A PILOT project helping to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions has been launched at The Works in Ebbw Vale.

The regeneration of the former steelworks site has joined up with the Resilient project, which uses European funding to look at creating a heating system between buildings at district level.

The Energy Centre at The Works provides efficient medium temperature water to all buildings and electricity to the some buildings on site through a district heating system.

As part of the Resilient project, new software is being installed in the Energy Centre along with new hardware in a number of the buildings to monitor real time heating demand for each of the buildings.

Councillor Hedley McCarthy, leader of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said: “The Works is also one of three demonstration sites in the European pilot project Resilient, which places Blaenau Gwent at the forefront of innovative development in this industry.

"This is the first time that this type of control strategy system has been added to enhance a district heating system to further maximise the heat generation within the system.

" This piece of work will enhance and optimise the energy use for the Energy Centre that already provides efficient energy and will be used to inform future developments throughout Wales, UK and Europe.”