Energy Systems Catapult and five local authorities in Greater Manchester have won funding for a pioneering clean energy project – that will develop 10 renewable schemes across the city – and create a blueprint that can be replicated in other regions across the UK aiming for Net Zero carbon emissions. Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester (UCEGM) brings together five local authorities that have declared a “climate emergency” – Manchester, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, and Wigan. The 3-year £17.2m project – led by Energy Systems Catapult and part-funded with £8.6m from the European Regional Development Fund – will capitalise on under-utilised council-owned sites and buildings, to develop: 10 Megawatts of solar PV and hydro-electric generation, battery storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and smart energy management systems. The projects planned include solar farms at Chamber House farm in Rochdale and Kenyon Way in Salford, three rooftop solar schemes in Stockport and a rooftop solar scheme at Makerfield Way in Wigan. Energy Systems Catapult will focus on the development of innovative new business models to maximise the value from the electricity generated, for example by taking advantage of regulatory changes, or utilising flexibility between clean energy assets distributed across the city as part of Manchester’s emerging Local Energy Market.
Energy Systems Catapult 23rd Sept 2020 read more »