Dave Pearson, Star Renewable Energy’s director.
Mr Pearson, a heating expert and heat pump advocate, has been named as one of four nominees shortlisted from among 100 entries.
The nomination represents an acknowledgement of Mr Pearson’s ongoing dedication to the renewable heating sector. He has worked closely with key figures in the industry like policy makers and non-governmental bodies to help bring about positive change, championing the advantages of low carbon heat pump technology to meet Scotland’s net zero carbon targets.
Currently, Mr Pearson is working to deliver one of the largest water-source heat pumps in Scotland, as part of the £250 million regeneration project of Queens Quay, Clydebank. The heat pump will take heat from the water of a nearby river to deliver hot water and heating to over 1,000 new homes and businesses.
Mr Pearson said: “I am honoured to be nominated for the Champion of Renewables Award. Events like the Scottish Renewable Awards are a great way to celebrate the renewables energy industry’s achievements and its contribution to Scotland’s low carbon future.
“My primary focus is on promoting greater understanding of heat pumps and its practical applications. Heat pumps are singularly the only investible and proven technique of delivering NetZero carbon, zero local NOx heat into our cities at operating costs anywhere close to gas. All other techniques fail due to combustion emissions, reliance on unproven solutions or base inefficiency.
“The sooner we focus on removing barriers such as non-domestic rates, planning inequalities and raise awareness, the sooner we will see large heat pumps support the growth in clean electricity by bringing consumption flexibility on a large scale and moving forward in our urgent quest.
“We must see the establishment of a ‘Fairoploy’ in all cities which is basically a bi-lateral promise that consumers will buy clean heat if it is provided at a fair price. Developers will have enough surety to invest in the infrastructure and swap imported gas and all its emissions for local jobs and clean heat.”
Since 2009, Mr Pearson has been heavily involved in pushing the conversation about renewable heating forward. Frequently speaking at major events in UK and Europe, Mr Pearson highlights the essential role of heat pumps in addressing climate change and aiding economic growth through the creation of jobs in the renewable sector.
Mr Pearson also writes extensively about the benefits of heat pump deployment in society’s present and future to fight the biggest challenge of ‘clean heat’.
As part of a team within Star that have secured projects to deliver nearly 50MW of heating up to 90 degrees Celsius. He has worked on a variety of projects, including the development of the world’s largest 90 degrees Celsius heat pump using ammonia as a working fluid.
The Scottish Green Energy Awards is organised by Scottish Renewables. The annual awards will see 44 individuals, companies and projects vie to scoop awards in 12 categories at the ceremony held on 5 December 2019 at Edinburgh International Conference Centre.