Edinburgh-based energy technology Flexitricity has partnered with eight organisations across a range of sectors to trial a solution which it said has potential to revolutionise the demand side response (DSR) industry.
The Quickturn project, funded by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), aims to provide the first opportunity for smaller commercial energy users across the UK to benefit from demand side response.
The partner sites include Glasgow City Council, Scottish Water Horizons, Jones Food Company, Norish and Northumberland County Council. The University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Digital Communications will also contribute its expertise in emerging technology to increase communication speed and reliability, reducing the overall cost of setting up DSR dispatch systems across the partner sites.
The Quickturn project is designed to help these sites reduce energy costs and earn revenue through providing electricity system balancing services to the National Grid.
Flexitricity said it will use its expertise in dispatching flexible energy-consuming assets, such as cold storage, air conditioning and heat pumps, to help National Grid balance the fluctuating demands of the UK energy system.
The trials are now set to commence with findings expected to be shared in 2020.
Dr Alastair Martin, founder and CSO at Flexitricity, said: “The ongoing drive towards a low carbon economy means that small businesses will have an important role to play in helping National Grid meet the energy demands of the UK.
“Flexible energy use is a vital part of a greener energy system, balancing variable renewable generation and growing demand as heat and transport are electrified. Flexitricity’s mission is to make this feasible and economically attractive for all types of energy user.”
Flexitricity said it has pioneered the demand-response industry, generating more than £20 million for its energy partners since its launch in 2004.
It added that it now has close to 500 MW under management, making it a virtual power plant helping the National Grid meet the energy demands of the UK.
