Member Article

Brakes integrates demand side response strategies

Brakes, the largest food service operator in the UK, has successfully incorporated demand side response strategies (DSR) into its sustainability agenda as part of its commitment to optimised approaches to energy use.

The modern food service sector involves complex corporate and social responsibility demands including sourcing, supply chain and energy supply. For many businesses operating in this arena, the correct energy strategy has a vast impact both financially and environmentally. Overall, this enables greener branding, lower energy bills, improved carbon reporting and a legislative compliance.

Sustainable approaches to energy

For Brakes, sustainability is deep in its corporate DNA. Embracing new approaches to energy use and management are second nature. The company is therefore partnering with National Grid Approved Aggregator Endeco Technologies to participate in National Grid’s grid-balancing mechanisms. Such schemes reward companies for energy ‘turn-down’, or ‘turn-up’ of energy using assets when required.This enables the Grid Operator to balance energy demands and grid flexibility. Ultimately, such mechanisms reduce the need for coal and gas-fired reserves to be ready to supply power at short notice.

3MW of energy contribution

By engaging Endeco Technologies, the Group is now equipped with a unique, intelligent energy platform that manages how much power it uses and when it uses it. The technology provides the essential connection between National Grid and Brakes and acts as the cornerstone of scheme participation. It has allowed the company to deploy DSR strategies across 15 of its UK sites contributing a total of 3MW in capacity.

As a result, Brakes has not only generated a new, long-term revenue stream from the National Grid, it has benefited from efficiencies associated with peak-tariff (DUoS and Triad) avoidance.

Non-disruptive and risk-free

Brakes’ participation in National Grid’s scheme has been deployed without disruption to operations or production.

Michael Phelan, CEO at Endeco Technologies explains: “We start the process by understanding the detailed nature of the operations and the assets involved. We then deploy a strategy that is risk-free and entirely fit for purpose. It’s our job to ensure Brakes is ready to provide an automated response - in real time - when National Grid requires it, and check that the response works correctly.”

Real time monitoring of asset availability

Once its intelligent energy platform is installed, Endeco’s Network Operations Centre provides 24/7 online monitoring through a network of sensors and meters. This provides the necessary data for the software to adapt and respond to the availability of the onsite assets in real time.

Michael Phelan explains the strategy deployed: “As soon as a set point is breached, the refrigeration plant compressors and cold-store evaporator fans are turned down for a period of 30 minutes. Once this period has passed, the plant is set to operate again as normal. Frequency response events are then disabled for set ‘time out’ in order for the temperature to recover.”

Importantly, Brakes’ operations team can rest easy in the knowledge that priority is always given to essential and critical operations over requests from the Grid along with participation flexibility.

Taking control of peak tariff

An additional outcome of the project’s success relates to improved control of energy use during peak tariff periods. Endeco Technologies’ energy platform also enables Brakes to predict when energy spikes will occur. The system then automatically reduces consumption whilst maintaining strict control parameters.

Sustainable future

Brakes Environment and Sustainability Manager Ken Mulholland says, “For Brakes, participation in National Grid’s scheme is just one aspect of our wider engagement in energy strategies. We have recently secured a renewal of our certification to ISO 14001, and we have set a carbon reduction target of 20% by 2020, which we’re well on track to achieve.”

Working alongside the Endeco Technologies team, Brakes is able to make its own contribution contribute to a more reliable UK power infrastructure. Such responsive solutions represent the future for a flexible UK grid and reduce reliance on fossil-fuel reserves.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matthew Hyde .