Renewable Electricity Beats UK Grid

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to show that local renewable energy in Britain can compete well with the traditional National Grid and deliver costs that are less than half the current prices. First, the history of green electricity originally invented in England is summarized. Then the high prices of electricity in Britain are defined, showing that reduced costs are now possible through renewables because the UK monopoly National Grid is past its peak. Renewables, such as Solar and Wind, fluctuate and are not 100% available, suggesting that big energy storage is necessary, yet this has never been properly integrated into the National Grid. Hydrogen is the best molecule for storing and transporting energy in a composite tube trailer carrying 33MWh typically. When combined with solar panels and a large wind turbine, energy generation is in excess that can be converted to hydrogen stored in composite cylinders, filling renewable generation gaps with Combined Heat and Power (CHP) from zero emission fuel cells. An example of a large village site approaching this concept is described in detail, though failing in several aspects. The conclusion is that Solar plus Wind plus Hydrogen energy storage can be successful if the site scale is correct, such that appropriate solar/wind/hydrogen generation is installed, and the Grid is connected for back-up of the private wire system. Payback time of 3 to 4 years and savings on energy bills near £60M for each site over ten years should incentivize this innovation.