Co-location, co-location, co-location

As the UK transitions to net zero, the energy generation mix will become increasingly dominated by intermittent renewable generators, thus promoting a need for greater flexibility within the energy system. Setting up a new site, especially for storage assets, is currently a long and often costly process. Co-location is where multiple renewable generation or storage assets share a grid connection and by co-locating a new asset with a pre-existing one, the set-up process can be made both cheaper and faster. Whilst this report focuses primarily on the co-location of multiple generation or storage assets, the co-location of generation with demand is also discussed in the context of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and low-carbon hydrogen production.

To keep reading, please log in to your account

Related thinking

Regulation and policy

Race to net zero: Rebuilding investor confidence in the UK

Increased macroeconomic pressures and rising international competition have left the UK at risk of falling behind in the race to attract investment in the net zero transition. In this paper, we examine these headwinds alongside a discussion of the short and long-term changes to the Contracts for Difference scheme that...

Power and gas networks

The shifting sands of Liquified Natural Gas in Europe

As we look ahead to a second winter with heavily reduced levels of Russian pipeline gas being supplied to Europe, one of the key variables in the stability and security of European gas supplies and prices will be the supply of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). In this paper, we discuss...

Net zero corporates and ESG

Corporate decarbonisation: What shapes success?

The focus of this research report is on the strategic measures that businesses can take to decarbonise their energy usage, with more practical measures discussed in Cornwall Insight’s published insight papers, “A corporate’s guide to decarbonising power” and “Business net zero: Making progress in a challenging economy”. This research centred...

Regulation and policy

Reform options for TNUoS and constraint management

This report explores the potential to enable the decarbonisation of the GB energy system and meeting net zero ambitions through evolutionary reforms to the transmission charging and constraint management arrangements. Cornwall Insight is an independent energy consultant with extensive experience in market and policy analysis. This report was produced by...

Regulation and policy

Transforming the energy market: how change will work for consumers

This report is an introduction to changes in the energy market. It has been written in a way that is easy to understand for people who are not familiar with the topics. Energy is critical to all sectors of the economy, and this report provides a high-level overview of the...

Home supply and services

Decarbonising healthcare: opportunities and challenges

In order for the UK to meet its commitment to a net zero economy by 2050, all sectors will be required to reduce their carbon emissions. In this paper, we set out some of the main options for decarbonising heat and power in the healthcare sector, and the typical advantages...

Home supply and services

The power of flex: Rewarding smarter energy usage

The research underpinning this report aims to understand the financial and environmental benefits of household flexibility for consumers and the national energy system. We have analysed the difference between a scenario where households participate in flexibility, and one where they don't. Our analysis covers three time periods (2025, 2030 and...

Energy storage and flexibility

Ready and waiting: Opportunities for energy storage

As the UK transitions towards net zero, the increasing share of the energy generation mix coming from renewables is resulting in greater intermittency of generation, leading to a growing system need for flexible dispatch solutions. Produced in conjunction with DLA Piper, this report provides a background to energy storage and...