Modern Building Services

The UK’s experts in commercial heating EXPERTS Total plant room solutions by Ideal Heating and ACV UK idealheating.com IMAX XTRA 2 welcome to our ideology So, how can you make the business case for an on-site generation asset? For us, there are five clear reasons why on-site generation should be a key part of a business’s net zero strategy: 1 It reduces carbon emissions As we know, the UK government has set some very ambitious targets for the reduction of carbon emissions. As well as committing to net zero emissions by 2050, it recently announced a mid-point commitment of a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction of 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. The most effective way to reduce emissions is by switching to a zero- carbon supply. On-site generation options that use 100% renewable sources - such as solar PV or wind - will help a business significantly reduce its carbon footprint. 2 It lowers energy costs Installing on-site generation technology can make a real impact on the bottom line through a reduction in energy costs. As a site will only generate the energy the business needs to use, it will naturally operate in a more efficient way. There is also the opportunity to avoid non-commodity costs, such as the third-party costs required to maintain and balance the grid, if a business is generating its own electricity. If a business can demonstrate clear savings through installing an on-site asset, then it will make the case for investment much stronger. 3 It protects against price fluctuations Linked to a reduction in energy costs, on-site generation helps to mitigate against price fluctuations in the market. As well as avoiding non- commodity costs, having an on-site supply helps to protect businesses against wholesale price volatility, meaning it can plan ahead with greater certainty. In short, it puts the business in control of its energy usage, and allows it to unlock flexibility in terms of demand. 4 It provides an increased stability of supply Hitting net zero emissions by 2050 relies heavily on mass-electrification, putting increased pressure on the central grid. Any loss of energy - no matter how brief - can be costly, particularly to those mission-critical businesses that rely on 24/7 supply. Installing on-site generation - particularly if combined with battery storage - helps to protect businesses from any downtime by increasing self-sufficiency and minimising the reliance on the grid. 5 It improves reputation and sustainability credibility As more and more businesses announce their sustainability plans, there has been a greater focus on so- called ‘greenwashing’ - where a company’s zero-carbon FEATURE NET ZERO