Body heat from dancers to help power Glasgow's SWG3 in net zero effort

A Glasgow music venue will use revolutionary technology to harness body heat from dancers, in an effort to be more sustainable.

SWG3 launched a new thermal heating and cooling system, dubbed Bodyheat, at a special event on Thursday, harnessing heat energy from visitors.

Owners expect this to enable them to completely disconnect the venue’s gas boilers, reducing its carbon emissions by about 70 tonnes of CO2 a year.

The new system will harness energy from dancers attending events, which will then be stored across 12 underground boreholes, before being used to heat or cool the venue later.

“We’re thrilled that after three years of planning, consultation and construction, we are able to switch on the first Bodyheat system,” said SWG3 managing director, Andrew Fleming-Brown.

“As well as being a huge step towards our goal of becoming net zero and will hopefully influence others from our industry and beyond to follow suit, working together to tackle climate change.”

Bodyheat is active across three separate spaces in the venue – a 1250-person capacity event space, a 1000-person event space and the main foyer entrance.

One of the heat pumps can also provide simultaneous heating and cooling, meaning body heat can be captured live during an event, and instantly be delivered to the foyer where it can be used to provide heat and maintain a desired temperature.

SWG3 believes that complete disconnection of its gas boilers will “substantially reduce” the amount of carbon used.

Additionally, it added that the electricity used to run the Bodyheat system comes from 100% renewable sources – meaning all of the heating and cooling provided is net-zero carbon emissions.

David Townsend, founder of geothermal energy consultancy TownRock Energy, who designed the system, Bodyheat, said: “We’re ready for all of you to come dance for the planet – make renewable heat with every beat!”

Bodyheat was supported through the Scottish Government: Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme and District Heating Loan Fund (managed by Energy Saving Trust); William Grant Foundation and UK Community Renewal Fund.