Solving for Climate Charlotte Large: Can we heat homes from the London underground?
Jan 13, 2026
Charlotte Large, Director of Clean Energy & Heat Networks at Westminster City Council, leads a monumental district heat project in the UK. She dives into the innovative use of unusual heat sources like the London Underground and data centers that could significantly decarbonize urban areas. Charlotte discusses the complexities of heat networks, the importance of cultural buy-in, and compares UK opportunities with successful Nordic models. Listeners learn about the potential of tapping into waste heat and the challenges of installing these systems in historical cities.
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How Heat Networks Work
- Heat networks scale household heating infrastructure into street-level pipes to share heat across many buildings.
- They let cities tap diverse heat sources and act as thermal storage to balance electricity demand.
Networks Boost Electrification Efficiency
- Heat networks make electrification of heat more efficient by aggregating waste or low-grade heat and reducing electricity needs.
- The network's water volume itself functions as thermal storage, offering grid flexibility compared to many individual systems.
Bunhill Tube Heat Recovery Example
- Islington's Bunhill project recovered heat from London Underground ventilation but is relatively small and air-to-water based.
- Charlotte warns larger opportunities like data centres or building cooling heat recovery may offer greater economic value.