NEWS
LOMBARD SHIPPING LOOKS TO HALVE ELECTRICITY COSTS WITH INTEGRATED SOLAR, BATTERY AND EV CHARGING ECOSYSTEM
L
ombard Shipping, a domestic and international logistics provider, is targeting a 50 per cent reduction Ipswich hub through a clean energy
ecosystem integrating rooftop solar, battery storage and EV charging. The new SolarEdge system is expected
to generate around 118MWh annually, delivering lifetime savings of about £1 million over 20 years and a payback period of approximately 5.3 years. Located near the Port of Felixstowe, the
Ipswich site houses Lombard Shipping’s locations. As part of its decarbonisation strategy, the company recently introduced two electric HGVs. While cutting transport emissions, the vehicles have increased on-site energy demand, prompting further action. Peter Fraser, Director at Lombard
Shipping, says: “Rising energy demand made it essential to take a more strategic approach to power management. With EV
chargers consuming around 7MWh each month, we needed a solution to maximise on-site clean energy generation and ensure delivers exactly that.” Installation partner, Insight Energy,
deployed a full SolarEdge ecosystem including DC-optimised solar inverters, on- site battery storage and six EV chargers. Managed via the SolarEdge ONE for C&I platform and its on-site Controller, the system coordinates solar generation, storage and EV charging. Lombard Shipping is expected to use around 83 per cent of the solar energy it produces, maximising The rooftop array includes 226 solar
panels with SolarEdge Power Optimisers, enabling each pair of panels to operate independently and reduce losses from shading or mismatch. Output is managed by two 50kW SolarEdge Synergy inverters, supporting system oversizing of up to 175 per cent for greater peak energy capture. A 102.4kWh SolarEdge CSS-OD
D
AI MOVES INTO BRITAIN’S WAREHOUSES BUT HUMANS REMAIN CENTRAL
ematic has launched The UK’s Automation Tipping Point, a new study examining how labour shortages, constrained real estate, heightened consumer expectations
intelligence (AI) are forcing a strategic rethink of automation across the UK warehousing sector. Exploring the technologies and trends in play, the study shows how organisations can decisions at a time when both operational pressure and the cost of getting it wrong have never been higher. Based on insights from experts across the
industry – including 3PLs, industry bodies, consultants and automation end-users, as well as the UK Warehousing Association, and DHL Supply Chain – the study highlights how automation is evolving from a traditional engineering function into one which spans technology, data and operations. It also sets out practical recommendations to help organisations plan for and respond to this shift.
AI ADDS RESILIENCE BUT WON’T RE- PLACE HUMANS AI is becoming increasingly embedded across warehouse operations. But, according to the experts interviewed, it will neither remove
the need for human staff on the warehouse own, particularly in complex and variable environments. Instead, AI will deliver value as an enabler of smarter, more resilient operations. Simulations such as digital twins will help organisations model scenarios, stress-test performance and respond more effectively to external shocks, from supply disruption to sudden demand volatility. The growing use of AI will also reshape the skills needed for warehousing, increasing demand for specialist talent or “warehouse scientists”, those who can validate and translate insights from data into operational decisions.
expectations are higher than ever, supply chains are volatile and labour is scarce. To power sustainable growth, the warehousing understanding of how, and where, automation and AI can support operational resilience,” says Kevin Price, Logistics Consultant at Dematic. “These technologies only deliver value when deployed strategically. This is why organisations are increasingly looking for partners who are more business systems integrators, than pure engineering companies.”
www.dematic.com 8 FEBRUARY 2026 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
commercial battery stores excess energy for use during peak demand or high grid prices. The platform continuously monitors and optimises performance using real-time data to maximise on-site consumption. Excess solar can also power six SolarEdge
EV chargers, intelligently managed schedules, forecasts and electricity prices, ensuring the most cost-effective energy source is used at any time.
www.lombardshipping.com
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