Piloting the future of energy supply

Rose Harland • Published 15 Aug 2010 08:00 0 Comments

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SCOTTISH and Southern Energy is bidding for funding to launch a cutting-edge energy project in Bracknell.

Residents and businesses may be recruited to take part in the world-leading research into how new technologies, like electric cars and solar panels, affect how electricity is drawn from and fed into the network.

The company, with the support of Bracknell Forest Council, has submitted an outline bid for funding from the energy regulator Ofgem's £500m Lower Carbon Network Fund, set up to promote research into greener technologies and predicted future demands on the energy network.

Mark Mathieson, director of power systems at SSE, exclusively told the News at a meeting of Bracknell Forest Chamber of Commerce on Thursday: "I would like to think that here in the UK we will be leading the world in this."

He added: "The fact that we are focusing the project here is great news for local businesses but equally potential businesses in the area."

The company says that Bracknell is an ideal location because of the number of technology companies in the area, its expanding size and the need for parts of the network to be replaced in the coming years.

The company, if granted funding after the bidding process closes in September, would look to begin the Thames Valley Vision project early next year.

It would look at monitoring how energy is taken from and fed into the network and ways of scheduling demand to avoid shortages.

The drive to develop low carbon energy supplies is part of the UK's commitment to the EU's 20/20 programme to cut carbon emissions 20% by 2020.

Mr Mathieson said that rather than replace the UK's wiring, network companies are being encouraged to find green ways to develop the existing systems. He added: "One of the things we are now looking at is networks becoming a two-way flow."

Philip Montague, business manager of Bracknell Forest Chamber of Commerce, said businesses' futures are being shaped by environmental issues. He said: "The exciting part of this is the opportunity it represents for those willing to innovate and lead the way. SSE has taken that lead by pioneering a solution for their aging infrastructure that reduces the impact to consumers and the environment but is also increasing the profitability of the businesses involved. Outstanding."

This article appeared in Villager 12 Aug 10

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