National Grid has announced a multi-million pound agreement that will lead to the company generating all its own UK internal power needs.
It has linked up with geo-pressure energy company 2OC to form a joint venture that will use innovative technology to generate renewable electricity from gas pressure in the pipe network. The venture will build pilot projects to generate electricity at two of National Grid’s gas pressure reduction stations, with the potential for work to start on six further sites. Initial investment for the first eight sites would be between £50 and £60 million, and the first two projects could be at Beckton near the proposed Olympic complex and at Fulham.
Each of the pilot installations is expected to generate between 5 MW and 13 MW of electricity, and a feasibility study has indicated that renewable energy could be generated at around 200 of National Grid’s sites. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2008 and the sites will be producing renewable power in early 2009. The eight pilot sites could together meet all National Grid’s internal electricity needs.
Natural gas is driven through the pipe network under pressure, which must be reduced by a pressure reduction station before being delivered to homes and businesses. By installing a turbine generation system, the energy created by reducing the pressure can be harnessed and used to generate green electricity.