Villagers are invited to have their say on plans for a "cutting-edge" energy network in Melbourn.
The Melbourn Energy Superloop project aims to bring new clean heating systems, lower heating bills and ultra-fast broadband to the community.
Under the plans, a network of underground pipes would connect Black Peak solar farm in South Cambs, a small data centre and homes and businesses in the village.
The project is led by a group of green energy and tech companies, including Octopus Energy's green generation division, ground source heat pump manufacturer Kensa Group, Deep Green - which repurposes data centre heat, and communications technology firm aql who will provide the broadband.
Residents who sign up to the scheme would have their gas boilers replaced with new ground source heat pumps at "little or no" cost.
In contrast, gas boilers produce less than one unit of heat per unit of energy consumed.
According to developers, the project's design enables the heat pumps to use even less energy, making them cheaper to run. The water passed through them is warmed by the ground and excess heat from the nearby data centre which would otherwise go to waste.
If the plans go ahead, this means that the entire network would be powered by electricity from the solar farm, with back-up power from the grid on standby.
This aims to reduce carbon emissions and increase Melbourn's energy self-sufficiency.
Alex Brierley, co-head of Octopus Energy Generation, said: "Green energy tech today is cleaner, better and cheaper than the polluting alternatives.
"This cutting-edge project for Melbourn would capture the heat from internet traffic to warm up people’s homes, with the local community living near a new data centre getting cheaper energy bills as a result."
As the project involves laying pipes under the roads around the village, new fibre cables will also be installed to provide residents with a faster broadband connection.
Members of the public can find out more information and give their feedback on the plans at https://melbourn.energysuperloop.co.uk/.
The first 200 Melbourn households who complete the online engagement form will receive a £20 Love Cambridge gift card.
There will also be two public engagement events at Melbourn Primary School from 3pm to 7pm on Friday, November 29 and from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, November 30.
James Standley, chief technology officer at Kensa Group, said: "We’re excited about this innovative Melbourn Energy Superloop and how it can benefit the community.
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"Bringing together tried and tested technologies, like ground source heat pumps in this unique way will allow us to lower household energy bills for anyone who connects.
"Melbourn has a brilliant opportunity to play its part in the transition away from fossil fueled heating, while also benefiting from ultra-fast broadband.
"We’d encourage anyone in the village wanting to find out more to join us at an engagement event on Friday or Saturday."
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