Great British Energy: The New Net Zero Priority

The new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, has outlined key energy pledges, reforms and mechanisms for delivering energy independence and cutting bills through clean power by 2030.

This will be attained by doubling onshore wind, tripling solar power and quadrupling offshore wind. Investing in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and marine energy. Extending the lifetime of existing nuclear plants. Retaining a strategic reserve of gas power stations whose existing licences will not be revoked, although new ones will not be issued and creating a publicly-owned company called Great British Energy.

Great British Energy Arrives

Great British Energy (GBE), will be backed by £8.3m of new investment to create jobs and build supply chains across the UK, and facilitation of local energy production. Great British Energy’s key functions will focus on project development, investment, local power plans, supply chains and nuclear.

GBE will lead projects through development stages to speed up their delivery, whilst capturing more value. It will invest in energy projects alongside the private sector, to help get them off the ground, especially local energy generation projects which will require local and combined authorities and communities to work closely together. This demands new supply chains across the UK, boosting energy independence and creating jobs.

Work will also commence exploring how GBE and Great British Nuclear will work together.

GBE will also require the public sector to take on a new role for offshore wind projects lowering risk for developers and enabling projects to be built out faster after leasing and crowding in private sector investment. It will also help boost new technologies such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, wave and tidal energy. 

Investment in clean power will be unlocked through a new partnership between Great British Energy and independently operated The Crown Estate in an ‘unprecedented’ partnership which could leverage up to £60bn of private investment leading up to 20-30GW of new offshore wind developments reaching seabed lease stage by 2030, enough power for the equivalent of approximately 20 million homes.

Designed to boost Britain’s energy independence, this partnership will invest in homegrown power and, with accompanying reforms to policy, cut the time it takes to get offshore wind projects operating and delivering power by up to half. 

Taking Control

Former chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, Chris Stark, has been appointed to lead the new Mission Control, bringing together industry experts to accelerate the transition away from volatile fossil fuel markets to clean, UK-generated energy. It has been established to remove obstacles, identify and resolve issues, and speed up the connection of new power infrastructure to the grid by working closely with key organisations including the regulator Ofgem, the National Grid, the Electricity System Operator and National Gas Transmission. One of the first goals is to establish a National Energy System Operator (NESO) which will adopt a ‘whole system approach’ to strengthening energy security, helping to deliver net zero and ensuring operational costs are affordable in the long term.

With Labour pledging to double onshore wind capacity to 35GW by 2030, yet no large-scale wind farms have been built in England for many years, a new Onshore Wind Taskforce has been set up, also chaired by Ed Miliband. The task force will ‘drive action across industry and Government to unblock barriers to rapidly increase onshore wind capacity’.

With aims to also triple solar power to 50 GW by 2030 three nationally significant solar farm projects have received consent to proceed through reactivation of the Solar Taskforce, which was started under the previous government. The task force’s Solar Roadmap will be revised in line with Labour’s ambitious new goals.

Funding a net zero future

Ed Miliband also announced a record £1.5 billion Contracts for Difference (CfD) budget to build new green infrastructure and deliver homegrown clean energy projects by 2030. 

Funding will accelerate the delivery of clean, cheap, low-carbon electricity to businesses, generated by renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels. It includes £1.1 billion for offshore wind, £185 million for established technologies such as onshore wind and solar, and £270 million for emerging technologies such as floating offshore wind and tidal.

Bidding for funding will be via the government’s sixth renewable auction (CfD), providing initial subsidies to developers for clean electricity projects with a built-in design to keep operational costs low. The subsidies are paid back when wholesale electricity prices are higher than the agreed CfD price ensuring the central government’s budget will not be impacted by unfunded pledges.

New legislation will be brought forward to create a new, permanent National Wealth Fund (NWF) that will invest in industries of the future. A total of £7.3bn of additional funding will be allocated through the UK Infrastructure Bank so investments can start being made immediately, focusing on further priority sectors and catalysing private investment. This funding is in addition to existing UKIB funding. Reforms to the British Business Bank are aimed at unlocking billions of pounds of investment in the UK’s world-leading green industries. The NWF is intended to make ‘transformative investments’ across every part of the country, working with local partners including regional mayors.

The government has also set a core target of making the UK the ‘green finance capital of the world’, mandating UK-regulated financial institutions to implement credible transition plans that align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement.

It will also reward clean energy developers with a British Jobs Bonus, allocating up to £500m per year from 2026.

Read more about net zero and low-carbon applications for water heating in commercial buildings… https://adveco.co/net-zero-water-heating/

This article appeared in the Nov/Dec 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

The renaissance of Applied Products

www.rinnaiuk.com/contact-us/help-me-choose-product

Tony Gittings

Rinnai’s Tony Gittings looks at developments in the Applied Products global arena with the sector set to grow by almost 7% Compound Annual Growth Rate. He looks at the impact of these developments on the wider HVAC commercial marketplace for all those in the supply chain.

Applied Products in the HVAC sector are set to experience a global growth rate of almost 7% in the coming few years, according to a leading market intelligence & research agency. The value of the 2024 global HVAC marketplace stands at approx. $280 Billion, and it is projected to grow to $390 Billion by the end of this decade. The growth is being driven at quite a high speed – the figures represent a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 7% – which is accepted by investment experts as being a good and solid return on capital.

Furthermore, on this point – the market is being propelled by all governments instigating immediate initiatives to encourage individuals, bodies, institutions, industries and all developments big and small to use energy-efficient HVAC devices in all their work areas and homes. The renaissance and resurgence can be seen from the fact that in the 1980/90s there was a marked move from centralised to decentralised plant. Now the move is back to centralised systems.

The industry growth, as mentioned, is being hard driven into the energy transition by global demand for more and more energy efficient and acceptable HVAC products and systems which are non-carbon fuelled and, in the case of refrigerants, as least harmful as possible – hence the proliferation of R290 low GWP refrigerant.

This sea change is making the industry take on the challenge of an inevitable reset. Gas-fired appliances such as commercial and residential boilers will be on the descent with ever decreasing market share.

Electricity appears to be placed as being the dominant globe fuel of the future but with Hydrogen, synthetic, Liquified Natural Gas and BioLPG being actively developed for the mass markets. Electricity will be generated from a variety of sources but nearly all of them will be renewable and sustainable sources such as solar thermal or heat pump appliances.

For the building services consultants, designers, larger M & E contractors and end users it could mean that they will adapt to this changing market by asking more from others in the supply chain. I have spent my career – almost 45 years now – in product manufacturing and I have never seen a greater need for flexibility and versatility from the manufacturers and suppliers. Also, I want to give special mention to specialist HVAC Sales Engineers – these are highly skilled and experienced problem solvers who help customers understand Applied Products and how they can be efficiently and optimally utilised. These practitioners also select products and prepare proposals for clients which include quantifiable data to support HVAC systems offered.

The HVAC manufacturer will need to be a true partner to all those in the design, installation and commissioning sector. We will need to offer design; full evaluation of each site in terms of practical, economic and technical considerations; full quantitative data on CAPEX, OPEX services and life cycle costings.

At Rinnai we offer all these services within our mantra of ‘Creating a Healthier Way of Living’.

Rinnai’s H1, H2 and H3 range of products include domestic and commercial heating, hot water provision products, appliances and systems in all fuels – gas, blends, BioLPG, electric, solar thermal pumps that offer immediate decarbonisation. Rinnai is determined to provide UK customers with cost effective low carbon solutions towards domestic and commercial hot water and building heating provision.

RINNAI OFFERS CLEAR PATHWAYS TO LOWER CARBON AND DECARBONISATION PLUS CUSTOMER COST REDUCTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL, DOMESTIC AND OFF-GRID HEATING & HOT WATER DELIVERY  

www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/about us/H3

  • Rinnai’s range of decarbonising products – H1/H2/H3 – consists of hot water heating units in gas/BioLPG/DME, hydrogen ready units, electric instantaneous hot water heaters, electric storage cylinders and buffer vessels, a comprehensive range of heat pumps, solar, hydrogen-ready or natural gas  in any configuration of hybrid formats for either residential or commercial applications. Rinnai’s H1/2/3 range of products and systems offer contractors, consultants and end users a range of efficient, robust and affordable low carbon/decarbonising appliances which create practical, economic and technically feasible solutions. 
  • Rinnai is a world leading manufacturer of hot water heaters and produces over two million units a year, operating on each of the five continents. The brand has gained an established reputation for producing products that offer high performance, cost efficiency and extended working lives. 
  • Rinnai products are UKCA certified, A-rated water efficiency, accessed through multiple fuel options and are available for purchase 24/7, 365 days a year. Any unit can be delivered to any UK site within 24 hours.
  • Rinnai offer carbon and cost comparison services that will calculate financial and carbon savings made when investing in a Rinnai system. Rinnai also provide a system design service that will suggest an appropriate system for the property in question.
  • Rinnai offer comprehensive training courses and technical support in all aspects of the water heating industry including detailed CPD’s.
  • The Rinnai range covers all forms of fuels and appliances currently available – electric, gas, hydrogen, BioLPG, DME solar thermal, low GWP heat pumps and electric water heaters More information can be found on Rinnai’s website and its “Help Me Choose” webpage. 

RINNAI FULL PRODUCT AVAILABILITY 24/7 FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY of ALL HOT WATER HEATING UNIT MODELS INCLUDING 48-58kW UNITS-

SAVINGS OF

20%              REDUCTION of opex cost,

30%              REDUCTION of initial cost

15%              REDUCTION in carbon

75%              REDUCTION of space

” Webpage. 

Visit www.rinnai-uk.co.uk  

Or email engineer@rinaiuk.com  

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit

www.rinnaiuk.com

DSO unleashes power of data to unlock green energy

A radical new approach to managing green energy has seen UK Power Networks’ Distribution System Operator (DSO) get an additional 160GWh of renewable power for customers’ homes.

The energy boost, enough to power a town the size of Ipswich for a month, was made by proactively managing generation connected to the network and opening up more opportunities for it to export onto the network.

UK Power Networks’ DSO is the only network operator in the country to have a team dedicated to managing distributed energy resources in its control room.

The network periodically restricts how much power generators can export onto the network so it can safely conduct essential maintenance work.  However detailed analysis undertaken by the DSO Operations team has been able to safely unlock thousands more hours for generation to export, enabling renewable generators to maximise their uptime, revenue, and contribution to the clean energy transition.

Advances the company has made in day-ahead forecasting through its specialist DSO Data Science team means it is able to safely allow more energy to export. For example, it uses day-ahead forecasts to dynamically manage the potential restrictions with an aim to maximise the time generators can use the network.

This proactive approach not only supports renewable energy producers but also ensures a stable and reliable energy supply for homes and businesses across the UK.

Steve Backhouse, DSO operations manager at UK Power Networks, said: “As a DSO, we aim to provide excellent service to our customers. We are no longer in a world where we can connect and forget, our focus now is on connecting and managing. This project is typical of the work that has enabled us as a DSO to deliver real benefits to our customers to date.”

Vicki Andrews, portfolio manager at Lightsource bp, said: “As a business we have seen a considerable economic impact because of these changes. Specifically, a significant outage was planned, this would’ve impacted two of the sites we manage but through day ahead forecasting and the flexible connection, we were able to drastically minimise the impact this had on our business and thus a number of other stakeholders benefitted from this improvement.”

Building smarter: How sustainable buildings are shaping future cities

Chiel van Dijen, International Head of Development at Kadans Science Partner

The future of workspaces is being defined by the need for smarter and more sustainable environments. As the life sciences industry expands, companies are shifting from traditional industrial parks on city outskirts to more dynamic, urban locations. This trend reflects a broader change in the expectations placed on our built environment – a built environment that prioritises accessibility, sustainability and flexibility.

Today’s workforces expect more from their workspaces, meaning the pressure is on to create environments that mirror the innovation and care we invest in our homes. Whether it’s in labs, offices, or collaborative spaces, organisations are faced with the challenge of building with planet, people, and purpose in mind.

Companies no longer look for just a functional building. They want spaces that attract talent, foster innovation, and contribute to a more sustainable future. This shift is particularly noticeable in sectors like life sciences, agri-food, and technology, where flexible, urban locations are becoming essential to attract skilled workers and recent graduates who prefer accessible, city-based environments. These demands are driving the need for more intelligent buildings that meet operational needs and align with the importance placed on sustainability and well-being.

Why smart buildings matter

As well as reducing energy consumption and operating costs, smart buildings are also critical in addressing some of the most pressing challenges we face today – from climate change to resource scarcity. Buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, most stemming from inefficient energy use. Smart buildings offer a path forward by using technology to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and create healthier living and working environments.

Smart buildings also reflect a shift in how we think about urban spaces. Buildings have moved past their status as static entities, and instead are dynamic environments that adapt to the needs of its users. This adaptability is crucial as industries evolve, particularly in sectors like life sciences, agri-food, and technology, where innovation thrives in flexible, collaborative spaces.

At Kadans, we have long recognised the importance of smart, sustainable buildings. Our mission is to develop research and innovation facilities that meet today’s standards and are future-proofed for tomorrow’s innovators. In fact, one of our latest projects – Plus Ultra Wageningen III – encapsulates this vision. Set in the heart of the Wageningen University & Research campus its location offers the ideal combination between work, life and education, and its design is a great example of an adaptable, sustainable space.  

Plus Ultra Wageningen III: The blueprint for the future of innovation spaces

Plus Ultra Wageningen III is designed to support the agri-food and biobased sectors and is a testament to the power of sustainable construction. In these sectors, where innovation and flexibility are key, companies need spaces that can grow and adapt with them. Plus Ultra Wageningen III offers a highly adaptable environment where labs, offices, and pilot plants can be customised to meet the needs of each tenant. This flexibility is important as industries evolve, and allows research organisations, start-ups, and established companies to rapidly scale operations and adapt their spaces in real-time.

Beyond its technological advancements, Plus Ultra Wageningen III leads by example in sustainable construction. The building is primarily constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT), a renewable resource that stores approximately one tonne of CO2 per cubic metre of wood. This significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the structure and contributes to a CO2-negative building process, a significant environmental advantage when compared to traditional materials. What’s more, the building uses recycled materials and solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and energy-efficient LED lighting to further minimise its environmental impact.

With over 7,500 square meters of laboratories and offices, Plus Ultra Wageningen III integrates advanced smart sensor technologies to optimise everything from climate control to energy use, ensuring operational efficiency. Yet, sustainability is also about creating spaces that enhance the well-being of the people who use them. Therefore, these smart sensors continuously monitor the internal environment, guaranteeing that the building operates at peak efficiency and is comfortable and healthy space for its occupants. This is crucial for creating a space that encourages collaboration and innovation and fostering an environment where operational costs can be reduced by up to 20–30%, and productivity increased by 15%.

The key to sustainable urban development

The success of smart buildings like Plus Ultra Wageningen III demonstrates that sustainable development and technological innovation can go hand-in-hand. As we face mounting global challenges, the role of smart buildings in urban development will only grow in importance. They represent an efficient way to manage energy use and reduce emissions and provide dynamic environments that adapt to the needs of businesses.

The future of urban development must be smart, sustainable, and focused on fostering collaboration. Plus Ultra Wageningen III is the blueprint for what can be achieved when cutting-edge technology, thoughtful design, and a commitment to sustainability come together.

Phenomenal performance & powerful potential: A disruptive innovation for the renewable energy industry

In 2019, Bloomberg predicted that wind and solar will power half the world’s grid by 2050. The trillion-dollar wind energy revolution is happening right now, and Flower Turbines is one of the leaders.

The Future of Clean Energy: Massive Wind Farms or Small Turbines on Rooftops?

Flower Turbines has the potential to become a large global corporation with its vertical-axis wind turbines. Their unique technology provides exceptional efficiency, quiet operation, low startup speeds, as well as enduring high wind speeds, and a bird-friendly design, all the while achieving remarkable performance in smaller areas.

These vertical-axis wind turbines have solved the 5 major problems preventing the small wind sector from reaching its true potential, namely noise, low efficiency, high start-up speeds, turbines that are close together interfering with one another, and the danger wind turbines pose to birds. Perhaps the key disruptive innovation in aerodynamics is the patented Bouquet Effect, whereby each turbine added to a group makes every turbine in the group perform better.

Innovations That Change The Market

This Bouquet Effect changes the market due to the efficiency of projects being designed to take up less space. This is important not only for space-limited rooftops, but also for large commercial projects. As an example, 4 turbines together produce the same energy as 8 separate turbines. This also means that larger projects, such as in the parking lot of a shopping centre, can be very price-efficient. As for utility-size projects, Founder and CEO, Dr. Daniel Farb, comments that the presence of the turbines in compressed spaces leaves more space for other uses of the land compared to widely spaced large turbines. In addition, the tulip design makes it distinctive and easier to zone.

The Ideal Renewable Energy Solution, Tailored to Every Need

Flower Turbines provides customized energy solutions to fit an array of projects, with the choice of sizes, and on or off-grid to suit the needs of the project. One of the product lines includes charging poles for devices and e-bikes, and it has proven its durability by withstanding hurricanes. Powered by solar and wind (with options for solar only or for grid-connected), the charging stations have been popular in Europe, where they are used in downtown areas, biking paths, schools, and the like.

To make roof installation easier, Flower Turbines introduced the Eco-Roof Energy Hub, which contains wind and solar, and requires no drilling into the roof. The turbines are pre-set to produce the Bouquet Effect. This product can be placed on flat rooftops, ensuring no damage to the roof, and uses weights and balances to secure the turbines. Soon the Eco-Roof Energy Hub will be available for angled roofs.

The Power of Patents Set to Lead the Future of Wind Energy

The company has over 30 patents, each in multiple countries. Their patents cover aerodynamics, manufacturing, installation, electronics, and designs–contributing to their vision of becoming a global leader and making small wind a trillion-dollar industry.​

​Right Company, Right Industry, Right Time to Invest

As of October 1, 2024, Flower Turbines has received over $17 million in investment from 8,000+ investors via equity crowdfunding and angel investing. Having already begun manufacturing in both the EU and the US, October of 2024 was their best month yet for sales, with over $150,000 in the EU and in the process of over $200,000 in the US from their October Campaign.

A global shift is underway as companies and governments transition to renewable energy, making investment in cleantech a smart choice. As for reasons to invest in Flower Turbines specifically, they were voted one of the most fundable companies in the US by Pepperdine University Business School! Other awards include the Yes San Francisco CleanTech competition and winning the Dutch Government Sustainability Award in two separate years. The CEO, Dr. Farb was also chosen as an Impel+ Innovator of the Year by the US Department of Energy.

Readers located in the UK and Canada who want to invest can sign up through https://lp.flowerturbines.info/ca/ and for those situated in the US and elsewhere, you can sign up here: https://lp.flowerturbines.info/ Readers interested in purchasing turbines in the EU should contact support.eu@flowerturbines.com and elsewhere at support.us@flowerturbines.com. For those readers who are interested in both investing and purchasing, it’s recommended that you first invest, in order to take advantage of product discounts offered to investors.

This article appeared in the Nov/Dec 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

Do I need a back-up energy plan this winter?

Nick Rosen

By Nick Rosen, Off-Grid.net

UK Energy managers – I have a message for you. Your job could be on the line if you don’t have a backup plan for grid outages this winter. The probability of blackouts is at least 25% on fairly conservative assumptions.

The main risks are outlined below. The question is what to do about it, and for most of us battery storage is the main answer. Expect the price of Powerbanks and Powerwalls to remain firm, and order now.

To assess the probabilities of various scenarios contributing to a potential energy shortage in the UK this winter, I have assigned numerical probabilities based on historical data, geopolitical analysis, and seasonal weather patterns. Below is a breakdown of each scenario and the rationale behind the assigned probabilities. NB: the significant range of factors influencing potential energy shortages, means the cumulative risk of ANY of the factors that can cause an energy crisis occurring in the UK this winter could be approximated at around 77%.

1. Ukraine War Intensifies (Probability: 30%)

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has already disrupted energy supplies, particularly gas. If fighting escalates further, both Ukrainian and Russian energy infrastructure could suffer damage. Historical precedents show that as wars drag on, there tends to be a progressive intensification of hostilities.  Given the stakes involved, a 30% likelihood seems reasonable based on the potential for both sides to sustain losses in energy production.

2. Middle East Supply disruption (Probability: 25%)

The Middle East remains a volatile region with several hotspots of tension, including Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the potential impact of an Israeli strike on regional oil production. If military action occurs (e.g., strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities), this could lead to significant oil supply disruptions. The 25% probability reflects the ongoing nature of these tensions and their unpredictability but recognizes that such escalations are not constant.

3. Severe Winter Weather in Europe (Probability: 20%)

Based on historical data, severe winter weather events in Europe have occurred approximately 20% of the time over the last few decades, leading to energy supply challenges. This probability considers the unpredictability of weather patterns and acknowledges the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change.

4. Additional Risks:  Now add in a host of smaller background factors.

  • Lack of Coal and Oil Storage Backup: 15%
  • Increased Demand from Data Centres/EVs/Heatpumps: 10%
  • Terrorism: 1%
  • Human Error: 1%
  • Handover Problems between ESO and NESO: 5%

Cumulative Probability Assessment

  • Ukraine War Intensifies: 30%
  • Middle East Tensions: 25%
  • Severe Winter Weather: 20%
  • Miscellaneous: 32%

Since a total probability exceeding 100% is not feasible, we need to account for overlapping risks. However each of these risks is highly independent of the others. I favour a conservative adjustment, suggesting approx 30% overlap across the various factors.

Although the setup costs of battery storage can be high there are two ways of recouping the investment even if none of the risks materialises.

  1. Arbitrage – Buy at night and use during the day. This is only a temporary solution for the next two years   – as the more people that use it, the less the differential will be.
  2. Trading – Selling surplus to immediate neighbours at a lower price than the grid – not as difficult as it sounds, and perfectly legal.

Nick Rosen is an off-grid advisor. He can be emailed at nick@off-grid.net

This article appeared in the Nov/Dec 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

UK street lighting cuts a ‘maintenance timebomb’ for UK councils

The rush to reduce street lighting maintenance following widespread LED adoption is putting critical infrastructure at risk and could derail smart city ambitions, industry leaders have warned.

As local authorities across the UK grapple with unprecedented budget pressures, the growing trend to minimise or eliminate routine maintenance of LED street lighting installations threatens to undermine both existing infrastructure and future technology integration. With councils’ overall core funding projected to be 9% lower in real terms and 18% lower in real terms per person than at the start of the 2010s[1], many are looking to reduce street lighting costs – a decision that experts have warned could have significant long-term consequences.

The warning comes as councils face mounting pressure to reduce operational costs following major LED conversion projects. While LED technology delivers significant energy savings and extended operational life, the wholesale reduction in maintenance programmes overlooks the critical role of street lighting columns in supporting smart city infrastructure.

Industry investigation from TRT Lighting suggests that a typical mid-sized local authority can maintain stocks of up to 140 different types of streetlight luminaires, translating to over 1,000 individual units in storage. This complexity, combined with reduced maintenance schedules, creates significant operational inefficiencies and ties up substantial public funds in idle inventory.

“Where smart city initiatives are being developed, we need to ensure our lighting infrastructure is robust enough to support these new technologies,” says Ross Evans, Managing Director of TRT Lighting. “That means maintaining not just the lights, but the entire supporting infrastructure. The integration of EV charging, environmental monitoring, and telecommunications equipment demands a more rigorous approach to maintenance, not less.”

The challenge is further complicated by the upcoming changes to local authority procurement frameworks in Spring 2025. These changes will emphasise broader value considerations beyond simple cost reduction, potentially reshaping how councils approach infrastructure maintenance.

“It’s not just about cost any more for local authorities,” said Michala Medcalf, Street Lighting Manager at Derby City Council. “Local authorities should be looking at sustainability and social value – and that includes maintaining our assets responsibly for the long term.”

A recent industry white paper examining street lighting maintenance trends suggests that integrating street lighting with emerging technologies like EV charging will necessitate more frequent inspections and maintenance, directly challenging the current trend toward minimal maintenance schedules.

To download the paper, click here.

[1] https://ifs.org.uk/publications/how-have-english-councils-funding-and-spending-changed-2010-2024#:~:text=Taking%20the%20period%202010%E2%80%9311,the%20start%20of%20the%202010s.

Low carbon funding helps school decarbonise

Funding from the Welsh Government has helped a Ruthin secondary school decarbonise their heating by replacing gas boilers with renewable air source heat pumps.

Ysgol Brynhyfryd is a bilingual co-educational comprehensive school for over 1,000 pupils aged between 11 and 18 years of age in the beautiful valley of Clywd, in North Wales.

The school is maintained by the Denbighshire Education Authority and the renewable solution was the installation of solar photovoltaic panels on the school roof, along with replacing three gas boilers with two commercial air source heat pumps.

“Between the heat pumps and the solar panels, the school is estimated to save an average of £17 to £19 thousand per year, along with 28 tonnes of carbon,” commented Ben Musgrave, Director of JM Renewable Solutions, who installed the systems.

The existing gas boilers were replaced with two 40kw CAHV air source heat pumps from Mitsubishi Electric. The school has underfloor floor heating throughout. Coupled with this, JM Renewables installed a further 75kW of solar panels on the building’s roof, to help with the running costs.

The CAHV heat pumps achieve 70°C water temperatures down to -20°C ambient temperature to deliver continuous heating.  Multiple unit cascade control offers capacity from 7.8kW to 640kW to make the system suitable for a wide range of applications.

“The heat pumps meet the design temperature of the school, so it was almost a direct swap from the boilers,” explained Elliot Sullivan, Head of Mechanical Division at JM Renewables. “The efficiency of the heat pumps installed should be around 300 to 400 per cent, so for every one kilowatt of electricity consumed, it will deliver 3 to 4 kilowatts of heat to the building”.

Watch a video about the installation:

Independent energy generators call on UK Government to speed up planning reforms to unlock clean energy potential 

Independent energy generators across the UK are urging the government to accelerate its plans for reforming the planning system, warning that many vital projects risk delays unless urgent action is taken.

A new report from leading business energy supplier, npower Business Solutions – Clean power 2030: Harnessing the power of the UK’s independent energy generators –  asked more than 350 UK independent energy generators for their views on recent government policies, and what they would like to see in the future.

It revealed that almost one in four (23%) feel that the policy measures announced so far won’t be enough to support the development of independent energy generation projects, which will have a crucial role in the UK hitting its clean power targets by 2030.  

The research also outlined the current barriers independent generators believe are stopping more projects coming online. The overwhelming majority (62%) said that planning restrictions are the main barrier, while almost one in five (19%) believed that difficulties associated with securing investment are also a major challenge. Timescales to complete a project were highlighted by one in seven (14%) while a similar number (13%) cited local community concerns about a project. 

As a result, the generators surveyed stated the key areas where they would like the government to focus its forthcoming policy decisions. Top of the agenda is reducing the ‘red tape’ around renewables (63%), followed by more finance packages, grants and incentives for investment in energy generation assets (56%) and the development of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) market (31%).

Anthony Ainsworth, Chief Operating Officer at npower Business Solutions, commented:

“While the moves taken so far by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy are promising, as we move ever closer to the 2030 clean power target – and the longer-term 2050 net zero target – the government needs to continue to ensure that its policy matches its ambition. 

“This research shows that speed is of the essence. We believe that independent generators will play an important role in the UK’s energy future, but this research shows that urgent action needs to be taken if this vital part of the decentralised energy infrastructure can play its part in supporting the UK’s low-carbon transition.”

The research also revealed how an increasing number of commercial customers are now buying their power directly from an independent clean energy source. Two-thirds (67%) of those surveyed said they have seen an increase in business demand to buy power from independent generators over the past two years, with 30% saying this was a significant increase.

In addition, one in five (21%) are already exporting their power to businesses, with the majority (58%) doing so through a fixed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). 

Benefits for businesses included stable pricing that is not impacted by the wholesale energy market (48%), followed by guaranteed clean energy supply (33%), and greater energy security (14%). 

Vish Sharma, Head of Power Purchase Agreements at nBS, adds:

“As business demand for renewable power increases, decentralised independent generators are playing a crucial role in meeting this demand. That is why it is even more important that policy decisions are aligned so generators get the support they need.

“This research shows that the true power of independent generators can only be unlocked if there is a reduction in policy red tape, a streamlining of planning rules and a removal of some of the barriers to investment, such as making it easier to secure funding for projects.

“Then, we believe we will truly enter the ‘golden age’ for independent energy generators.”

Clean power 2030: Harnessing the power of the UK’s independent energy generators is available to download here.

EDF Energy: taking the quantum leap for better energy management with Pasqal

EDF is a leader in the global energy market, committed to generating clean electricity to the highest safety standards. As renewable energy adoption increases and consumer habits change, EDF faces challenges in demand forecasting and supply optimisation. Addressing these obstacles is crucial for ensuring efficient and safe energy distribution in the sector.

Reaching the computational threshold

EDF faces the challenge of accurately forecasting energy demand, which is complicated by the unpredictability of renewable resources. Unlike traditional energy, the output from renewables is heavily dependent on environmental conditions, which are highly variable. Additionally, nuclear power and gas plants cannot be quickly activated or deactivated to match these fluctuations.

Establishing the right balance between energy supply and demand requires precise forecasting and planning. EDF’s transition to quantum computing emerged from the limitations of classical computing and coding methods, particularly in handling these complex challenges.

Traditional algorithms, while effective for smaller scales, struggle to keep up with the expansive needs of modern energy management like forecasting the demands of millions of electric vehicles. Classical computers, used for tasks like simulating nuclear plant operations and the aging of photovoltaic materials, have reached their computational thresholds in these areas.

Recognising these constraints, EDF began exploring quantum computing in 2016 as a means to significantly enhance its forecasting accuracy and operations. The EDF Quantum Project Team, led by Joseph Mikael, Head of Quantum Computing at EDF, is an interdisciplinary group of professionals, set up with a long-term vision to tackle complex challenges in the sector.

The team was not expected to yield immediate returns but instead ensure EDF was prepared with in-house expertise in quantum technologies.

A pioneering partnership

EDF’s partnership with Pasqal started in 2018, stemming from initial meetings with the startup’s founders, Professor Antoine Browaeys and Loïc Henriet. Their first project focused on optimisation and saw the partnering of Pasqal’s emerging quantum expertise with EDF’s deep industrial knowledge.

Through this approach, Pasqal gained insight into real-world industrial applications and challenges, while EDF explored the quantum-aided optimisation of energy distribution, such as smart charging systems for electric vehicles.

This collaboration was not just about applying existing quantum solutions but actively engaging in day-to-day problem-solving and research, establishing a foundation for ongoing innovation.

One of EDF and Pasqal’s most notable collaborations involved simulating the ageing of materials within nuclear power plants. The restrictions of traditional computing make it difficult to accurately model material behaviours when exposed to high temperatures and radiation. Numerous assumptions and simplifications are required, which can compromise the accuracy of simulations.

To resolve this issue, the pair applied a quantum computing solution. This is crucial for multi-scale modelling, where critical phenomena are simulated at the microscopic level to predict potential issues like material degradation or the formation of cracks within the reactor structure.

By using Pasqal’s technology, EDF is aiming to precisely simulate atomic movements and interactions under extreme conditions. This simulation capability is vital, as it helps predict the emergence and potential propagation of cracks, assessing their impact through larger-scale simulations that rely on partial differential equations.

Forging new frontiers

This partnership is characterised by mutual technical respect and shared goals. Pasqal’s team, known for its deep understanding of its machines and quantum algorithms, has been instrumental in helping EDF’s specialists grasp the nuances of these advanced technologies through extensive training and skill sharing.

Such intensive cooperation underscores the symbiotic nature of this relationship, as they continue to explore the frontiers of quantum computing in industrial applications. Looking ahead, EDF is poised to deepen its engagement with quantum computing, with ambitious projects that will push the boundaries of technology and its application in the sector.

EDF and Pasqal’s three-year roadmap features two main objectives. The first involves rigorous testing of quantum algorithms on actual quantum machines. Moving beyond simulations to gain practical insights and validate the algorithms’ effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

The second revolves around scalability—a critical challenge in quantum computing. The pair plan to explore parallelisation techniques, which divide workloads into independent tasks that can be completed concurrently by different processors. This would enhance the computational power and efficiency of quantum algorithms, as well as help scale up the applications of quantum technology in EDF’s operations.

EDF aims to determine definitively whether there is a quantum advantage to be leveraged and, if so, to establish a timeline for its broader implementation. This forward-looking approach underscores EDF’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge quantum technologies into its core operations, potentially transforming energy management practices and reinforcing its leadership in the global market.

This article appeared in the Nov/Dec 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

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