Localised Energy Station
Led by Professor Xudong Zhao, a globally recognised researcher in Heating and Cooling systems, a new type of power station could transform the way we generate and receive energy.
Currently being trialled in parts of China and in the UK with Hull City Council, this advanced ‘energy station’ could unlock mass decentralisation of the power system.
2 min read
Reducing waste energy
The energy station takes advantage of multiple energy sources that are generated locally, utilising a concept called ‘Energy Symbiosis’.
This is where within certain geographies there are significant energy resources that are available or being wasted. This includes locally generated wind and solar energy, energy from waste, waste heat, hydrogen and any other local sources such as geothermal and biofuels. The energy station is made up of a suite of technologies that can be fully integrated into one power system.
This Flexible Multi-Generation System (FMG) consists of integrated and flexibly operated facilities that provide multiple links between the various layers of the energy available. FMGs may facilitate integration and balancing of fluctuating renewable energy sources in the energy system in a cost and energy-efficient way, thereby playing an important part in smart energy systems.
A plan for the future
FMGs are integrated, dynamic facilities that convert one or several energy resources into multiple energy services and other valuable products. This means for each energy station deployed it can provide end users (communities, business parks, public sector estate) with heating, cooling and electricity, offering a full ‘end-to-end’ energy solution operating within one power station and infrastructure.
Typically deployed to serve between 5-10 square miles, the energy station would provide a highly efficient system that alleviates future demand pressures. Contributors to the system (households, businesses, industrial parks) utilise the symbiotic energy resources, sharing and trading energy between each other.
The University of Hull is pioneering this work at the Aura Innovation Centre, a leading R&D facility for low carbon technologies.
Energy
Flexible energy delivery
Waste reduction
Multi-source
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This advanced ‘energy station’ could unlock mass decentralisation of the power system.”
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Invest Humber: Clean Growth in the UK’s Energy Estuary was created and is managed by Future Humber.
Future Humber promotes the region's distinctive strengths to the widest audience and accelerates opportunities to unlock the potential in the Humber.
Diana Taylor is the Managing Director of Future Humber. She is responsible for guiding the vision and strategy to market the Humber to the UK, Europe, and beyond. Diana works with partners and stakeholders to build the voice of the region and enable businesses and organisations within the Humber to succeed and grow.
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