Therapia Lane, where London Trams are based, has become Transport for London’s first depot to remove fossil gas usage by upgrading its heating system. It has also introduced on-site solar generation.
By adapting the depot in its biggest overhaul since it opened 27 years ago, the new heating and power system prepares the site for the future and ensures operational sites play a role in reducing climate change impact. The heating system has been modernised with a range of low-carbon, electric heat pumps and infrared panel heaters, replacing the unsustainable fossil fuel gas boilers. The infrared panel heaters target areas where staff work most, minimising ambient heat loss and achieving higher energy performance compared to traditional central systems. The heating system upgrade has enhanced hot water delivery through the installation of energy-efficient, on-demand electric water heaters.
The additional electricity consumption from the new heating system will be offset by using 1,800m2 of solar panels on the roof of the depot, which will generate 187 kWp of energy. Energy savings will come from energy efficiency measures such as improved insulation and LED lighting, which will also create a better, brighter, and more comfortable working environment for staff. The measures are expected to cut carbon emissions by around 183 tCO2e annually – similar to the emissions from a modern housing development[1] – delivering significant long-term sustainability benefits alongside operational cost savings. Work at Therapia Lane, carried out in a live operating environment working around the clock, will also help inform efforts to decarbonise other active operational buildings on TfL’s estate as well as depots across the country.
Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, said: “It’s fantastic news that Therapia Lane depot has become TfL’s first depot to remove fossil fuel gas usage by upgrading its heating system and installing hundreds of new solar panels.
“This green transition will help improve energy efficiency and save money, showing that sites like this have an important role in reducing the impacts of climate change.
“The Mayor and I will continue to work with partners to ensure we can deliver a greener and fairer London for everyone.”
Lilli Matson, TfL’s Chief Safety Health & Environment Officer, said: “The decarbonisation of Therapia Lane depot, one of the busiest operational spaces in south London, shows that it is possible to eliminate the use of fossil fuels from large, complex buildings as it runs on fully electric infrastructure. It is vital we invest now in making our operations cleaner and greener to reduce our emissions and build the next generation of green skills, further supporting the Mayor’s ambition of a carbon neutral capital by 2030.”
The upgrade at Therapia Lane depot is also helping the wider industry close the green skills gap through net-zero placements. TfL and supplier Vital Energi are investing in the next generation of net-zero apprentices and graduates to help meet the UK’s net zero target and tackle climate change through working on TfL’s modernisation and decarbonisation projects.
