by Siobahn Meikle, Vice President for Northern Europe, Eaton
In the last few weeks, the new Government-backed energy company, ‘Great British Energy’ (GB Energy) has duly sparked to life. At the heart of the Government’s clean energy plan, it promises to increase “homegrown” renewable energy and reduce bills.
GB Energy’s launch was accompanied by new Government targets to decarbonise the power system by the end of the decade, with an ambition to double energy generated by onshore wind farms, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind.
While such developments certainly signal a step in the right direction, the Government should not overlook the opportunity to address flexibility within the energy market. Simply put, focus must also extend to supporting demand side flexibility, so that businesses can play their part in expediting the energy transition.
A balancing act: demand vs supply
The Government’s plans to accelerate renewable energy production are crucial to both expanding the UK’s grid capabilities and achieving its net zero targets. However, true progress hinges on the grid – and its users – being able to fully manage the inherent intermittency of renewable energy generation. Unfortunately, in the UK we cannot always guarantee the sunshine. And while wind is more reliable, it is not a certainty either. This means investing in infrastructure which allows for the generation and storage of renewable energy on a national scale, as well as promoting demand-side flexibility.
Part of the answer lies in improving the grid’s capacity to balance intermittency through advanced forecasting and responsive technologies. In buildings, for instance, energy storage systems can store excess energy generated during peak production times and release it when renewable energy production is low. Moreover, integrating demand response programmes allows for more flexible energy consumption, aligning usage patterns with renewable energy availability.
Upgrading the grid to handle increased renewable energy capacity is therefore a cornerstone of our clean energy future.
Harnessing the power of commercial buildings
Commercial buildings have a significant role to play in the energy transition. Representing a third of the UK’s energy consumption, ensuring commercial buildings can leverage innovative solutions to foster a more resilient and adaptable energy system will make a significant contribution to the UK’s net zero ambitions.
Encouraging commercial building owners to invest in the flexible capabilities of their premises will ultimately benefit them by providing them with a degree of independence from the grid and access to zero-carbon energy which they generate themselves. Smart energy management systems, on-site renewable energy generation, EV charging infrastructure and energy storage solutions are all part of the equation. In combination, these technologies make it possible to manage energy use in commercial buildings depending on the conditions of the day.
This might be via the deployment of advanced energy management systems to optimise energy use in real-time and thus enable businesses to respond dynamically to fluctuations in energy supply and demand. More simply, it could be a matter of encouraging businesses to use any onsite renewable generation capacity they may have – solar panels, for example – together with energy storage solutions to take advantage of weather conditions, such as a sunny day.
Deploying flexible technologies in commercial buildings not only contributes to the overall stability of the grid, but will also deliver operational efficiencies that translate into significant cost savings, all while lowering the carbon footprint of commercial buildings.
Flexibility hinges on industry input
While the Government’s role is pivotal in setting the stage for a flexible energy market, responsibility does not fall solely on its shoulders. Progress will require collaboration between government and industry to design the frameworks which will encourage the necessary investment and innovation. This includes developing clear standards for energy storage, demand response, and other flexible solutions.
Attracting private investment to fund the deployment of enabling technologies at scale through policies which foster fair, transparent and easy access to flexibility markets will be vital to ensuring the energy transition is accessible and affordable for all.
Overcoming intermittency
While the Government is clearly committed to delivering a clean energy future, its ambitious plans must extend to enhance energy flexibility. Without both grid modernisation and flexibility the UK will not sufficiently cope with the demands required of a clean energy system.
Collectively, therefore, we need to ensure we are using buildings, datacentres, homes – in fact everything that is part of the energy system – effectively as part of the grid. By doing this, we can achieve the seamless flow of energy which will help provide a sustainable future for all.
