Large Heat Network: Grain Lng Heatpipe Link With E.ON

The Isle of Grain hosts the National Grid LNG terminal which imports and stores liquefied natural gas (LNG). It is a key part of the UK’s energy security. LNG is imported and stored as a liquid at –161.5oC.

E.ON’s 1,275MW gas fired power station is also located at the Isle of Grain.

The LNG plant used gas to heat the liquid LNG from its chilled state to its gaseous state for entry into the gas transmission network. The E.ON power station generated surplus hot water which was discharged to the River Medway.

National Grid and E.ON constructed a heatpipe connecting the two facilities enabling the waste hot water to warm the liquid gas. The heatpipe consists of two pipes each 4,500m long, 1.2m in diameter and holding five million litres of water. Ten pumps move the water round the system in less than 12 minutes. Hot water leaves the power station at 42oC and returns at 15oC in a continuous heat efficient loop. This innovation has made both the LNG terminal and the gas fired power station best in class for efficiency. DLA Piper has been giving legal advice to National Grid in relation to the Isle of Grain for more than 20 years and dealt with real estate, planning, environment and regulation and commercial aspects of the heatpipe.

Chief Executive of E.ON: “The collaboration and engineering excellence shown since our investment was at the earliest planning stage has been hugely impressive pay tribute to our partners at National Grid for their role in this success.”

Chief Executive of National Grid: “Innovation will be critical if we are going to meet the energy challenges ahead. Together, we have created the most efficient power generation and re gasification plants in the UK.”

Paul Johnson Project Manager for National Grid: “DLA Pipers’ advice has been invaluable in delivering this large and complex project.”