ENERGY TRANSITION

Achieving net zero requires a robust renewable energy procurement strategy potentially spanning both onsite generation and contracting grid-scale projects. Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) are not enough, nor will they help the UK to decarbonise fully by 2050. Energy supply security at competitive, stable prices is fundamental to all organisations, yet achieving this is challenging given the range of technology and regulatory challenges that exist. Optimised has a team of experts to advise on corporate Power and Gas Purchasing Agreements (PPAs and GPAs) as well as onsite generation, spanning wind, solar, biomass and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

BESS stands for Battery Energy Storage Systems and is often installed alongside renewable energy generation such as wind, solar and biomass. BESS aims to reduce the export whilst increasing the site’s consumption of the energy it has generated. This helps to build resilience and energy self-reliance of the site. 

A corporate Power Purchase Agreement (or CPPA) is an upfront supply contract between a buyer and a seller of renewable energy. The seller is usually a renewable electricity generator, and the buyer would be a licensed supplier. These agreements usually last 5-20 years, and the deals Optimised work with normally last 10-15 years.

A Gas Purchase Agreement (GPA) is a long-term contract between a biogas or biomethane producer and a consumer, for the produced output during an agreed time.  It is the gas equivalent of a PPA, which concerns only electric power. 

These agreements help finance renewable energy projects or re-power existing assets. You thereby reduce energy dependence on non-renewable sources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and stabilise long-term costs.

The Energy Transition team at Optimised defines real decarbonisation pathways for large energy-consuming organisations. This is done through services such as energy auditing, BEMS (Building Energy Management System) optimisation surveys, metering infrastructure and coverage assessments, and energy management expertise. 

The team specialises in mitigating direct (scope 1) and indirect (scope 2) emissions, through identifying inefficient infrastructure, process and behaviour and crafting optimisation and upgrade strategies. 

Working closely with the Net Zero team, who develop net zero transition plans, the Energy Transition team includes qualified engineers who ensure projects are fully costed, technically rigorous and set up to achieve the desired outcomes. Together supporting clients on their decarbonisation journeys, with rigour and impact. 

A Marginal Abatement Cost Curve, or MACC, presents the costs or savings expected from different opportunities, alongside the potential volume of emissions that could be reduced if implemented. 

MACCs measure and compare the financial cost and abatement benefit of individual actions and is thereby used to produce a priority list of opportunities. They use the metric of dollars per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent – often represented as $/tCO2e.

The Net Zero team develops complete net zero transition plans, whilst the Energy Transition team base their analyses on work undertaken by a team of qualified engineers to ensure projects are fully costed, technically rigorous and set up to achieve the desired outcomes. The consulting teams at Optimised work hand in hand to support clients on their decarbonisation journeys and develop tangible solutions. 

Heat networks have become widespread within many commercial and residential developments, yet the technology has traditionally relied on high emitting natural gas. Commercial and regulatory pressure is mounting to decarbonise existing and new heat networks through innovative technologies including heat pumps, hydrogen, and others. 

Optimised consult on technical specifications, from construction through to operation, maintenance, and optimisation for centralised energy centres, both on individual buildings and multi-site portfolios. This is to ensure energy efficiency methodologies are incorporated prior to building occupancy.  

This can be at building level to minimise energy consumption, or at a specific technology level such as a BMS specification or the integration of renewable technology.

Firstly, thorough analysis is conducted of half hourly energy data and sub-meter data, where a profile is created of the site’s energy consumption identifying trends, anomalies, and regression analysis. 

Next, an on-site non-intrusive assessment is carried out to identify opportunities to reduce energy demand and adopt low or zero carbon technologies.  The findings are developed to a specified output, either high-level budget or investment grade business case and presented as Consumption, cost and carbon savings. Optimised can support with the full range of audits, feasibility studies and strategy development.