High-powered storage systems that can deliver a number of financial, operational and environmental benefits. They can be used to increase the usability of renewable energy sources, increase resilience and generate revenue by selling excess power to the grid.
Computer-based systems installed in buildings to monitor and maintain ventilation, lighting and heating systems.
A system that generates heat and power simultaneously. Instead of the heat produced as a by product of generating energy being wasted, it’s captured and put to use.
Technology that helps companies to balance supply and demand and manage consumption. By reducing energy use at peak times, they can save money and earn incentives. These are typically financial and are offered by the energy provider.
A plan that pays a company to shift operations to times of day when there is an excess of energy production—often from wind farms and solar power facilities. An example would be a factory moving production to a time of day when energy supply is high, but demand is low.
A broad range of generation, storage, energy monitoring and control solutions that enable companies to increase energy efficiency, resilience and performance. This can include onsite generation—often through renewables or CHP.
An emerging model that gives large energy consumers greater choice than the traditional “energy as a commodity” model. The characteristics of “as a Service” models in energy are different to those in IT—energy is already mainly supplied on a “pay as you go” basis and scales to meet demand. In energy, the focus is on giving more flexibility over how energy is produced (often from a mix of sources, both onsite and remote), who owns the assets, the degree of resilience, and pricing models.
Computer systems that enable centralized measurement and control of the use of energy across multiple sites such as factories, stores and office buildings. These systems have superseded SCADA systems. The term EMS is also used to describe systems utility companies use to manage energy grids.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
A measure of how far along a company is on the journey to leveraging the full potential of energy. It is based on two aspects: execution and vision (see page 10).
A plan which sets out a company’s energy related goals. This would typically include targets and plans to improve energy efficiency, resilience to disruption, sustainability and competitive advantage.
The price paid to independent energy generators—including onsite renewables and energy recovery systems—for the electricity they supply to the grid.
Connected equipment that is able to share data with other connected devices and systems. This can include everything from room thermostats to sensors on industrial equipment.
A model where investments in infrastructure improvements are funded by a third party, typically a supplier, and paid for out of ongoing energy savings or increased revenue. This reduces the capex burden on the company.
The ability to maintain operations despite disruptions in energy supply. This typically involves alternative sources such as diesel generators and battery storage systems.
Lighting systems—typically based on more energy efficient technologies, like LED—that can sense and react to their surroundings. For example, turning on/off automatically based on occupancy and ambient light.
The orchestration of energy resources in the most cost-effective manner possible. This would include changing the mix of energy sources used as availability and costs change—which can happen minute by minute on large commercial contracts.
The world of energy is changing and, with our chosen businesses, distinctive positions and current capabilities, Centrica is well placed to deliver for its customers and for society.
We will satisfy our customers, deliver cash flow growth and returns for our shareholders and be efficient and excellent in our operations.
We are shifting investment towards our customer facing businesses—organized around two global customer facing divisions: Centrica Consumer and Centrica Business, focused on the residential consumer and the business customer respectively.
We are developing innovative products, offers and solutions, underpinned by investment in technology. In February 2017, we announced the creation of ‘Centrica Innovations’ that identifies, incubates and accelerates new technologies and innovations. We will look to invest up to £100 million over the next five years in start-ups, giving us access to technology and entrepreneurial capability and resources.
Centrica Business Solutions is at the forefront of supporting organizations around the world to benefit from new distributed energy sources and technologies to achieve their business vision. Through a combination of deep expertise and a broad range of distributed energy solutions we enable you to take control of your energy and gain a sustainable competitive advantage—improving operational efficiency, increasing resilience, and driving your business vision forward.
We’ll partner with you to provide the right combination of innovative energy solutions and expert advice to deliver the energy strategy your business needs. We remove the complexity traditionally associated with the energy market and provide the right energy solutions, in the right place and at the right price. And we offer a comprehensive range of flexible financing options that can be tailored to your requirements for each project.
We provide global end-to-end distributed energy services to one in four of the FTSE 100 and power the ambitions of 2,000 companies across Europe, the Middle East and North America, from retail and manufacturing to health and education. We’re investing £700 million by 2020 in distributed energy to make these energy solutions a reality for you.
Learn more about how Centrica Business Solutions can help you power your business ambition by visiting centricabusinesssolutions.com
