C O N R A D E N E R GY
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CONRAD ENERGY
Powering a Secure and Stable Transition PRODUCTION: James Davey
A full-service Independent Power Producer (IPP), Conrad Energy is owner and operator of over 60 sites across the UK, already hosting 700MW of flexible generation with over 150MW of battery storage. There is a huge amount more to come with more than 22 sites in construction, as a bulging portfolio and technical team make the company a leader from energy markets, to technology, through regulation and finance.
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INDUSTRY FOCUS: POWER GENERATION
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Conrad Energy develops, owns and trades flexible and sustainable power generation, supporting businesses and the National Grid alike in the transition to a sustainable, net zero carbon electricity system. “As an IPP at the forefront of the energy transition, our energy solutions enable network and commercial customers across the UK to optimise their energy outcomes whilst supporting critical national infrastructure. “With a pipeline of over 1000MW of our own projects, as well as actively acquiring projects across the UK, we are the power company of the future. We are providing energy solutions for a changing world and are dedicated to supporting critical national infrastructure and the UKʼs energy transition to net zero by 2050. “Our innovative and exciting team has the experience to realise our vision to become the energy company of the future. Across the business our people are dedicated and energised to achieve great things at a critical time. We are an entrepreneurial power company with integrity, looking for solutions which make a positive difference in a low carbon economy whilst bringing peace of mind.”
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SECURE AND STABLE Conrad Energy’s capabilities extend to the supply of power from the grid to commercial customers, as well as optimising generation assets through a dedicated trading desk, which is all proving crucial in helping the UK meet the challenge of navigating what is often labelled the ‘energy trilemma’. The relatively recent terminology refers to finding a balance between security, affordability and sustainability in how we access and use energy in our daily lives, and understanding what this means for the world we inhabit today. It is well-known, well-publicised and widely discussed that the UK
energy landscape is undergoing a period of profound, and rapid, change, with the historic backbone of its power generation sector, coal and nuclear power stations, to be removed from the energy mix by 2025. The result is that the deployment of renewable generation, predominantly wind and solar, is increasing at pace. This increasing proportion of renewable generation is helping the UK reduce its CO2 emissions but is adding increased challenges in team of striking the requisite balance to match supply and demand from the grid. “Renewable energy has to be at the core of the transition, yet the need to balance the network is key to enabling change,” Conrad Energy recognises. “We know flexible generation must play a growing role providing reliable power, on demand, to complement renewables. It is more cost-effective, more flexible, more dependable and quicker to deliver than any alternatives. “It is crucial that the journey to net zero is a secure and stable transition. Conrad Energy is the UK’s largest provider of fast response, flexible generation and we are both proud and excited to support the transition.” SOLAR AND STORAGE Conrad Energy continues to do its utmost to enable the UK’s energy transition, announcing in May that its first major strategic solar development,
CONRAD ENERGY
// AS AN IPP AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE ENERGY TRANSITION, OUR ENERGY SOLUTIONS ENABLE NETWORK AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE UK TO OPTIMISE THEIR ENERGY OUTCOMES // Larport Solar Farm, has been awarded planning approval. The installation will offer an environmentally friendly, low-cost and safe way of delivering clean power to the equivalent of more than 11,000 homes, unanimously approved for build out by Herefordshire County Council. “Solar power is increasingly important as we strive both as a nation and as individual counties to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” commented Chris Shears, Conrad Energy Development
Director, at the award. “The site will save 9,432kg of CO2 emissions every year, a substantial contribution towards the county’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.” Larport Solar Farm further encapsulates Conrad Energy’s dedication to supporting the UK’s energy transition, through owning and operating flexible power generation and storage assets, as well as providing route to market services for similar plants and renewable power projects. “This exciting development leverages
the solar experience of our team and reflects our vision for Conrad Energy as a full-service power solutions provider, supporting the grid as well as commercial and industrial customers.” As Conrad Energy emphasises, flexible power allows more renewables to be utilised on an hourly and daily basis, maximising reductions in overall emissions. However, “when coupled with battery storage deployment, flexible generation provides many of the answers to transitioning to a low carbon future. Battery storage assets are key to supporting the grid and enabling the growth of renewable power.” In September last year, this realisation was actioned with the signing of a major framework agreement with GE Renewable Energy was announced, for the design, manufacture and supply of GE’s
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INDUSTRY FOCUS: POWER GENERATION
battery energy storage system in the UK. “We are convinced that battery storage has a fundamental role to play in the UK’s transition to net zero and are excited to continue the build out of our portfolio,” effused Steven Hardman, Conrad Energy’s COO. Such a milestone moment was swiftly followed by another in February, as it was revealed that Conrad Energy was to use Tesla Megapack batteries within its 26MWh battery storage portfolio for sites located in the southwest of England, another
significant step forward in its goal to deliver a 1GW battery storage portfolio. This state-of-the-art utility scale battery energy storage system is a modular and scalable solution optimally designed for large utility scale applications, and delivers broad application compatibility and streamlined installation. “Partnering with Tesla on these battery storage projects” said Hardman, “shows our commitment to supporting the growth of energy storage solutions which are critical as we transition to a real time power
market with high levels of variable renewable energy. Combining our deep technical and market expertise with Tesla’s technology demonstrates our belief in battery projects as a key part of the energy ecosystem.” COLLABORATING AND COMBINING The project is just one key example of a growing trend in the energy industry for companies to work together to deliver real added value to the UK’s energy transition. In collaboration with Bloom Energy and Electricity North
BRADY TECHNOLOGIES: POWER TRADING SOLUTION DESIGNED BY TRADERS Award-winning energy trading solutions from Brady Technologies drive sustainable success in client operations. Brady has been powering Conrad Energy’s trading system since 2015. Together, the pair have realised major success, driving Conrad’s energy deals to new heights. Recognised as industry leaders, both companies have benefitted from the knowledge and experience deeply embedded within team Brady – expertise that has been built over 37 years and bolstered when Brady acquired Igloo Trading Solutions in 2021. “When they went live on the short-term power and balancing markets, we provided trade and risk management and position management services for their front office traders, as well as reporting for their finance team,” says Tim Harrison, Business Lead – ETRM at Brady. Brady’s built-for-cloud Igloo ETRM (energy trading and risk management) system is a leading European software platform, giving access to markets, clearers, intermediaries and trading platforms (including Trading Technologies and various FX brokers). It offers real-time risk management, automated trading, intelligent pricing, and fast and low cost implementation – perfect for Conrad Energy’s evolving business. “It’s a technology solution,” highlights Harrison, “an energy trading and risk management platform, and it provides an overview of how much power they have bought and sold in the short-term markets, and a route to those markets. “Brady Igloo was chosen because it is an innovative platform that allows them to have flexibility on how it fits their choice of trading activity. The platform is nimble and modern, unlike a lot of incumbent software, which allows them to manage a large number of power assets in a way that they want to with vast access to markets. We have grown with them, completing a number of projects together, and we are currently busy with a project which will allow them to trade gas more efficiently.” As Conrad transitions further, with new solar and battery storage next in the pipeline, Brady’s impressive product portfolio allows for better management of different asset classes, with cloud-first architecture delivered through web, desktop, mobile, or API. Harrison is keen for the company to take on more clients from the energy industry, solidifying its position among the ETRM technology market leaders. “We have a new product called PowerDesk which is focused on short-term power trading and when integrated across the portfolio can provide even better asset optimisation and management. We are investing heavily in energy trading products and we want to be the number one market leader,” he says. Contact Brady Technologies today to discuss the empowerment of your business performance. www.bradytechnologies.com | +44 (0)20 3301 1200 | marketing@bradytechnologies.com
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CONRAD ENERGY
European Power and Gas Trading Made Easy with Igloo Cloud ETRM Learn more at www.bradytechnologies.com
marketing@bradytechnologies.com
West (Construction and Maintenance) (ENWCL) Conrad Energy is working on the pioneering development, construction and operation of behindthe-meter (BtM) projects to bring Bloom Energy’s solid oxide power generation platform to the UK market. Hydrogen is well-suited for an array of applications and this partnership will combine future-proof, fuel flexible technology with local energy services to unlock a net-zero emissions future for hard-to-decarbonise heavy industries. “This collaboration is very exciting for Conrad Energy as we continue our strong growth into new technologies which provide future proof solutions to our customers,” said Chris Shears, development director at Conrad Energy. Bloom’s Energy Servers will entail energy savings and the ability to support microgrid configurations,
ensuring continuity of operations for mission critical loads with continuous inverter-based power, Shears abridged. “We believe the resilient power provided by fuel cells will have a vital role to play in reducing emissions and energy costs.” Conrad Energy has also completed the acquisition of the leading software provider in the flexible power generation market, TGG Solutions, specialist in solutions for the management of flexible power assets in a dynamic energy environment. “The acquisition of TGG will allow us to move quickly towards our goal of market-leading sophistication in the management of flexible power generation, renewable energy and battery storage assets,” explained Damian Darragh, Executive Chairman at Conrad Energy. TGG’s flagship product, iON, has
already been deployed across the Conrad Energy portfolio of power and battery storage assets, the main Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that links Conrad Energy’s commercial desk to the sites that it manages. “Owning and operating assets gives us the insight to manage third party assets,” summed up Hardman. “We believe that value can only be fully unlocked by having cutting-edge, automated processes. The acquisition of TGG will enable our teams to make the most of all market opportunities for the benefit of both our portfolio and the customers we serve.”
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Published by CMB Media Group Chris Bolderstone – General Manager E. chris@cmb-media.co.uk Kiln House, Fuel Studios, Pottergate, Norwich NR2 1DX T. +44 (0) 1603 855 161 www.cmb-media.co.uk CMB Media Group does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/ or in advertisements included in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher. © CMB Media Group Ltd 2022
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR ENERGY LEADERS
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July 2022
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