London Underground 'Waste Heat' to Warm City Homes

A new project in London will pipe heat from the Underground into homes and businesses in the Islington borough in the northern part of the city. "The project is one of a growing number of schemes across the UK designed to warm homes using 'waste heat' from factories, power plants, rivers and disused mine shafts," reports Jillian Ambrose.

The government is looking to shift to alternative energy sources, and harnessing waste heat is one strategy to decrease emissions. "The Greater London Authority (GLA) estimates there is enough heat wasted in London to meet 38% of the city’s heating demands," notes Ambrose.

Other programs have used waste heat from industry and urban sources to keep greenhouses warm, heat water going to homes, and fuel heating and cooling systems.