Feature
Green Business
Future proof your business with renewable energy supply
By David Taylor (pictured), Sales and Marketing Director, Bryt Energy
you’re a small or large business, you’ll also need to prepare for carbon reporting requirements. To take control of your energy consumption, consider: What to buy, when to buy and how to buy.
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What to buy – the benefits of a renewable energy supply We recommend that your business is supplied by zero carbon, 100 per cent natural renewable power. This can be sourced at no extra cost to non- renewables; an inexpensive way of improving your CSR, reporting on your carbon requirements and helping the environment. With more businesses looking at their supply chain, using renewable energy could make your business more valued and be an important business differentiator, as you position your brand as sustainable. Not all renewables are the same. Ensure your energy is sourced from
only Wind, Hydropower and Solar by choosing a supplier that can demonstrate the source of your electricity through renewable energy Guarantee of Origin certificates.
When to buy – the benefits of flexible purchasing Electricity prices are volatile, influenced by multiple factors such as international fuel prices, UK supply and demand, and power plant availability. While a fixed contract could provide budget certainty, each business is bespoke, and flexibility is key to reducing purchasing risk in a volatile market. As price levels change, purchasing energy flexibly – based on time or price triggers – could help you manage risk and control costs. It’s also worth reviewing whether to fix your non-energy costs, which account for 40-50 per cent of your total energy price. Passing-through
‘Using renewable energy could make your business more valued and be an important business differentiator’
these charges means you only pay for what you use with no added risk premium, allowing you to control your costs in a way that works best for your business.
How to buy – could Time of Use Tariffs benefit your business? It is important to consider the ‘shape’ of electricity prices across the day. Choosing the right contract structure provides opportunities for cost management and savings when coupled with changes in your consumption. A standard two-rate (day and night) contract averages out charges
across all daytime periods to around 14p/kWh. While this simplifies what you see on your bill, you could pay more than you use as it discourages you to optimise your consumption. Alternatively, Time of Use price structures split your consumption into
various usage periods and give specific rates for each. For example, a peak day rate could be 50 p/kWh, when demand – and system and network charges – are at their highest, compared to standard day rate of around 12 p/kWh. These rates encourage you to manage your electricity usage by shifting it out of the expensive times of day. New technology, such as on- site generation and storage, can further reduce your usage during peak times and lower your electricity purchasing costs by up to 20 per cent. Whenever and however you decide to purchase renewable energy, your
Time of Use Tariffs split electricity consumption and can benefit businesses 66 CHAMBERLINK February 2019
supplier should deliver contract structures and flexible purchasing arrangements that help lower your consumption, reduce your energy bills and put you in control of your low carbon energy future that helps our planet.
he energy market is changing. The ‘sustainable pound’ is king these days, and many businesses view this as part of their brand positioning and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Whether
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