CONRAD ENERGY: Powering a Secure and Stable Transition

Conrad Energy develops, owns and trades flexible and sustainable power generation, supporting businesses and the National Grid alike in the transition to a sustainable, net zero carbon electricity system. “As an IPP at the forefront of the energy transition, our energy solutions enable network and commercial customers across the UK to optimise their energy outcomes whilst supporting critical national infrastructure.

“With a pipeline of over 1000MW of our own projects, as well as actively acquiring projects across the UK, we are the power company of the future. We are providing energy solutions for a changing world and are dedicated to supporting critical national infrastructure and the UKʼs energy transition to net zero by 2050.

“Our innovative and exciting team has the experience to realise our vision to become the energy company of the future. Across the business our people are dedicated and energised to achieve great things at a critical time. We are an entrepreneurial power company with integrity, looking for solutions which make a positive difference in a low carbon economy whilst bringing peace of mind.”

SECURE AND STABLE

Conrad Energy’s capabilities extend to the supply of power from the grid to commercial customers, as well as optimising generation assets through a dedicated trading desk, which is all proving crucial in helping the UK meet the challenge of navigating what is often labelled the ‘energy trilemma’. The relatively recent terminology refers to finding a balance between security, affordability and sustainability in how we access and use energy in our daily lives, and understanding what this means for the world we inhabit today.

It is well-known, well-publicised and widely discussed that the UK energy landscape is undergoing a period of profound, and rapid, change, with the historic backbone of its power generation sector, coal and nuclear power stations, to be removed from the energy mix by 2025. The result is that the deployment of renewable generation, predominantly wind and solar, is increasing at pace.

This increasing proportion of renewable generation is helping the UK reduce its CO₂ emissions but is adding increased challenges in team of striking the requisite balance to match supply and demand from the grid.

“Renewable energy has to be at the core of the transition, yet the need to balance the network is key to enabling change,” Conrad Energy recognises. “We know flexible generation must play a growing role providing reliable power, on demand, to complement renewables. It is more cost-effective, more flexible, more dependable and quicker to deliver than any alternatives.

“It is crucial that the journey to net zero is a secure and stable transition. Conrad Energy is the UK’s largest provider of fast response, flexible generation and we are both proud and excited to support the transition.”

SOLAR AND STORAGE

Conrad Energy continues to do its utmost to enable the UK’s energy transition, announcing in May that its first major strategic solar development, Larport Solar Farm, has been awarded planning approval. The installation will offer an environmentally friendly, low-cost and safe way of delivering clean power to the equivalent of more than 11,000 homes, unanimously approved for build out by Herefordshire County Council.

“Solar power is increasingly important as we strive both as a nation and as individual counties to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” commented Chris Shears, Conrad Energy Development Director, at the award. “The site will save 9,432kg of CO2 emissions every year, a substantial contribution towards the county’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.”

Larport Solar Farm further encapsulates Conrad Energy’s dedication to supporting the UK’s energy transition, through owning and operating flexible power generation and storage assets, as well as providing route to market services for similar plants and renewable power projects. “This exciting development leverages the solar experience of our team and reflects our vision for Conrad Energy as a full-service power solutions provider, supporting the grid as well as commercial and industrial customers.”

As Conrad Energy emphasises, flexible power allows more renewables to be utilised on an hourly and daily basis, maximising reductions in overall emissions. However, “when coupled with battery storage deployment, flexible generation provides many of the answers to transitioning to a low carbon future. Battery storage assets are key to supporting the grid and enabling the growth of renewable power.”

In September last year, this realisation was actioned with the signing of a major framework agreement with GE Renewable Energy was announced, for the design, manufacture and supply of GE’s battery energy storage system in the UK. “We are convinced that battery storage has a fundamental role to play in the UK’s transition to net zero and are excited to continue the build out of our portfolio,” effused Steven Hardman, Conrad Energy’s COO.

Such a milestone moment was swiftly followed by another in February, as it was revealed that Conrad Energy was to use Tesla Megapack batteries within its 26MWh battery storage portfolio for sites located in the southwest of England, another significant step forward in its goal to deliver a 1GW battery storage portfolio. This state-of-the-art utility scale battery energy storage system is a modular and scalable solution optimally designed for large utility scale applications, and delivers broad application compatibility and streamlined installation.

“Partnering with Tesla on these battery storage projects” said Hardman, “shows our commitment to supporting the growth of energy storage solutions which are critical as we transition to a real time power market with high levels of variable renewable energy. Combining our deep technical and market expertise with Tesla’s technology demonstrates our belief in battery projects as a key part of the energy ecosystem.”

COLLABORATING AND COMBINING

The project is just one key example of a growing trend in the energy industry for companies to work together to deliver real added value to the UK’s energy transition. In collaboration with Bloom Energy and Electricity North West (Construction and Maintenance) (ENWCL) Conrad Energy is working on the pioneering development, construction and operation of behind-the-meter (BtM) projects to bring Bloom Energy’s solid oxide power generation platform to the UK market.

Hydrogen is well-suited for an array of applications and this partnership will combine future-proof, fuel flexible technology with local energy services to unlock a net-zero emissions future for hard-to-decarbonise heavy industries. “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 at Conrad Energy.

Bloom’s Energy Servers will entail energy savings and the ability to support microgrid configurations, ensuring continuity of operations for mission critical loads with continuous inverter-based power, Shears abridged. “We believe the resilient power provided by fuel cells will have a vital role to play in reducing emissions and energy costs.”

Conrad Energy has also completed the acquisition of the leading software provider in the flexible power generation market, TGG Solutions, specialist in solutions for the management of flexible power assets in a dynamic energy environment. “The acquisition of TGG will allow us to move quickly towards our goal of market-leading sophistication in the management of flexible power generation, renewable energy and battery storage assets,” explained Damian Darragh, Executive Chairman at Conrad Energy.

TGG’s flagship product, iON, has already been deployed across the Conrad Energy portfolio of power and battery storage assets, the main Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that links Conrad Energy’s commercial desk to the sites that it manages. “Owning and operating assets gives us the insight to manage third party assets,” summed up Hardman.

“We believe that value can only be fully unlocked by having cutting-edge, automated processes. The acquisition of TGG will enable our teams to make the most of all market opportunities for the benefit of both our portfolio and the customers we serve.”