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Predicting the Energy Future

Cristina Diaconu January 18, 2017

Predicting the energy future Anyone who predicts the future risks winding up with egg on their face. This is as true in energy as anything else – just look at how the rapid roll-out of renewables caught everyone by surprise. As such, the best tactic is often to avoid predicting

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BDC 319 : Aug 2024

solar PV

Demand for large scale solar carports results in significant growth of FlexiSolar operations team.

BDC News Team March 28, 2018

FlexiSolar, the innovative solar carport specialist based near Cambridge, has today announced details of its growing operations team; recruited to design, develop, install and maintain integrated large scale solar carport solutions at sites across the country. Backed by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, FlexiSolar formally entered the market in 2017 as a design, manufacturing, installation and operations company specialising in the integration of solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and carports. Innovate UK has backed FlexiSolar as part of its focus on driving the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy. FlexiSolar’s delivery is led by Operations Director, Keenan Gratrick, who as well as being a seasoned electrical engineer qualified to 11KVa, brings over 10 years’ experience specialising in the renewable energy sector; overseeing the installation of circa 800 MW of Solar PV.  In his career, Keenan has been responsible for setting up commercial operations and solar park maintenance departments using market leading renewable technologies across the UK and overseas. The Operations and Maintenance team has grown fast in light of the high level of projects awarded to FlexiSolar so far this year. The department has also been working hard to gain maintenance contracts on existing Solar Plants; as part of its objective to grow their portfolio of maintained sites. Electrical and Automation Design Engineer, Piervanni Fois, joined FlexiSolar having gained over 12 years’ experience as a designer and consultant within several organisations and independently.  Piervanni has developed detailed designs of electrical power networks, protection and control systems for industrial and commercial buildings, as well as wind and solar farms including applications for control and PLC systems, and software development.  He developed his professional profile with a keen interest in renewable energy systems, solar generation, smart grids and energy storage including EV charging. Construction Manager, Andrew Edwards, has over 10 years’ experience within the Solar PV industry, with a proven track record in delivering multiple and complex projects on time and within budgets.  With a passion for clean energy and a strong interest in pioneering energy storage deployment in the UK, Andrew was previously at Belectric Solar Ltd, where he dealt with rooftop solar installations and was responsible for a number of ground mount projects, ranging from 3.8 MW to 126 MW.  In total Andrew has dealt with the installation of 88 solar parks. Site Manager, Ashley Wass, joins FlexiSolar from Morrison Utilities, where he gained experience in civil engineering, emergency water work repairs, whilst authorising method statements and risk assessments, and supervising multiple projects.  Ashley has been in the Solar PV industry for over 4 years and has dealt with a number of ground mounted installations. The Operations & Maintenance team is supported by Project Co-ordinator, Rachel Wareing, who works to ensure the effective and efficient administration of all projects.  Rachel has a technical background, having spent 12 years in the RAF as an aircraft mechanic, with a strong skillset also gained from a number of years in the NHS, managing 160 properties used for accommodation for staff and patients’ families. Speaking about the recently expanded operations team, Robert Carpenter, Managing Director of FlexiSolar said “Our large scale solar carports offer a significant opportunity to generate and harness energy at source. The level of complexity and understanding in the design and installation of these solutions is of paramount importance and needs clear expertise behind it; which is exactly what we have put in place with the FlexiSolar operations team. The growing team is focussed on developing intricate, bespoke solar carport systems for our clients, from concept to completion.”  FlexiSolar’s expert sales team were also introduced earlier this year and are working with organisations and local authorities across the country to discuss their large scale solar carport requirements.

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Predicting the Energy Future

Cristina Diaconu January 18, 2017

Predicting the energy future Anyone who predicts the future risks winding up with egg on their face. This is as true in energy as anything else – just look at how the rapid roll-out of renewables caught everyone by surprise. As such, the best tactic is often to avoid predicting at all, or take a conservatively pessimist line. For medium sized UK businesses, that’s often grim resignation to ever-increasing energy prices eating away at the bottom line. I’ll stick my neck out though and say this: the energy future for UK business could actually be very bright indeed. Medium sized UK business – vital to the economy but more exposed than the big multinationals – can vastly reduce the impact of energy costs and insulate themselves against the risks inherent in energy price shocks. All it takes is to take three words to heart: reduce, generate, store. Reduce Reducing energy use should be the first priority for any business. No Kw is greener or cheaper than the one unused. Investments such as LED lighting, efficient boilers and variable speed drives can save huge amounts of money and energy. Back when it was known as DECC, the department estimated 18-25% energy savings were possible for SMEs with an average payback period of less than 1.5 years. Generate But efficiency only takes you so far. Companies can take matters into their own hands by using on-site generation to partially cover their energy needs, reducing the amount needed to be purchased. This could be diesel generators, but is increasingly including clean power sources such as solar, wind or combined heat and power biomass systems. For now, this is the domain of the most forward-thinking companies, but solar PV costs have declined so rapidly in recent years that it will be a feasible and attractive option for many businesses. Some might protest that the roll-back of subsidies such as the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) scheme undermine this. But that’s a setback that should quickly be overcome as panels get cheaper and finance gets smarter. Store The real game changer though, has been the advent of storage. In 2016, we’ve seen commercial and domestic storage make huge strides. Look at Tesla’s Powerwall or AES Storage’s commercial-scale project in Kilroot. As with solar, battery prices are falling and  companies are scrambling to develop and commercialise different business models. Storage is the missing piece of the puzzle for UK businesses. You can reduce energy usage and create your own but there will be excess energy because of the intermittency of renewables. Storage can hold that otherwise wasted energy and discharge it when required. The energy future for medium sized UK businesses is one that includes energy reduction, generation and storage. By diligently taking advantage of available tax incentives such as Enhanced Capital Allowances and Annual Investment Allowances, combined with intelligent financing designed to deliver savings greater than repayments, it’s possible for UK businesses to begin that transition now. Doing so means lower costs, greater resiliency and a future-proofed business.   That’s my prediction.

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