Energy Hubs
Our innovative hybrid energy hubs co-locate clean energy technologies, and connect to the grid via a single point of connection.
Introducing:
hybrid energy hubs
Connections to the electricity grid are finite, yet typical intermittent renewables do not use their full allocated grid connection capacity. To address this we are developing hybrid energy hubs.
Hybrid energy hubs will enable the co-location of multiple clean energy sources, making best use of a single grid connection and more effectively delivering electricity to the grid.
We will do this by flexibly allocating grid capacity across technologies to maximise the impact of energy generated and stored. This approach will enhance the contribution of each individual technology to deliver secure, clean and affordable energy for the UK, while generating local and national economic growth by creating cost efficiencies for consumers and utilities.
Not only will the hybrid energy hub approach make the most of grid capacity, it will also reduce overall land-take, as only one new substation will be needed. This minimises local impacts on the environment and communities.
Working with communities and authorities, we will use our expertise to help unlock challenges facing the UK’s grid and accelerate the delivery of the clean energy needed to transition away from fossil fuels.
Our technologies
Hybrid energy hubs will co-locate multiple technologies. Each clean energy project will be located at a different site and may be subject to separate planning applications. Projects will connect to one central substation via underground cables, before they connect into the grid. We’ll initially be focused on delivering solar, onshore wind and battery storage, with a watching brief to integrate other suitable low carbon technologies.
1.
Solar energy
ESTABLISHED
TECHNOLOGY
Solar became the most affordable form of generation in history in 2021.
The technology’s cost competitiveness, predictability and flexibility mean it continues to grow rapidly worldwide.
The technology can be combined with farming activities, as the technology usually occupies less than half of leased land. ‘Agrivoltaics’, as this approach is called, means crops can still be grown, or livestock raised, or bees kept. This allows farmers to continue to generate income through agricultural activities.
2.
Battery storage
ESTABLISHED
TECHNOLOGY
Battery storage is crucial to support the clean energy transition.
As renewable energy sources can be intermittent, battery storage allows us to capture and store energy when production is high – when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing – and release it onto the energy grid when production is low.
The advantage of battery storage is that it keeps energy supply stable and reliable, in turn keeping energy costs lower and supporting our energy security.
3.
Onshore wind energy
ESTABLISHED
TECHNOLOGY
Humans have been using the wind’s energy to power our activities since the windmills of medieval times.
Today’s onshore wind may look different, but the principle of harnessing nature’s power remains.
A modern onshore wind farm is a widely used form of renewable energy, owing to its relatively low cost, ease of installation and straightforward maintenance. It plays a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a clean energy mix.
4.
Future technologies
While our initial focus will be on delivering solar, onshore wind and battery storage, we’re keeping a watching brief to integrate other suitable low carbon technologies. This could include small scale nuclear and green hydrogen.
Small scale nuclear can deliver the consistent, stable energy supply associated with traditional nuclear energy, but on a greatly reduced scale.
Hydrogen gas can be burnt to produce electricity in power stations or heat in homes in the same way as natural gas. But unlike natural gas, burning hydrogen doesn’t emit any dirty carbon dioxide. Creating hydrogen gas takes lots of energy, and by using energy created from renewable technology, it means we could create clean hydrogen gas, without emitting carbon dioxide.
