ENERGY SYSTEMS
for the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) when it chose two energy storage systems from Connected Energy, as Ben Smith, who led the procurement process for the AMRC explained. He said: “Every single KPI that a business would mark itself against would be better by using end-of-life batteries”.
A useful case study The AMRC is a useful case study for hospitals in terms of future planning, because it is a low carbon smart building demonstrator site. It has been set up specifically to demonstrate how buildings of any age can be adapted, using simple changes, as well as the most advanced technology, to increase energy efficiency, manage costs, and cut carbon emissions. As Britain famously has the oldest housing stock in Europe, and hospital estates tend to include buildings from the 19th, 20th, and 21st century, the need for the AMRC demonstrator site is clear. Unsurprisingly, a recent behind the
scenes tour of the AMRC site in Lancashire was a sell-out. Visitors were keen to see not only the inside of an energy storage system, but also to learn more about the wider issue of data management, and how the Internet of Things (IoT) can be applied in buildings of any age to improve energy efficiency.
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As UK weather becomes more intense, with heavier rain, winds, or periods of high temperature, the ability to protect and prepare for these conditions is becoming very important
Coordinating meteorological with energy storage data It is at the AMRC site where energy storage software will automatically coordinate meteorological data with energy storage data, mentioned in our future scenario. This is to prepare the system in advance to maximise revenue opportunities around both weather conditions and peak energy demands. In this way the energy network, including solar panels, is protected against damage from intense weather conditions, and the site is protected against damaging energy spikes which trigger higher energy bills. As UK weather becomes more intense, with heavier rain, winds, or periods of high temperature, the ability to protect and prepare for these conditions is becoming very important – in fact arguably as important as acting to prevent further climate change. Technology such as battery energy management software, triangulated with meteorological data and appropriate hardware, helps tackle both. While this is
‘good to know’, what is ‘vital to know’ is how battery energy storage can smooth out costly peaks in energy demand, increase energy security, and overcome grid constraints. These powerful benefits explain why energy storage is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world.
Hospitals’ predicted ‘dramatically increased’ energy need Hospitals, like other public sector and private asset owners, will almost certainly have a dramatically increased need for energy in the near future. As an illustration, one electric vehicle charger will require anywhere from 7 kW to 350 kW depending on the speed of charge. Modelling can reflect predicted changes such as adding EV charging, electrifying heating, or installing a heat source pump. The load today may differ significantly from that of the future, and intelligent modelling will help identify what changes are needed.
Equans has several energy management projects in progress in NHS estates across
March 2023 Health Estate Journal 61
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