Zero Carbon Rugeley Project
Zero Carbon Rugeley is producing an innovative design for a town-wide Smart Local Energy System (SLES) at Rugeley, Staffordshire.Zero Carbon Rugeley is one of just a dozen such pioneering programmes in the UK and will demonstrate how carbon emissions and energy costs can be reduced whilst also providing a boost for local regeneration.
In designing the SLES, the project partners will take full advantage of the latest renewable energy technologies and smart control systems to deliver clean, affordable energy for residents. As such, the innovative Rugeley SLES will create a scalable energy solution that can be replicated in other areas in support of the UK’s transition to a zero-carbon future.
At the centre of this pioneering project is the Rugeley community; residents, local businesses and commuters who access the area regularly. Crucially, ‘User-Centric Design’ is embedded in the proposed solutions, using innovative community engagement methodologies to ensure the wants and needs of the community are addressed. Zero Carbon Rugeley will create “a bespoke Rugeley SLES”, not simply an “SLES for Rugeley”, demonstrating how carbon emissions and energy costs can be reduced whilst simultaneously boosting local economic regeneration and social integration.
Find out the latest project information and join the discussion on the Engage Zero Carbon Rugeley Facebook page, or for project related questions reach out to the community engagement team at engagezcr@keele.ac.uk
What is the project about?
The project aims to deliver an energy system design for the area which is sustainable, low carbon, and that drives the regeneration of the town and local energy infrastructure.
The project will undertake these activities:
Analyse the current and future Rugeley energy system, covering new and existing buildings, mobility and energy assets, to capture energy streams.
Create smart, shared and low carbon mobility options that are integrated into the smart platform and energy system.
Engage in innovative and inclusive community engagement activities to capture the inputs of local communities.
Create for new-builds and retrofit easy-to-use smart solutions that enable flexible services, and energy efficiency measures.
Develop customer facing energy business models for new-build and retrofit.
Create an optimised energy system for Rugeley using a novel tool including opportunities for new renewables generation and storage to balance the local network.
Create a local market platform with real-time energy pricing that allows consumers and energy suppliers to trade, sell and buy flexibility services and renewable power across the system.
Create a pipeline of energy projects that are suitable for different types of investors.
Create an AI-based operation and optimisation platform and infrastructure that integrates existing and new assets for real-time operation, balancing and flexibility services.
Develop policy frameworks and proposals such as Sandbox or Energy Innovation Zone to overcome barriers.
Why a SLES?
With the rapid growth of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar energy, the nature of the UK’s energy infrastructure has changed dramatically.
In contrast to the older picture where the nation’s energy supply was from a few large power stations, we are now producing energy at many locations throughout the country. Feeding all this energy back into the national grid is expensive, disruptive and puts a strain on existing systems.
The concept of an SLES is to harness locally produced energy and put it to use within the local community. This will deliver benefits for local people including:
- Reduced energy costs
- Improved energy efficiency
- Lower carbon emissions
- Lower environmental impact
- Creation of a local energy marketplace
- Local ownership of energy production and distribution
- Greater energy independence
- Boosting local employment
- Closer engagement with local stakeholders
How will a SLES work?
The energy industry has seen significant change in recent years. Not just in how energy is produced but also in the use of smart information and communication technologies in the control of that energy.
The Rugeley SLES will be at the leading edge of the application of these technologies. In doing so it will integrate a number of energy solutions, taking maximum advantage of locally produced energy, which will be operated digitally at a local level.
Main Partners
Equans is a leading provider of technical, FM, regeneration and energy services – with specialist capabilities in smart buildings, green mobility, district & embedded energy and decentralised renewables. Our employees combine these activities to help businesses, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero, and also the digital & industrial transitions that are redesigning the way we move, work and live.
- Project Lead
- Lead development of Business Models
- Lead Energy System Design of overall system and medium and large-scale assets
Opus One Solutions is a software engineering and solutions company founded in 2011 with a mission to create an intelligent connected and sustainable energy network through GridOS®. https://www.opusonesulutions.com/
- Lead the design of an energy market platform for the whole town of Rugeley
- Support business model design
Keele University's Institute for Sustainable Futures brings experience in Smart Energy Market Infrastructure and Energy System Design provided through the Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) Project, and experience in Education, Stakeholder Development and Dissemination.
- Lead user engagement to capture design inputs from the local community.
- Support design of solutions based on experiences from Keele University's SEND
Conigital is an AI, Optimisation and Automation company developing a platform for Autonomous Vehicles backed by UK government backed in 3 flagship driverless vehicle projects worth £13.2m.
- Design of AI based asset operation and optimisation platform to control energy assets.
- Design of Autonomous Vehicle Mobility-as-a-Service offers
Connected PLaces Catapult is one of the Innovate UK Catapults. CPC is the new name for the Future Cities and Transport Systems Catapults.
Lead the design of low carbon mobility solutions for Rugeley Town, and mobility energy demand data provision.
Regen is a not-for-profit centre of energy expertise and market insight whose missions is to transform the UK's energy systems for a zero-carbon future. www.regen.co.uk
- Lead on energy policy and regulatory developments.
- Provide expertise and input from other areas of work in energy system innovation.
Sustainable Housing Action Partnership is a not-for-profit in the housing sector with network of housing associations, local authorities, businesses, academia and the third sector. Research and dissemination on sustainable housing issues and opportunities to audiences in the West Midlands.
- Lead the design of low carbon building and retrofit solutions and program for Rugeley
- Building energy demand data provision
- Design of Fuel Poverty based retrofit program
Energy Capital is a public-private partnership within the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) reporting to the Mayor of the West Midlands. Pioneered the Energy Innovation Zones (EIZs) and developed pilot EIZs. Working in partnership with BEIS, Ofgem and Cornwall Council, developing a national template for EIZs.
- Lead the investment and finance work
- Creation of investor panel to input into design process
- Translation of Energy Innovation Zone program into the energy system design.
Cadent owns and manages four of the eight gas distribution networks in the UK: West Midlands, North West England, East of England, North London with 11m customers.
- Support of gas-based solutions design
- Support with regulated funding programs
New Vic Theatre brings expertise in community engagement to support social and environmental impact. It's unique methodologies, help co-create knowledge and action on diverse topics such as volunteering, personal community, community asset mapping, energy poverty and energy use/ reduction, sustainability.
Support user-centric design process through innovative co-generation process
Chase Community Solar is a community benefit society that has raised over £1 million, through a community share offer and lian, so that, with support of Cannock Chase Council, had 314 council bungalows fitted with solar panels.
- Support generate business models and energy solutions by being a local user
What is a SLES?
A short video explaining Smart Local Energy Systems.
Zero Carbon Rugeley Progress & Outputs
Find progress documentation here