​Large Manufacturing Company

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The Background:

​A significant local mineral extraction and manufacturing company faced a substantial operational challenge: their operations were characterised by a huge electricity demand, particularly during daytime hours. This reliance on external energy sources presented a clear opportunity to enhance energy independence and sustainability.

 

The business is committed to minimising the effects of its own operations as well as those arising from their supply chain.

Continu’s detailed planning and modelling provide a clear foundation for confident
investment decisions, highlighting the substantial, tangible benefits the project can
deliver.

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The Challenge:

​The core challenge for the site was to minimise their energy costs and carbon
emissions, while significantly reducing their reliance on traditional grid imports and fossil fuels.

 

They sought a comprehensive solution that would maximise the use of renewable energy generated on-site and potentially generate revenue from the grid.
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The Solution:

Continu was tasked with developing a robust and economically viable solution. Theproposed design and specification included a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)coupled with the maximum amount of solar energy generation possible, utilising bothroof and ground-mounted solar panels.

 

This strategic integration aims to maximise on-site renewable energy consumption, while also enabling a grid connection for exportingexcess power and earning revenue from grid services. Various project funding modelsoptions were included to allow the client to make confident investment decisions.

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How It Was Done:

Continu's comprehensive plan for the site involved several key stages:In-depth Site Assessment including energy evaluation, gathering detailed dataabout the energy profile, electricity tariffs, and evaluating the suitability of theclients’ buildings and surrounding land for solar PV and wind turbines.

 

Optimal System Design: Leveraging existing grid connection, Continu proposed toinstall a DC Coupled 4MW Solar PV system (with 80% ground-mounted panels inadjacent fields) and a 4MW 6MWh battery energy storage system featuring a hybridinverter. This bespoke sizing was crucial for maximising energy benefits.

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How It Was Done cont...

Advanced Energy Modelling: Utilising sophisticated energy modelling for the siteusing bespoke software, Continu clearly demonstrated the annual energy costs,carbon emissions, and identified peak and dip periods in energy demand. Thismodel allowed them to project the positive impact of the proposed system,showing figures for grid import reduction, diesel usage reduction, carbonemission savings, and energy cost savings for each month.

 

Clear Financial Pathway: A detailed report was provided, outlining estimatedannual savings and a clear payback period for the investment.

 

Flexible Investment Options: To support the scale of the project, Continuproposed a partnership with a third-party investor. This model allows an externaldeveloper to fund the upfront costs, while the client retains priority access to thebattery system for renewable energy use. It enables the client to benefit fromenergy savings without the capital outlay, significantly reducing risk and cost,making it a win-win solution.

 

Planning and Risk Mitigation: Continu presented a comprehensive report toassess the feasibility of ground-mounted solar, providing the site with foresightinto potential risks and limitations.

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The Results:

While the project remains at the feasibility stage, with initial assessments completed,Continu’s detailed planning and modelling provide a clear foundation for confidentinvestment decisions, highlighting the substantial, tangible benefits the project candeliver, including:

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• Maximised Onsite Renewable Energy Consumption: The designed systemensures the greatest possible use of renewable energy generated directly on thesite.

• Substantial Cost Savings and Carbon Reduction: The solution is engineered tominimise energy costs and significantly reduce carbon emissions by decreasingreliance on grid imports and fossil fuels.

• Potential for New Revenue Streams: The system is designed to allow for export ofrenewable generation to the grid, opening up opportunities for the client to availof grid services revenues.

• Clear Investment Justification: Detailed financial projections, including estimatedannual savings and a projected payback period, provide the site with theconfidence needed to make a strategic investment in new energy technology.

• Reduced Financial Risk: The proposed partnership with a third-party investmentcompany offers a lower-risk and more cost-effective option, for example PPA foradopting this advanced energy solution, removing the burden of significantupfront capital expenditure.

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Why Continu?

Continu was chosen as the ideal partner for this transformative project due to its specialised expertise in site-wide power resilience for complex commercial and industrial applications. While many industry case studies focus on large grid-scale deployments, Continu brings relevant, real-world insight tailored to commercial environments.

 

With vendor-neutral technical expertise and access to cutting-edge technologythrough trusted partnerships, Continu offers a structured, expert-led approach that gives businesses the confidence and financial clarity needed to invest in advanced,sustainable energy solutions, particularly when the technology is new.

 

This approach aligns closely with the ambitions of forward-thinking, early-adopter clients.

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