Decarbonisation of heat is one of the major challenges in meeting net zero by 2050. The UK has some of the most inefficient housing stock in Europe, and the heat mix is heavily reliant on natural gas. The sector presents a major opportunity for technology and infrastructure firms, investors, suppliers, and more. Cornwall Insight has expertise supporting market actors across a range of sectors:
- CHP revenue assessments and due diligence for heat networks
- Heat network tariff setting, consumer protections and billing
- Ground and air source heat pump revenue assessments
- Integration of electrified heating solutions with behind the meter flexibility and generation
- The impact of the proposed policy and regulatory changes and the identification of appropriate support schemes
- International comparators and market studies
- Barriers and opportunities for low carbon heat adoption
- Green gas and hydrogen – more information here
Case study
Review of tariffs under the Renewable Heat Incentive in Northern Ireland
Department for Economy (Northern Ireland) | February – August 2019
Cornwall Insight undertook work for the Northern Ireland Department for Economy (DfE) to assess the tariffs associated with the Northern Ireland Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (NIRHI) Scheme. From a regulatory standpoint, traditionally heat has seen fewer interventions and less support than the other aspects of decarbonisation. Here, the main policy instrument has been the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which has seen comparatively limited uptake compared to similar schemes such as the Feed in Tariff (FiT).
In undertaking this project, Cornwall Insight’s objective was to assess prevailing tariff levels and their components and make recommendations on the appropriateness of new tariff levels based on that data. In addition, an assessment of the appropriateness of kerosene as the counterfactual fuel for the NIRHI was completed, as was a comparison and review of the NIRHI against corresponding renewable heat schemes in place in Great Britain (GB) and the Republic of Ireland.
The report was well received by the DfE and was used to help inform policy in regards to the RHI scheme in Northern Ireland.
