Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%. In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career. The challenge and pathway to cost effectively decarbonising heat is recognised to be the least defined and most difficult challenge in achieving the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions targets. Although predicted to increase, district heating is currently responsible for approximately 2% of heat delivery in the UK. This project aims to identify and assess the primary options for low/zero carbon district heating in the UK, design an appropriate system, heat generation, distribution and storage for selected urban areas and model how the system would perform.