A new government innovation fund which aims to make clean heat systems smaller, easier to install and cheaper to run is now open.
First announced as part of the Government’s Net Zero Strategy, which sets out how the UK will deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, a £60 million initiative has been launched for low carbon heating systems.
The Heat Pump Ready programme provides funding for pioneering heat pump technologies that are smaller, cheaper and more efficient, supporting the Government’s target of 600,000 installations a year by 2028.
At present, homes account for around one-fifth of the UK’s annual national emissions, largely because of fossil-fuelled heating and energy inefficiency. Heat pumps are widely viewed as a key solution for decarbonising homes, and the Government’s aim is for them to cost the same as gas boilers, both in terms of upfront cost and operational cost, by 2030.
The scheme will provide funding to drive technological innovations through three streams:
- Stream 1: Through a pre-commercial procurement Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), the Government is looking to fund the development of innovative methodologies and solutions for the co-ordinated deployment of heat pumps at a high density within a given location. Value of contract: £50,000 to £9 million.
- Stream 2: A grants programme supporting innovation in tools and technologies to overcome barriers to heat pump deployment. The total requested grant must be for a minimum of £100,000 and must not exceed £2 million.
- Stream 3: A contract to provide support, evaluation, knowledge sharing and dissemination services across the Heat Pump Ready Programme.
Opportunities are currently open for Stream 1 and Stream 2 of the Programme. Stream 3 is expected to open for bids early in 2022.
Applications will be open to the UK heat pump industry, focusing on the research and development and manufacturing stages. For Stream 2, private sector businesses of any size are eligible. The solutions supported in this Stream must be: Hardware at Technology Readiness Levels 5 to 7 at the start of a funded projects, reaching Level 8 to 9 by project completion; and Software at Discovery and Alpha Phases at the start of a funded project, reaching Live Phase by project completion.
The deadline for applications to Steam 1 is 22 February 2022 (14:00 GMT) and the deadline for Stream 2 is 15 February 2022 (14:00 GMT).
How To Apply
Streams 1 and 2 of this programme now open to applications:
Stream 1: The deadline for applications is 22 February 2022 (14:00 GMT).
Stream 2: The deadline for applications is 15 February 2022 (14:00 GMT).
More details can be accessed on the Heat Pump Ready Programme webpage.
Addresses and contacts
For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please contact the following:
- Enquiries
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Email: [email protected]