Microgrid Project• This feasibility study aims to develop a model for
a rural microgrid using Ashton Hayes as a test-bed.
• The project is led by the University of Chester • Technical and business expertise are provided by
EA Technology Ltd• Ashton Hayes Parish Council’s Going Carbon
Neutral sub-Committee facilitates liaison within the village.
The Concept
• Using renewable energy locally• Raising awareness of energy and its use• Developing innovative use of technology -
Ashton Hayes is leading the way with this feasibility study
• Getting renewable energy onto the network more cheaply
• Saving money
What makes a microgrid?
• Local renewable generation – match demand and generation
• Develop a local energy economy – save money
• On a defined piece of network (both electrically and geographically)
• Could involve storage• Could attempt to improve quality of supply
What are we doing?
• There are three parts to the project:– Technical Work– Financial and Operational Models– Community Involvement
Technical work
• This involves three objectives:– Assess the potential renewable energy
supply– Assess the demand profile– Match up supply and demand
Assessing Renewable Resources
• Possibility of a wind farm• Solar pv• Biomass boiler or CHP for the school rather
than gas– Bio-oil (old chip fat!), Pellets?– CHP with a summer heat store (so we can
use the power in the summer).
Ownership and management 1• Proposal: A Community Renewable Energy
Organisation (COREO) that will own the generators and manage the electricity supply they generate.
• Goals of the COREO :– simple, – workable,– inclusive,– not something that will fizzle out in a week!
Community Involvement
• In order to investigate how these options might work we are working with the village community.
• We have recruited volunteers to two focus groups:1. To consider ownership and running of a COREO.
This would include allocation of power, ownership of equipment, pricing, income streams.
2. To consider the technical options for generation and metering.
