Jarrow energy network picks up award for excellence

A renewable energy scheme in South Tyneside was recognised at last week’s Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) Awards, winning in the ‘Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative’ category.

The Viking Energy Network Jarrow (VENJ) scheme, which is the first of its kind in the UK, combines a river source heat pump, a combined heat and power back-up system, a 1 MW solar farm and a private wire electrical network with storage battery.

The water source heat pump harnesses low-grade heat from the River Tyne and exports it to council-owned buildings, including Jarrow Focus leisure centre, three residential tower blocks, Jarrow Business Centre, and Jarrow Town Hall.

The solar farm will provide much of the electricity to power the heat pump, ensuring it will run close to carbon neutral in the summer months.

The combined heat and power back-up system will be used in the event that the solar panels do not generate enough electricity. It is a highly-efficient process that harnesses the heat that is a by-product of the electricity generation process, and which would otherwise be wasted.

An energy centre has been built by the river and an extensive pipe network is used to distribute the heat across the town.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council said: ‘We are thrilled that the Viking Energy Network has been recognised in this way. The APSE award is another accolade for this fantastic scheme.

‘The benefits of VENJ are threefold: reducing greenhouse gas emissions; creating a reliable, good-value source of heat and improving energy security by diversifying from fossil fuels into the renewable energy sector.

‘We are incredibly proud to be leading the way with this pioneering work to deliver clean energy in the borough, the award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams that helped bring this project forward and realise our vision.’

Cllr Ernest Gibson, Lead member for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change at South Tyneside Council, said: ‘This network is the first of its kind and is unique in that it will combine three renewable technologies, ensuring minimal use of fossil fuels.

‘It demonstrates our commitment to cleaner, more secure energy sources.’

The network was constructed by Colloide Engineering Systems Ltd.

Pictured on the main page is South Tyneside Council Leader Cllr Tracey Dixon with Paul Quinn at the Viking Energy Centre, Jarrow.