A newly launched smart energy scheme in Peterborough, in England, aims to deliver reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, while cutting energy bills by up to a quarter.
The Peterborough Integrated Renewables Infrastructure project (PIRI) project combines a next generation heat network, electricity network and electric vehicle infrastructure under one smart holistic scheme.
PIRI is being led by Peterborough City Council, with partners that include SSE Enterprise, Element Energy, Cranfield University, Smarter Grid Solutions and Sweco UK.
The project aims to establish more locally produced, cleaner energy and heat from waste and support services with a reduced carbon footprint.
If deemed successful, the two-year scheme could be rolled out to other UK towns and cities to help UK achieve its Net Zero ambitions, said the partners.
Peterborough is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK and is facing a significant increase in energy demand as the city continues to grow.
PIRI has been granted funding from UK Research and Innovation, alongside corporate investment, to design a low carbon, smart energy system for the city.
The multi-utility infrastructure delivery is expected to lower costs and reduce bills for consumers.
As part of the scheme customers will benefit from integrated billing and services for heat, electricity and mobility, including electric vehicle charging.
A transparent tariff setting used in the PIRI scheme will generate long-term savings for local authorities.
PIRI programme head at Peterborough City Council Elliot Smith said: “This is a highly innovative project, one of the most ambitious nationally and one which could become the most significant in the UK’s transition to low carbon infrastructure.
“For Peterborough, it has substantial benefits and supports the sustainable growth of the city.”
Cranfield University Centre for Climate and Environment Protection head Philip Longhurst added: “For the UK to achieve its ambitions of net zero, we are going to have to do things differently.
“These plans announced today for the PIRI project show how local low carbon, smart energy systems could be used across the UK for the benefit of both the environment and consumers.
“At Cranfield, we pride ourselves on the practical application of our low carbon technology research and our close links with industry, PIRI is a fantastic example of that in action.”