Report on the Gallowhill Flats Renewable Heating Project and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A report on the initiative by Renfrewshire Council to replace outdated gas heating systems in two high-rise residential blocks in Gallowhill, Paisley, with a ground-source heat pump network. This project, the largest of its kind in Scotland, directly supports several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting clean energy, sustainable communities, and climate action through strategic partnerships.

Project Overview and Objectives

The primary objective is to transition residential heating from a fossil fuel-based system to a renewable energy source in response to the existing infrastructure reaching the end of its operational life. A comprehensive review identified ground-source heat pumps as the most economically viable and efficient solution for the tenants.

• Location: Two high-rise blocks of flats, Gallowhill, Paisley, UK.
• Technology: A shared ground loop array of boreholes will transfer geothermal energy to individual Kensa Shoebox heat pumps installed in each flat.
• Contractor: Kensa has been contracted for the installation.
• Timeline: The project is set to begin this month and is scheduled for completion by summer 2026.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The project is fundamentally aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, making significant contributions to the following goals:

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

This initiative is a direct action towards achieving SDG 7 by ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy.

1. Transition to Clean Energy: It replaces a gas supply with a renewable heating system, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting clean energy sources.
2. Energy Efficiency: Ground-source heat pumps are a highly efficient technology, lowering overall energy consumption.
3. Affordability: The system was selected as the most cost-effective option, aiming to provide tenants with stable and affordable heating, thereby combating fuel poverty.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The project enhances the sustainability and resilience of urban housing, a core target of SDG 11.

1. Sustainable Infrastructure: It involves upgrading essential housing infrastructure to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable for the long term.
2. Improved Living Standards: The new system will provide reliable and efficient heating, improving the quality of life for residents in the Gallowhill flats.
3. Resilience: By diversifying the energy supply and reducing dependence on a volatile gas market, the community’s resilience is strengthened.

SDG 13: Climate Action

By decarbonizing residential heating, the project represents a tangible step in taking urgent action to combat climate change.

1. Emission Reduction: The shift from gas to geothermal energy will significantly cut carbon emissions associated with heating the two residential towers.
2. Scalable Model: This large-scale installation serves as a replicable model for other councils and housing associations to follow, promoting wider climate action in the residential sector.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The successful implementation of this project relies on a multi-stakeholder partnership, embodying the spirit of SDG 17.

• The project is a collaboration between:
  • Renfrewshire Council (Local Government)
  • The Scottish Government (National Government), which provided £1,788,382 in funding via the Scotland Heat Network Fund.
  • Kensa (Private Sector), the specialist contractor delivering the technology.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article directly addresses this goal by describing a project that replaces a fossil fuel-based heating system with a renewable one. The text states, “Renfrewshire Council is to replace the gas supply in two of its high-rise blocks of flats with ground-source heat pumps.” It further emphasizes the clean energy aspect by calling it a “renewable heating system.” The affordability component is mentioned when the article notes that the new system was found to be the “most cost effective and efficient system for tenants.”

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project is an urban development initiative focused on improving housing and basic services. The action takes place in “two of its high-rise blocks of flats in Gallowhill, Paisley,” which is a clear urban setting. By upgrading the heating system, the council is working to ensure access to better basic services for its residents, making the community’s infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  While the article does not explicitly mention “climate change,” the action of replacing a “gas supply” with a “renewable heating system” is a direct measure to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project’s funding from the “Scottish Government’s Scotland Heat Network Fund” indicates that this initiative is part of a broader government strategy to decarbonize heating and take action on the climate.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The project is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders. The article highlights a partnership between a local public authority (“Renfrewshire Council”), a national government body (the “Scottish Government’s Scotland Heat Network Fund”), and a private enterprise (“contractor Kensa”). This multi-stakeholder partnership is essential for the project’s funding and implementation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article supports this target by stating that the new system was chosen after a review found it to be the “most cost effective and efficient system for tenants,” addressing the affordability and modernity of energy services for the residents.
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The project’s entire premise is to “replace the gas supply… with ground-source heat pumps,” which are described as a “renewable heating system.” This directly contributes to increasing the share of renewable energy in the local energy mix.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. The project involves upgrading a basic service (heating) in council-owned “high-rise blocks of flats.” This improves the adequacy and quality of the housing for the tenants.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The project is a direct result of such integration. The funding of “£1,788,382” from the “Scottish Government’s Scotland Heat Network Fund” demonstrates a government-level strategy and policy being put into action to promote climate-friendly technologies.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article describes a clear public-private partnership between “Renfrewshire Council” (public), the “Scottish Government” (public), and “contractor Kensa” (private) to deliver the project.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

   • Implied Indicator (for Target 7.2): The number of dwellings converted to renewable energy sources. The article specifies the project covers “two of its high-rise blocks of flats.” The scale is also noted as the “largest installation of its kind in Scotland,” which serves as a qualitative indicator of significant progress.

2. For SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Indicator (related to Target 13.2): The amount of public investment in climate change mitigation projects. The article explicitly states the project was “awarded £1,788,382 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Scotland Heat Network Fund,” which is a direct financial indicator of climate action implementation.

3. For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

   • Implied Indicator (for Target 17.17): The number and type of public-private partnerships for sustainable development. The article provides a concrete example of one such partnership, detailing the roles of the council, the government fund, and the private contractor, which can be documented and counted as progress.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: coolingpost.com