INDUSTRY COMMENT
EXAMINING THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND BATTERY TECHNOLOGY
The global capacity for renewable electricity is surging and is anticipated to continue to increase over the coming decades. In fact renewable electricity is expected to grow by more than 60% from 2020 levels, with renewables driving nearly 95% of the worldwide power capacity increase through 2026. This rise in clean electricity has already played a significant role in decelerating the growth of fossil fuels by almost two-thirds over the past decade. As renewable technology advances, the importance of ongoing maintenance and care for these systems becomes increasingly vital. Despite the encouraging progress, renewable energy technology still faces challenges related to a lack of operation and maintenance culture. The relatively new and evolving nature of these technologies means that there is often a gap in understanding their optimal operation and upkeep. Without regular maintenance, system efficiency can suffer.
CHALLENGES STEMMING FROM INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE A lack of proper power maintenance in renewable energy technology can lead to several critical issues. For example, loose or corroded connections can undermine the performance of these systems and cause potential safety risks. Neglected routine maintenance often results in costly repairs over time, as the efficiency of renewable energy systems diminishes without regular upkeep. This decline in efficiency impacts their overall effectiveness and economic viability. Moreover, inadequate maintenance can increase the likelihood of incidents such as fires, which has the potential to put entire fleets of renewable energy products in jeopardy and compromise their contribution to sustainability goals.
OVERCOMING RISKS Overcoming the risks associated with inadequate maintenance in renewable energy technology requires a proactive and comprehensive approach. Conducting regular checks and
inspections is essential for monitoring the condition of renewable technology and identifying potential issues before they escalate. Utilising qualified professionals ensures that
maintenance tasks are performed by engineers or technicians with specialised expertise in renewable energy systems, guaranteeing high-quality service. Additionally, customising the maintenance
approach to fit the specific needs of different types of renewable energy systems is crucial. For instance, large scale solar PV systems may require full operations and maintenance servicing, while heat pumps might only need annual service checks. This tailored approach helps maintain the efficiency, safety and longevity of renewable energy technologies. Identifying a supplier with a Microgeneration
Certification Scheme (MCS) can reduce the risk of using under-qualified maintenance options. MCS certifies, quality assures, and provides consumer protection for microgeneration installations and installers for small-scale, low-carbon, and renewable technologies in the UK, such as solar PV, biomass, wind turbines, and heat pumps.
BENEFITS OF KEEPING RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES MAINTAINED Maintaining renewable technologies offers several key benefits that enhance both performance and reliability. Providing performance reports allows for the summarisation of system performance, highlighting cost savings and efficiency gains. Effective maintenance ensures peace of mind of minimising emergencies and operational disruptions. It also helps maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of systems. Regular maintenance extends the lifespan of
equipment, preventing premature breakdowns and maximising investment. Additionally, by identifying and resolving minor issues before they escalate, maintenance can significantly reduce repair expenses, ensuring the long-term viability and sustainability of renewable energy projects.
EA NET ZERO INCENTIVISES THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SOLAR POWER TRANSITION
EA Net Zero (EA NZ) has launched an asset adoption package to help unlock the enormous potential of solar power generation across Britain’s industrial and commercial (I&C) landscape. The EA NZ offer enables businesses and
publicly funded organisations to install solar PV arrays without any upfront cost and to reduce reliance on costlier energy sources, while at the same time enhancing sustainability. The initiative aligns with the ambition of the UK government’s Solar Taskforce, which has a target to increase solar capacity to 70GW by 2035 as part of wider plans to power up Britain with cleaner,
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cheaper and more secure energy sources. Central to meeting this objective is the installation of solar PV arrays on business premises and buildings such as warehouses, supermarkets, schools and car parks. The EA NZ package leans on the expertise of
the Energy Assets Group. EA NZ will design, install and maintain solar arrays in return for a monthly rental payment. End users maintain complete control over the power generated, enabling them to enhance their sustainability, reduce consumption costs and potentially sell excess energy back to the grid.
www.energyassets.co.uk ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Summer 2024 5
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE? Most renewable energy systems require professional maintenance on an annual basis to ensure optimal performance and longevity. However, the frequency of maintenance may need to increase depending on factors such as the type, age, size and usage of the system. It is important to monitor energy bills for any unexpected increases, as this can be a potential indicator that servicing is necessary. Regularly scheduled maintenance helps identify issues early, preventing more significant problems and ensuring the efficient operation of renewable energy systems. Charlotte Ward, co-founder and director of the
E-Merge Group, comments: “I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by EV fleet operators in maintaining their vehicles at the highest standard. Our goal is to create software that will identify the overall health of EV technology, ultimately streamlining the preventative maintenance process. “The main feature of the software being
developed is to have full visibility of the EVs battery health and performance, with the ability for operators to be confident in their preventative maintenance schedule. This results in minimised downtime, and saves unnecessary unwanted costs, so that we can ensure EVs remain in optimal condition for fleet operators.”
emerge-renewables.com
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