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The Practice and Potential of Renewable Energy Localisation: Results from a UK Field Trial

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  • Peter Boait

    (Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, De Montfort University, Queens Building, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK)

  • J. Richard Snape

    (Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, De Montfort University, Queens Building, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK)

  • Robin Morris

    (Energy Local (Development) Ltd., Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre, Beaufort Street, Crickhowell, Powys NP8 1BN, UK)

  • Jo Hamilton

    (Department of Geography and Environmental Science, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, P.O. Box 227, Reading RG6 6AB, UK)

  • Sarah Darby

    (Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK)

Abstract

The adaptation of electricity demand to match the non-despatchable nature of renewable generation is one of the key challenges of the energy transition. We describe a UK field trial in 48 homes of an approach to this problem aimed at directly matching local supply and demand. This combined a community-based business model with social engagement and demand response technology employing both thermal and electrical energy storage. A proportion of these homes (14) were equipped with rooftop photovoltaics (PV) amounting to a total of 45 kWp; the business model enabled the remaining 34 homes to consume the electricity exported from the PV-equipped dwellings at a favourably low tariff in the context of a time-of-day tariff scheme. We report on the useful financial return achieved by all participants, their overall experience of the trial, and the proportion of local generation consumed locally. The energy storage devices were controlled, with user oversight, to respond automatically to signals indicating the availability of low cost electricity either from the photovoltaics or the time of day grid tariff. A substantial response was observed in the resulting demand profile from these controls, less so from demand scheduling methods which required regular user configuration. Finally results are reported from a follow-up fully commercial implementation of the concept showing the viability of the business model. We conclude that the sustainability of the transition to renewable energy can be strengthened with a community-oriented approach as demonstrated in the trial that supports users through technological change and improves return on investment by matching local generation and consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Boait & J. Richard Snape & Robin Morris & Jo Hamilton & Sarah Darby, 2019. "The Practice and Potential of Renewable Energy Localisation: Results from a UK Field Trial," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:215-:d:194793
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mageswaran Rengasamy & Sivasankar Gangatharan & Rajvikram Madurai Elavarasan & Lucian Mihet-Popa, 2020. "The Motivation for Incorporation of Microgrid Technology in Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Deployment to Enhance Energy Economics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-27, December.
    2. Troy Malatesta & Gregory M. Morrison & Jessica K. Breadsell & Christine Eon, 2023. "A Systematic Literature Review of the Interplay between Renewable Energy Systems and Occupant Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-27, June.
    3. Hossein Heirani & Naser Bagheri Moghaddam & Sina Labbafi & Seyedali Sina, 2022. "A Business Model for Developing Distributed Photovoltaic Systems in Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Darby, Sarah J., 2020. "Demand response and smart technology in theory and practice: Customer experiences and system actors," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    5. Andrea Sarcina & Rubina Canesi, 2023. "Renewable Energy Community: Opportunities and Threats towards Green Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    6. Ford, Rebecca & Maidment, Chris & Vigurs, Carol & Fell, Michael J. & Morris, Madeleine, 2021. "Smart local energy systems (SLES): A framework for exploring transition, context, and impacts," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    7. Gupta, Rajat & Morey, Johanna, 2022. "Empirical evaluation of demand side response trials in UK dwellings with smart low carbon technologies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 993-1004.

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