The UK government has reiterated that it hopes to re-start the Capacity Market as soon as possible and intends to run a ‘top up’ auction next summer. The market was suspended last month following a legal challenge by Tempus Energy. The European Commission now has to undertake a formal investigation after the General Court of Read more…
1GW of flex sought in London
A plan to unlock a gigawatt of peak flexible power resource in London by 2050 is underway. The GLA-backed Flex London project forms part of the Mayor’s plan to make the capital a zero carbon city. The authority, plus project partners, is bringing together public and private sector organisations that have the potential to provide Read more…
Free report: How businesses plan to deploy battery storage
The Energyst’s 2018 Battery Storage report is now available as a free download. Based on the views of 50 public and private sector organisations considering battery storage, the report also contains insight from suppliers, aggregators and electricity system operator, National Grid. The survey finds significant appetite for storage, largely behind the meter, often to be Read more…
Total partners with Chargepoint to sell EV charging infrastructure to businesses
Total Gas & Power and Chargepoint have struck a deal to try to sell electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to UK firms. The announcement follows a recent report by Aurora that suggests industrial and commercial (I&C) businesses will need to invest billions in EV charging infrastructure to accommodate the switch from fossil fuels – but Read more…
UK Power Networks to trial Faraday Grid’s self balancing technology
UK Power Networks is to trial new technology that aims to create intelligent, self balancing power grids. The distribution network operator has signed a deal with Faraday Grid, which set up shop in the UK late last year. Its mission is to create “fit for purpose” energy systems that can accommodate large volumes of decentralised, Read more…
Beis Select Committee to investigate gas security
MPs will investigate UK gas security following pressure from major energy users. The Gas Security Group had been pushing for government to quantify the consequences of a lack of gas storage even before the cold snap last March forced National Grid to issue a warning that the UK was close to running out of gas. Read more…
Download the 2018 DSR Report: Aligning risk and reward
The Energyst’s 2018 DSR report is now available to download at www.theenergyst.com/dsr. It contains a survey of public and private sector organisations that provide demand-side response, as well as those that do not – but could do so if appropriately de-risked. It also includes in depth interviews with businesses about their DSR and battery storage Read more…
Foodservice firm takes 3.75MW of battery storage from Anesco
Devon-based wholesaler, Philip Dennis Foodservice, is using three battery storage units from Anesco to maximise on-site generation, cut carbon and grid charges, and earn balancing services revenue. The battery storage units have a combined capacity of 3.75MW (3.75MWh) for which Anesco will provide operations and maintenance. The firm also has a 256kW Tesla battery on Read more…
Inspired Energy buys energy bill validation firm PCMG
Inspired Energy has acquired Professional Cost Management Group (PCMG). The deal could be worth up to £700k in cash. PCMG provides utility bill validation, whereby it audits bills and works out if firms have been overcharged. If so, it can help recover those charges from suppliers over a period of up to six years, and Read more…
National Grid to trial same day frequency response auction
National Grid is to trial same day frequency response procurement from June 2019. The two year trial is “for a small volume of frequency response” but will enable less predictable technologies, such as wind, to participate, and give those with demand-side response a clearer picture of what may be required of them and when – Read more…
Battery storage makes unsubsidised solar stack up for Kingfisher
Kingfisher will this month start using solar and battery storage to provide grid services. While making money from helping to balance the grid is a bonus, it comes a distinct second to the firm’s ambition to cut carbon, consumption and cost, says head of carbon and energy, Jeremy Parsons. Kingfisher installed a 756kW battery system Read more…
Very healthy savings: Funded energy upgrade saves hospital £2m in one year
A major energy overhaul at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is on track to save £2m and 10,000 tonnes of CO2 in its first year. Last November, The Energyst reported that a new energy centre and upgrades at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) had saved almost a quarter of a million pounds in Read more…
BES Utilities loses judicial review claim over data seized in raid
BES Utilities has lost a claim for judicial review following the raids on its premises by Lancashire Police and Trading Standards two years ago. In a related action, the company is also seeking £8.6m damages from Cheshire West and Chester Trading Standards. The authorities are conducting an investigation into allegations of fraudulent sales of utilities. Read more…
Utility Warehouse: More independent suppliers will go bust
Utility Warehouse has suggested small independents acquiring customers at a loss will not last long, predicting further insolvencies. Reporting financial results for the year to 31 March, parent firm Telecom Plus posted an adjusted pre-tax profit increase of £54.3m (up 1.8%) and a marginal statutory pre-tax profit increase on 2017 of £100,000 to £41.0m. Boom Read more…
Nissan: Vehicle to grid services will not drain EV batteries
Nissan has countered suggestions that providing vehicle to grid services using electric vehicles (EVs) will leave customers with empty batteries. Some prominent EV owners, such as Energy Managers Association CEO Lord Redesdale, have suggested that the idea of using EV batteries as energy storage is “complete crap”, because owners will be reluctant to lose power Read more…
Electrifying heat: Too expensive, or too little ambition?
Electrification of heat was seen as a key policy objective in the early part of this decade, but appears to have receded in recent years, largely on grounds of cost of meeting winter peak demand. The government and much of industry now talk about a ‘whole systems approach’ that involves greener gases, such as hydrogen Read more…