Factories could cut annual energy costs by more than £18,000 by combining solar panels, battery storage and bidirectional electric vehicle charging in a smart energy hub, according to new Cenex research.
Cenex is an independent not-for-profit research and technology organisation specialising in low emission transport and energy infrastructure. Its study examined whether locally managed energy systems could help businesses electrify vehicle fleets without waiting for expensive upgrades to constrained grid connections.
The research was delivered through Innovate UK’s government-funded Vehicle-to-Everything Phase 2 Programme. It assessed the 3ti Papilio3 V2X DC FastHub across factories, fleet depots, offices and leisure sites.
The system connects solar generation, battery storage and EV chargers through a shared direct current network behind the electricity meter. This allows power to move between the different assets with fewer energy conversions which Cenex said can reduce losses and make better use of renewable electricity generated on site.
Its modelling found offices, leisure facilities and depots using two-rate electricity tariffs could save between £2,600 and £3,700 a year.
High-demand factories could achieve savings exceeding £18,000 with potentially larger reductions available through dynamic tariffs which change according to wholesale prices or grid conditions.
Peak electricity demand could also be cut by between 5kW and 150kW depending on the site and its operating pattern. Reducing these peaks could allow operators to install high-powered EV chargers where the existing grid connection would otherwise be insufficient.
Battery storage was identified as central to the system because it can absorb solar power or cheaper off-peak electricity then release it when vehicles require charging. Bidirectional charging could eventually add further capacity by allowing compatible EV batteries to supply power back to a building or the grid.
However the results were produced using Cenex’s EIGER energy modelling tool rather than through long-term commercial operation. Cenex also warned that there is no single design suitable for every site.
Savings depend on charging behaviour, battery size, solar capacity, electricity demand and the tariff being used.
Fleet operators would therefore need detailed analysis of their own sites before deciding whether the investment case stacks up.
The largest modelled reduction in peak site demand was 150kW.
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