Swansea University

 

The Background:

Swansea University, recognised as a leader in organisational sustainability and ranked among the top ten in The Guardian's People and ‘Planet Green League’, Swansea University initiated a significant construction project at its Bay campus.

 

Forming part of the £450 million Bay Campus Development, the College is a 46,500 sq ft academic facility set over three floors. It includes 18 teaching rooms, computer labs, study areas, offices, meeting spaces, as well as space for social and cultural activities.

Continu were approached through the design consultant relatively late in the project at a time when larger grid-scale BESS manufacturers were unable to support the sizing and lead time requirements.

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The Challenge:

The University faced the ambitious goal of eliminating dependence on centralised
power and enhancing resilience to external power issues. They sought to integrate
sustainable technologies to maximize the return on investment from solar energy,
achieve energy independence, and proactively manage energy costs. This vision required implementing a first-of-its-kind Battery Energy Storage Microgrid system in the UK, a complex undertaking for an early adopter.

Turning this vision into reality was technically complex, but the major hurdle was the supply chain. Globally, BESS manufacturers are focused on grid-scale large projects and the EV market, making systems of this size simply not on their radar.

 

For commercial and industrial sites securing the right solution within tight lead times was a significant challenge.

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The Solution:

Continu stepped in as the expert partner at a time when large grid scale BESS manufacturers were unable to support the sizing and lead time requirements.

Continu provided a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that encompassed the design, supply, factory build and test, installation, commissioning, and ongoing operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

 

The solution involved integrating a 135kWp solar PV system on the roof, an additional 6kWp solar system mounted above a uniquely designed Electric
Vehicle (EV) carport, and a 250kWh BESS.

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How It Was Done:

​The approach involved taking a nimble, can-do attitude to design and supply of the solution within an ambitious 5-month deadline, a timeframe highly unusual in the
industry. This included:

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• Installing a 135kWp solar PV system across 540m² of roof space on the School of Management building.

• Supplementing this with an additional 6kWp system mounted above an EV carport designed for up to five vehicles.

• Integrating a 250kWh BESS within a bespoke, stand-alone GRP IP64 enclosure,which houses the batteries, inverter, transformer, HVAC, and controllers.

• Implementing an advanced control system featuring a single internal operations controller and a system power management controller, powered by our software partner Schneider Electric (EcoStruxure Microgrid).

• Configuring the microgrid controller to intelligently divert energy where it is most needed at any given time, distributing power between the BESS, the five EV chargers, and the School of Management building.

• Providing a cutting-edge web-based user interface for real-time monitoring of energy usage, savings, and CO2 emissions, enabling data-driven optimisation

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The Results:

The Battery Energy Storage Microgrid enabled Swansea University to eliminate its dependence on centralised power and significantly enhance its resilience to external power disruptions.

 

The project successfully integrated and maximised the return on investment from solar energy, leading to energy independence and a "game changer "impact on energy costs.

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"The project provides important data for similar size applications throughout
Ireland and the UK and serves as an enviable teaching asset for students on
campus and endless energy for Electric Vehicle charging for up to five vehicles.
Having successfully completed the project, it was awarded a BREEAM Excellent
award for its design and construction”.

Chris Phillips, RDM Electrical, Swansea.

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