UK Power Networks, a distribution network operator for electricity covering the South East, East of England, and London, is investing in a new fleet of nine hybrid battery-engine generators supplying cleaner and quieter power supplies to homes during electricity maintenance.
The company’s design, developed in partnership with Aquafuel Research, is programmed to charge in the daytime, when background noise is higher, and run silently at night, lowering carbon emissions, noise pollution, particulates, and the need to refuel.
The hybrid battery-engine generators emit 71% less carbon dioxide compared to diesel generators and reduce fuel consumption by 71%. The company projects this initial investment will save up to 68 tonnes of CO2 every year.
This development covers three models, enabling generators to be used across a number of scenarios. The 12kVA 30kWh battery generators can power two homes for up to three days without burning any diesel, the 60kva / 30kWh generators can serve five houses for a day, and there is a 6kVA / 12kWh battery version for individual properties and traffic lights.
Gary Marjoram, UK Power Networks’ Hybrid Battery-Engines Project Lead, says, “The biggest impact will be on customer service because in the occasional event of a power cut, we can restore power to homes using a cleaner and quieter temporary power source.
“Our new hybrid generators demonstrate our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and customer service. Combining engine and battery units on a single, compact trailer has created a greener, efficient, and versatile power supply during essential network maintenance.”
Paul Day, CEO of Aquafuel Research, comments, “We’re proud to work with UK Power Networks on these bespoke new hybrid generator designs, which optimise fuel consumption and reduce pollution and engine noise. UK Power Networks is leading the industry in partnering with us to develop these unique integrated hybrids, incorporating our British-made batteries, software, and controls. Crucially, these were developed with the UK Power Networks operations teams who are at the sharp end of responding to faults and keeping the power on for customers. The single-trailer design simplifies transportation and refuelling and means they’re easy to use whenever they’re needed.”
The project was built on findings from UK Power Networks’ Cleaner Engines innovation project, which tested alternative-fuels in hybrid electricity generators.
Working across the supply chain, ‘UK Power Networks Environmental Action Plan’ has a core aim to minimise the environmental impact of temporary generators used to restore electricity supplies after storms, power cuts, and during essential maintenance.
UK Power Networks was the first Distribution Network Operator in Great Britain to have its wider carbon targets validated by the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi). These were recently upgraded to a 1.5°C target for all direct scope 1 and 2 emissions, plus a Well Below 2°C target for its supply chain scope 3 emissions. This also included a long-term net zero target of 2040.
The firm has also made a separate commitment in the RIIO-ED2 business plan to achieve net zero for its directly-controlled business carbon footprint emissions by 2028 and aims to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from its fleet and generators by 33% by December 2030.
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