Bloom Energy (BE), Conrad Energy, and Electricity North West (Construction and Maintenance) Limited (ENWCML) announced plans to collaborate on the development, construction and operation of behind-the-meter (BtM) projects to bring Bloom Energy’s solid oxide power generation platform to the UK market. Orders are expected to commence in December 2021.
Bloom’s fuel-flexible, non-combustion Energy Servers combine ambient air and biogas, hydrogen, or natural gas to create electricity through an electrochemical process without combustion at high efficiency. The result is a reduction in carbon emissions, air pollutants, and water usage. When hydrogen or biogas are used as the fuel source, the Energy Servers deliver on-site, 24/7, zero-carbon electricity — all in a simple, modular and flexible design.
Hydrogen is well-suited for an array of applications and unlocks a net-zero emissions future for hard-to-decarbonize heavy industries. Industrial stakeholders in the UK will be able to transition toward a green energy supply as hydrogen production infrastructure continues to mature with the support of aggressive UK government targets. The collaboration creates a strong foundation that will help the UK achieve its net zero carbon emissions goals by 2050, including a hydrogen strategy that aims for five gigawatts of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.
As part of the collaboration, Bloom Energy expects to supply its Energy Servers along with local servicing. Conrad Energy, a UK-based owner, operator and optimiser of energy assets, with a strong focus on behind the meter (BtM) energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions, will be the lead project financer and act as the primary energy supplier. Electricity North West (Construction and Maintenance) Ltd, a private electricity network asset service provider with over 1,000 commercial and industrial users in its maintenance portfolio, will lead the installation and offer the BtM solution to its commercial and industrial customers.
Fully financed by Conrad Energy, Bloom’s Energy Servers bring additional value to customers in terms of energy savings and the ability to support microgrid configurations, ensuring continuity of operations for mission critical loads with continuous inverter-based power. The technology will be offered to customers under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) structure, removing upfront capital costs while providing cost predictability across the term of the contract.
“Bloom Energy’s technology is distinctly capable of helping the UK meet its 2050 net-zero carbon goals,” said Tim Schweikert, senior managing director, international business development, Bloom Energy. “We are proud to enter the UK market through our collaboration with Conrad Energy and Electricity North West Construction and Maintenance, where we can help the region’s pursuit of making clean, reliable and affordable energy solutions a reality.”
“Being able to offer this highly innovate fuel cell technology from Bloom Energy is a fantastic opportunity for ENWCML and our customers,” said Jim Hallas, customer solutions director, ENWCML. “We want to be a UK leader in the race to reduce carbon emissions and help our customers achieve energy cost security, whilst preparing for the hydrogen economy. This technology offering manages to do all three in one go.”
“This collaboration is very exciting for Conrad Energy as we continue our strong growth into new technologies, which provide future proof solutions to our customers,” said Chris Shears, development director, Conrad Energy. “We believe the resilient power provided by fuel cells will have a vital role to play in reducing emissions and energy costs.”
