The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) aim to achieve the region’s commitment to reduce its CO2 emissions by 48% by 2020 from a 1990 baseline.  A significant proportion of these savings will come from the local generation of low carbon/renewable heat and power. The 2020 target is to generate 1 TWh / year of electricity and 2-3TWh of heat locally.

To help achieve such targets, the GMCA is commissioning a series of studies around Manchester for CHP and District Heat networks.

Q Sustain Ltd was commissioned by The Low Carbon Delivery Unit at Manchester City Council to produce a feasibility study for the purpose of establishing if a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plant linked to a wider District Heating Network (DHN) could be installed within Manchester Piccadilly Train Station and to engage with all key Network Rail stakeholders to confirm endorsement in principle to a proposed scheme that would potentially benefit the station with a low carbon fuel source for power and heat.

This study provided details of the energy demand and half hourly consumption information acquired by Q Sustain for Piccadilly Station and nearby Square One.  Data of electricity was provided over the last three years’ data that could provide a surplus of heat to benefit adjacent third party developments after the stations own consumption needs are met for power, heating and hot water. This would require heat partners for the first phase of a potential contract identified from work carried out by consultants Buro Happold.