Based on heat-pump technology using ammonia, the plant extracts heat from a local river and upgrades the temperature to 90°C. The 13 MW system supplies heat, hot water and cooling to businesses, schools, hospitals and other buildings.

This was the first such design to be based on ammonia, which has zero global-warming potential (GWP). It meets 85% of the city’s heat demand. The COP is 3:1, and the electricity used is supplied by hydropower, making the system’s carbon footprint virtually zero.

Andy Pearson comments, ‘The award not only credits innovation but offers an insight to the considerable scope for the environmental and economic benefits that district heating and cooling systems can offer to an entire community.’