Power Generation

Local Renewable Energy

The Greater South East Net Zero Hub supports public sector organisations and their stakeholders to develop local renewable power-generating facilities. We do this by providing free advice and support for all stages of project development.  

This includes helping you to examine the opportunities and risks of your project idea, consider the technical issues of its development, produce a business case and identify options for financing. If you need help, please contact us to explore how we could support you: info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk.

Go to net zero with help from the Net Zero Go service!

Net Zero Go helps local authorities to deliver local net zero projects by offering free access to a library of guides, articles, case studies, toolkits and datasets, alongside tailored assistance from its network of experts.
The facility is provided by Energy Systems Catapult and supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Click HERE to register for this free service.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

The benefits of this form of renewable energy, its technology and its business case, are well-tried and well-tested in the public sector.  If your organisation has not previously undertaken a renewable energy generation project, this is a good starting point.

Solar PV facilities can be developed at wide range of scale, generating capacity and capital cost. They have been widely used by all types of local authority and public sector organisations to help meet net zero targets, generate income and bring benefit to communities . CLICK HERE to view a selection of solar PV case studies from the region.

Also provided on this page are a selection of Hub Guides on solar PV, which have been especially written by the Hub team to provide you with an accessible introduction to the key considerations for the development a solar PV project:

If you need help to develop your solar PV project, please contact us to explore how we could support you: info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk.


Onshore Wind

The current policy environment for onshore wind is evolving.

There may also be opportunity for local authorities to work in partnership with community energy groups who have initiated such projects, and support them during the planning process and with funding.

Please contact us if you would like an exploratory conversation about a project idea involving onshore wind or are having difficulty with a project in development: info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk.


Hydropower

Regional case studies are available in this section for both local authority and community-led hydropower projects.

There may also be opportunity for local authorities to work in partnership with community energy groups who have initiated such projects, and support them during the planning process and with funding.

Please contact us if you would like an exploratory conversation about a project idea involving hydropower or are having difficulty with a project in development: info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk.


Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

A storage system enables energy from renewable systems to be banked when an excess of power is generated and then released when the power is needed most, whether for self-use, for export to another party, or to the local electricity grid network.

A regional case study is available here, which illustrates how solar PV and BESS have been combined within a local authority project.

A variety of BESS technologies are available, they can be used with any type of renewable generating technology and at any scale of local energy generation.

Please contact us info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk if you would like to find out how BESS could complement your renewable energy generation project or would like advice about developing a business case to include BESS in your project.


Connecting to the Network

Distribution Network Operators are the organisations that own and control the electricity distribution network, connecting generators,  suppliers, energy users and consumers. Those wishing to develop a local power generation project must engage with their local Distribution Network Operator about connecting their facility to the grid. DNOs are also keen to support local authorities with their net zero ambitions and local area energy planning. You can find out more on this website about how to engage with your local Distribution Network Operator and how they can help you.

Connect with your Distribution Network Operator

The Net Zero Hub can help to facilitate an early conversation with your local Distribution Network Operator to establish the viability of your project idea, or to help overcome an issue with grid constraint that has arisen during your project’s development.

Please contact us if you need support


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