Decarbonisation

Decarbonisation Overview

We provide end-to-end project development services from site appraisal and feasibility through to business case development, project management of delivery and support in the role of client engineer. As such our services enable clients to progress projects from the inception of an idea through to managing its implementation and on-going operation. At all stages of the project lifecycle we provide specialist, independent advice ensuring our clients are in ‘safe hands’.

We utilise our deep technical understanding of the technologies and their implementation, often in a hybrid mix, to help clients develop financially viable low carbon energy solutions to suit their business needs. This includes wind, solar PV, hydro, renewable heat, battery storage, hydrogen, local energy systems and EV charging. Where appropriate, we can also offer financial investment to support projects. Our track record includes numerous joint venture projects with commercial and community partners.

To learn more about our decarbonisation services, check out our decarbonisation brochure below or speak to our team member.

End-to-end services

Commercial & Industrial Decarbonisation

The Need to Decarbonise In today’s world of net zero targets and soaring energy bills, Locogen recognises the need for industrial and commercial clients to decarbonise their processes and operations and secure affordable energy sources. Whilst some organisations can tackle these challenges head on with internal resources, not all companies have the time, resource, experience or know-how to steer through the relatively new and complicated decarbonisation process. This is where Locogen helps, by offering a turnkey or bespoke service to guide our clients through the various options to ensure they can meet their own decarbonisation plans.

Our Process

Strategy

Ongoing Site Asset Management

Site Options Appraisals

Installation and/or Project Management

Detailed Technical and Commercial Analysis

Design, Planning and Grid

Case studies

Check out the case studies that showcase our C&I projects.

Food wholesaler

The company approached Locogen to provide options for renewable energy across their sites as a way to offset their reliance on grid electricity and boost their environmental performance. Studies showed that solar offered the best potential across the company’s property portfolio, and Locogen were appointed to design, secure consent for, install and commission a 250kWp ‘pilot’ system their headquarters, then rolling out further solar PV systems across the company’s estate.

Dairy

Locogen were asked by the client to assess the site for its bioenergy output by inspecting heating and cooling systems as well as energy usage and efficiency. Locogen’s work was used to assist the design and optimise the integration of low carbon heat and power into the site’s existing processes. The project uses whey and other residues from cheese making to fuel the on-site bioenergy facility. Meanwhile, the biogas produced from the facility generates low carbon heat and power for onsite usage.

Bottled water plant

Locogen were commissioned to investigate the potential for a medium-scale wind energy project to offset the company’s significant electricity demand. Following completion of screening and scoping works, Locogen managed the full planning procedure, involving detailed environmental assessments. As planning progressed, Locogen also managed an in-depth wind monitoring programme to ensure the available wind resource was well understood. Locogen then undertook the necessary grid works for the turbines to ensure the most cost-effective connection solution was secured. Finally, Locogen project-managed the procurement, contractual and construction process.

Distillery

Locogen is currently working with this distillery to develop a ground-breaking solution to create clean power for the distillation process. The project will comprise a single 1MW wind turbine on the distillery’s farmland, which will export the electricity generated to a green hydrogen hub via a dedicated private wire. The green hydrogen hub will be based at the distillery and comprise an electrolyser, compressor and storage. Believed to be the first of its kind, the project will help create the first carbon neutral distillery.

National retailer

This high street retailer has 300 outlets across the UK. Their substantial instore electricity use meant that reducing their energy bills and becoming more self-sufficient in electricity production was a high priority. From an initial list of almost 200 sites, Locogen carried out feasibility studies to determine which stores were best suited to solar PV, considering roof suitability and size, access, planning and grid constraints, energy use, yield predictions and financial returns. This generated a shortlist of approximately 30 sites which had potential for development.

Emerging Technologies

Renewable energy is an exciting and fast-moving sector. Necessity is the mother of invention, and as we work towards net-zero targets new technologies emerge and established technologies evolve.

Locogen’s Emerging Technologies team is dedicated to assessing these developments and helping clients understand their viability and how best they can be deployed in their businesses. Innovation is not an end in itself and we will not recommend any technology unless risks are fully appreciated and the solution is right for the client and their goals.

Our services include:

Green Hydrogen
Energy Storage (Electrical Batteries and Thermal Stores)
Electrical Vehicle Charge Point Infrastructure
Power-to-X
Local Energy Systems

Case studies

Check out the case studies that showcase our Emerging Technologies projects.

Huntly Hydrogen

Huntly is strategically located on a local major transport route and the key link between Aberdeen and Inverness. Locogen are providing core technical support for the development of renewable hydrogen production, storage and supply (primarily for road transport) using existing and planned local renewable generation technologies. The project is now in Stage 2 of works including securing Heads of Terms with anchor customers (Aberdeenshire Council’s nearby main vehicle depot likely to be a core consumer) as well developing the business case further to meet wider regional demand in the future. Expected scale of development is based on a 1-4MW electrolyser.

Shetland Hydrogen

Locogen are technical leads for a local subsidy free wind energy project as one of three pilot renewable hydrogen production projects on the Shetland Isles. The project includes working with Shetland Isles Council to support the development and delivery of the Shetland Clean Energy Project which looks to transform the fuel oil dependant Islands into a world leading hydrogen fuel economy.

Benbecula Distillery

Traditionally, distilleries power the distillation process by raising steam through burning fuel oil or natural gas. This distillery retained Locogen to assess the distillery being run by heating of a thermal oil, rather than conventional steam, using the indirect burning of hydrogen to create a safer operational environment and a cheaper solution than direct combustion.

Aberdeen City Council

They are developing their hydrogen transport infrastructure, with a fleet of fuel cell buses, and refuelling stations. The Council commissioned Locogen to consider the feasibility of using renewable energy generating technologies to feed electricity directly to the refuelling sites to reduce the cost and associated carbon emissions of this hydrogen production.

Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery

Through the Green Distilleries programme Locogen are assessing the feasibility of switching from fuel oil to hydrogen burners, providing direct process heat for distillation. This direct combustion of hydrogen in burners requires the retrofit of the distillery fuel distribution and boiler systems. The option of creating hydrogen offsite and transporting onsite is also being investigated.

Community Scale Local Energy

Community energy is a key part of delivering the commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2050 and the UK Government is providing support for community groups in identifying potential projects and bringing them to fruition.

Community-owned renewable energy projects provide a great opportunity for local residents to collectively develop and own green energy projects. Not only does this create a local energy generator which boosts energy security (particularly in rural locations) it also provides a long-term revenue stream for the community’s benefit. As community organisations are set up on a not-for-profit basis, the surplus from a renewable scheme after operational expenses can be used to support other local projects.

We have been working with community groups for several years, providing advice on site selection through to accessing finance and turnkey design and installation services. During this time we have helped to deliver many community renewable energy projects, adopting a flexible approach to engaging with the community, including working together in a shared ownership model.

Our services include:

Initial options brainstorming
Grid assessment
Planning assessment
Technology advice
Energy modelling
Financial projections and business case
Full feasibility reports (bankable standard)

Case studies

Check out the case studies that showcase some of our community scale energy projects.

Monk Fryston & Hillam

This project identified a joint aim in decarbonising five community buildings in the twinned villages of Monk Fryston and Hillam. The group is looking to determine the feasibility of implementing a range of renewable energy technologies to reduce the carbon emissions of heating and electrical systems in a variety of local buildings, including a school, church, church hall, community centre, cricket club and football club. Locogen completed detailed energy modelling and worked to integrate the solutions identified with other measures being considered by the community group. We then submitted our findings to the group in the form of an RCEF Stage 1 Feasibility Study and associated business plan.

Amble Harbour

In order to facilitate decarbonisation of the Amble Harbour area, Locogen assessed the feasibility of implementing a range of renewable energy technologies, specifically solar PV, small wind generation, energy storage batteries and heat pumps, across the properties owned and leased by the charity. The project included two phases, the first to undertake a first-pass assessment of low-carbon electricity and heat generation options, and the second to better define the systems under consideration and maximise the benefits provided. Locogen has developed an RCEF Stage 1 Feasibility Study for the group, the outcome of which is a comprehensive business case that allows the viable energy systems identified to move forward towards development.

Ryedale

The Ryedale Village Hall project, led by a consortium of village hall representatives and supported by the local Council, aims to reduce the carbon footprint of some 25 village halls across the rural area of Ryedale in North Yorkshire. This project is focused on the feasibility of adding roof-mounted solar PV and battery systems to each of the village halls involved, but also outlined potential opportunities in relation to low-carbon heat generation. The first-pass assessment has now been presented to the group, and those village halls who now wish to progress to a more detailed analysis have been invited to submit more information to Locogen. The findings to date have demonstrated that almost all of the village halls under consideration would benefit from the installation of solar PV panels.

Prudhoe

Prudhoe Community Partnership have devised a renewable energy project for the benefit of the eleven local schools and four community buildings in the rural area of Prudhoe, Northumberland. The group is looking to decarbonise the operations of the buildings, in particular their energy consumption, in order to facilitate financial, environmental and social benefits for the local communities. As such, they have expressed interest in the feasibility of developing wind, solar and heat pump systems across the 15 sites. The first-pass assessment has now been presented to the group which has identified multiple electricity and heat generation systems for each building. Site visits to facilitate the next stage of evaluation will be undertaken once Covid-19 restrictions allow.

Bishop Auckland

The Bishop Auckland Town Council project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of a number of public sector buildings in Bishop Auckland in County Durham. The Bishop Auckland Town Council aims to be 60% carbon neutral by 2030 and as such, this project has been designed to assess the feasibility of adding community owned solar PV to a number of public sector buildings, representing the first step in their carbon reduction journey. Whilst the final structure for any implementation of the project is still to be finalised, the concept involves installations being funded and owned by a local community organisation set up to sell the energy to the end users and thus provide a long term sustainable revenue stream for the local community. This project is still at an early stage and Locogen are currently working closely with the Council to identify the buildings most suitable for inclusion within the study, using our dedicated GIS mapping facilities.

Decarbonisation