Port of Belfast

Maximising Renewable Energy: Continu’s Integrated Solution for Belfast Port

​The Background:

AEM are committed to providing high-quality services to produce cutting-edge projects. This project on the new build site at Belfast Port of Entry delivered for DAERA reflects a shared commitment to sustainability.

The Project showcases Continu’s innovative design, integrating various renewable energy assets including Battery Energy Storage (BESS) and Solar PV with a core objective to maximise renewable energy use for the site power needs, thereby reducing grid reliance and enhancing energy independence.

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The Challenge:

The primary challenge for the project was to effectively integrate and optimise multiple power assets – solar PV, a generator, and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – to maximise the use of renewable energy, significantly reduce reliance on the grid, and achieve substantial cost savings for the customer.

This required precise sizing, sophisticated control strategies, and a clear financial pathway to ensure a strong return on investment .As a new build, the client faced the unique challenge of managing energy costs and significantly reducing its carbon footprint without any prior consumption patterns ore existing tariff structures to guide planning.

This meant accurately estimating future building loads and energy consumption was crucial, alongside navigating the variable nature of renewable sources like solar. The complexity was compounded by the need to coordinate multiple power assets - solar, a generator, battery energy storage (BESS)and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) - to function seamlessly and intelligently and ensuring a reliable power supply from day one.

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The Solution:

Continu stepped in as the expert partner, applying its structured, expert-driven project management and bespoke software to provide an end-to-end advanced energy solution focused on optimising energy use and cost savings through detailed design, energy modelling, and a comprehensive control strategy.

The core of the solution is the sophisticated control strategy: excess solar energy is stored in the BESS for later use, and the BESS is also charged at night during periods of lower electricity tariffs to then discharge during peak daytime hours, significantly reducing energy costs.

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How It Was Done:

Continu delivered a meticulously planned, multi-stage solution tailored to the client’s new build, beginning with the projection and integration of a 505 kW solar PV system and a 250 kW / 1505 kWh battery energy storage system (BESS), alongside a 750kVA generator for backup power.

A detailed energy model was developed to coordinate these power assets, including sensitivity analyses to fine-tune performance across seasonal variations. An intelligent control strategy was designed to store excess solar energy in the BESS and enable off peak charging for daytime use, optimising energy arbitrage year-round. Continu also guided the procurement of the optimal BESS manufacturer, ensured full regulatory compliance and installation. Phase 2 will include commissioning, and ongoing maintenance, delivering a robust, future-ready energy solution.

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The Results:

With the project now installed DAERA benefits from:A sustainable, future-proof building including a 505 kW solar PV system and a 250 kW /1505 kWh battery energy storage system (BESS), alongside a 750kVA generator forbackup power that will operates independently of external energy pressures,protected from tariff hikes and grid connection issues.

• Expert Analysis and optimal sizing for their new build facility

• Access to deep market knowledge and supply chain advantage

• End-to-end project management and multi-asset integration including solar, BESS, UPS and generators.

• Adherence to standards and risk mitigation

• The ability to run a fully self-sufficient net zero facility that is a model for the future of sustainable operations.

• Future Resilience 

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Why Continu?

Continu was chosen as the winning tender for this transformative project because of their end-to-end capability, from expert system design to seamless installation, grounded in deep technical knowledge and practical know-how of site-wide power infrastructure. While the battery technology itself isn’t new, applying and implementing it in this type of project demands innovative thinking and the vision of forward-looking, early-adopter clients.

Continu integrates solar, UPS, battery storage, generators, and wind power to deliver resilient, future-ready energy systems for complex commercial and industrial sites. Their vendor-neutral approach and strong relationships with leading technology partners ensure clients access the best-fit solutions including project finance options.

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