Anglian Water has become the first utility to benefit energy storage infrastructure controlled by artificial intelligence (AI).
Solar panels and a new energy storage system will help the company store renewable energy during the day and use it at other times. This allows the site to import less energy from the grid, saving money and reducing its exposure to volatile energy pricing.
The water utility is installing a 60kW/300kWh energy storage machine from redT alongside a 450kWp solar PV system at one of its water treatment works in Norfolk. Smart software from Open Energi will use AI to optimise energy consumption and stack together multiple demand-side value streams.
The redT machine can provide at least five hours of energy storage, making it ideal for use alongside on-site generation such as solar PV. It will also provide real-time balancing services, enabling the company to take advantage of wholesale energy price arbitrage.
In total, the project is expected to halve the site’s electricity costs by 2040. And by optimising energy storage coupled with solar, it will act as a ‘pathfinder’ for future projects.
“We are very happy to be at the forefront of our industry by taking part in this ground-breaking project,” commented Jason Tucker, director of Alliances and Integrated Supply Chain at Anglian Water. “This pathfinder integrates, rather than simply co-locates, storage and solar. The approach will enable us to develop future-proof solutions for managing energy more flexibly and efficiently, whilst increasing resilience.”
David Hill, commercial director at Open Energi, added: “Energy storage puts businesses in control of their energy use like never before and redT’s machines offer scope for businesses to stack value streams and shift consumption off-grid for significant periods of the day. We’re excited to be working with customers to deliver value and create an energy system where renewable generation is delivering power 24/7.”
Tags: AI, artificial intelligence, Smart Energy