A new bench and planter has been unveiled outside Finsbury Library, telling the story of a pioneering project that will help deliver a more environmentally-friendly, cost-effective way of heating homes in Islington.

The installation is part of the ground-breaking GreenSCIES (Green Smart Community Integrated Energy Systems) project. GreenSCIES involves a partnership of 15 organisations, including Islington Council and led by London South Bank University, who are using the latest research and technical innovations to research cleaner, greener, more affordable energy for the borough. It is co-funded by the Government’s Innovate UK, which supports innovation in all sectors.

The designs for this phase of the project combine a district heat network with local renewable energy production and electric vehicle charging – and the new bench provides a taste of what it could look like.

As well as giving local people an insight into the project, the bench provides seating, bicycle parking and planting, while showing that pipework can be attractive and doesn’t have to be buried underground.

The bench, designed by local architects Cullinan Studio and built and installed by Islington Council, has next to it a poster that explains more about the network. There is a QR code to find out more information, or visitors can go into Finsbury Library to watch a video of how the system could work.

Rob Saunders, Challenge Director for the Prospering from the Energy Revolution programme at Innovate UK, said:

“GreenSCIES is an example of using innovation to design and secure an affordable local energy supply, in this case diverting waste heat from local industry and commerce through a network of pipes to heat local people’s homes.”

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, said:

“Urgent action is needed to tackle the climate emergency, not least in Islington, which is one of the six London boroughs most at risk from the impacts of climate change.

“That’s why we’re taking the steps needed to cut carbon emissions and create a cleaner, greener, healthier Islington for all.

“Being part of GreenSCIES is at the heart of this approach, and harnessing waste heat from data centres and other urban sources is an inspired way of addressing fuel poverty while protecting our planet.

“The new bench provides an insight into just how innovative this project is, and we’d really encourage local people to visit Finsbury Library to find out more about the pioneering work of the GreenSCIES consortium.”

For more information, visit www.greenscies.com

See also:

• Smart Local Energy Systems: How Bunhill 2 points the way to a better energy future

• The Bunhill 2 Blueprint: How to get a green commuity energy project built in your city