Newcastle-based Connected Energy’s innovative battery storage system has been given a competitive boost after receiving specialist input from a support programme designed to help north east companies to develop electricity grid-related technology.
Connected Energy worked with UK grid experts newtonhillsolarfarm to achieve the latest G99 compliance for its innovative E-STOR battery system. The support came as part of the Grid Connection Support Series, a programme run by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult designed to provide business support for companies seeking to grow and innovate across grid-related products and services.
With more renewable energy power entering the grid, combined with the phasing out of old generators, companies with technologies that meets the latest standards are better prepared for the complex requirements of the modern grid. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the free-to-access Grid Connection Support Series will run until 2020, providing masterclasses, innovation challenges and direct business support to better prepare the UK supply chain for future grid connection challenges.
William Hair of Connected Energy said:
The help from the Grid Connection Support Series was invaluable. It has allowed us to access world-leading knowledge in the UK grid, which ensures our products comply with all of the latest regulations as the UK electricity grid transitions from G59 to G99.
Bryan Dixon of newtonhillsolarfarm said:
Supporting battery manufacturers is vital, the UK electricity grid requires significant amounts of storage to ensure that the UK can transition to 100% renewables. Connected Energy are one of the few UK-based battery manufacturers of this scale, and it is incredibly important to us to support UK innovation in renewables and storage.
Ravneet Kaur, Innovation Manager at ORE Catapult said:
This is a great example of the Grid Connection Support Series delivering for a UK SME, enabling them to become more competitive as a result. The Series provides great opportunities for companies to advance low carbon technology, research and innovation and I’d like to see more businesses take advantage of this opportunity.
For more information on the Grid Connection Support Series, visit https://ore.catapult.org.uk/stories/egrid/.
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Notes to Editors
About the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
ORE Catapult was established in 2013 by the UK Government and is one of a network of Catapults set up by Innovate UK in high growth industries. It is the UK’s leading innovation centre for offshore renewable energy and helps to reduce the cost of offshore renewable energy, supporting the growth of the industry and creating UK benefit.
eGrid project
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult is upgrading its research infrastructure through the installation of a grid emulation system, named ‘eGrid’, located at the National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland. The project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020.
As a result, the Grid Connection Support Series, incorporating the Future of Energy Systems Masterclasses, is offering business support services and assistance to UK SMEs seeking to grow and innovate in grid connection products and services, at no cost to participating companies.
newtonhillsolarfarm
newtonhillsolarfarm is an organisation specialises in providing technical consultancy and training within the areas of grid connection, battery energy storage technologies, energy efficiency and onshore renewable energy. www.newtonhillsolarfarm.com.
Connected Energy
A developer and supplier of energy storage systems which are now active across Europe, Connected Energy is unique in having a world leading technology using second life electric vehicle batteries – a sustainable solution with global applications.
European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020
The project allows for an upgrade of research infrastructure by the installation of an electric power converter system, eGrid. eGrid provides a platform for electrical power quality research and testing in a controlled environment in Blyth.
For more information contact: info@newtonhillsolarfarm.com