Residential
ENERGY
READY
The hotel sector accounts for 1% of global carbon emissions and counting. Alongside the industry’s net zero push, the concept of sustainable stays is gaining traction among customers – making for a compelling ‘pull’ factor to go green.
The brewing and hospitality sector is working to a Net Zero Roadmap to reach net zero for scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, with just another decade to tackle scope 3. Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn, was the first UK hotel chain to publicly commit to a 2040 net zero carbon emissions target, challenging others to follow.
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Hotels
WIND
Hotels
Offices
Retail
Distribution Warehouses
Water Companies
Manufacturing
Transport
Public Sector
Agriculture
Data Centres
Education
Healthcare
For a vital public service that relies on the natural environment, it’s only fitting that water companies have ambitious net zero plans. In its net zero 2030 Routemap, Water UK has committed to reaching emissions targets 20 years before the legally binding deadline.
This will mean switching to low-emission vehicles and installing up to 3GW of new solar and wind power, with energy efficiency measures and storage. Plus producing biogas from sewage.
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Water Companies
Driving up overall emissions more than any other sector, domestic transport produces almost a quarter of all the UK’s greenhouse gases. In our Transport Decarbonisation Plan, we set out several milestones to get green strategies into gear – many of which are now law.
One example is the requirement for no new petrol or diesel cars or vans to be sold by 2030. All new cars, vans and HGVs under 26 tonnes are to be zero emission by 2035. With all new HGVs, of any size, to comply by 2040. Rail operator or airline, logistics firm or local infrastructure provider, you need to take action today to realise decarbonised transport targets tomorrow.
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Transport
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has set its own Climate Action Roadmap, as it seeks to bring the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040. Milestones along the way mean you’ll need to reach net zero for electricity use by 2030 – and fuel, gas and refrigerant use by 2035.
To help retailers achieve these targets, the BRC has set out five pathways to decarbonisation, including moving to renewable power and low carbon logistics. But with often long and complex supply chains, that means starting to work more effectively with all suppliers and stakeholders, to ensure operations are truly sustainable.
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Retail
Despite being responsible for around 4% of England’s carbon footprint, the NHS is at the frontline of public sector sustainability. It was among the first to produce a carbon reduction strategy 10 years ago, and has been measuring emissions since 2007.
The 2020 publication of its Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service sees the NHS working to a number of earth-saving targets. This includes net zero 2040 for direct emissions and net zero 2045 for emissions the organisation can influence. Achieving its ambitious aims will demand decarbonisation across everything from care and supply chain to hospitals and heating, with no bigger mandate than protecting future generations.
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Healthcare
The UK has a legally-binding target to cut emissions by 78% before 2035. With homes contributing 16% of all carbon emissions, the residential sector will have a starring role to play.
From the ban on new gas boilers to Minimum Energy Efficiency standards for rented properties, heat pumps to district heating networks, the tide is already beginning to turn. As net zero policies zero-in on home emissions, residential organisations should begin implementing energy efficiency measures now to stay afloat.
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Residential
Like a small city, the UK civil service produces almost two million tonnes of CO2 every year. Plus, this sprawling enterprise occupies some of the country’s oldest – and least efficient – buildings. This makes decarbonisation a complex challenge.
In 2014 the Greening Government Commitments required public sector organisations to start measuring, monitoring and reporting on energy and carbon reduction targets. Meanwhile in Scotland the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and 2019 amendment imposed a duty on public bodies there to contribute to emissions reduction targets. Now, new legal requirements extend to government suppliers, with all those bidding for contracts above £5m annually required to meet net zero targets with a published carbon reduction plan.
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Public Sector
Cities account for over 70% of global CO2 emissions and together building and construction are responsible for 39% of global carbon emissions. With energy used to heat, cool and light buildings accounting for 28% of emissions.
Faced with a post-pandemic hybrid workforce and spiralling energy costs, now is the time to reconsider how we use our office space. The good news? Our new normal offers new opportunities for emissions efficiency and greater green integrity.
With the price of energy only set to rise, embracing renewables now could see you reap the rewards in the long run.
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Offices
Manufacturing has a mountain to climb. UK industry produces 16% of our total greenhouse gas emissions, and if the sector is to reach net zero by 2050, these must fall by at least 90%.
Industry needs to take drastic action.
Right now. In its Sixth Carbon Budget, the Climate Change Committee has recommended a number of ways to help manufacturing and construction get into sustainable shape. From switching to low-carbon fuels like renewable electricity, hydrogen and bioenergy, to using carbon capture and storage, this is a must-read before designing your ESG strategy.
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Manufacturing
52% of young people consider environmental credentials when choosing where to study. But only 46% of institutions are on track to meet their emissions targets. Against a backdrop of growing pressure from the NUS and its 7 million students, education must undertake rapid reforms to become carbon neutral – and adequately prepare students for our uncertain future.
With the People & Planet University League now ranking universities by environmental initiatives and ethical performance, the pace of change is ramping up. Just before COP26, UK universities committed to setting scope 1 and 2 targets to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035. Scope 3 emission reduction targets are expected to follow as soon as possible.
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Wind
Education
Big spaces come with big energy demands. According to the Office for National Statistics; transportation and storage firms had the largest share of purchases spent on energy in 2018 which occurred before the upheaval of COVID-19 and sky-rocketing energy prices.
As consumer habits continue to shift, the need to maintain large distribution warehouses is only going to grow. And so too will the impact on the environment. Reducing energy use, or switching to renewables, isn’t just good climate sense. It’s good business sense.
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Distribution Warehouses
Servicing today’s digital world, 2% of global energy consumption, is down to data centres. This is expected to rise anywhere up to 13% by 2030 – taking energy costs with it.
Acknowledging their role in creating a sustainable future, many data centre operators have signed up to the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, committing to become climate neutral by 2030. You may also be feeling the heat from customers, who are beginning to impose net zero requirements on data centres in their quest to reduce scope 2 and 3 emissions. Increasing costs, global commitments, client demands – it’s time to switch on to sustainability.
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Data Centres
Agriculture is responsible for 70% of nitrous oxide emissions, almost 50% of total methane emissions, and 10% of all UK Greenhouse gas emissions. The agriculture sector is a big player in the net zero game, but the opportunities for positive impact are equally significant.
The National Farmers Union has set a 2040 target for net zero emissions from agriculture across England and Wales. While in Scotland, the Emissions Reduction Targets laid out in the Climate Change Act 2019 aim for net zero by 2045, with the Farming for 1.5° Report sowing the seeds for a more sustainable future.
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Wind
Agriculture
Energy Efficiency
Combined Heat & Power plant
ENERGY CENTRES AND HEAT NETWORKS
Waste to Energy
Heat Pumps
Green power contracts
Battery storage
Electric vehicles and charging
Rooftop Solar
Solar farms
Biogas
Who for?
Real Estate and Infrastructure
What is it?
Hydrogen
Can replace natural gas in certain equipment, reducing emissions
Can be used as a way of storing excess renewable electricity
Can be used to power vehicles, especially HGVs and locomotives
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Hydrogen is a gas which has a by-product of water rather than carbon when burned. It can be generated from natural gas by a process known as steam methane reforming (known as blue hydrogen if the carbon produced as a by-product is captured) or by using renewable energy to power a process of electrolysis (green hydrogen)
Hydrogen can be transported and used in the same way as natural gas (e.g. in boilers) and can be used in fuel cells to convert back into electricity (e.g. HGVs). So it can be used for heat, to store excess electricity and to power vehicles making it a potentially attractive low carbon option
At the moment the law is developing. Hydrogen cannot be used in the natural gas grid currently.
Significant research and proof of concept schemes are currently underway to test the practical supply and application of hydrogen
There are proposals for a network of hydrogen pipes to supply commercial users such as H100 in Fife and Hynet in the North West
Developers are also planning to locate green hydrogen electrolyser plants alongside renewable generation in order to create hydrogen
Real life example
AG is supporting SGN on its ground breaking H100 project where SGN is using offshore wind power to create hydrogen and supply it to 300 homes in Fife as part of its H100 Fife project for the world-first hydrogen to homes heating network.
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
The usual planning consents would be needed for any construction works
A number of funding models are available including government grant funding for proof of concept – see Hydrogen investor roadmap
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
A way of generating electricity and revenue from unavoidable waste
Building your own EfW or AD plant can provide you with extra energy and saving on energy bills
Can enhance your environmental credentials through the generation of green electricity from waste
Real life example
AG advised an infrastructure fund on the development of clinical waste treatment facilities. The project involved land assembly, an EPC and feedstock contracts in relation to the clinical waste. Additionally there was a development agreement for the identification of suitable sites for clinical waste treatment facilities throughout Great Britain, so that the approach taken on the first site could be repeated.
There are various regulations relating to recycling and the disposal and treatment of waste
Building your own plant will need planning permission and an environmental permit
Specialist investors and developers are available to fund, develop and operate an EfW or AD plant
Businesses are encouraged to reduce their waste over time. This may not fit with a contract where you are obliged to supply a certain amount of waste each year
Energy generation from waste should always incorporate a recycling strategy
Generation of electricity from waste materials through either an energy from waste (EfW) or anaerobic digestion (AD) plant to generate electricity or biogas from particular types of waste such as co-products from food manufacturing, waste PPE, food waste and agricultural waste.
Green Power Contracts
Rooftop Solar
Solar Farms
Heat Pumps
Waste to Energy
Onshore Wind
Battery Storage
Hydrogen
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Rooftop Solar
Rooftop Solar
Biogas
Solar Farms
Rooftop Solar
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Solar Farms
Wind
Green Power Contracts
Waste to Energy
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Wind
Waste to Energy
Green Power Contracts
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Solar Farms
Solar Farms
Waste to Energy
Green Power Contracts
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Battery Storage
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Wind
Waste to Energy
Green Power Contracts
Rooftop Solar
Battery Storage
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Solar Farms
Wind
Solar Farms
Waste to Energy
Green Power Contracts
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Hydrogen
Solar Farms
Waste to Energy
Green Power Contracts
Wind
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Solar Farms
Waste to Energy
Green Power Contracts
Wind
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Solar Farms
Waste to Energy
Green Power Contracts
Wind
Wind
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Battery Storage
Hydrogen
Waste to Energy
Waste to Energy
Wind
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Solar Farms
Green Power Contracts
Waste to Energy
Wind
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Solar Farms
Green Power Contracts
Hydrogen
Waste to Energy
Wind
Rooftop Solar
Heat Pumps
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Solar Farms
Green Power Contracts
Hydrogen
Who for?
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Generates 'free' renewable electricity
Can reduce energy and/or give certainty over energy bills
Revenue stream from selling any surplus electricity back to the grid
Can be paired with battery storage to make best use of the solar energy when it gets dark
Enhances green credentials and reduces carbon emissions
Can provide security of supply of electricity
Power can be supplied direct or via power purchase agreements (PPAs) to single tenant or multiple tenants/users
Some developers will fund the installation costs in return for a PPA to buy the electricity produced
Real life example
AG advised a vehicle manufacturer on a project involving rooftop solar, battery and Europe's largest solar car-port. The project was designed to supply as much of the manufacturing plant's demand as possible with renewable energy. The factory was not fully operational 7 days a week and so export to grid was required. The manufacturer shared in the export revenues alongside the benefits of using renewable energy to power its manufacturing processes.
Can be designed into new build developments
Can be retrofitted although reinforcement works may be required
Roof will need to be assessed for size, orientation etc.
Planning permission is needed if the solar area is greater than circa 9m2 or your building is in a conservation area
If you are a tenant, you are likely to need landlord consent if you have to make structural changes or wish to sublet the roof space to a solar developer or operator
Planning permission (if needed) can take time
Short supply of solar panels can mean installation delays
Return on investment can be several years
Solar (photovoltaic) panels sited on suitable rooftops supplying a building with renewable electricity.
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Healthcare
Who for?
What are they?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Green energy tariffs where you buy certified renewable energy from your supplier
Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a generator who has an offsite renewable facility (e.g. off shore wind) and can provide you with a dedicated supply of electricity
Real life example
AG advised a rail network operator (one of the largest electricity consumers in GB) on their Corporate PPA with a household energy company. This was a 'physical sleeved' Corporate PPA meaning that the Generator will build a solar farm and supply all the electricity generated (and renewable certificates) to the customer wherever they want to use it on the GB grid via an arrangement with the customer's electricity supplier. This provides the customer with a significant amount of green power across its estate without the need to find multiple suitable sites for direct connections and crucially adds new renewable power to the UK's generation mix.
No need to install on-site equipment
No consents required
Green energy tariffs can attract 'green washing' claims as providers are not generating renewable energy directly. They are selling green energy sold back to the grid.
There are different pricing models, however the price you pay under a corporate PPA may be more or less than the wholesale market price over time.
Green energy tariffs allow you to buy certified renewable energy from your supplier through a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a generator who has an offsite renewable facility (e.g. off shore wind) and can provide you with a dedicated supply of electricity.
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Healthcare
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Public Sector
Who for?
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
A good way to provide heat and power efficiently on a large scale
Can supplement power supply where there is insufficient availability from the grid
Steam or hot water created by the CHP can be used to heat and cool buildings, provide hot water and can be used in industrial processes which reduces both overall energy consumption and cost
Can be used to provide power, heat and hot water to multiple buildings or to heat exchangers
May be required as a planning condition for certain developments
Real life example
AG advised the operator of a data centre on the installation of a CHP plant. This provided power to the data centre but also used chillers to provide cooling to the data centre halls to keep them cool. This was a funded solution, with the operator paying for the supplies received subject to a monthly minimum. The plant was critical to continuous and safe operation of the data centre so we helped ensure robust availability and efficiency measures were in place.
Will require planning permission and environmental permit.
Subject to strict emissions limits
May be required as a planning condition for certain developments
Longer term commitment
Can be a significant up front cost but funded options are available
Will need assurances around availability, efficiency and resilience to make sure operations are not interrupted
A combined heat and power (CHP) plant typically uses gas or biomass (wood pellets) to efficiently produce electricity and heat. The heat is often in the form of steam or hot water.
Transport and Logistics
Healthcare
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Public Sector
Who for?
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Reduces energy consumption, saving on bills
Environmental benefits
You can also use energy performance contracts (with fees linked to energy savings) to install the best technology solutions across your property portfolio
Can make buildings more attractive to investors who look at the energy efficiency of its assets
Real life example
AG advised the developer of a net zero government hub building, institutionally forward funded, designed and constructed to harness the latest technologies to achieve the Design of Performance NABERS rating of 5.5* which was a fundamental requirement of both occupier and funder.
Tenants may need landlord's consent to alterations (e.g. mechanical or electrical systems or to the structure).
In most cases a landlord should be amenable as energy efficiencies may increase the building's value.
Energy efficiency measures can be legal requirements – e.g. from 1 April 2023 a landlord will not be able to let a building with an EPC rating of less than E (with a few exceptions)
NABERS rated standard buildings are more expensive and may impact user experience (e.g. less natural light)
Using technology or construction methods to reduce energy consumption. This can range from retrofitting technology like smart sensors for lights, smart meters regulating heat and power, LED lighting to constructing new buildings to the NABERS rated standard – i.e. reduced glazing, lighting solutions, renewable energy solutions.
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Healthcare
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Public Sector
Who for?
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Efficient way to provide heat on a large scale
Landlord can take a share in the revenues from operating the network or a third party can fund the upfront costs and operate the network
Heat networks are a cost-effective way of reducing carbon as they can be established over large areas with multiple users – especially if that heat would otherwise go to waste.
Where the energy centre also includes electricity, it can supplement power supply where there is insufficient availability from the grid
Real life example
AG advised on the installation of an energy centre in a multi-storey car park providing residential towers, hotels, commercial premises, retail, office buildings and TV studios with electricity, heat and cooling. The TV studios were mission critical and so we worked with the developer and tenant to ensure robust mechanics around 24/7 availability
AG advised the developer on the upgrade and extension of an existing heat network operated and owned by third parties. Arrangements included ensuring appropriate resilience was in place for individual buildings (including PRS), and long term rights were granted over the network and energy centre with appropriate step-in rights for all those connecting in.
The developer and operator may require various consents; the consumer does not
Retrofitting a connection may require landlord or funder consent
Private developers and local authorities can obtain government funding for district heat networks, which local businesses can then connect into
Energy centres are often a planning requirement for developments (e.g. logistics / regeneration schemes)
The energy centre is often operated by a specialist operator who operates and maintains the energy centre and related equipment and contracts with consumers taking supplies of heat and power from the network
Connected buildings will often be reliant on the heat and/or power supply from the energy centre. So occupiers will want to see that there is sufficient back-up to ensure continuity of supply and resilience and legal structuring is key
BEIS have created a 'heat map' showing the best places to build district heat networks to take advantage of high demand
Heat networks are subject to limited regulation but many commit to voluntary standards. If connecting in, consider contractual protections around cost, maintenance and performance
You may be required to connect to a heat network if you acquire a property already serviced by a heat network
An energy centre is a communal energy facility popular for large residential or mixed use developments.
Energy centres typically generate heat (and sometimes electricity) using a CHP plant delivered via a private heat network/electricity network. In some cases, extra energy generation from solar panels or other energy sources may be connected.
A heat network takes heat from a central source (e.g. heat recovered from industry, canals, rivers or energy from waste plants) and delivers it over a large network.
Transport and Logistics
Healthcare
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Public Sector
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Who for?
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
As heat pumps use electricity rather than gas they reduce overall carbon emissions and this can be even more efficient where the electricity is low carbon electricity (e.g. under a green power contract or direct from a solar plant)
Electricity prices may be cheaper than gas prices, especially if you are using electricity generated on-site
Real life example
We advised on the replacement of boilers with heat pumps throughout a housing association's portfolio. The pumps were funded through grant monies but the installation required lender consent and safeguards around the operation of the heat pumps to replace the heat pumps in the properties if there was a failure.
Consent is not typically required to install and operate a heat pump
Installation will involve external and structural alterations to a building and therefore occupiers who have a leasehold interest are likely to require landlord consent
Funder consent may also be required if the land is charged
There is a government target to stop installing gas boilers in new buildings after 2025
Good insulation and energy efficiency measures are needed for the heat pumps to operate most efficiently
A ground source heat pump needs an external area and an air source heat pump needs access to an outside area
Pairing solar panels with heat pumps can increase effectiveness through generating the electricity to operate the heat pumps
Heat pumps capture heat from outside (which can be air, ground or water), compress it through a heat exchanger using electricity and the pressure then creates heat that can be used to warm a building.
Healthcare
Public Sector
Who for?
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Batteries work well when co-located with on-site renewable energy as they can help avoid the need to use energy from the grid when not enough renewable energy is being generated
You can use batteries to store electricity when your demand is lower and release it when demand is (or energy prices are) higher. This helps lower your energy bills if your energy use is not 24/7
If you are able to store significant energy, you may be able to put the power back into the grid at peak times to balance supply and demand and earn an extra revenue stream
Real life example
AG helped develop a best in class rooftop solar and battery solution for a large warehouse occupier at its distribution centres. The occupier reduced its emissions across the portfolio through using rooftop solar. But there was an opportunity with the batteries to sell power back to the grid at peak demand and make money too.
Regulations apply to larger battery installations
A third party operator is normally appointed and they will be responsible for the equipment and regulatory compliance
Planning permission is likely to be needed
Sufficient space is required to install the battery
The local grid may need reinforcing if you are intending on exporting (selling) electricity to the grid
Operating the battery most effectively is likely to require specialist input
A method of storing electricity from local sources or from the grid. Batteries come in all shapes and sizes, from small battery facilities that attach to walls, to large scale batteries that look like a shipping container. Electric vehicles can even double up as batteries.
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Healthcare
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Public Sector
Retail & Consumer
Who for?
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Healthcare
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Public Sector
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Healthcare
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Public Sector
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Electric vehicle fleets reduce your carbon footprint and help reduce costs (e.g. fuel, low emission zone fees etc)
Building owners and operators may need to install charging to meet corporate targets, customer and employee expectations
You may be able to use vehicle-to grid-charging to earn a revenue stream by using your electric vehicles as battery storage
Real life example
AG has devised commercial arrangements between chargepoint operators (CPOs) and customers for destination charging, fleet operations, garage forecourts. These include funded solutions enabling customers to upgrade grid connections and deploy chargers at their sites (e.g. car parks, hotels, retail parks, supermarkets) without funding initial capital investment or ongoing operational costs.
Planning permission is needed in certain circumstances
You may need funder or landlord consent if you use a separate EV charging provider who might require a lease or licence for the EV charge points
The Distribution Network Operator may also need rights over the property
Power requirements for charging can be an issue; you may need to make an application to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for additional electrical capacity if demand is significant
Charging requirements are likely to increase over time so consider future-proofing new developments or retrofitting existing developments with charging infrastructure now
Sufficient charging infrastructure will be needed to meet the needs of the rapidly changing road transport mix. Legislation is paving the way for charging at strategic road network sites, new residential developments and commercial buildings
Electric vehicles will replace a huge proportion of petrol/diesel vehicles over the next decade. Government regulation in England and Wales means that no new petrol or diesel cars and vans can be sold after 2030.
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Healthcare
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Public Sector
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Reduces your carbon footprint and provides traceable green energy
Can reduce energy bills over time, once initial installation costs are recouped
You can sell surplus energy you generate back to the grid and earn revenue
You can store surplus power using batteries and use it when the turbines are not generating
Real life example
AG advised a national retailer on their partnership with a specialist renewables developer to identify sites in their distribution portfolio suitable for onsite wind. The developer took a lease at sites, installed single turbines and supplied power to the depots with the ability to sell any surplus to the grid.
A licence to generate electricity may be needed
Planning permission is likely to be needed
Landlord and/or bank consent may be needed
You will need a connection agreement with your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and this can take some time to complete
You need contractual protection against the turbine breaking down or not supplying as much power as expected.
A wind developer may be willing to fund the installation up front on the basis of a (e.g. 12 year) PPA with the customer to buy the electricity produced.
If you can't install a turbine on site you can still purchase wind energy under a corporate PPA or from a licensed supplier – see Green Power Contracts
Wind turbines can generate significant amounts of renewable electricity. One or more turbines can be installed on a suitable site and directly connected to a building or electricity generated by them supplied under an on-site power purchase agreement (PPA) to neighbouring buildings.
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Healthcare
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Public Sector
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Reduces your carbon footprint and provides traceable green energy
Should reduce energy bills over time, once initial installation costs are recouped
You can sell surplus energy you generate back to the grid and earn revenue
You can store surplus power using batteries and use it when the panels are not generating.
Real life example
AG advised an institutional landlord on its collaboration with an occupier to reinforce a distribution warehouse roof and install rooftop solar and ground mounted solar on adjoining land. The landlord funded the equipment through a regear of the lease. The landlord created a more valuable investment, in both financial and sustainability terms, and the tenant obtained a cheaper and more resilient energy supply.
A licence to generate electricity may be needed
Planning permission is likely to be needed
Landlord and/or bank consent may be needed
You will need a connection agreement with your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and this can take some time to complete
You need sufficient land and not all sites will be large enough or suitable (e.g. on planning or health and safety grounds).
You need contractual protection against the panels breaking down or not supplying as much power as expected.
A solar developer may be willing to fund the installation up front on the basis of a (e.g. 12 year) PPA with the customer to buy the electricity produced.
If you can't install a solar farm on your site you can still purchase wind energy under a corporate PPA or from a licensed supplier – see Green Power Contracts
Ground mounted solar farms can generate significant amounts of renewable electricity. Solar farms can be installed on a suitable site and directly connected to a building or electricity generated by them supplied under a direct wire power purchase agreement (PPA) to neighbouring buildings.
Transport and Logistics
Agriculture & Manufacturing
Real Estate and Infrastructure
What is it?
Benefits
Installation and consent
Things to bear in mind
Reduces your carbon footprint
A way of producing energy from existing industrial processes
You can make money by selling biogas or by being subsidised to use it yourself
Reduce your energy bills by using your own energy
Regulations apply to the treatment of wastes (if the biogas is produced from waste)
Biogas needs to meet certain quality specifications if it is being exported onto the gas grid
Environmental permits may be needed
To be eligible for subsidies as renewable biogas, the feedstocks used need to be sustainable
Planning permission is likely to be needed
There are a number of funding models available.
Government subsidies such as the Green Gas Support Scheme and the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) may be available but you need to comply with the relevant scheme rules to qualify
Biogas is produced as a by-product of the operational processes of water companies and agricultural facilities. It can also be made through a process called anaerobic digestion.
Biogas can be used to generate electricity, used as a cleaner form of gas locally or cleaned and injected onto the gas grid. It can even be used as a renewable transport fuel.
Real life example
We are advising a statutory water undertaker on its project to develop a biogas clean-up facility and inject biomethane onto the gas grid. Increasing environmental restrictions require more efficient use of biogas produced through the water company's waste water treatment processes. The Government's RTFO subsidy will drive additional financial benefits for this biogas to transport fuel project.
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© 2023 Addleshaw Goddard LLP. All rights reserved. This does not constitute legal advice. See our Legal Notices.
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Retail & Consumer
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Public Sector
Real Estate and Infrastructure
Who for?
Who for?
Who for?
Battery Storage
Electric Vehicles & Charging
Battery Storage
Hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen
Battery Storage
Battery Storage
Solar Farms
Green Power Contracts
Hydrogen
Battery Storage
Solar Farms
Green Power Contracts
Battery Storage
Battery Storage
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Energy Efficiency
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Biogas
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Biogas
Combined Heat & Power Plant
Energy Efficiency
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Biogas
Energy Centres & Heat Networks
Energy Efficiency
Combined Heat & Power Plant
