A resilient microgrid solution
BasePower led the detailed work to develop the full solution, including procurement, construction and commissioning and selected Rolls-Royce Power Systems with its brand mtu to deliver a fully integrated microgrid solution. Alongside expertise in enabling a reliable, autonomous and integrated energy solution, Rolls-Royce Power Systems was able to directly supply three of its mtu Series 4000 Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plants, two mtu EnergyPack QL battery storage containers and two mtu Series 2000 standby generators.
Each component asset of the microgrid is controlled by a central smart microgrid control system. Connected through a fibre optic communication network, the controller is able to identify load requirements, calculate the most efficient distribution of power and deploy sufficient assets while keeping enough power in reserve to provide electricity even in the event of utility grid or asset failures.
The microgrid also connects to photovoltaic panels installed on the rooftops of the warehouses themselves, serving as an additional sustainable power generation asset. Designed with future decarbonisation in mind, the microgrid will continue to support larger amounts of solar energy as the number of on-site renewable sources increases.
In addition to this, the three mtu CHP plants installed at the Biggleswade site have the ability to run on hydrogen with only minor modifications, enhancing the site’s ability to run on renewable and low-carbon power once this becomes available.