Sustainable

rd 3 November 2018

Energy and the local grid, Decentralised Energy.

The home, people & transport.

A future for Leeds and an example of a power supply enabler?

Part 2 of 3 About My engagement with community and social little by way of action and trialling of new issues started some 5 years ago when I ideas and concepts.

was able to leave employment and choose The Council’s governance structure my own path. appears unable to engage with community My early career as a builder, designer and groups and larger visioning for a greener surveyor, involved in the provision of and more community orientated way of homes, schools, hospitals, social units, doing things. community and business premises, gave This Outline is a continuation of our me an insight into the relationship between Sustainable Energy Concept, A West people and the structures in which we live Paul Quarmby and work. Leeds Distributed Energy Grid. We now Ask the question: How do we, how will we, Author & questioner The latter years brought questions and get generated power and energy from of the status quo! insights about people’s social needs, our generators to users? future and the potential stratification of society. We hope this element proves to be comprehensible and promotes discussion My current concerns are with today’s and maybe trials of options moving Leeds problems and ensuring an equitable towards our common and legally required sustainability into the future. decarbonisation objectives.

I have instigated several projects, designed We hope through partnerships and

to put people first, improve lives and create community engagement to make Leeds a community. While these projects have not forward-looking and green city where jobs yet progressed to completion they have and businesses have a positive impact on promoted discussion and spin off projects people’s health, outlooks and opportunities which are being taken forwards by local and make Leeds a truly great place to live.

groups. Paul Quarmby

For me, one of the bigger issues is how we Sustainability Advocate, engage with our Local Authority. Our local [email protected] governance system is supposed to plan Mob: 07905 005983 and prepare for the future and yet we see

Contents About ...... 1 Executive Summary ...... 3 Northern PowerGrid, say: ...... 3 Introduction ...... 5 Without a visible governmental plan we speculate ...... 6 Proposal ...... 8 A typical Secondary School ...... 10 Potential benefit for the school ...... 11 A school as an energy hub ...... 12 Potential to expand and adapt the concept ...... 16 Social Benefit ...... 17 Stakeholder Consultation ...... 18 Planning ...... 19 General concerns about local hubs, local generation & distribution ...... 20 Promotion of the project and concept ...... 21

Executive Summary

Northern PowerGrid, say: We can now see a change in the way cities, homes and businesses The government have put clean growth at the centre of our look to Smart technologies and philosophies to reduce costs and modern Industrial Strategy: changing the way we heat our ensure supply continuity, and it is now predicted that near doubling homes, power our cars, and run our electricity grid. Traditional of the electrical grid capacity will be required in the not too distant ways of distributing electricity to our customers in our region future. are no longer appropriate in a world where patterns of Currently electricity networks are planned and designed on the basis generation and consumption are increasingly complex. We of meeting the local peak demand or peak generation placed on now need to play a more active role in order to continue to them. This peak might only occur for a few hours on a handful of deliver a safe, reliable and affordable service to our eight days a year. When a new customer (demand or generation) million customers. requests a connection to the network, companies assess whether Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) have taken the first steps the capacity requested will breach demand or generation limits at towards becoming Distribution System Operators (DSOs), the term this peak time. If it does, then reinforcement of the network is given to a model where the operator takes a more active role in required. These costs can be considerable and with the expansion of managing local electricity generation and use. cities and urban areas become increasingly likely.

The relationship between the national transmission network, local On the back of successful trials, funded through Ofgem’s low carbon distribution, generators and purchasers of power are changing and network fund, many companies are now allowing new customers to the areas of responsibility may become, dangerously, blurred by new connect to networks without reinforcement, but this becomes technologies and a desire of Government and Consumers/Suppliers increasingly risky as alternative generation, often weather to push for reduced costs while allowing all, including the public, to dependant, introduces an unknown element and increased risk of derive a greater income. oversupply and unmatched demand.

Whilst I do not yet see an agreement on how systems will operate in These so called non-firm connections require a greater degree of harmony the ENA ‘Open Networks’ project, launched at the start of control and we speculate problematic contracting. 2017, has brought together UK’s transmission and distribution grid We thus suggest that district energy hubs with active network operators and was recognised in the 2017 BEIS & Ofgem Smart management and automated grid balancing provision be considered Systems and Flexibility Plan as a ‘key initiative’ for decarbonisation to combat high levels of intermittent and inflexible generation and and change. feel more responsive local grids will be possible if areas are islanded around such hubs.

And for administration of the new generation of customer/supplier, These hubs already exist within the quite densely populated we note the progress of Blockchain related concepts. GE Power areas of Leeds and thus what is needed is the cooperation of Digital has joined a study to evaluate the use of blockchain , a Desire to plan for the future and a study technology for energy industry applications. The study – launched by to establish the practicality of such a concept. the German energy agency, Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) – will investigate whether blockchain applications can be operated economically and reliably in the energy industry.

This document suggests that a small scale trial of a distributed energy grid, established within an existing urban area, takes place. And from such a trial we extrapolate the practicality of adopting such ideas across Leeds and the rest of the Country.

That Energy Hubs could be created in 65 community areas within the Leeds area and could be used to moderate supply and demand and protect local distribution networks by:

 Generating electricity at peak times to aid the balancing of the local distribution grid.

 To absorb, store or utilise surplus capacity from the local grid.

 That the technology and philosophy of green energy is used as a teaching resource.

 That the power of community, that is established around these hubs be utilised to create interest and take up of Green and Smart technologies within the local community and distribution area. Introduction Climate change, the 2050 Carbon Reduction targets What does this mean for the future of the existing and the regulations we have created to offset energy sector, the transmission and distribution problems and protect our planet and ourselves in networks we currently use? future years mean that: Comment: National Grid: Future Energy Scenarios. We must reduce our CO2 production, and halt the release of other July 2018. gasses that blanket the earth and add to the earths heat retention We are entering a new world of energy. The expected growth of low problems, This requires our action in the following ways: carbon and decentralised generation means the electricity system As our energy systems are major producers of carbon we must will need to change. decarbonise electricity and heat. Capacity could increase from 103GW today to between 189GW and That district heat networks will be required. 268GW by 2050, with the more decarbonised scenarios requiring the highest capacities. Up to 65 per cent of generation could be local by That electricity will be in greater demand for heating, cooling and to 2050. power heat pumps and networks. High levels of intermittent and inflexible generation will require high That transport will be via electric propulsion units. That cars, delivery levels of new flexibility, and there may be some periods of vehicles and means of public transport will use a large proportion of oversupply. Interconnectors and electricity storage will play a key our generated electricity by 2030 - 2035 role in easing this.

That people will look to generate and store electrical power within The changing generation mix also means new ways to maintain their own homes and expect to be able to sell electricity to the Grid & system balance will have to be found. Others. Sustainable and renewable energy generation now That business will employ means of on-site electrical generation, looks to be practical, but, How are we going to move heat production and storage, and will look to avoid peak electrical use and costs. electricity from generators to where it is needed while maintaining the frequency, voltage and consistency of Cities, houses and businesses will look to Smart technologies and supply? philosophies to reduce costs and ensure supply continuity.

And thus a need for the near doubling of the electrical grid capacity has been predicted. Without a visible governmental plan we speculate appliances, and have 2 or more electric cars and employment away from the home. Regulatory groups and interested parties present various scenarios but as yet we see no clear guidance or plan from our Local Less wealthy areas may face redevelopment and an encroaching of Authorities or Central Government. multi-occupation blocks and apartments, (leading to less living space and greater energy use per M2 of ground) Appliances which are less We look to; explore here, how the 2050 decarbonisation target can efficient and a lack of financial resources to invest in smart systems. be achieved through a decentralised energy landscape. And we do this because People, where they live, where they work and how they Transport: The Government’s aspiration to end sales of transit between places dictates energy need, and the time and conventional petrol and diesel powered cars and vans by 2040 volume of energy consumed. But we also must acknowledge that means EV’s will become the mode of personal transport. Heavy the distribution and predictability of energy consumption, people’s goods vehicles will also be decarbonised but without a Mass Transit ability to pay for changes, and their dependence on the energy system the proliferation and charging of EV’s will be an issue and be systems we have and will create are a matter of life and wellbeing. disruptive in respect of grid supply within some localities. (charging at work or at destinations may not be possible leading to an Businesses and industry are consumers of large amounts of energy overnight charging culture) but this is predictable and can be accounted for by on-site generation and planned contracting of supply with generators. Heat: The Homes of the wealthy will become more thermally efficient, and Heat Pumps or small CHP units will be dominant The drive towards decarbonisation and demand side action will technologies for these households. In Leeds much is being pinned include: on a Hydrogen mains gas supply but this may falter over: cost to Electricity demand will be dictated by the Densification of our city, the consumers; manufacturing of adequate Hydrogen; regulatory future high use of Electric Vehicles, the use of Heat Pumps, Air complications over the supplier monopolies that will be created. Conditioning and the uptake of District Heating. District heating will not penetrate the market because of the difficulties of establishing Energy Centres and delivery pipework Challenges will exist for the use of Smart technology and success routes. The lack of Local Authority support will stifle the may depend on socio economic grouping and cost / spend abilities implementation and funding of many such green projects. within the household. Electricity supply: Large scale Offshore / Onshore wind and Solar, The management of peak electricity demand within areas and co-located with storage will come to dominate the generation sector, districts will depend on the economic wealth of an area. The there will be interconnection of regions and countries to facilitate wealthier areas will be stable, will have the ability to employ Smart transmission. Electricity via Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Systems, Could afford heat efficient homes and newer A+++ production by electrolysis will remain expensive and a niche market. At a domestic level, wealthier areas will have on roof solar and expect to be able to connect to the grid in order to receive payment The centralised control of the National Grid is complex and the firing for the electricity generated. up of generation and the long distant transmission is expensive and inefficient. Flexibility at the domestic level will be provided by small scale storage and small gas-fired CHP plant, Problems of demand and takeback will be local and areas of the distribution network will come under great pressure and maybe But all this will cause distribution headaches for the carriers. outages will increase as circuit’s burn out.

Gas supply: Gas from the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), Norway The Smart Grid and Smart City, The Smart Neighbourhood, will need and liquefied natural gas (LNG) will remain important in the short and to be controlled automatically and locally, traditionally generated and medium term. Fracking will continue to be controversial; Biogas from controlled supply will not be appropriate for streets and areas where waste will be local and small scale. capacity is challenged.

The challenge will be to upgrade electricity networks Local Hubs of generation and of overcapacity absorption appear to to accommodate increased demand, particularly at be a natural conclusion and necessity. peak. Is local generation the answer, is the distributed energy grid a Additional electricity generation and network capacity will be needed practicality and if so, how might we trial and plot a way forward? to meet peak demand from EV’s and heat pumps. The domestic generation of electricity via Solar, CHP and Car Battery discharge The 2050 legislation is upon us. Given that we should and need to will increase the pressure on local grids. be planning for the long term; that infrastructure changes of this magnitude are enacted over decades and necessary plant People will expect to be able to sell their generated electricity to the replacement planned over periods in excess of 20 years, we must grid and to neighbours and thus Local Networks will need thus start now. substantial reinforcement and the ability to cater for peaks and troughs, discharging overcapacity and generating additional short Our proposal suggests that local generation and uptake of duration uplift. This could be very difficult and expensive for the grid overcapacity can be catered for, reducing the expense and and network providers. disruption of new infrastructure by using community facilities to island areas. How areas and neighbourhoods function, how demand We suggest that schools may provide the potential to create is created and how electrical generation takes place all Electrical Distribution Hubs and facilitate not only electrical demand need further analysis. We thus speculate: stability but social change, cooperation and uptake of green Demand on the network, both to provide customers with electricity philosophies. and to absorb electricity generated domestically is problematic.

Proposal

This proposal suggests that a small scale trial of a distributed energy  That the timescale for moving to a decarbonised grid fits with grid, established within an existing urban area, takes place. And the planned maintenance and replacement of school boilers. from such a trial we extrapolate the practicality of adopting such ideas across Leeds and the rest of the Country.  Secondary Schools will be needed and remain at the heart of communities for as long as children need education. That Secondary Schools in the Leeds area could be used to moderate supply and demand and protect local distribution networks by:  That the summer shut down periods should not be seen as a disadvantage to the network or a cost in running plant when  Generating electricity at peak times to aid the balancing of the the school is empty. ( see generation options and issues ) local distribution grid.

 To absorb, store or utilise surplus capacity from the local grid.

 That the technology and philosophy of green energy is used as a teaching resource. The following map shows the distribution of Secondary Level Schools.  That the power of community, that becomes established

around a local school, be utilised to create interest and take up of Green and Smart technologies within the local There are 65 Schools and Colleges of this type in Leeds, ranging community and distribution area. through Maintained Schools, Academies, Special Schools and Independent Schools.

It can be seen that the location of such schools reflects the  Secondary Schools are distributed across the Leeds Region population and urbanisation of Leeds. in response to areas of population and are often in the heart of communities. The densification of urban Leeds thus also reflects the demand for domestic energy.  Secondary Schools are of such size and such energy consumers that the installation of CHP plant to replace school boilers is a practical and financially beneficial proposition.

Abbey Grange Church of England Bishop Young Church of England Academy Academy Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School Carr Manor Community School Co-operative Academy Priesthorpe Co-operative Academy of Leeds Cockburn John Charles Academy Corpus Christi Catholic College Dixons Trinity Chapeltown (Secondary Campus) Farnley Academy Academy School Leeds Jewish Free School Morley Academy Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School Otley Prince Henry’s Grammar School Specialist Language College Grangefield School Rodillian Academy –All-through education from 4 to 18 Secondary Campus Royds School Ruth Gorse Academy St Mary’s Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy Temple Learning Academy UTC Leeds High School

A typical Secondary School We suggest that this school be used as a base for a trial of our proposed distribution hub and distributed energy grid.

Horsforth School is a science specialist secondary school with academy status in Leeds. Opened in 1972 and located in Horsforth, it educates around 1,500 boys and girls, aged 11 to 18. It gained Special Science status in 2002.

We suggest this school, for a trial, because of its Science Academy status and that it falls within a moderately urban area, having a mix of dwelling type and a mix of residents falling within a range of socio- economic banding.

Horsforth is an area where the uptake of rooftop solar and the purchase of Electric Vehicles will give a fair understanding of demand network variability over the coming years.

Potential benefit for the school  That by being part of the energy supply system of the local We hope that , Education Leeds, and those neighbourhood a community relationship might be formed that responsible for planning and ensuring the continuity of electrical was supportive of the school and its educational ethos. supply will find merit in this outline and agree to talk and plot a way forward, establishing the potential benefits for each .  In future years and with community help other teaching possibilities may become available. If the energy hub creates Through the creation of an Energy Hub at a Secondary School, in spare heat, electricity and CO2 then the provision of a this case Horsforth School, we envisage: greenhouse, indoor or vertical farms may be utilized to teach pupils about food and maybe training for jobs in urban food  Modifications to the schools plantroom to encompass CHP production. Plant and a Grid Scale Battery.

The installation of such plant may replace out of date and inefficient plant that is approaching end of life. This may reduce capital costs for the Schools and Education Leeds.

In having such plant located at the school we believe that a plant manager will be provided and their services will be available to deal with heating and power issues throughout the school.

 That revenue derived from having the Hub located at the school will be returned to the school by way of reduced costs in the supply of Heat & Power.

 That the plant installed will be a teaching resource for the pupils of the school. A school as an energy hub Suggesting that the plant that keeps a school running might also be A major hurdle to the project or to any trial of such a concept will be used to balance the local grid and keep the local neighbourhood the usual comments from our leadership and authorities, when they functioning might at first appear to be fanciful and extremely costly. say: Where is the money coming from! But we are not talking about supplying all the needs of the local area, just sufficient power to balance the grid when the drain on supplies or the power being pushed back into the grid exceeds the capacity of the existing provision. This would avoid the upgrading of transformers and distribution cables to take account of maximum demand usage scenarios.

The following plant and examples of what might be installed are, at this time, just a list of options and ideas. What is installed will depend on the perceived local future demand and that which is necessary to stabilise the network.

The possibility of creating a full Distributed Energy Grid, network and district heating system, will be considered but is not envisaged at this time.

The project is ambitious, given the regulatory and political outlook at this time. The measure of success of the project will be in providing a thorough testing of the possibility of creating and maintaining a future and local energy grid.

CHP Unit Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, also known as cogeneration, generate electricity and useful thermal energy in a single, integrated system. CHP is not a technology, but an approach to applying technologies.

Where the heating and power requirements of a building are considerable it is more effective to generate the power, electricity, by CHP and then utilise the heat created in the electrical generation process to heat a building, or feed a Heat Network supplying many buildings.

Grid scale battery storage Energy storage is an emerging disruptive technology and used in power grid management, because it enables integration of larger quantities of intermittent renewable generation sources like wind and solar, for real time stabilization of the grid at a lower cost than using traditional generators. These batteries can shift loads to avoid peak demand on strained transmission and distribution facilities deferring costly utility investment.

Cars as transport, Electrical storage and generator Battery storage, of energy, within cars is a recognised way of energy demand balancing and will soon be common place and maybe, in future, required by regulation.

The provision of charging points at places of work and within / at community facilities may facilitate a way of balancing the grid via smart charging, allowing take and give back of electricity to the local grid.

Roof top solar The urban environment provides a large amount of empty rooftop spaces and can inherently avoid the potential land use and environmental concerns.

Solar on school roofs is a well-established way of providing power, reducing energy costs and helping to educate children about the benefits of utilising the resources our planet provides.

Solar in the UK is possible but seasonal in terms of output. In summer we could cutback the CHP output and rely on solar to charge the Grid Storage battery and via the battery balance the local grid.

Ground source heat pump Secondary Schools have large playing fields and thus heat collectors, this could be used to supplement the heating requirement of the school or contribute to a Local Heat Network.

Air source heat pump Air at any temperature above absolute zero contains some energy. An air-source heat pump transfers ('pumps') some of this energy as heat from one place to another, for example between the outside and inside of a building.

Via a heat pump we might utilise the external air temperature but also capture waste heat from our plantroom and from the school.

Again feeding the heat into a Heat Network or using the heat to preheat the schools hot water system. Anaerobic Digester Plant These power plants/ concept, uses a natural process to transform waste into renewable energy. Anaerobic bacteria digest organic matter such as manure, green waste or food waste to produce biogas, a mixture which is primarily methane and carbon dioxide

The fuel, biogas, can be used to create heat and electricity via a CHP plant, while the leftover organic matter can be used as agricultural fertiliser.

A school has a lot of suitable feedstock from school lunch residue, grounds maintenance and general waste.

Hydrogen manufacture, storage & use Integrated hydrogen energy solutions, which are modular, high pressure and rapid response, could meet the demand requirements for electricity grid balancing and energy storage. Hydrogen is a clean fuel for transport and onward energy production.

Surplus electricity generated at the school or in the local grid could be used to create hydrogen.

Thermal storage

As a response to an excess of electrical capacity on the grid it is possible to store energy as heat, in hot water, and cold, as and in Ice.

Small scale storage would be useful for powering the schools heating and cooling systems. But also, as these other technologies, play a part as a teaching resource. Potential to expand and adapt the concept If we find such a concept has merit and the trial proves or adapts the ideas to be functional, then Leeds and other Local Authorities might look to protect the Local Distribution Network in similar ways and in other areas.

If we in Leeds plan to implement such ideas across the region we might also find additional benefit in improved engagement between the school and community.

We may also be able to set up a Maintenance Unit that looks after the equipment at the school, maybe extending that by way of contract to cater for all the schools maintenance needs.

We then might also instigate a proper Planned Maintenance regime which takes out of service, on a regular basis, the heat & generation plant. This we envisage will be done by utilizing a modular plant based system where units can be swapped over in a matter of hours and proper maintenance undertaken in an off-site – centralised workshop. Social Benefit It is essential for the health & wellbeing of Leeds residents that we have an adequate, sustainable and guaranteed energy supply.

Further, it is necessary that Government, businesses and households comply with the Climate Change legislation and initiatives and that we all protect the planet and the future for our children

The promotion of sustainable power to both business and domestic customers will have benefits to society.

Although not obvious at first the benefits of promoting such new technologies and concepts include the creation of new local jobs, education and job readiness for our children, and may also change social outlooks about how we live and depend on each other.

Stakeholder Consultation Areas requiring attention: We believe that it is time to consider how we might, in future, ensure Gaining Local Community engagement and support and maintain local electrical supplies. Further, establish the practicality of having a local Distributed Energy Grid.

Discussion with Stakeholders is required to confirm the need for Compliance with Planning and regulatory requirements such planning and establish the extent of infrastructure reinforcement and upgrade required.

Northern PowerGrid Gaining consents from Government Departments

Discussion and consultation is required around the need for infrastructure and supply network upgrading. Preparation of environmental impact assessments and National Grid sustainability appraisals

Discussion and consultation is required In respect of supporting local electrical generation and transmission. Raising the necessary funds Leeds City Council Government, Energy project support LCC Councillor and Officer Support is required Grant funders, General Education Leeds, discuss policy and practicality Local community share offer Horsforth School Commercial funders ( Aviva etc ) Discussion with the School Head, School Governors, Parents, Energy Supply companies Teachers and Pupils, is required ensuring such proposals have support and are not considered detrimental to the pupils health & wellbeing. Employment opportunities for local people

Planning The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that Identify opportunities where development can draw its energy planning should: “support the transition to a low carbon future in a supply from decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy changing climate, taking full account of flood risk and coastal supply systems and for co-locating potential heat customers change, and encourage the reuse of existing resources, including and suppliers. conversion of existing buildings, and encourage the use of The framework also advises that opportunities should also be renewable resources (for example, by the development of renewable identified where development can draw its energy supply from energy).” decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy supply At paragraph 97, the framework provides more detail on how local systems. planning authorities may support use and supply of low carbon Planning and Energy Act 2008. A local planning authority in energy. “To help increase the use and supply of renewable and low England may in their development plan documents, include policies carbon energy, local planning authorities should recognise the imposing reasonable requirements for a proportion of energy used in responsibility on all communities to contribute to energy generation development to be: From Renewable Sources, For Energy to be Low from renewable or low carbon sources” Carbon Energy, To set Energy Efficiency Standards. They, LA’s, should have a positive strategy to promote energy from renewable and low carbon sources. Further: The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) To achieve this they should: enables Local Planning Authorities to introduce a Local Development Design their policies to maximise renewable and low carbon Order (“LDO”). LDOs grant planning permission for specified energy development while ensuring that adverse impacts are development in defined areas and can reduce bureaucracy, improve addressed satisfactorily, including cumulative landscape and the speed of decision-making and improve certainty for landowners, visual impacts; communities and developers.

Consider identifying suitable areas for renewable and low And: LCC have implemented this order in parts of Leeds and could carbon energy sources, and supporting infrastructure, where likewise implement such an order to facilitate the necessary planning this would help secure the development of such sources; consent to create a sustainable electrical distribution grid and decentralised energy grid. Support community-led initiatives for renewable and low carbon energy, including developments outside such areas being taken forward through neighbourhood planning; General concerns about local hubs, local generation & distribution

There will be public concerns in respect of developing a local distribution hub and in future a Distributed Energy Grid,

Local residents will be concerned by the potential for greater noise, for added air pollution, from a perceived increase in transport and late night working.

There will be, a not in my back yard attitude from some.

There will be a belief that an increase in radiation and EMF from the plant will be detrimental to health and the pupils attending the school.

We also envisage a reluctance from within the Council, Education Leeds, and governing bodies, the belief that a school should be a school and nothing else, will I am sure be presented as an argument against such future development.

The answer I might offer at this time is; We need to plan for the future now and by doing so, having the discussion, we might establish the best way of ensuring a good future for all, as opposed to leaving the discussion, planning and trials to the last minute and being faced with a system and outcome that is detrimental to many.

Lets talk and plan now…

Promotion of the project and concept

Establish costs, benefits and disadvantages & undertake Community Engagement via:

Have discussion forums within the school, involving pupils.

Engage parents by school meetings and outreach.

The Neighbourhood Planning Group: now in place and considering sustainable energy issues.

Local Councillors

Local and well established Community Groups

Community engagement

Promote the concept in the local press, website and on social media.

We hope You, ------, will help and engage with this project and look for ways to make Leeds a forward looking green city for the enjoyment of all.

Thanks & Regards

Paul Quarmby Sustainability Advocate Sustainable Leeds

What signals are our Government and our Local Authorities sending?