We The Curious and Bristol City Leap partner for new interactive exhibit celebrating Bristol’s innovative transition to a low carbon future

The exhibit aims to inspire understanding and confidence in Bristol’s transition to a low carbon future, by engaging visitors through a fun, inclusive, sensory and social experience. 

It is designed to celebrate innovation and show how an extensive network of pipes and cables beneath the city is efficiently delivering renewable electricity and heat throughout Bristol. Visitors of all ages will be able to post coloured ‘scarves’ into the inlets, change the air direction using the valves, and watch their scarf travel through a maze of tubes through the ‘city’, before it flies out over their heads. 

The exhibit is Bristol-specific, with several recognisable Bristol landmarks depicted on the network of interconnected pipes and valves.

Through creating a playful, fun and communal experience, the exhibit aims to show the positive change already happening to make Bristol’s energy networks more sustainable. 

Bristol City Leap is an innovative partnership between Bristol City Council, Ameresco UK and Vattenfall Heat UK, which will accelerate green energy investment in Bristol and help towards decarbonising the whole city.

This flagship exhibit marks the start of new development within the North Gallery space at We The Curious, which will see further sustainability-related exhibits and experiences added over the next few years. It also connects in with We The Curious’ pledge around creating a more sustainable future and their own journey to decarbonise by 2030.


Andy Cocco, Head of Exhibitions at We The Curious said: “This new exhibit is a great way to really explore sustainability, and specifically, decarbonisation in Bristol, in a fun and engaging way. It brings to life the amazing work that's already taking place in the city but also showcasing how people can work together and have power as a collective to create a better world. The scientific knowledge and solutions are there – it’s up to us to make them happen. We're delighted to be working with Bristol City Leap on this fun, interactive exhibit which showcases the new technology shaping our future for the better.”

Hannah Spungin, Director at Bristol City Leap, said: “We’re proud to support We The  Curious in creating an engaging new exhibit that brings Bristol’s energy future to life. Through our role in the Bristol City Leap partnership, we are committed not only to delivering low carbon infrastructure but also to helping people understand how these systems work and why they matter. This exhibit provides a unique opportunity to connect with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, spark curiosity, and empower communities to be part of Bristol’s decarbonisation journey. By making complex energy systems accessible and interactive, we can inspire greater awareness, confidence and participation in the transition to a more sustainable city.”

Dom Barton, Director of Heat Networks - Bristol at Vattenfall Heat UK, said: “Vattenfall’s vision is that over half of all Bristolians living, working and learning in the city will be kept warm by the Bristol heat network by 2050. The work to install the heat network is ongoing, and once complete will deliver low carbon heating across the city for decades to come. This crucial underground network of pipes is already delivering low carbon heating to 36 buildings, enough to heat the equivalent of almost 13,400 homes. We’re pleased to support We The Curious in raising awareness of the city’s decarbonisation journey with the workforce of the future in such a fun and engaging way.”

The exhibit is being designed and built by the in-house Exhibitions Team at We The Curious and will be launched in time for Bristol school summer holidays in July 2026.


 

Editor’s Notes:

About We The Curious: 
We The Curious is an educational charity and a leading science centre based in the South West of England. We produce experiences that bring people together to play, get creative with science and explore different ideas. We work with partners locally and nationally, supporting people to be inquisitive, develop new skills and improve their wellbeing. 

Our vision asks ‘what if everyone is included, curious and inspired by science to build a better world together?’ 


About Bristol City Leap: 
Bristol City Leap is a pioneering public-private partnership involving Bristol City Council and Ameresco, with a commitment to helping to bring in investment of over £1 billion in Bristol’s energy infrastructure for 20 years. This transformative initiative aims to significantly boost the use of renewable energy and decarbonised heat across the city, creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for all.  

In its first five years, Bristol City Leap plans to channel at least £424 million into a range of large-scale infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Bristol’s award-winning heat network. The initiative also places social value at its core, with plans to generate £61.5 million in social value through job creation, apprenticeships, and community investment, including a £1.5 million Community Energy Fund.  

https://www.bristolcityleap.co.uk/ 

About Ameresco, Inc:
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading energy infrastructure solutions provider dedicated to helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience, and decarbonize to net zero in the global energy transition. Our comprehensive portfolio includes implementing smart energy efficiency solutions, upgrading aging infrastructure, and developing, constructing, and operating distributed energy resources. As a trusted full-service partner, Ameresco shows the way by reducing energy use and delivering energy infrastructure solutions to Federal, state and local governments, utilities, data centres, educational and healthcare institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. Headquartered in Framingham, MA, United States, Ameresco has more than 1,500 employees providing local expertise in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

About Vattenfall Heat UK:
At Vattenfall, we’re working to deliver low carbon heating and hot water to homes and businesses across the UK. With decades of experience, we design, build and operate heat networks that keep whole cities and neighbourhoods reliably warm with fairly priced, locally generated energy. 

Drawing on our 100-year European legacy in heat networks and our established UK expertise, we’re delivering low carbon heat to homes and businesses in Bristol, London and Midlothian, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, driving local impact. 

In Bristol, Vattenfall is working as part of Bristol City Leap to deliver a citywide, resilient heat network that serves the community with low carbon heat, creates jobs and boosts the economy in Bristol.

Vattenfall's vision is that over half of all Bristolians living, working and learning in the city will be kept warm by the Bristol heat network by 2050. By installing and operating critical energy infrastructure above and below ground, the network will help decarbonise how Bristolians live, work and learn - making sustainable heat a part of everyday life.