Case Studies
Decentralised Energy
- 4 projects commissioned since January 2008 involving key players (e.g. Econnect, TNEI, NaREC, CPI, UK Biomass, Newcastle City Council, Arup)
- Investigating distributed networks, private wire networks, grid connection issues and establishing a regional resource advising on establishing ESCo’s
- A new working group established (1st meeting attended by 22 key regional stakeholders). Next meeting on April 21st.
- ONE taking a lead in facilitating discussion and supporting the region in delivering DE solutions
- Key projects being considered will include Middleton-in-Teesdale and Edmonton to reflect the need to increase emphasis on heat.
Tackling Climate Change
One North East is already supporting a number of activities that are helping to mitigate the effects of climate change, including the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC), Energy Resource Excellence (ERE), Community Energy Solutions and the Midas programme. We have invested over more £100m in state-of-the-art energy research laboratories and test facilities for wind, wave, tidal, photovoltaic, power electronics, high-voltage and thermal technologies. We are also working closely with regional partners such as Government Office North East and the North East Assembly through the North East Climate Change Partnership. We have provided funding support for work investigating the how the region can adapt to climate change and pinpointing potential risks and opportunities for businesses.
Wind turbine at NaREC
The major US manufacturer Clipper Wind is developing a 7.5 MW wind turbine at NaREC in the North East which is the first turbine of this size. Clipper Wind is using the research facilities to test the components of the turbine and is being supported by One North East with the development of the supply chain. The support package will run initially over a 3 year period. It is anticipated that by 2012 up to 100 of the prototype wind turbines could be produced representing a major opportunity to ensure UK components are included.