01. My Background.
A proven track record.In 2008, I founded an award-winning DBOOM (Design-Build-Own-Operate-Maintain) Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility that remains one of Europe’s largest 100% food waste facilities.
AD wasn’t a new technology; the Victorians used it; we simply adapted it for the modern day and supersized it to create an industry-leading facility producing 100% clean, green, renewable electricity and bio-methane (renewable gas).
Having honed my expertise in the UK renewable energy sector, gaining a wealth of experience including mergers & acquisitions and building key relationships, I set up Earthly Energy in 2023; my goal was to take the next step in my renewable energy adventure.
Fast forward to 2024, and I’m developing another low-carbon energy business. The parallels are all there; similarly, it’s not a new technology – the Romans were using it!
02. Geothermal District Heating.
So what’s next?Let me give you a brief outline of what I’m involved in now. A glimpse of your future, perhaps.
Modern-day district heating, also known as a heat network, is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce carbon emissions from heating and cooling our public and commercial buildings and our homes.
Geothermal energy and district heating/cooling extract thermal energy from the ground. District heating delivers so many positives for our fragile environment.
The overall European market share of heat networks is expected to increase from 15% to 30% by 2030 and could meet almost half of European heat demand by 2050.
Looking backward. A little history.
District heating traces its roots to the hot water-heated baths and greenhouses of the ancient Roman Empire. A hot water distribution system in Chaudes-Aigues in France is generally regarded as the first natural district heating system. It used geothermal energy to provide heat for about 30 houses and started operation in the 14th century.
Looking forward. The future of sustainable energy.
Our implementation of district heating uses a water-source heat pump to harness energy and transfer it through a network of insulated pipes to the end user to use in their heating or cooling system.
District heating cost-effectively delivers low-carbon heat; hence the UK government has acknowledged that it has a vital role in our move towards a low-carbon future.
The overall European market share of heat networks is expected to increase from 15% to 30% by 2030 and could meet almost half of European heat demand by 2050. Europe’s largest heat network market is Germany, followed by Poland and Sweden, with the UK viewed as an emerging market.
Older buildings’ heat sources can usually be easily converted, while new buildings only require a builder who cares about our precious environment. Schools, hospitals, universities, leisure centres & swimming pools, commercial and industrial buildings, food processing, data centres, our homes – the list is as endless as the energy source itself.
If you heat or cool a space, why not connect to a local network?
03. An Earthly Vision.
Shaping the future of the energy sector.
An Earthly Vision.
I’ve previously been described as a ‘safe pair of hands,’ a ‘trusted partner,’ and builder of ‘best in class’ businesses. I genuinely believe I can make Earthly be considered similarly regarding heat network development.
Robert Etherson, Managing DirectorImplementing a plan. Mapping it out.
I approach it in three distinct stages:
Research your topic to understand the key challenges and perceived barriers fully.
No one likes surprises.
There’s rarely any need to reinvent the wheel.
By taking the current approach and adapting it where possible to demonstrate a point of difference and deliver actual value to your customers. With a relatively ‘new’ or ‘unproven’ technology, it’s an essential step to gain a seat in the discussion.
I believe I have done this, and Earthly will now be able to develop a significant number of projects, which will not be solely restricted to the UK.
Make it happen!
Which is potentially where you come in.
04. Building The Business.
The way forward.People.
As someone who has been producing renewable energy for the past decade in what was an unknown industry in 2008, I fully understand all of the challenges associated with taking an idea, setting up and managing a business all the way through to a planned exit.
We’re refining an ongoing proof of concept, applying our know-how and experience to bring fresh thinking to the sector.
Heat networks require significant investment at our end, but not our customers’. Therefore your investment costs will be minimal.
I intend to have multiple ‘best in class’ technology & equipment partners involved in our projects. Your new energy bill will most likely be from a ‘blue-chip’ company, possibly even your current supplier.
As the UK continues to adopt the technology to decarbonise heating and cooling, we will increasingly see it being deployed in large-scale buildings and housing developments.
Growth.
The Earthly team will grow and take shape over the coming months, keeping pace with the district heating networks now being developed all over the UK. We are fully aligned with the Government’s energy strategy and will grow with the industry.
Of course, Earthly Energy won’t be the only district heating developer to emerge on the road to Net Zero, but I will ensure we’re perceived as one of the best and most trusted.
Testing… Testing…
We’re pleased to confirm the UK’s Mining Remediation Authority (formerly Coal Authority) will be working with our proof of concept at one of their sites in Scotland.
05. So what’s next?
Key Points to consider.If you’re reading this, the chances are we have already had a meeting, or you have been tasked to research my background. That would suggest that you are in an area where we intend to have a network or are already developing it.
It’s quite simple: we can reduce your carbon footprint significantly or even to zero in some cases.
We can enter into a long-term energy supply agreement where you have certainty over fuel sources and costs.
You will have no upfront costs for the work required on your side of the network.
And depending on where you are in the UK, you can get 50-100% relief on your business rates.
In short, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by talking to Earthly. Please or call 07540 269245 to discuss your needs or address any questions you may have.