FAQs

Q1. What do we mean by Decentralised Energy and Energy Masterplanning?
Q2. What is Combined Heat and Power?
Q3. What is District Heating?
Q4. Which range of data is collected?
Q5. What do we mean for Major Heat Loads and Major Heat Supply Plants?
Q6. Is energy data collected for all buildings, plants or networks in London?
Q7. I am a local authority member, can I view and update energy data?
Q8. I am a developer, can I view and update energy data?
Q9. I am an investor/utility business, can I view and update energy data?
Q10. I am a member of the public, can I view and update energy data?
Q11. How can I upload data?
Q12. I am encountering problems in using the interactive map, what can I do?

A1. In broad terms, Decentralised Energy (DE) is the local or sub-regional supply of heat and electricity from a central source, known as the Energy Centre (EC), to end users. The EC normally hosts one or more Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units as well as back-up boilers and thermal stores. By ‘Masterplanning’, we mean spatial and strategic planning that identifies opportunities for DE and the associated considerations that provide the basis for project delivery.

A2. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the simultaneous generation of heat and power in a more efficient way than if the two forms of energy would have been produced separately. Heat is recovered from the power generation process and is supplied in the form or hot water with flow temperatures that vary from 80°C up to 140°C depending on the power plant’s typology. When a CHP plant is coupled with an absorption chiller, a Combined Cooling Heat and Power (CCHP) scheme is developed. For more detailed information please check www.chpa.co.uk

A3. District Heating (DH) is the supply of heat from the Energy Centre (EC) to a number of buildings through a system of pre-insulated underground pipes, the ‘network’. Hot water flow temperatures may vary from 70°C up to 140°C depending on the EC’s typology and the consumers’ needs. In most cases buildings are connected to the DH network by means of a substation that includes a Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) for the separation of the mains from the in-building’s circuit.

A4. Where applicable, data includes:

Geographic information such as GIS co-ordinates, address and postcode
Ownership, typology, heating supply and fuel source
Primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions
Gross Internal Floor Area and number of dwellings
Installed power and thermal capacity
Year of construction and start/completion dates for new developments

A5. We mean major energy consumers (Heat Loads) and producers (Heat Supply Plants) that have a ‘significant’ impact in terms of primary energy consumption and/or heat generation.

A6. No, only those that have a ‘significant’ impact in terms of primary energy consumption and/or heat generation are taken into account. For buildings, because energy usage is directly linked to Gross Internal Floor Area (GIFA), only those over a certain size have been considered for the Heat Map.

A7. If you are registered as a Local Authority, you are allowed both to view all non-confidential data and to upload data regarding the developments you own or manage.

A8. If you are registered as a developer, you are allowed both to view all non-confidential data and to upload data regarding the developments you own or manage.

A9. If you are registered as an investor or a utility business, you are allowed both to view all non-confidential data and to upload data regarding the business you own or manage.

A10. If you are registered as a member of the public, you are allowed to view all non-confidential data but not allowed to upload any data.

A11. If you are registered and have the rights to upload data, you will need to log-in and complete the relevant forms from the ‘Interactive Map’. Data will then be validated by the website management and made live within five working days.

A12. Use the Help page and if you cannot find the answer email emp@lda.gov.uk and we will respond to you within five working days.