
Wastewater Network Heatmapping
Energy Treasure Maps for Cities

An Exciting Opportunity for Sustainable Energy
Beneath every city lies a vast, invisible source of thermal energy, sewage. Sewage heat recycling is an innovative, sustainable solution that can help cities cut carbon emissions, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and lower energy costs. This untapped energy is available through existing wastewater infrastructure, offering a reliable, predictable and stable heat source that can be used for both heating and cooling buildings.
Wastewater contains an enormous amount of low-carbon heat. Sewage networks receive 20%–30% of all residential energy and up to 40% of all low temperature industrial heat, everyday! Yet this energy is unnoticed and flushed away every day.
Sewage heat recovery has already proven its effectiveness with systems in place across Europe and Japan since the 1980s. Applied Energy Planning, global leaders in wastewater heat recycling, have been heatmapping sewage networks since 2016. Let us show you how to tap into this exciting opportunity for a sustainable future.
Why do Sewage Network Heatmapping?
1. Unlock Hidden Energy Potential
Sewage networks contain vast amounts of free, untapped heat energy that currently goes to waste. With heatmapping, city planners can locate these energy sources within the wastewater system and integrate them into urban heating and cooling strategies, replacing the need for fossil fuels.
3. Facilitate Cross-Sector Collaboration
A key challenge in wastewater heat recycling is the disconnect between wastewater utilities and heat users. Heatmaps serve as the bridge between these sectors. Once people can see where sewage heat is available, they are more likely to explore this renewable energy option.
2. Enable Smarter Energy Planning
Wastewater heatmaps provide detailed information that enables policy makers to include sewage heat recycling in their energy transition plans. By making this invisible energy source visible, it's easier to incorporate it into sustainable urban development strategies and reduce carbon emissions.
4. Fast-Track Low Carbon Projects
With heatmaps available, wastewater heat recycling projects can be initiated more quickly. Businesses and industries that require heating and cooling can identify nearby sources of sewage heat and explore them as viable, low-carbon alternatives to traditional energy sources.
Wastewater network heatmapping helps cities pave the way for a truly sustainable, low-carbon future.
Want to Learn More about Sewage Heat Recycling?
Wastewater heat recycling is an unusual and important topic, and as experts in the field, Applied Energy Planning is excited to share a range of resources to help you understand its potential. Whether you’re new to the topic or ready to explore it further, we’ve got everything you need.

Want to See a Wastewater Heat Map in Action?
Watch a video about how to use our heat map and get access to an online heat map sample.
Our Other Services
The Value of Wastewater Network Heatmaps in Energy Planning
A wastewater network heatmap can be a game-changer for city energy planning. Recently, Applied Energy Planning worked on identifying large heat users across 40 towns and cities in New Zealand. In two of these cities, where we had previously created wastewater heatmaps, we found that nearly 25% of large heat users could transition to sewage heat recycling. This valuable insight shows how a heatmap can quickly pinpoint opportunities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Take a look at our case studies to learn how other cities have already leveraged wastewater network heatmapping for a greener future.
"To date Christchurch City Council have engaged Nick Meeten to undertake two commissions, both related to using wastewater as a source of thermal energy. He has undertaken a feasibility study for an aquatic centre and an energy mapping study for the whole of Christchurch City.
We have been very happy with the service provided. He has delivered the projects on time and on budget. The advice received is of the highest standard. The deliverables are of a high quality and his communication and has been excellent. We intend to continue our working relationship with Nick & Applied Energy Ltd and have no hesitation in recommending him to others.”
Mike Bourke, Senior Planning Engineer.
Christchurch City Council.
Find out how we can help your city too.
Our Heatmapping Process
STAGE 1
-
Initial contact, discussion & data assessment.
-
Ready to Proceed Decision Made
-
If Ready - Proposal Development for Stages 2 & 3
-
If Not Ready - Develop a strategy to enable progress to next stages.
Typically makes up around 10% of the work and needs 1-2 months.
STAGE 2
-
Data Gathering
-
Assessment & Modeling
-
Analysis
Makes up around 40% of the work and needs 2-4 months.
STAGE 3
-
Mapping
-
Reporting
-
Delivery
Makes up the remaining 50% of the work and needs 2-4 months.
