Birley Campus Micro-Grid

Case study

Aims of the project:

A number of energy interventions have been installed at the Birley campus of Manchester Metropolitan University (Manchester Met).  Working with Siemens and project consultants NSP NW, these complement the existing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant and the private heat and power network.  The installations include solar photovoltaic panels (PV), energy storage capacity, an innovative demand side response platform and a micro-grid controller.  The controller connects and manages assets throughout the private network, seamlessly integrating to the wider city virtual power plant energy management system, known as the Central Controller.

Benefits:

The Triangulum interventions allow Siemens and Manchester Met to achieve:

  • Reduced energy costs with less purchased at peak times/price.
  • Flattening of peak demand
  • Support to balance the electricity transmission system.
  • Carbon savings via PV and storage.
  • Increased network resilience.
  • Improved energy management.

The energy savings will contribute to Manchester Met’s 2018 status as the UK’s greenest university.

The micro-grid and Central Controller offer the capability to optimise energy generation and consumption across a range of sites via a single platform.

Lessons Learned:

Early identification and engagement of stakeholders is critical to success.

Investment rationale for existing and emerging energy technologies change rapidly.

The use of flexible control platforms enables new business model to be applied, ensuring organisations are not left with obsolete assets.

Implementation:

157kWp of solar photovoltaic panels were installed on the Brooks building (contractor HT Forrest Ltd).

The 400kW/480kWh Siemens Siestorage Electrical Energy Storage system, Microgrid Controller and Central Controller technology were installed by Siemens.

Works on the site were project managed by the partner organisations with resource from consultants, NPS NW Ltd.

Project details:

Organisation: Manchester City Council, Siemens, Manchester Metropolitan University, NPS Group

Funding: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 646578.

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