One of the key issues associated with the replacement and upgrade of the LV network from an environmental perspective is the sourcing of the raw materials associated with this upgrade. Copper is a very scarce resource. Substations are typically within 100 to 200 metres of each other. It is estimated that each estate of homes served by a substation could contain up to 500 metres worth of copper cabling running from substation to each domestic house in a typical urban environment.

By sourcing 500 metres worth of copper this would result in further depletion of raw material and require the replacement and disposal of the existing LV infrastructure. Furthermore, the contractor responsible for the remedial works would be required to upgrade the existing control gear and transformers to take on board this increase in demand. This is further depleting the raw materials required to construct the new transformers and control gear and results in excess disposal of the redundant equipment that was otherwise still in good working order.

If the scenario of providing heat pumps instead of direct electric heating is implemented then this would not only alleviate the pressure on the grid but also minimise the requirement of replacing the substation and associated infrastructure. Heat pumps are also considered a renewable technology due to the ratio of energy in and out at typically 1:3. The only downside to this scenario, from an environmental perspective, is due to the requirement of refrigerants that hold high ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) ratings.