APSE Energy Event - Southampton - 'Heat networks in practice and other stories to learn from!'

Tuesday 29 September 2026, 10:00am - 3:10pm

Venue – Lecture Theatre, Southampton City Art Gallery, Civic Centre North Block, Commercial Road, Southampton SO14 7LP

This event is free for APSE Energy members.

The next APSE Energy in person event will take place in Southampton at the City Art Gallery. We will look at the Council’s experience of managing heat networks (since 1986) as well as other heat network issues including national policy and zoning pilot lessons and feasibility. Clearly the government is keen to promote the uptake of heat networks and there is a lot of potential to do so. This will be an ideal opportunity to hear about and discuss related topics and share experience of problems and solutions. There will be a visit to the heat network site to hear about the practicalities of providing the service.

The agenda will cover a range of related matters which includes speakers talking about ground source heat technology, improving air quality, solar generation and practical energy management.

This is a free event for any officer or councillor from APSE Energy member councils.

 Please see an outline of the speakers and what they will cover below:

Heat networks – what’s new? – general messages based on the govt response and trends in the DE sector

• Latest government announcements -
• The role of local authorities
• Do’s and don’ts of decentralised heat

Speaker – Emily Baer, Heat Networks Policy Officer, The Association for Decentralised Energy

Tackling air quality – the Southampton experience

• What are the consequences of poor air quality
• From policy and practice
• What did we do and what was the impact?

Speakers – Amber Titchener, Air Quality Officer, Southampton City Council

Decarbonising through innovation

• A surface-based ground source heat technology
• Alternative funding routes to decarbonisation
• The benefits of running a pilot and the barriers it can pose

Speaker – Sophie Stiles, Climate and Energy Strategy Manager, Ashford Borough Council

Generating in Dorset

• Solar at scale – benefits, plans and outcomes
• What is the Super Cluster
• Case studies, practical problems and solutions

Speaker – Max Bishop, Sustainable Property Team Manager, Dorset Council.

Buildings, energy use and energy management – getting it right

• What to look for? – fabric, heating, lighting and more
• Controlling the equipment
• Meters, bills and contracts

Speaker – Alan Barber, APSE Energy Associate

Keep an eye out for the full agenda, which will be released soon.

As always, APSE Energy events are free for APSE Energy members—you simply need to register to attend.

Non-APSE Energy members are welcome to attend and will pay a fee.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.