Wander Thoughts

Standing beside his winter wheat field on a plot of land scheduled for a new electricity transmission line, John Stacey feels far from optimistic about the future.

"Those huge metal structures are going to split our farm in two," he said to AFP, referring to the development planned across Witham, northeast of London, by the start of the next decade.

As part of a multibillion-pound project endorsed by the UK government, it has created conflict among residents such as farmer Stacey with those looking to modernize Britain's energy infrastructure.

Four pylons that will be built on his land will be managed by National Grid, a privately-run company that oversees the transportation of electricity in England and Wales.

Once operational, they will connect and transport energy from wind farms and solar parks to London.

For Stacey, who is in his sixties, the construction on his property poses a threat not only to the area where he works but also to his residence.

"I had always envisioned spending my retirement on this land and my family continuing to run the farm," he said as seagulls flew overhead above the North Sea.

"The possibility of me living here with pylons and the noise they make is slim," he said, stating that he doesn't see any prospect of the Labour government abandoning their plans.

National Grid has promised to consider the perspectives of those who will be affected in order to "limit the impact" of the pylons.

The country also requires "rewiring" according to National Grid deputy director Tom McGarry, who argued the nation needs this due to the shutdown of coal-fired power plants.

Labour views the power lines as crucial for achieving net zero carbon emissions and enhancing energy security.

Unprecedented scale

The Witham project will run along the route to the Bramford substation, where rows of pylons covering an area of nearly 20 football pitches continuously emit a humming noise.

Homeowners are worried about a new development that is drawing companies to set up grid-connected infrastructure.

A significant solar farm is being built in the vicinity, alongside a substantial warehouse serving as a hub that links to offshore wind turbines.

National Grid plans to invest £35 billion ($44 billion) by 2031 to overhaul its electricity network, making it one of the largest infrastructure projects since the 1960s.

The new production facilities are being located in more secluded regions, requiring the construction of numerous new transmission lines to transport the power back to urban areas.

"Some major investments are also necessary, not just in the United Kingdom, as this is a quite universal trend," he said.

Opposition groups claim that while new connections may be required, alternative schemes such as under-sea and land-based cables, closer to London, have not been adequately examined.

The initiatives are being undertaken "without first consulting the communities," said Rosie Pearson, founder of a local activist group representing the interests of residents in East Anglia.

'Pylon war'

In a small cafe near the village of Ardleigh, located east of London, Pearson met with a group of people who are opposed to the pylon construction, whose concerns included worries about the effect on wildlife diversity and inadequate payment to property owners.

Concerns also exist regarding 50-metre high power line towers obstructing scenic views.

The group formed a circle around a table containing in-depth maps of the projected electric power lines.

"It's the start of a very large construction dispute," said Pearson, who is prepared to litigate in court to demonstrate that there are more affordable alternatives available.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who took office in July, has vowed to circumvent obstacles he perceives as impeding major new infrastructure projects and overhaul Britain's restrictive planning regulations.

To ensure Britain's clean energy future, upgrading infrastructure at an affordable cost is essential.

"The installation of underground cables is more expensive, and the expense will ultimately be reflected in your electricity bill," they added.

The EU's industry could reduce its CO2 emissions by a quarter with the use of heat pumps, estimates the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA).

The current heat pump technology can already supply 37 per cent of the industry's process heat requirements if it was fully implemented.

That is a saving bigger than the annual emissions of the Czech Republic.

“Europe requires competitive and sustainable industrial development, and large-scale heat pumps play a crucial role in this effort,” says Paul Kenny, Director General of the European Heat Pump Association.

“Technology is now providing secure heat, reducing costs, and affordable energy in manufacturing processes, ranging from paper production to pasta-making, and this capacity should and must be further developed.”

What applications can industrial heat pumps be used for in terms of manufacturing processes?

Approximately 60 percent or more of the energy consumed by European industry is utilized for heating purposes, as reported by the European Pest Control Association (EPHA). The majority (around 66 percent) of heat demand is attributed to process heating or the utilization of thermal energy within manufacturing processes.

Approximately 80% of this energy has traditionally been derived from fossil fuels. Presently, a mere 3% originates from renewable electricity and 11% from biomass. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heat energy by 2050 is a top priority to meet existing EU emissions targets.

These systems can reach temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius, making them suitable for processes that need lower temperatures. 37 percent of the total heat energy demand for process heat is from manufacturing that requires temperatures below 200 degrees Celsius.

These processes include beer brewing, dairy processing, and paper manufacturing. For instance, the Wepa Greenfield paper factory in Château-Thierry, France, utilizes a heat pump to evaporate water from paper pulp. A government-backed project utilizes a heat pump to increase the temperature of waste heat from the drying process from 70C to 140C - high enough to undertake drying of the paper pulp.

Why aren't companies currently leveraging heat pumps?

About 16 percent of heat in residential and commercial buildings in the EU now comes from heat pumps.

Companies may be deterred from changing their approach due to a lack of knowledge about the benefits of doing so, and high upfront costs can also serve as a significant obstacle.

Most European countries provide financial incentives or support for companies investing in a large-scale heat pump. A survey by the EPHA discovered that aid is offered in 24 EU countries, including Norway and Switzerland, through means such as grants, loans, or tax relief.

Aims to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy usage in industries that consume significant energy. To achieve this, it seeks to simplify the process of obtaining permits for clean technologies, encourage investments in cleaner alternatives, and support the growth of green markets.

Implementing sustainable food systems, distributing food to the most vulnerable populations, temperature regulation, and educational campaigns are key components of this approach.

"We call on the European Commission to provide industrial heat pumps with priority status in its upcoming plans and strategies," Kenny concludes.