Net zero power - record period for Gateshead Energy Company with no gas needed
Our District Energy Network (DEN) has just operated for over 40 hours straight with zero gas emissions - a giant step forward on our journey to net zero in 2030.
The DEN started providing heat and power for Gateshead in 2017 and for most of that time its main source of energy has been two gas powered CHP (Combined Heat and Power) engines housed in our distinctive looking District Energy Centre.
But last year we turned on our mine water heat pumps as an alternative fuel source, massively reducing our reliance on gas - and cutting our carbon emissions.
Now we have been able to evolve our strategy further, to buy in power from the National Grid at times when there is surplus renewable energy available, and hence the price is cheaper than normal.
So on election day, Thursday, July 4th, and into Friday 5th, we were able to run our whole network without needing to use the gas engines at all.
While many people have been frustrated by the unseasonably windy days experienced recently, this has been a real bonus for Gateshead Energy Company (GEC) and for the council's climate ambitions, as it means the National Grid generates more electricity from wind turbines and that means that we can buy it at a lower than normal price.
Gateshead Energy Company is wholly owned by Gateshead Council.
Councillor John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: "Windy conditions help to keep UK power prices very low, and the energy produced is very green.
"The result is that last week, for the first time, we were able to turn our gas CHP engines off for a full 24 hr period - and actually that gas-free period then extended to over 40 hours."
Since April this year, Gateshead Energy Company has been utilising dynamic power trading and control systems so that it can respond to cheap and green power periods.
When grid prices fall below a certain threshold, it's both cheaper and greener for GEC to switch off gas, and import power for its customers and to run the heat pump to supply the heat network with heat from mine water.[GW5]
This is GEC's emerging longer term strategy for its network to go 'net zero' on emissions by 2030 - so it's a milestone for us to achieve this, even for one day, in 2024.
As the UK power generation network gets greener, these days will become more frequent.
Our District Energy Network (DEN) has just operated for over 40 hours straight with zero gas emissions - a giant step forward on our journey to net zero in 2030.
The DEN started providing heat and power for Gateshead in 2017 and for most of that time its main source of energy has been two gas powered CHP (Combined Heat and Power) engines housed in our distinctive looking District Energy Centre.
But last year we turned on our mine water heat pumps as an alternative fuel source, massively reducing our reliance on gas - and cutting our carbon emissions.
Now we have been able to evolve our strategy further, to buy in power from the National Grid at times when there is surplus renewable energy available, and hence the price is cheaper than normal.
So on election day, Thursday, July 4th, and into Friday 5th, we were able to run our whole network without needing to use the gas engines at all.
While many people have been frustrated by the unseasonably windy days experienced recently, this has been a real bonus for Gateshead Energy Company (GEC) and for the council's climate ambitions, as it means the National Grid generates more electricity from wind turbines and that means that we can buy it at a lower than normal price.
Gateshead Energy Company is wholly owned by Gateshead Council.
Councillor John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: "Windy conditions help to keep UK power prices very low, and the energy produced is very green.
"The result is that last week, for the first time, we were able to turn our gas CHP engines off for a full 24 hr period - and actually that gas-free period then extended to over 40 hours."
Since April this year, Gateshead Energy Company has been utilising dynamic power trading and control systems so that it can respond to cheap and green power periods.
When grid prices fall below a certain threshold, it's both cheaper and greener for GEC to switch off gas, and import power for its customers and to run the heat pump to supply the heat network with heat from mine water.[GW5]
This is GEC's emerging longer term strategy for its network to go 'net zero' on emissions by 2030 - so it's a milestone for us to achieve this, even for one day, in 2024.
As the UK power generation network gets greener, these days will become more frequent.
