Member Article

Salford green energy specialist develops smarter electricity grid

Salford-based ENER-G combined heat and power (CHP) technology is at the centre of a pioneering trial to create a smarter electricity grid – to deliver reliable low carbon power supply at the lowest possible cost.

ENER-G and the Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA) are partners in the ‘Respond’ project – led by Electricity North West.

The £5.5m three-year demonstration project, beginning January 2015, is benefiting from £4.5m funding from energy regulator Ofgem. Other project partners are ABB, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Impact Research, Schneider Electric and United Utilities.

‘Respond’ aims to deliver an intelligent approach to managing fault current - the instantaneous surge of energy that occurs under fault conditions. This is intended to help meet future low carbon electricity demand without the need to build costly new infrastructure.

Using intelligent software,the plan is to demonstrate that fault current can be managed at lower cost by using existing power supplies, such as CHP, together with new commercial techniques.

In this way it is hoped to accelerate the uptake of low carbon demand and renewable generation - avoiding the need to prematurely replace expensive switchgear and cables, while delivering savings to customers.

It is predicted that the ‘Respond’ methods will release the same capacity as traditional reinforcement of the electricity grid, but up to 18 times faster and up to 80% cheaper – potentially saving the UK £2.3 billion by 2050.

Steve Johnson, CEO of Electricity North West, said: “The ‘Respond’ trial will allow us to explore new technical and commercial solutions to get more from our existing network. This will ensure customers continue to get the power they need and give them the flexibility to connect renewable energy sources, such as combined heat and power plants, without us having to invest in new expensive infrastructure. And by using these innovative techniques to intelligently manage fault current, customers could see lower bills.”

Chris Marsland, Technical Director for ENER-G Combined Power Ltd, said: “We’re proud to play a part in this groundbreaking trial, which could provide future low carbon power more competitively. It could increase further the financial returns of CHP by providing commercial and industrial users with an income stream from playing their part in reinforcing the network. ‘Respond’ has the power to accelerate the roll out of CHP and other low carbon and renewable sources.”

Further information: www.energ.co.uk/chp

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by ENER-G Combined Power Ltd .