For a major project developer, Common Futures explored the opportunities and possibilities for developing solar farms and batteries at industrial parks facing electricity transport capacity constraints, resulting in long waiting times for new grid connections and withdrawals. The focus was on optimising the use of currently contracted capacity within energy hubs through collaboration with existing businesses.
Specifically, Common Futures investigated, through literature review and interviews:
- The potential for project development using alternative contracting models, such as a Closed Distribution System (GDS), a Group Transport Agreement (GTO), and multiple suppliers on a single connection (MLOEA).
- The value of energy hubs for various stakeholders.
- The elaboration of a promising case: bottlenecks, anticipated developments, and opportunities to realise an energy hub.
The research provided the developer with the tools to initiate exploratory discussions with relevant stakeholders at industrial parks experiencing transport constraints. This collaboration aims to create an energy hub that benefits all parties involved.
