GENERATORS
FLEXIBLE ENERGY GENERATION KEY TO MITIGATING UPCOMING GRID CRISIS
A
temporary utilities equipment supplier is highlighting the importance of manufacturers
transitioning to flexible and green energy distribution models following the announcement that the UK will bolster its power capacity by 14% more than previous recommendations. According to a letter from Business Secretary
Kwasi Kwarteng, the Government’s power capacity auction target will be set 14% higher than the National Grid’s proposals. A key factor behind this move is the rising price of gas, on which the UK’s power infrastructure is highly reliant. According to Aggreko, this combination of
soaring energy costs and reliance upon the national grid could leave manufacturers in a worsening situation if innovative strategies are not put in place. Specifically, the temporary solutions provider is highlighting the importance of transitioning to alternative, greener fuel sources implemented within energy-as-a-service models in order to pre-empt potential upcoming power provision crises. “Skyrocketing energy costs continue to dominate
headlines, but as this recent Government target shows, we are in this crisis for the long haul,”
says Chris Rason, Managing Director at Aggreko Northern Europe. “As such, it is vital that business owners address what will become a huge issue before the situation worsens later this year. “Our national grid, in its current condition,
is facing significant challenges when it comes to supplying the manufacturing sector. Consequently, we would recommend putting in place short-to-medium term steps toward more flexible energy provision to address what will be a long-running concern. This includes opting for on-site generator equipment, including battery and hybrid systems powered by fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).” The effectiveness of ongoing decarbonisation efforts can be seen in Aggreko’s own fuel take-up figures, in which HVO rapidly grew from constituting a negligible part of its supplied fuel volume in 2020, to 18% of the total by Q3 2021. It follows Aggreko’s increased investment in the technology, which can be used as a ‘drop-in’ replacement fuel to power critical equipment. In 2021, Aggreko surveyed 200 decision makers
from large UK manufacturing plants and found that 79% faced pressure to reduce business energy
costs since 2020. Additionally, 80% said they are now more likely to outsource distributed energy contracts. Chris added: “Our own findings have shown that
not only is the rising cost of energy not a new concern, so is the demand for strategies to address the situation. New generator and fuel technologies should be at the forefront of this, but following COVID-induced disruption and current market flux, stakeholders may be reluctant to opt for permanent solutions.”
“The importance of hire options and engaging
external expertise therefore cannot be underestimated at this critical moment. By looking beyond traditional grid-based solutions and opting for responsive energy provision strategies based on temporary equipment, manufacturers currently under threat could gain the flexibility required to navigate an uncertain future.” To download Aggreko’s full report, ‘Energy in
Manufacturing: A Flexible Future?’ visit:
www.aggreko.com/en-gb/energy-in-manufacturing.
Aggreko
https://www.aggreko.com/
22 MARCH 2022 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58
