Edinburgh-based energy disruptor Flexitricity has named former SSE renewables expert Simon Heyes as its new chief executive.
The firm which helps businesses make income from supplying surplus electricity to the National Grid and reduce their carbon footprint says it can help drive the UK Government’s 2050 net zero ambitions.
Heyes was previously chief executive of wind energy firm KPS until October 2018, having been wind energy development and construction director at Infinis Energy Holdings and general manager for development and construction of new renewable projects at SSE.
He is a chartered mechanical engineer and former RAF engineer officer and member of the Army Corps of Royal Engineers.
Heyes said: “Flexitricity is not just the leading demand response energy company in the country but one of the most innovative and pioneering firms deploying the new energy strategies of the future.
“The Government’s target of being carbon neutral by 2050 can only be achieved by ensuring there is sufficient flexibility in the system to balance varying renewable generation. Flexitricity pioneered this industry over 15 years ago and is now entering a growth phase as more and more firms realise the significant financial and environmental benefits which flexibility in their generation and consumption profiles can unlock."
Flexitricity helps a wide range of clients including large scale energy storage projects, industrial and commercial (I&C) businesses, SMEs, households and electric vehicle owners.
It has generated over £20 million for its partners since 2008 and has nearly 500 megawatts under management. It has partnered with Asda to balance fridge power use across 300 stores and 18 depots into a 13-megawatt virtual battery.
Flexitricity founder and CSO Dr Alastair Martin said: “We’ve come a long way as an industry. When Flexitricity first started back in 2004, demand side response did not exist in the UK and the whole energy landscape looked very different. Now the concept is becoming mainstream which highlights the impact and importance placed upon finding carbon-friendly solutions.
“The appointment of Simon Heyes as Flexitricity’s new CEO underpins everything we strive to achieve ahead of what is set to be an exciting and pivotal few years for the energy sector.
“Simon’s background in the renewable energy field will be an invaluable resource as Flexitricity bids to break new boundaries in the market. I am delighted that we can welcome him to a team already burgeoning with talent and expertise.”
