Arup takes a closer look at decentralised energy to magnify payback for businesses, communities and the environment.
Tapping into local sources of low-carbon heat and electricity can lower fuel bills and emissions. It can also lessen our dependence on centralised generation, cutting down on transmission losses while making hospitals, universities, schools, industrial sites and entire urban districts more resilient to supply disruptions.
Despite the advantages, distributed energy schemes can be a big departure from the norm. Arup reduces the risks of taking such a step with independent advice and trusted technical support.
We understand each element necessary for success in distributed energy, from renewable energy technologies to economics and planning. Our interconnected know-how has delivered for public and private sector clients including BAE Systems, AstraZeneca, Oxford University and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Pinpointing value
We collaborate with clients to make sure their distributed energy plans deliver maximum value for them while also integrating long-term community benefits.
Benefits can include operational efficiencies, cost savings and commercial sustainability. Arup considers every angle by combining its strengths in energy strategy, technical and financial feasibility, operational and business case modelling, detailed design, procurement and project management.
With incisive early analysis, we identify the best opportunities before clients commit to costly and complex programmes. We developed our pre-feasibility toolkit, DENet, to start that process even earlier. It is a simple and free assessment tool, created in collaboration with a local authority, which identifies the places that will get greatest returns from installation or extension of a district heating network.
An independent angle
Coming from a firm of independent thinkers, Arup’s distributed energy experts naturally take a fresh view.
We work side-by-side with Arup’s masterplanners and sustainable infrastructure designers to shape a low-carbon energy future. From Baltimore to Doha and Stratford City we have shown how distributed energy networks can be integrated into development plans.
Our inventive outlook also inspires improvements in existing energy systems. For instance, our scheme in the centre of UK government merging the Whitehall and Pimlico District Heating networks spreads uneven heat demand across two networks to achieve greater energy efficiency.