Could Local Grids Replace National Grids?

With a growing number of households and businesses tapping into the benefits of producing their own renewable energy, it’s logical to wonder whether the national grid as we know it now will continue to be relevant in the future.

In an article for Wired, Emma Bryce suggested that localised energy production, spurred on by the increasing use of renewables, could replace large – and often unstable – national grid supplies.

She believes that utilising the likes of solar power – and even kinetic energy generated by people walking along a street – will lead to urban areas becoming “more resilient and greener”.

Buildings, in particular, are a key target in the fight against carbon emissions, as well as providing plenty of opportunities for power generation.

CEO of Polysolar, a UK-based company that’s developing solar panels that can double as glass, Hamish Watson believes more organisations are realising how renewable sources can benefit their businesses.

“I think in 2018 we’ll see a move from just a few specialist buildings to a much more standard adoption of [this solar technology],” Mr Watson told the news provider.

There are also companies elsewhere in the world that are working on developing skyscrapers that utilise the wind to generate power. The idea of all of these microgrids is that their energy supply would be much more secure – and less susceptible to faults or problems occurring hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Given that the UK recorded its greenest ever year for electricity generation in 2017, you can see that the tide is starting to turn. A multitude of renewable energy records were broken last year, including the UK delivering power for a full 24-hours without coal for the first time since the industrial revolution.

To find out how your business can utilise commercial heat pumps and other renewable energy in Cumbria, contact us today.