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United Utilities is using artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver a flexible approach to energy to manage electricity demand and generation across its sites.
Technology, powered by Open Energi, will help the water company reduce costs, increase self-generated renewable power use, and provide flexibility to support a more sustainable energy future.
The project will see 8MW of demand flexibility connected at eight United Utilities sites over the next 12 months.
It is expected to cut electricity costs at the company’s sites by 10 per cent a year, which will be used to reduce water bills for customers.
Open Energi’s platform, known as Dynamic Demand 2.0, will manage biogas combined heat and power engines, pumps and motors to optimise total energy demand.
United Utilities already generates 21 per cent of its electricity consumption through its own renewable fleet – via solar PV, biogas and hydroelectric – and plans to install a further 30MW by 2020.
The company said it needs to be “flexible about when and how it uses electricity” to make the best use of this clean, low-cost power.
Wastewater treatment works at Chorley and Bolton will be the first sites to go live with the technology.
Andy Pennick, energy manager at United Utilities, said: “We are committed to providing safe, cost efficient and sustainable water and wastewater services to our customers. Behind-the-scenes energy is a pivotal part of our service. By bringing all our energy disciplines together, we can focus on future proofing our energy strategy and providing low carbon, secure energy at least cost.”
He added: “As a responsible business we are always striving to reduce our environmental impact and provide a great service. Investing in innovative technology like this helps us tackle future challenges around climate change with no impact to the service we provide. It will also enable us to continue our drive to reduce costs which has seen customer bills decline in real terms since 2010.”
Open Energi’s commercial director, David Hill, said: “The UK’s energy system is undergoing a quiet revolution. Renewable uptake has surpassed all expectations and coal is disappearing from our grid, but we are now faced with the perverse situation where wind is likely to be turned off during summer months so that gas-fired power stations can be kept online to balance the system.
“Companies like United Utilities are demonstrating that there is an alternative approach. Adopting Dynamic Demand 2.0 is helping them provide vital demand flexibility and operate in a way that is good for the environment, whilst making considerable savings. It shows how sustainably driven energy decisions can boost productivity.”
To mark Clean Air Day 2018 last week (21 June), United Utilities announced an “ambitious plan” to switch its entire fleet of vehicles to go completely green in the next 10 years.
Severn Trent also works with Open Energi to unlock demand flexibility from its equipment.
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