sharing.