Techniques developed by researchers at Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College London could help provide raw materials needed for sustainable alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries.

A handful of critical chemical elements, including lithium, cobalt and graphite, power rechargeable batteries at the heart of everything from mobile phones to large-scale electricity grid storage.

Demand for these essential materials is set to grow as more countries move away from fossil fuels, and so will the environmental and geopolitical impacts of their mining and disposal.

Dr Maria Crespo, lecturer in Green Energy at Queen Mary, will be exhibiting her team’s work on future batteries research at this year’s Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, a free public festival of science held at the Society’s central London home from 2 – 7 July.​

“Moving away from fossils fuels is an essential part of any plan to transition to net zero,” Dr Crespo said.​

“However, if we continue to rely on lithium-ion batteries as the only option for fuelling our future, we are swapping one unsustainable, environmentally damaging resource for another.​

“We need to diversify our batteries, so we are not relying on one group of scarce elements for every energy storage task, and we need to think much more carefully about how we reuse our materials when their lifespan is up.”​

A 2023 review^[1] forecast that, by 2040, demand for lithium, cobalt and nickel in electric vehicle batteries would outstrip production, but that improved recycling could meet up to half the raw material demands.

Dr Crespo estimates that for the UK to meet the 2050 energy storage requirements projected by the National Grid with lithium-ion batteries alone, would require lithium equivalent to 14 times the weight of The Shard, London^[2].

But the critical elements used in lithium-ion batteries are relatively scarce. Lithium accounts for just 0.002% of the Earth’s crust and often elements like nickel and cobalt are found in geopolitically insecure regions or vulnerable ecosystems.

Last year, in collaboration with The Tyre Collective, Dr Crespo secured funds to transform particulates captured from vehicle tyres into components of sodium-ion batteries^[3], an alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

To be cost effective, alternative technologies like sodium-ion batteries, which have lower gram-for-gram energy storage potential, would have to be cheaper than lithium-ion to be cost effective.

Another recently patented technique^[4] is looking at how rarely recycled nylon packaging, and other plastics, could be converted into hard carbon battery electrodes at relatively low temperatures, reducing the demand for virgin graphite.

Diversifying our battery chemistry, and the sources of raw materials, can also improve the sustainability and efficiency of lithium batteries, which will remain important for high-energy uses.

Dr Heather Au, Royal Society University Research Fellow at Imperial College London and a member of the exhibit team is researching lithium-sulfur batteries made with waste from the paper industry.

“When we need to use lithium for the large amount of energy it can store, we can replace the critical cathode materials, like cobalt and nickel, with sulfur, a cheap, abundant and non-toxic element,” Dr Au said.

“We can produce these electrodes using lignin, which is a waste product of paper manufacturing that is, currently, mostly burned for heating.

“The advantage of using our technology for lithium-sulfur systems is that they are much lighter than conventional electrodes, which could increase the gram-for-gram energy storage potential.”

Visitors to the Summer Science Exhibition will have a chance to talk to the researchers behind the work and try their hand at making batteries of their own.

1. Maisel et al. 2023 A forecast on future raw material demand and recycling potential of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. Resources, Conservation and Recycling –https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344923000575#
2. For reaching a target of 63 GWh of battery electrical storage in 2046. National Grid Electric System Operator, 2023, FES in Five, p. 10.
3. Material Matters exhibition shows new batteries and pressure sensors developed from tyre wear particles – https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/news/6520/material-matters-exhibition-shows-new-batteries-and-pressure-sensors-developed-from-tyre-wear-particles/
4. Upcycling plastic waste into high-capacity sodium-battery anodes – https://imperial.tech/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/11601_upcycling_plastic_waste_anodes_pub_MAY24.pdf

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Drax has reached agreement for the sale of up to 90,000 Small & Medium-sized (SME) customer meter points from Opus Energy Group Limited (Opus) to EDF Energy Customers Limited.

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O-I Glass and GridBeyond plan to implement a groundbreaking battery storage solution at O-I’s Alloa, UK facility. The innovative 8MW battery system and supporting energy management system (EMS) leverages artificial intelligence to significantly enhance energy efficiency, resilience and sustainability.

“Our energy strategy is grounded in resilience, innovation, and transformation, to embrace cutting-edge solutions that are scalable and sustainable,” said Randy Burns, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer for O-I.

By strategically charging and discharging the battery based on grid conditions, GridBeyond’s AI-powered system helps to stabilise the local electricity grid during peak periods, increases O-I’s resilience against brownouts, and improves the grid’s efficiency and sustainability. It allows charging during times of high renewable energy availability and discharging energy to the site at peak hours of demand. With this approach, O-I is projected to conserve up to 240 tons of CO₂ emissions annually at the Alloa facility once the project is operational.

The sophisticated battery management algorithm also helps to maintain a smaller overall footprint of the grid as it smooths out the load during peak hours.

In addition, the battery system will increase power resiliency at the Alloa plant by balancing voltage dips on site and helping to prevent production equipment from tripping out.

“We are supporting O-I’s global sustainability strategy by leveraging localized product and process innovations to transform our operations,” said Jim Rankine, O-I’s UK Managing Director. “From our use of second-generation biofuels, derived entirely from renewable waste materials to leveraging AI to maximise energy efficiency, we are taking a holistic approach to achieving balance across our stakeholder ecosystem.”

“Through its AI platform, GridBeyond is a key player in supporting businesses’ energy transition and helping to deliver net zero. We are extremely proud of working with O-I and use our expertise to support the company to deliver a sustainable future,” commented Michael Phelan, CEO at GridBeyond.

As part of O-I’s vision to be the most sustainable, and chosen, supplier of brand-building packaging, the company aims to reduce GHG emissions by 25% by 2030. To learn more about O-I’s sustainable packaging for wine and its global vision for sustainability, visit the company’s website.

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GridBeyond will be delivering BESS solutions to Keppel DC Dublin 1 and 2, which are located at City West and Ballycoolin, Ireland respectively. The two data centres are owned by Keppel DC REIT, a Singapore listed pure-play data centre REIT.

The BESS at the two data centres will provide additional flexible capacity to the power system. By adding this flexible capacity, the BESS will help integrate more renewable energy sources into the energy mix and support the grid in times of stress for the benefit of all consumers. This will also add 8MW of flexible capacity to the grid ahead of the winter peak demand period.

The project includes the installation and management of a 2 x 2MW/2.2MWh battery at the Citywest site and a 4MW/6.1MWh battery at the Ballycoolin site. GridBeyond will manage the flexibility of the sites by connecting the batteries to its AI-powered energy technology platform, GridBeyond Point. Power from the batteries will be discharged in response to instructions from the grid operator to provide green power during times of grid stress. Historically, during times of grid stress, generation facilities, often carbon-intensive, are brought online to balance the grid. By capturing excess renewable energy from renewable sources that would otherwise be wasted the BESS will be able to provide lower carbon flexibility to the system when required.

It is also estimated that the installation of the two batteries at the two data centres will deliver a reduction of 240,000kg of CO₂ per year, further advancing the two companies’ net zero agenda.

GridBeyond Regional Director for Ireland Denver Blemings said, “This project shows how data centres can play a bigger role in the energy transition. It’s great to see companies, like Keppel DC REIT, use demand response programmes to support the grid and use renewable energies in the delivery of their activities”.

Gary Watson, Country Manager (Ireland) of Keppel DC REIT, said, “Leveraging this partnership with GridBeyond, Keppel DC REIT’s is able to take another step towards our 2030 net zero targets. We will also explore other ways to increase the use of renewable energy, such as installing on-site solar, to bolster our efforts to decarbonise our operations.”

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Railpen, formerly known as RPMI, runs the railways’ pensions schemes on behalf of its parent, the Railways Pension Trustee Company Limited. It manages £34 billion of assets on behalf of over 350,000 members.

Its investment will support AGR in achieving its target of putting over 500MW of high quality renewable assets into operation by 2029.

Railpen has committed to invest in AGR’s near-term UK solar, battery energy storage system (BESS), and greenhouse projects.    Its backing will enable construction before 2026 of 160MWp of solar arrays, of 150MW in BESS, as well as AGR’s second sustainable greenhouse.

London-based AGR was co-founded in 2011 by Oliver Breidt.

Besides bringing forward onshore wind projects in the UK and northern Ireland under the Feed-in Tariff, plus solar farms across southern England & Ireland, it is known for one of Britain’s biggest and most technologically advanced greenhouses, the Fenland Greenhouse near Ely, Cambridgeshire, pictured above.

The project spans 22 hectares and produces over 2.5 million vegetables every week at peak output. The complex is powered through a combination of water-sourced heat pumps and CHP gas engines, coupled with a back-up boiler. Fenland I greenhouse spans 60Ha and produces over 2.5 million cucumbers per week. The project was initiated in 2021 as a standalone greenfield development and delivered to Greencoat Capital, part of Schroder’s Capital, in 2022.

For Railpen, its AGR investment reflects its commitment to investing in infrastructure, including directing £500m to UK energy projects since 2019. The company will be represented on the AGR board by Lewis Vanstone and Cristiana Dochioiu. AGR’s co-founder Oliver Breidt will remain as group director.

Breidt said: “I’m incredibly pleased to announce our partnership with Railpen in what is a landmark move for us. Railpen’s investment and reputation will help propel AGR into new territories and technologies, including our 1GW pipeline in Italy, and see us expanding our presence in Germany and into further agricultural assets.

“I’m very pleased to be working with Lewis and Cristiana who bring with them a wealth of experience. This will be a transformative chapter for AGR and our mission.”

Dochioiu, investment manager at Railpen added: “AGR’s approach to sustainable infrastructure development and investment matches Railpen’s ethos for sustainability and providing essential infrastructure to the UK.

“We are excited to work with the AGR team and Oliver to further develop the pipeline at AGR and drive positive change through our investment portfolio, building the critical infrastructure needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero. Railpen’s scale and long-term approach makes us an ideal partner for AGR’s ambitions to enhance energy and food security in the UK and Europe.”

Railpen were advised by parties including CMS for legal services, Grant Thornton on financial and tax and Willis Towers Watson on insurance. AGR were advised by lawyers Eversheds Sutherland.

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The £300 million funding round was led by the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) and multinational energy leviathan Centrica, supported by investors including Rio Tinto, Goldman Sachs, KIRKBI and Mosaic Capital.

The investment will enable the construction of one of the world’s largest long duration energy storage (LDES) facilities in Carrington, Manchester, using Highview’s proprietary LAES technology.

Once complete, Carrington – otherwise known as the location for Manchester United’s training complex – will have a capacity of 300MWh and an output power of 50MW per hour for six hours.

Construction begins on the site now.  Full operation is scheduled for early 2026. Over 700 jobs will be supported during construction and in the plant’s supply chain.

UKIB’s investment reflects its ambition to direct private finance to help new technologies reach commercial scale, as they aid Britain’s transition to Net Zero.

With its £70 million investment, Centrica comes on board as Highview Power’s strategic partner, supporting both Carrington & an accelerated roll-out of the firm’s technology elsewhere in the UK.

Highview believes its programme sets the bar for storage energy systems around the world, raising Britain to global leadership in energy storage and managing grid flexibility.

Highview Power is now at work planning four even bigger LAES plants elsewhere in Britain. The 2.5 GWh facilities, funded with an anticipated future £3 billion, will ensure a fast roll-out of the technology to align with the nation’s LDES (long duration energy storage) goals enabling the ESO’s Future Energy Scenario plans.

Highview Power has developed its LAES technology over 17 years. The technology can store renewable electricity for as much as several weeks, longer than electro-chemical batteries. The company says it is ready to be rolled out at scale, at key grid chokepoints.

Stability services to the National Grid including system balancing, feature among Highview’s business offers, speeding the redundancy of despatchable fossil fuelled power to manage demand volatility.

More manageable storage curbs curtailment costs, too. Last year British bill payers were caught on a £800 million hook, as stilled wind farms claimed compensation simply because the NG was too full to accept their low carbon output.

Highview Power seeks completion by 2035 of its larger UK installations, timed to meet one National Grid scenario of 2GW needed from LAES. That figure would represent nearly 20% of Britain’s energy storage for longer than two hours.

“There is no energy transition without storage” declared Richard Butland, pictured, Highview’s co-founder & CEO.

 “The UK’s investment in world-leading offshore wind & renewables requires a national long-duration storage programme to capture excess wind and support the grid’s transformation.

“UKIB, Centrica and our other partners are backing Highview’s ambitions to bring renewable energy storage into Britain’s economy at scale, liberating the potential of what is both the greenest and by far our cheapest energy source.

Centrica group chief executive Chris O’Shea enthused: “The energy transition is an opportunity that could transform lives. But with the UK’s changing energy mix, and more intermittency from renewables, we have to explore new, innovative ways to store energy so our customers have electricity available when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine”.

Greater Manchester’s mayor Andy Burnham weighed in too. “My vision is for Greater Manchester to be a leader in the green transition. Highview Power’s decision to build one of the world’s largest long duration energy storage facilities at Carrington is a huge boost for the region.

“This new plant will deliver renewable energy to homes and business across our region and bring world-leading technology, jobs, skills and investment to Greater Manchester. I’m delighted to welcome Highview Power”, Burnham declared.

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Earlier this year, North Tyneside-based Business Energy Claims (BEC) hit the headlines after helping recover more than £14,000 for a small amusement arcade business after energy provider Engie was found liable for failing to disclose the commission a broker was making from the contract.

The groundbreaking ruling against Engie opened the floodgates for further claims from businesses which have found themselves in a similar position – but this appears to be just the tip of the iceberg.

The mis-selling of energy contracts scandal appears to be far more than just a problem with unscrupulous brokers. Instead, it’s a multi-faceted issue, according to Callum Thompson, the managing director at BEC and Energy Solicitors (ESL).

ESL is a dedicated law firm which works in partnership with sister organisation Business Energy Claims (BEC) to support businesses affected by mis-sold energy contracts.

As the only company with specialist business energy consultancy knowledge, ESL’s  experienced team has an unrivalled level of expertise and specialises specifically in energy-related disputes.

Thompson is concerned that many people still won’t know they could have a claim, and he and his colleagues are on a mission to ensure businesses that have experienced any kind of unscrupulous behaviour from intermediaries or commercial energy suppliers get the opportunity to redress the situation.

“The business energy landscape can be quite complex, or certainly it is often made that way for the customer so they struggle to understand exactly what they are paying for,” Thompson said. “This can lead to things such as mis-selling and overcharging for instance.

“This whole thing is a huge minefield and every day we are hearing from people who’ve been heavily impacted and more often than not don’t realise it’s happened.

“Business owners may not have the time or knowledge to fully understand the energy industry and many could face issues that might impact their business, whether that be undisclosed commission, being pursued by brokers for lost commission, energy overcharging and the threat of data breaches.”

So what pitfalls should small businesses owners be looking for?

Recently the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced how businesses will soon have access to free support to resolve issues with energy contracts as part of government and Ofgem changes to tackle hidden fees, issues and mis-sold services.

Thompson, however, points out this is by no means a panacea. “While I think everyone welcomed this move, there is still a massive group of businesses who won’t fit the bill to benefit from this,” he said.

“There are a number of people who won’t be able to use this service (based on historic cases) which means there’s a gap there which isn’t being addressed – that’s where we can step in.”

Another big issue centres around protection of sensitive data. Following a rise in the number of energy suppliers and brokers going bust in recent years, there has been an increase in data breaches.

“When this happened, we saw a lot of people being automatically switched to different suppliers which has, in some circumstances, led to some data breaches, ” said Thompson.

“We’re certainly seeing more calls for us to step in to help defend these data breach claims at the moment and it’s something that is potentially very frightening for people.

“Nobody wants to imagine their data has fallen into the wrong hands and it can lead to all kinds of problems so it’s something we find a lot of people are, quite rightfully, very concerned about.”

The BEC team has also noted a lot more enquiries about revenue recovery over the last 12 months.

This is a process of energy firms pursuing businesses for alleged lost revenue, representing the sum of commission they say that they would have earned for contracts that were due to go live, but subsequently didn’t.

It’s something which has risen in prominence particularly over the last 12 months, as Thompson explained: “Sometimes energy contracts won’t go as initially planned or often someone doesn’t take up a contract which a broker has recommended and that can result in a broker calling in a debt resolution service to recover the money they think they’re owed.

“There are many other reasons why these kinds of disputes can arise but they can have a detrimental impact on the person or business involved. A key area of concern for us is that we have a growing number of businesses being pursued by brokers for lost commissions.”

Additionally, high pressure sales tactics continue to come under fire, as many businesses continue to fall victim.

“Customers feeling like they’ve pushed into an agreement is a recurring theme. Typically, smaller businesses will have someone looking after their energy but often, due to the pressure on them to secure the best deal, they can be pushed down a certain route when they don’t have all the correct information to hand.

“We see so many examples of people being pressured into a contract that may not be the best one for them.

“There are many other areas where we have been able to help clients, things like threats of disconnection and other areas including mis-selling or misrepresentation.

“There are many pitfalls and issues that can affect small businesses, so it’s vital to know your rights and what you could be entitled to if you have, or believe you may have, been mis-sold or misrepresented in your energy contract.

“We have helped hundreds of businesses across the country win compensation. We offer a no win no fee structure because we understand the challenging environment many smaller and medium businesses find themselves in. Energy and other bills are high enough for businesses already struggling, without the added challenge of being overcharged or mis-sold.

“It’s really simple to access our support on https://businessenergyclaims.co.uk/ or https://energysolicitors.co.uk/ .

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To delve into the current state and future prospects of this dynamic market, in this article GridBeyond’s Head of Origination, Neil Garland sheds light on the remarkable growth and evolution of corporate PPAs, the driving forces behind their adoption, and the emerging trends shaping the future of renewable energy agreements. He discusses the intricacies of the regulatory environment, the various models in use, and the innovative technologies that are revolutionising the sector.

Q: Can you provide an overview of the current state of corporate PPAs in Great Britain and Ireland? How have these markets evolved in recent years?

A: The PPA market in UK and Ireland is going from strength to strength. Not only has the number of deals significantly increased, but there has also been a shift in terms of who is doing them. In 2023, c~80% of all deals done (at the larger end) were by corporates with utility suppliers well in the minority. But as the market continues to mature, terms and conditions are becoming more standardised (although no truly standard CPPA exists as of yet), which means that the time taken to negotiate such contracts is gradually reducing.

Q: What is the future outlook for corporate PPAs in GB and Ireland? Are there any emerging trends or technologies that could significantly impact this market?

A: If the contracting process continues to simplify, I predict that we’ll not only see the number of CPPAs being secured increase exponentially, we’ll also see the contracted volume (i.e. in MWh) in CPPAs reduce. If the barriers to entry ease, this should make getting a CPPA more viable to smaller generators and corporate buyers.

As the cost of battery energy storage systems (BESS) continues to fall, we’re seeing an increasing number of collocated projects and hybrid CPPA’s (e.g. solar PV and BESS). Not only can BESS open doors to an wider range of revenue sources (e.g. Capacity Market, Firm Frequency Response and Balancing Reserve), but it can also be used to provide a more tailored export profile to a corporate buyer, by storing excess generation and discharging it when needed.

Q: What are the primary drivers behind the increasing adoption of corporate PPAs in GB and Ireland? Are there specific industry sectors leading this trend?

A: More and more businesses are coming to understand the inherent value of CPPAs. Whilst the majority will be using them as a tool attempt to deliver their net zero strategies, a significant number see value in being able to fix a proportion of their energy volume.

Energy costs can be highly volatile, influenced by fluctuating fossil fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainties. By entering into CPPAs, companies can lock in a portion of their energy costs at a fixed rate for the medium to long term, providing financial predictability and shielding themselves from market volatility. This stability is particularly appealing to large energy consumers who seek to manage their operational costs more effectively.

Additionally, corporate reputation and brand image are influential factors. Consumers and clients are increasingly favouring businesses that demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship. Companies that lead in renewable energy adoption can enhance their brand value and differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

In terms of industry sectors driving this trend, technology companies, financial services, and retailers are at the forefront. Technology firms, such as data centres and cloud service providers, are major energy consumers with a vested interest in sustainable practices to offset their significant carbon footprints. Financial services companies are also prominent, often driven by investor expectations and corporate social responsibility mandates. Retailers, meanwhile, are motivated by both customer expectations and the substantial energy demands of their operations, including logistics and large physical store networks.

Q: What are the most common types of PPAs being utilised in GB and Ireland (e.g., physical vs. virtual PPAs)? What factors influence the choice between these options?

A: The virtual/financial CPPA model is most prevalent in Ireland, whilst there is a more even split between virtual and physical sleeved CPPAs in GB.

In my opinion, the key factor businesses need to consider when deciding which model best suits them, is they are happy to commit to the additional reporting obligations that financial derivative contracts require.

Q: Can you discuss the typical pricing structures and contract terms seen in corporate PPAs in GB and Ireland? How do these compare to other regions?

A: Pricing structures and terms in GB and Ireland are broadly similar to other deregulated markets across the globe (including US and EU states). These structures and terms are broadly designed to balance the financial and operational needs of both energy producers and corporate buyers, while also promoting the adoption of renewable energy.

Typically new-build assets will require a long-term contract (i.e. 10 year plus) with a guaranteed price for generation and any associated benefits. Existing assets may be more open to shorter-term contracts and/or variable prices on account of having already made their return on investment.

Q: How do companies manage the risks associated with long-term PPAs, such as price volatility and counterparty risk? Are there specific strategies or tools commonly used?

A: Having two parties willing to agree a fixed price for the full term of the CPPA. This fixed pricing mechanism provides insulation against market fluctuations, ensuring that the costs remain predictable for the volume supplied under the agreement.

There are several tools commonly employed for the purposes of managing counter-party risk, these include conducting thorough credit checks, provision of an Investment-grade Letter of Credit (LOC), Parent Company Guarantee (PCG), holding collateral in a bank account or securing credit insurance or a surety bond. By employing these strategies and tools, companies can effectively manage the risks associated with long-term PPAs, ensuring financial stability and minimising exposure to potential market and counterparty uncertainties.

Q: Which renewable energy sources (e.g. wind, solar) are most commonly featured in corporate PPAs in GB and Ireland? What drives the preference for certain types of renewable energy?

A: CPPAs allow businesses to lower their overall emissions by arranging long-term supply agreements directly from renewable or low-carbon energy sources and increases the proportion of renewable power in an organisation’s energy mix. This supports corporate social responsibility and sustainability goals, reduces the need to purchase carbon permits and can also result in a commercial and reputational advantage.

The most common type of renewable energy featured in CPPAs secured in UK and Ireland is solar, followed closely by onshore wind. There is a strong preference for some buyers to secure electricity from what they consider to be “true green” sources. This is over other forms of certifiably renewable power such as anaerobic digestion, biomass and energy-from-waste.

Q: What are the main challenges and barriers that companies face when negotiating and implementing PPAs in GB and Ireland? How can these be overcome?

A: Credit, term and price.

When it comes to credit, not all buyers are able to satisfy the “investment grade” credit rating requirement (usually least “BBB+” or higher from S&P/Fitch or Baa1 or above from Moody’s.). Whilst there may be some flexibility offered by renewable electricity developers, an alternative solution for buyers is to contract with smaller and/or existing assets where the credit requirements may be less stringent.

Some companies are not comfortable with contracting for a 5/10/15 year term, although this is often a requirement when attempting to source from new build (‘additional’) assets. A solution for buyers is to contract with smaller and/or existing assets where a shorter-term deal may be possible.

Agreeing a satisfactory price for both parties can make or break a negotiation. If the developer of a new build asset doesn’t secure the minimum price he/she needs to meet their investment requirement, the project may not go ahead. Whilst the project should be priced on it’s own merits (technology, scale, additionality, profile and term), it still needs to be competitive versus the wholesale electricity market in order to attract buyers. CPPAs are often inflation-linked (e.g. CPI), meaningly that the developer can recover additional value throughout the term of the contract, even if they have to accept a lower power price initially.

Neil has worked in the energy industry for 16 years, including holding senior energy procurement positions at Hovis, JLR and Aggregate Industries, and as a retailer/consultant with time at e.on, ENER-G, Mitie, and most recently as Origination Manager at Good Energy.

At GridBeyond, Neil provides a link between renewables generators and energy buyers, supporting our clients in navigating the PPA market, identifying the most appropriate counterparties and ensuring that they receive the best revenues and savings from their agreements.

Q: How does the regulatory landscape in GB and Ireland impact the structuring and execution of corporate PPAs? Are there significant differences between the two regions?

A: Whilst the UK and Irish electricity markets have a lot of common due to their shared history, there are some still challenges that exist, particularly concerning Northern Ireland. Renewable generation plants in NI are eligible, like the rest of the UK, to receive Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) for the power that they produce. Unlike plants in England, Scotland and Wales though, they are not connected to the National Grid and instead they are connected to Ireland’s Single Electricity Market (I-SEM). Ultimately, this makes the process of contracting (and sharing the benefits) between generators in NI and buyers in the rest of the UK or ROI more complicated.

You can download GridBeyond’s White Paper entitled Introduction to Corporate Power Purchase Agreements here. 

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Working with Lewes-based prize-winning co-operative Community Energy South (CES), the money from UK Power Networks will help as many as 20 community organisations & charities with grants of at least £50,000 in support of bill-payers in peril of falling behind in the nation’s transition to Net Zero.

UKPN believes energy groups including co-operatives play a key role in supporting vulnerable customers. This work will put boots on the ground, helping pay for local jobs for local people, towards a goal of reaching 20,000 people and conducting over 1,200 in-person home visits.

An award-winning not-for-profit consultancy providing mentoring to speed growth in the community energy sector, Community Energy South (CES) has been awarded funds to enlist and support the participating groups in delivering the work. This partnership will be crucial in ensuring the right support is established in the right places across London, the East and South East of England.

Six community energy groups are already on board and working on plans to recruit and expand their energy advice services. More groups will be coming online for the second phase starting in September.

Suleman Alli, UKPN’s director of finance & customer service, said: “We’re extremely proud to be able to support the impactful work of community energy groups across the areas we serve. We hope this funding boost will make a meaningful difference to those in our community and provide our customers with support and guidance to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero.”

CES will provide fully funded bespoke training for new recruits to become ‘energy champions’, now a sought-after career opportunity within the community energy sector.

One energy champion already working in the area said: “I enjoy visiting homes and meeting people and being able to help them with ideas on how they can improve their home and spend less money – and help the environment too. It’s a win win! The training gave me the knowledge and confidence to be able to go out to people’s homes and talk to them about saving energy. The support from the leaders and wider group has been brilliant for when something different crops up.”

CES chief executive Ollie Pendered said: “This is a groundbreaking moment for the community energy sector.

“The intrinsic value of all the hard work by thousands of volunteers across the country has been recognised, and through this campaign up to 20 community energy groups will have the opportunity to receive funding to create local job opportunities and deliver their energy saving campaigns within their communities. This is an extraordinary development and one we thank UK Power Networks for enabling.”

CES has previously worked with UKPN on their Energy Smart Communities  social venture, enabling infrastructure development to leave a lasting legacy which builds more resilient communities.

With a showcase project in the capital’s Leicester Square theatreland, Energy Smart Communities looks at innovative ways to develop community energy projects, raises awareness and provides support for those in fuel poverty and improves knowledge and skills in sustainable living through educational programmes with partners.

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The Danes today confirmed their investment go-ahead to co-locate the 300MW/600MWh storage system, among Europe’s largest, on the Norfolk site.  No cash value was disclosed.

Commissioning the devices is timetabled for late 2026. Co-locating both facilities will minimise disruption during construction and later during operations.

At 600MWh, the Tesla-built battery will host clean wind power in quantities enough to power a nominal 80,000 homes.

Ørsted sees gargantuan coulomb crèches like Swardeston as natural partners for its 12 wind farms now generating in British waters.

The company has 660MW/1,850MWh of batteries either under construction or already in service across the UK and US.  Over 2GW of further amp hotels are in various stages of development in the same regions, plus Ireland.

The departing Sunak administration intended to multiply the nation’s present offshore generation capacity fourfold by 2030, reaching 50GW.  In their manifesto due tomorrow, Labour are expected honour that target.

Duncan Clark, Ørsted’s boss in UK & Ireland, said: “The Swardeston battery will help ensure renewable energy is used in the best possible way by storing it when demand is lower and then releasing it back into the system when really needed. This maximises the potential of renewable energy whilst providing increased energy security and value to consumers. “

Mike Snyder, Megapack senior director at battery providers Tesla, said: “We are excited to be part of this industry-leading project with an exceptional partner. This project demonstrates the value and flexibility of Tesla’s best-in-class power electronics, providing enhanced grid stability and enabling more renewables on the grid.”

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As the number of electric vehicles and battery-powered devices increases, the partnership brings together Enva’s nationwide collection infrastructure and extensive relationships with car dealerships, along with Altilium’s expertise in the recycling of old EV batteries and recovery of critical materials, including lithium.

Altilium’s proprietary EcoCathode process converts end-of-life EV batteries and manufacturing scrap into sustainable battery precursors, cathode active materials (CAM) and cathode precursor (pCAM) for direct reuse in new batteries.

Across its 38 sites in Britain & Ireland, Enva deploys latest technologies to recover as many valuable secondary materials as possible from industrial scrap.

Under the agreement, Enva and Altilium will work together to explore initiatives including the safe collection of EV batteries from across the UK for recycling using the EcoCathode process.

Using advanced hydrometallurgical recycling processes, Altilium can recover over 95% of the battery metals, in a format that can be directly reused in the production of new batteries.

The arrangement benefits Altilium by removing the need to set up its own collections, and in supplying relationships with waste producers and automotive OEMs.

The partnership will also provide feed Altilium’s intended Teesside refinery. Coded as ACT 4, Teesside is planned as Britain’s only depot refining lithium ion to battery-ready Cathode Active Materials (CAM), of high enough quality for direct re-use in making new batteries. Teesside will be big enough to recycle batteries from 150,000 EVs every year, producing 30,000 tonnes of CAM, enough to meet 20% of Britain’s expected demand as this decade ends.

Michael Sneath, head of Enva’s batteries division, commented: “Expert handling and storage of this potentially hazardous material is paramount.

“This collaboration will solve an emerging problem for our customers, enhancing the UK’s recycling capabilities and contributing to the circular economy by transforming used batteries into valuable raw materials for new batteries.”

His counterpart at Altilium, Rod Savage responded: “By leveraging Enva’s collection network and our processing expertise, we aim to set a new standard in battery recycling, ensuring maximum recovery of materials and supporting the growth of the EV market in an environmentally responsible way.”

Before the early 2030s, over 100 million EV batteries worldwide are expected to end their working lives.  By recycling Britain’s share within our borders, Altilium & Enva intend that valuable resources remain in the UK supply chain.

Altilium is the UK’s only company in upcycling old EV material to produce high nickel CAM for direct re-use in new powerpacks. Its proprietary EcoCathode process results in a 60% reduction in carbon emissions and 20% lower costs compared to virgin materials.

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Backed by investment group Eurazeo, the seven year old start-up operates services including microgrid trading of clean power generated on office campuses & industrial estates up and down the country.  Linking generating commercial tenants to consuming companies in neighbouring or adjacent premises is a key offering.

UrbanChain’s founders Somayeh Taheri and Mo Hajhashem, pictured, described the licence grant as a major milestone. It permits UC Energy Ltd to supply to non-domestic premises, elevating the quality of its product array offering to customers, while ensuring more control for its generator clients.

The two originators met at Manchester University and launched Urban Chain in 2017. It is based on the city’s Science Park.

Chief operating officer Mo said: “Obtaining our electricity supply licence from Ofgem ranks extremely high, as you have to pass a very rigorous due diligence process. It’s a major turning point for us.”

“This step will enable us to step up our ability to offer customers a real traceable choice of energy and advance UrbanChain’s plans for granular ESG ( – environmental, societal & governance  – ) tracking.”

UrbanChain’s deeptech platform for peer-to-peer energy exchange uses integrated smart contracts and machine learning to match generators of renewable energy and consumers on a half hourly basis – resulting in secure energy prices and secure physical flows for energy generators.

Local government organisations, companies from across the private sector, generators of renewable energy, energy suppliers and domestic households all trade within the regulated platform.

Two months ago, the company allied with business supplier Equans & Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council to create a virtual power plant (VPP) across council-owned buildings & homes on the West Midlands authority’s Brockmoor estate.

Reacting to Ofgem’s licence grant, the recipient’s portfolio director Garry Pickering explained:

“With UrbanChain now an official energy supplier, it ensures we have full control of our peer-to-peer matching process which enables greater security for generators of renewable energy.

“We will also have clearer transparency on data flows and it will allow us to roll out a new suite of products, ensuring generators have true choice in where their generation goes.”

UrbanChain employs 30 people. This month it revealed it is gearing up for a Series B funding round push towards the end of this year.

It follows last year’s successful raising of £5.25 million, led by Eurazeo.  Further backing comes at present from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and Innovate UK.

Somayeh Taheri, UrbanChain CEO, said: “We started UrbanChain with a mission to alleviate fuel poverty and to fix a broken inefficient energy market model.

“Our social responsibility values haven’t wavered and we see ourselves as more than a platform or an energy exchange, our role is to create communities.

“Renewable energy is not just for the well off and we are tackling this. Our goal is to connect as many generators as possible to their regional communities and local businesses.

“Peer-to-peer energy exchange is a choice in itself and if we can help all parts of society become renewable prosumers then we are succeeding in our core missions.”

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Believed to be the biggest deal of its kind in the world, the contract will connect just over 50% of GRID’s large-scale batteries to Octopus’ technology platform Kraken.   Kraken’s unique AI and machine learning optimisation will charge GRID’s batteries at times of renewable energy glut and discharge them when Britain’s National Grid is under stress.

Such intelligent flexibility reduces wasteful instances of ‘curtailment’ or jettisoning cheap clean power when too much electricity – both low carbon & thermal – swamps Britain’s  transmission  & distribution networks.

‘Curtailment’ left UK energy bill payers with a staggering £800 million of costs in 2022.

Launched in 2018, Gresham House is the largest battery investment fund in the UK, owning around one-fifth of UK utility-scale storage. Octopus will take over half of GRID’s British-based large-scale battery fleet for the next two years.

Those 14 large-scale amp hotels & coulomb crèches can store in excess of 900MWh of electricity  – enough to power 1 million homes for an hour, or a city the size of Birmingham.

Its deal with Gresham House follows hot on the heels of Octopus reaching 1GW worth of shiftable load – the largest virtual power plant in the UK – through its electric vehicle (EV) tariff, Intelligent Octopus Go.

The supplier’s head of flexibility Kieron Stopforth said: “Every year the UK loses hundreds of gigawatt-hours of clean energy because our system isn’t flexible enough to keep it – PLUS have to pay for this senseless waste.

“Batteries unlock the clean and cheap energy system, storing green energy when it’s plentiful and providing it back to the grid when energy is expensive – and work even better with brilliant tech to manage that optimisation,

“Through this landmark deal with Gresham House Energy Storage Fund, we’re not only increasing the size of our virtual power plant to over 1.5GW, we’re also unlocking the power of flexibility, aiming to drive down grid costs.”

Ben Guest, fund manager of Gresham House Energy Storage Fund plc & MD of Gresham House New Energy, said: “These new contracts with Octopus Energy secure revenues which are above those currently being achieved in the national market, demonstrating the value batteries can provide in balancing supply and demand for retail and wholesale market players.”

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The introduction of this larger European fleet of small, mid- and large-size BESS forms part of Aggreko’s Greener Upgrades initiative, which is aimed at supporting customers move to greener solutions. In 2023, Aggreko Europe invested over $140m in its Greener Upgrades portfolio, increasing its fleet of new steam boilers, Stage V generators, battery storage, oil free air compressors and chillers.

As companies look to reduce their emissions in line with net zero targets and strategies, the ability to draw on temporary solutions that enable them to navigate the energy transition, balancing the need for resilience with economic viability. Being able to adopt this technology will enable the organisations to balance their power use and improve flexibility as they introduce more renewable power provision to their sites.

Rodrigo Salim, Head of Product Line – Battery & Energy Storage at Aggreko said, “Many industries are making their transition to renewable power, and within that must balance intermittency and the skills gap. By consulting closely with customers and providing greener solutions like BESS in a rental capacity, we can help unlock opportunities for our customers so they can scale up their own decarbonisation efforts.”

Whether using a battery solution in a hybrid set-up or on their own, Aggreko says the enhanced BESS fleet will help in reducing emissions, lower NOx fuel consumption and help to solve capacity constraints and provide off-grid power resilience as part of a decentralised energy solution.

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Traditional compressed air filters are only 60-80% efficient, even when they are operating at optimum performance levels, and can be overwhelmed with contaminants quickly as their disposable internal elements become less effective over time.

Expel has been engineered using Computational Fluid Dynamics and does not require any replacement filter elements, ensuring that its performance will not fall below 99.999%. It does not need servicing and is virtually maintenance free. And although cleaning is not necessary, the Expel is fully cleanable and reusable if required.

Installing Expel filters can reduce downtime as pneumatic equipment will not fail because of moisture and solid particulates in the compressed air lines. Expel can also increase the efficiency of sites by providing superior equipment protection. In addition, it can reduce the cost of replacement equipment as it facilitates clean and liquid free compressed air that extends the life of pneumatic equipment. It also reduces energy costs by providing a consistently low pressure drop.

An additional benefit of the product is that in some instances it can be used to replace both air dryers and refrigerant dryers. This offers multiple cost-saving benefits as the product does not require electricity or any other consumables to operate and is guaranteed to remove all liquid water at the point of use. The units can also be used alongside refrigerant dryers and desiccant dryers acting as a failsafe and ensuring critical pneumatic equipment is always protected.

The range of Expel units conform to ISO 12 500 standards and operate with flow rates up to 100cfm, port sizes from ¼” to 2” and operating pressures from 1 to 15bar. The ground-breaking performance of Expel is reinforced by a 10-year guarantee offered on every unit.

For full technical details visit: https://ow.ly/6noo50RvQrk

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