Faraday wins pioneering trial

Edinburgh-based energy tech company Faraday Grid has struck an agreement with a UK distribution network operator to trial its potentially “transformational” product, which aims to up renewable energy capacity and lower its cost.

UK Power Networks, which owns and maintains electricity cables across the east and south-east of England, including London, will trial the world’s first “Faraday Grid”.

The grid consists of a network of Faraday exchangers, power-control devices that autonomously balance voltage, frequency and powerfactor control.

It is designed to help the energy grid accommodate the fluctuations in supply that come with renewable sources, support the demands of technologies such as electric vehicles, reduce the need for backup generation, and lower customer costs.

Implemented at scale, Faraday estimates its technology can double the amount of renewable generation an electricity grid can carry.

The agreement will see Faraday’s technology trialled on the London electricity network in the spring.

Faraday founder and chief executive Andrew Scobie said: “Energy systems around the world are going through unprecedented change to meet increasing demand for electricity in a sustainable way.

“Renewable energy has a critical role to play and it is crucial that it be delivered at the lowest cost, so that the transformative benefits of electricity can continue to be enjoyed by all.

“The Faraday Grid is specifically designed to ensure energy systems are equipped to meet society’s need for affordable, secure and clean energy long into the future.”

Ian Cameron, head of innovation at UK Power Networks, said he recognised Faraday’s technology had the potential to be “transformational for distribution networks and the wider energy system”.