Waste heat from the London Underground

Proposed

Image credit: Arup

Transport for London in collaboration with Arup undertook a technical, economic, operational, construction and deliverability analysis of recovering heat from 55 deep tube ventilation shafts in London

In delivering a net zero carbon tube by 2030, TfL have been exploring how to capture and reuse heat from the London Underground. This project ranked 55 sites against criteria like space, access, constructability and proximity to potential heat users. We visited the top 20, engaged with over 40 stakeholder groups, honing in on the best six locations to study in detail. These six sites alone could heat 15,000 homes and save over 180 kilo-tonnes of CO2 over 40 years.

Zero Carbon London

→ Potential savings of 188 ktCO2 over 40 years

→ Six studied locations could provide low carbon heat to up to 15,000 homes

→ 40+ stakeholder groups engaged throughout the project

TfL have been exploring how to capture and reuse heat from the London Underground. This project ranked 55 sites against criteria like space, access, constructability and proximity to potential heat users. We selected the best six locations to study in detail, which could heat 15,000 homes and save over 180 kilo-tonnes of CO2 over 40 years. To maintain passenger comfort, ventilation systems operate continuously to reject heat from the tube network. Conversely, buildings at ground level burn fossil fuels to maintain comfort for occupants. By repurposing the wasted heat, buildings can avoid the combustion of gas, delivering significant carbon savings and improving air quality for Londoners.

Project information

Status

Proposed

Borough

* N/A Outside of London

Completion

2020

Location

13 Fitzroy St, Bloomsbury, London W1T 4BQ, UK

Team Credits

M&E / Sustainability Engineer

Arup