According to the UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, renewable energy sources like solar, wind and biomass made up a 44.6% share of electricity generation in Q2 of 2020. This was both a record high and an increase of 9% compared to Q2 of the previous year.
While these renewable sources contribute to the UK’s national energy infrastructure, there are also several benefits for businesses to make the switch to renewable energy.
In this blog we’ll explore why your organisation can benefit from renewable energy, the benefits of each different source of renewable energy, and how to best utilise it.
Long-term cost savings
Once you’ve made the initial investment to create a renewable energy infrastructure that is future-proof to meet your current and future needs, you will start to see savings on your power costs. Over-time these savings on overheads and increased margins add up to the point where they provide a tangible return on investment.
A more flexible power infrastructure
By combining robust energy generation and using a behind-the-meter energy storage system, excess electricity generated outside of peak times can be used for later use. This can have significant benefits during peak periods which require more energy than usual, or during times where a blackout may occur and the stored back-up energy can maintain operations until repairs are completed.
Less reliance on national grid energy
Investing in on-site generation methods through renewable energy gives your business the advantage of having a diversified energy portfolio.
In the event of issues with the local or national power infrastructure, you will have a reliable back-up supply of electricity.
Work towards carbon neutrality targets
Many organisations have measures to reduce carbon emissions in their strategy and yearly goals. Reducing the need to draw energy from sources that use fossil fuels can be a big step towards achieving net-zero carbon emission goals.
Across the world, new methods of harnessing renewable energy sources continue to be developed. However, for businesses solar, wind and biomass continue to be the most commonly used methods.
Here are the advantages of each method of renewable energy generation.
Solar power advantages and disadvantages
Wind power advantages and disadvantages
Biomass power advantages and disadvantages
In order to maximise the potential of renewable energy sources for business, you will also need to invest in appropriate on-site energy storage systems.
The more intermittent sources of renewable energy like wind and solar power benefit from this greatly, as the excess energy stored during peak times can be stored for later use and wasted generation is minimised. This can also prevent you from having to export energy back to the electricity grid if you over-generate, as this does not generally provide much financial benefit.
With the battle against climate change and the pace of the energy transition towards cleaner renewable energy sources intensifying, frowing numbers of companies are aiming for carbon neutrality
Fault currents present a threat to your site’s power infrastructure, your security of supply and you net zero ambitions.
The race to achieve net zero, and mitigate the most damaging effects of rising global temperatures, means that companies are facing enormous changes in how they operate.
Every type of business has a responsibility to improve daily operations to reduce carbon emissions. The Government is also putting more pressure on certain industries to be more aware of their carbon footprint and to become more environmentally friendly.
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