Decarbonising energy has never been more important for industrial and commercial (I&C) organisations. With the UK seeking to achieve a net zero power system by 2035, the implementation of onsite renewable assets in I&C firms will be a critical contribution.
Moreover, with a global shift towards sustainable policies and significant strides in clean tech, the business case for energy sustainability has become more compelling than ever – encouraging an increasing number of organisations to actively take part in the clean energy transition.
I&C organisations can have very heterogeneous energy requirements, and finding the most effective ways to decarbonise their operations can be complex. However, there are three key solutions that – when designed and implemented correctly, taking into consideration the site’s specific energy needs – offer a sure way of reducing carbon emissions while cutting electricity costs.
Onsite renewable systems
Consumers, investors, stakeholders and regulators are putting pressure on I&C organisations to reduce their Scope 2 emissions and operate more sustainably. In this context, many I&C organisations are considering an onsite renewable energy system to respond to these pressures while cutting their electricity bills.
This is a great choice for firms that have available space for renewable assets, but a lack of guidance, high CapEx costs and grid constraints can prevent many from taking the plunge.
If you’re interested in this option but don’t know where to start, you can find out all you need to know in our comprehensive Guide to Renewable Onsite Energy Systems.
Battery storage
Battery storage solutions provide the ultimate energy flexibility. By storing excess renewable energy generated onsite, or by charging the battery with electricity from the grid at off-peak times, businesses can make the most of their onsite renewable assets.
The outlay for battery storage can seem costly – but Wattstor’s Electricity-as-a-Service model allows I&C organisations to take advantage of this technology with no initial capital investment – enabling firms of all sizes to take part in the clean energy transition.
You can learn more about our battery offering here.
Intelligent energy management
Renewable assets and battery storage are great assets to reduce Scope 2 emissions, but none of them can reach their full potential without full visibility of the whole energy system, and insights into current and future market trends. That’s why a sophisticated energy management system (EMS) is essential.
A smart EMS can monitor and adapt the way electricity is generated, stored, consumed and traded based on operational requirements, generation capacity, state of battery charge and market conditions.
In this way, I&C organisations can consume or store cheap electricity from the grid at off-peak times, and use onsite generated electricity during peak hours. The best thing? With a smart EMS in place, load shifting will happen automatically, without any human intervention.
Wattstor’s onsite energy systems offer a combination of renewable energy assets, battery storage and EMS implementation – without CapEx costs. In this way, you can take the first steps towards reducing or eliminating your Scope 2 emissions, cutting electricity costs, and future-proofing your operations.
To find out whether this could be the right choice for your organisation, get in touch with our team and book your free 30-minute meeting.
Author
Jack Peck
Head of Sales, UK & Ireland
Jack Peck has over a decade’s experience in the renewable energy sector. Starting out as a solar developer, he has spent the past five years bringing battery storage solutions to market and now heads up Wattstor's sales team in the UK.