Labour’s net zero scheme to ship hot water to homes by river barge

[rangerrebew]

Labour’s net zero scheme to ship hot water to homes by river barge
Electric boats will carry boiling water along the Thames before construction of ‘mega’ heat system
 
Alex Marsh
 
Alex  Marsh
Published 23 September 2026 5:01pm BST
Labour has launched a net zero scheme to transport hot water on barges on the River Thames to heat London homes.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has earmarked £41m for a project to launch electric boats that will travel upriver from a power plant in Belvedere, south east London, before pumping water into storage tanks on riverside pontoons.

From here, the water, heated to almost 100 degrees Celsius, would flow through pipes into nearby heat networks, which are systems that supply hot water to multiple buildings from a centralised heat source, rather than each property having its own boiler. The Government has claimed the project could eventually supply up to 650,000 homes.
 
The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, could also serve London landmarks, including the National Theatre, when it launches in 2028.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/bills/energy/labour-backs-scheme-to-ship-hot-water-to-homes-by-river/

[rangerrebew]

What a wonderfully creative plan!  It shouldn't create any problems for Brits.

[BobfromWB]

Labour’s net zero scheme to ship hot water to homes by river barge
Electric boats will carry boiling water along the Thames before construction of ‘mega’ heat system
 
Alex Marsh
 
Alex  Marsh
Published 23 September 2026 5:01pm BST
Labour has launched a net zero scheme to transport hot water on barges on the River Thames to heat London homes.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has earmarked £41m for a project to launch electric boats that will travel upriver from a power plant in Belvedere, south east London, before pumping water into storage tanks on riverside pontoons.

From here, the water, heated to almost 100 degrees Celsius, would flow through pipes into nearby heat networks, which are systems that supply hot water to multiple buildings from a centralised heat source, rather than each property having its own boiler. The Government has claimed the project could eventually supply up to 650,000 homes.
 
The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, could also serve London landmarks, including the National Theatre, when it launches in 2028.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/bills/energy/labour-backs-scheme-to-ship-hot-water-to-homes-by-river/

Its probably only a zero sum game if the energy used to heat the water, power the boats and pumps is not counted.

[mountaineer]

So much more efficient and sensible than hooking buildings up to a supply of natural gas and installing a tankless water heater in each building. 

[rustynail]

Hot water will be deemed 36c.