Infrastructure firm SNRG says electricity network could save housebuilders £4,000 and mitigate construction costs
An 8,500-home garden town in Kent is set to be powered through a dedicated smart grid after the signing of a deal between the local council and a clean energy infrastructure firm.
Backed by Antin Infrastructure Partners and Centrica, SNRG has struck an exclusive deal with Folkestone and Hythe District Council to design, build, and operate smart grids for Otterpool Park.
Smart grids electricity networks that use digital technologies, sensors and software to better match the supply and demand of electricity in real-time. SNRG said the grid ”integrates and optimises onsite energy assets – including renewable generation, communal battery storage, EV charging, and heat pumps ” to reduce the import of electricity from the grid.”
A report by LCPDelta suggests new grid connections can cost more than £10,000 per home. SNRG said housebuilders at Otterpool who choose to connect to the smart grid could save £4,000 per home on the costs of providing solar PV. SNRG said the solution minitigates construction costs and grid connection challenges, while providing “a technical and financial blueprint for developers to meet the incoming Future Homes Standard.”
SNRG’s funded smart grid solution mitigates construction costs and grid connection challenges, supporting Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s net zero ambitions while generating long-term financial returns for the council
The private wire microgrid will manage locally-generated clean energy from across the development, making affordable and zero carbon energy available to homeowners on the scheme.
Energy will be generated from rooftop solar as well as, with a combined capacity of up to 39MW and the potential to generate 34GWh of electricity for the scheme annually - around half of the town’s expected demand.
Subject to planning, a 12MW solar park will also be built on council-owned land adjacent to the site. Excess generation will be stored in communal batteries and used through on-site monitoring and cloud based software to meet demand.
Dan Nicholls, chief product officer and Otterpool project lead at SNRG, said: “Our smart grid infrastructure will allow residents to benefit directly from renewable energy generated on their doorstep - whilst also providing a model for future developments which can ease costly and lengthy grid delays and reduce the cost of building sustainable homes.
“I believe this project shows how we can and should decarbonise our built environment.”
What are smart grids?
According to the International Energy Agency, ”smart grids are electricity networks that use digital technologies, sensors and software to better match the supply and demand of electricity in real-time while minimizing costs and maintaining the stability and reliability of the grid.”
Jim Martin, Folkestone and Hythe District Counciil leader, added: “The solar park and rooftop solar, connected to the smart grid with a battery storage system, would create sustainable power for the new town for years to come and provide residents with reduced energy tariffs.
“I firmly believe that this is a credible pathway to achieving net zero in operation at Otterpool Park and is a perfect example of what can be delivered using renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.
“While the solar park is subject to a planning application, which will of course enable the public to give their views and allow further scrutiny by councillors, the prospect of generating green power on land already owned by the council and at no cost to local taxpayers is very attractive.
“It is envisaged that alongside the solar panels, sheep would be able to graze and the land could offer space for community gardens and an orchard.”
No comments yet