Networks trialling motorsport inspired technology to cut generator emissions
Three cleaner fuels are to be trialled in mobile electricity generators used to power homes, in a move towards cleaner air and transition to Net Zero emissions.
UK Power Networks will use lower emission fuels to replace diesel in generators. The industry-first project will see homes and businesses in Kent use the alternative fuel in generators used to power them during essential network maintenance and repairs.
Britain’s first hybrid glycerine generator will be tested in the ‘Cleaner Engines’ innovation project based on cutting-edge technology used in electric motorsport to avoid recharging electric racecars using diesel. The trial will also compare the reliability, performance and emissions of hybrid generators fuelled by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
To reduce engine noise and improve air quality, the cleaner fuel engines also have batteries which can charge during the day so they can run quietly at night. The glycerine and HVO generators will also use solar panels to charge the battery.
Britain’s biggest electricity distributor delivers power supplies to 8.4 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England. Portable generators are used to keep power flowing when undertaking repairs on the networks as well as after severe storms, when they help get the power back on for customers quickly, while engineers repair damaged cables.
Residents will be able to spot the new low emission trial generators, supplied by Aquafuel Research Ltd and Energy Solutions (UK) Ltd, by their distinctive green colour. The HVO and glycerine generators are expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 87% and the LPG by approximately 42%.
Reducing reliance on diesel is key to UK Power Networks’ commitment to reduce its directly-controlled carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2028 and cut Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions by 33% between 2023 and 2028.
Ian Cameron, head of customer service and innovation at UK Power Networks said: “We are designing and testing new types of generators to find out which produce the greatest reduction in emissions and help us lower our carbon footprint.
“This project includes collaboration to help electricity network operators across Britain learn how to reduce reliance on diesel, understand safe storage and handling procedures needed for large-scale use and support the drive to achieve a better environment.”
Early estimates show that replacing 50 diesel-fuelled generators with a mixture of alternative-fuelled hybrid generators could save 251 tonnes of CO2e every year, equivalent to about 289 London-New York return flights, plus hundreds of thousands in fuel costs and reduced maintenance over a five-year period.
Project partner, Aquafuel Research, has powered generators used in electric motorsport, including Formula E. Paul Day, chief executive of Aquafuel, said: “As the only company in the world to develop and patent technology that enables glycerine to be used as fuel, we’re proud to bring our expertise to UK Power Networks’ Cleaner Engines project.
“This innovative work has developed the world’s first glycerine hybrid generator which can be silent at night, running off batteries. UK Power Networks is demonstrating leadership by exploring the future potential for ultra-low emission, quieter engines to keep power supplies flowing to residents during essential maintenance and repairs. We look forward to progressing these trials.”
Mark Penny, head of sales at Energy Solutions UK, which provided the LPG generators, said: “Sustainability and emissions are at the core of our new developments in the field of hybrid generators. It’s great to work with UK Power Networks, leading the way in taking the necessary steps to reduce their carbon emissions and deliver Net Zero. Many of our systems are showing a significant reduction in overall emissions both CO2 and NOx. The added benefit of less generator runtime is significantly reduced noise pollution which can make for a good night’s sleep in a residential area.”
The first alternative fuel generators using HVO have been used to supply electricity to a customer’s home while repairs were carried out to their electricity supply cable. The trial will continue until February 2023 when results and customer feedback will be published.
Elliott Warley, from Ramsgate, who was the first participant in the live trials, had a hybrid HVO engine connected to his home after a cable fault. He said: “There was an issue with the power to my home and UK Power Networks brought out one of the innovative new generators. I work on large construction sites in London and hear generators going all day. This one was amazingly quiet all through the night. I went about my business as usual using the hoover, washing machine and tumble dryer with no issues. They should all be like this.”
The emissions tests are being performed by the Centre for Low Emission Construction at Imperial College London and Emissions Analytics to provide independent verification of the emission reduction benefits. The tests will compare the new engines and alternative fuels against the latest available (EU stage V) diesel technology to demonstrate improvements in local air quality as well as delivering a carbon saving.
Find out more by watching a short video about the project. The team leading the trial also kept colleagues across the business updated by sharing a podcast.
UK Power Networks will use lower emission fuels to replace diesel in generators. The industry-first project will see homes and businesses in Kent use the alternative fuel in generators used to power them during essential network maintenance and repairs.
Britain’s first hybrid glycerine generator will be tested in the ‘Cleaner Engines’ innovation project based on cutting-edge technology used in electric motorsport to avoid recharging electric racecars using diesel. The trial will also compare the reliability, performance and emissions of hybrid generators fuelled by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
To reduce engine noise and improve air quality, the cleaner fuel engines also have batteries which can charge during the day so they can run quietly at night. The glycerine and HVO generators will also use solar panels to charge the battery.
Britain’s biggest electricity distributor delivers power supplies to 8.4 million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England. Portable generators are used to keep power flowing when undertaking repairs on the networks as well as after severe storms, when they help get the power back on for customers quickly, while engineers repair damaged cables.
Residents will be able to spot the new low emission trial generators, supplied by Aquafuel Research Ltd and Energy Solutions (UK) Ltd, by their distinctive green colour. The HVO and glycerine generators are expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 87% and the LPG by approximately 42%.
Reducing reliance on diesel is key to UK Power Networks’ commitment to reduce its directly-controlled carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2028 and cut Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions by 33% between 2023 and 2028.
Ian Cameron, head of customer service and innovation at UK Power Networks said: “We are designing and testing new types of generators to find out which produce the greatest reduction in emissions and help us lower our carbon footprint.
“This project includes collaboration to help electricity network operators across Britain learn how to reduce reliance on diesel, understand safe storage and handling procedures needed for large-scale use and support the drive to achieve a better environment.”
Early estimates show that replacing 50 diesel-fuelled generators with a mixture of alternative-fuelled hybrid generators could save 251 tonnes of CO2e every year, equivalent to about 289 London-New York return flights, plus hundreds of thousands in fuel costs and reduced maintenance over a five-year period.
Project partner, Aquafuel Research, has powered generators used in electric motorsport, including Formula E. Paul Day, chief executive of Aquafuel, said: “As the only company in the world to develop and patent technology that enables glycerine to be used as fuel, we’re proud to bring our expertise to UK Power Networks’ Cleaner Engines project.
“This innovative work has developed the world’s first glycerine hybrid generator which can be silent at night, running off batteries. UK Power Networks is demonstrating leadership by exploring the future potential for ultra-low emission, quieter engines to keep power supplies flowing to residents during essential maintenance and repairs. We look forward to progressing these trials.”
Mark Penny, head of sales at Energy Solutions UK, which provided the LPG generators, said: “Sustainability and emissions are at the core of our new developments in the field of hybrid generators. It’s great to work with UK Power Networks, leading the way in taking the necessary steps to reduce their carbon emissions and deliver Net Zero. Many of our systems are showing a significant reduction in overall emissions both CO2 and NOx. The added benefit of less generator runtime is significantly reduced noise pollution which can make for a good night’s sleep in a residential area.”
The first alternative fuel generators using HVO have been used to supply electricity to a customer’s home while repairs were carried out to their electricity supply cable. The trial will continue until February 2023 when results and customer feedback will be published.
Elliott Warley, from Ramsgate, who was the first participant in the live trials, had a hybrid HVO engine connected to his home after a cable fault. He said: “There was an issue with the power to my home and UK Power Networks brought out one of the innovative new generators. I work on large construction sites in London and hear generators going all day. This one was amazingly quiet all through the night. I went about my business as usual using the hoover, washing machine and tumble dryer with no issues. They should all be like this.”
The emissions tests are being performed by the Centre for Low Emission Construction at Imperial College London and Emissions Analytics to provide independent verification of the emission reduction benefits. The tests will compare the new engines and alternative fuels against the latest available (EU stage V) diesel technology to demonstrate improvements in local air quality as well as delivering a carbon saving.
Find out more by watching a short video about the project. The team leading the trial also kept colleagues across the business updated by sharing a podcast.