EWS | DIGEST Fracking sites to become energy source for heat networks Geothermal power company CeraPhi Energy has acquired the business of former shale-gas fracking developer Third Energy. The Great Yarmouth-based company develops closed-loop geothermal energy centres that can be connected to heat networks, and plans to repurpose Thirds existing wells across North Yorkshire. Eight sites consist of 12 former gas wells, which are currently in a suspended state, and a network of subterranean pipelines. Using boreholes down to a depth of 2km, CeraPhi aims to de-risk the scaling and commercialisation of large-scale heat networks by reducing the space required for their deployment and increasing the extraction of thermal energy. Drilling new wells and repurposing end-of-life and nonproducing oil and gas wells will provide CeraPhi with huge commercial potential for the scaling up of geothermal heat networks in the UK and globally. The company completed a commercial demonstration project at a site operated by Third Energy last year. Government may scrap boiler tax after campaign Clean-heat mechanism nes boiler makers for missing heat pump quotas The government is considering whether to scrap its incentive scheme to encourage boiler manufacturers to sell heat pumps. The Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM), modelled on the zero emissions mandate being introduced in the car market, is designed to ensure manufacturers install a certain number of heat pumps for every fossil fuel boiler they sell. This will initially be one heat pump per 24 boilers from April, when the scheme is due to start, but the ratio will become more demanding over the years. Manufacturers will have to pay a 3,000 ne for each heat pump installation that they fail to deliver. However, after a campaign by the gas boiler industry, which labelled the CHMM as a boiler tax, the Sunday Times reported on 4 February that Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Claire Coutinho is planning to scrap the scheme. This has sparked a backlash from some in government, however, with the Times subsequently reporting that minister of state for climate Graham Stuart has threatened to quit if Coutinho scraps the CHMM. Several manufacturers have increased the price of their boilers to mitigate the cost of paying the 3,000 nes if they miss their heat pump installation targets. Justifying its decision to raise the price of its boilers by 120, Baxi said in a statement that it would have to sell 100 times more heat pumps to escape a ne. The manufacturer counters as unfounded the accusation that it is proting from the CHMM surcharge. It says the targets set by government for heat pump installations are entirely unachievable and will cause signicant harm to Baxis business, and risk its ability to continue to operate. This valve was developed by world class engineers. Just like all our others. Complete valve solutions take engineering prowess, rigorous testing and operational excellence, oh yes, and an exhaustive selection of valves. So, when you need the complete valve solution none of the others will do. Find out more at hattersley.com/justlike Trevor, Senior Design Engineer 21400_CRANE_HATTERSLEY_AD_133X186.indd 1 14/02/2022 17:31 8 March 2024 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE March 24 pp08 News.indd 8 23/02/2024 13:43