Making sense of energy generation and storage opportunities

With rising energy prices and increasing concern around energy security, there’s never been a better time to explore options for your business with regards to energy.

With much in the news about energy issues, Tim Foster from Conrad Energy talks to us about how you can take advantage of the opportunities available and some of the common questions around the energy markets.

Why does the UK need to produce more power?

Secure, reliable energy delivery is vital for a prosperous economy and society. Rising energy demand, coupled with changes in the way electricity is generated, mean that homes and businesses are at risk of the lights going out.

With increasing interdependency between our lives and the power network, constant power has become essential.

As our world becomes ever more dependent on technology, the threat of an unreliable power supply needs to be faced.

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What are the energy companies doing to respond to these challenges?

The UK’s energy system is going through a transformation. The advance of new technologies combined with the push to reduce carbon emissions means the power system is shifting to a more decentralised, smarter and flexible model.

Energy developers such as Conrad Energy are working to balance the energy trilemma through improving security of energy supply, utilising lower carbon generation and storage and lowering the cost of supply through onsite generation.

What role does battery storage have in creating a future-fit power infrastructure for the UK?

Every day, electricity grid operators must match supply with demand. For example, the UK has the largest installed capacity of offshore wind in the world and the ability to capture this energy and use it efficiently increases the value of this clean energy. However, wind and solar generation by its very nature is intermittent.

Battery storage enables the proliferation of renewable technology as part of the UK’s energy mix, allowing us to capture and store excess energy which has been generated when the sun has shone and the wind has blown.

The ability to store excess energy and release it when required, thus balancing the grid, is key to the eventual energy independence of the UK and is intrinsic to enabling energy security.

What does this mean for farmers and landowners?

Landowners are facing increasing challenges about how to realise value from  their land and assets. Achieving the full revenue stream from your land can safeguard your business and offer long-term security.

Energy developers are looking for land to host energy developments. Hosting an energy installation on your land can diversify your revenue and secures a long-term income stream, maximising land value and supporting the transition to greener energy.

It provides you with a typically higher financial return which is guaranteed through a long-term (25 year) rental or land purchase – something which is not possible from traditional farming methods.

There has long been a link between using farmland for both food and energy production and, with demand for energy increasing, there are now numerous opportunities to use your land to host an energy development, either exporting electricity directly into the grid or behind the meter offsetting electricity demand.

What are the benefits of hosting an energy development?

Integrating and utilising different methods of energy generation and storage, both renewable or conventional, offers landowners benefits ranging from the potential for income generation to significantly reduced long-term costs.

Add in greatly increased energy security and the subsequent reduced risk of power outages and it means reliable, greener energy is within reach.

These developments can incorporate a range of lower carbon energy technologies, such as:

• Battery energy storage
• CHP (Combined Heat and Power)
• Solar
• Wind
• Biogas production
• Hydrogen

There’s lots of energy developers out there. How do I find one that’s right for me?

It’s important to have confidence in the energy partners you choose and their ability to deliver the optimal strategy for your site.

The fast-paced power world can be confusing to navigate, so choose a partner who will guide you through the options to find the right way forward for you and your site.

At Conrad Energy we foster long-term relationships which benefit landowners and the wider community, offering you peace of mind and ongoing support.

Our installations support the grid and local customers, providing resiliency and energy security. Talk to us about hosting an energy installation, either behind or in front of the meter, PPAs, energy supply and optimising your existing energy assets.