NEWS
THE POWER GAME
Innovative Teesside company puts more energy into battery storage
ATeesside company is powering up its involvement in the battery storage market after announcing a new deal to install a pioneering system helping customers to cut their electricity bills .
UCS Technologies , based at Riverside Park in Middlesbrough , is making the move after gaining certified installer status for the Tesla Powerwall 2 system .
The system makes the most of energy generated by rooftop solar panels by minimising the amount of electricity homes and business premises need to draw from the national grid .
Excess electricity generated by the panels during the day is captured and stored by the system , so it can be used during evenings , or on days with poorer weather .
As well as buildings becoming more selfsustainable and saving energy costs , surplus power can also be used to fuel electric vehicles .
Paul Kidd , director of UCS Technologies , said : “ The world is changing , and we are changing with it .”
UCS Technologies was approached to become a certified installer of the system because of its trusted reputation , earned over nearly 20 years .
The company , which specialises in designing and delivering infrastructure for the renewable energy industry , was launched in 2002 by Paul and colleague Simon Close , after building up a wealth of experience in the sector .
The Teesside business has grown steadily since then , with a £ 3m turnover in 2015-16 set to rise to £ 4m for the current financial year , despite the global challenges of the coronavirus pandemic .
Paul added : “ The ethos of the business is to do an exceptional job every time , and that pride in what we do is why we are one of the best performers in the sector .”
UCS Technologies first became involved in the battery storage market a year ago , when the technology started to become commercially viable for domestic users .
“ We have reached the point now where someone with battery storage can be 70-80 per cent off-grid , and that will continue to grow ,” said Paul . “ A consequence of the coronavirus pandemic will be an increasing number of people wanting to explore ways to become more self-sufficient , because it has created a growing sense of insecurity .”
In addition to the booming residential market , one of the main reasons UCS Technologies was approached to become a
“ The world is changing , and we are changing with it .”
certified installer of Tesla Powerwall 2 is that it also works in the business-to-business sector , dealing with companies that can sell the system to mass market clients .
For example , Paul sees social housing becoming “ a bigger and bigger player ” in the battery storage market because of its potential to have a huge impact on fuel poverty .
Recent projects that UCS Technologies has been working on include the Gateshead Innovation Village , an experimental scheme examining the future of housebuilding .
Now , the Middlesbrough company is actively engaged in acquiring customers for the Tesla Powerwall 2 , and Paul says early orders are “ very encouraging ”.
The first installation – described as a “ turnkey solution for sustainable living ” – will take place on a house in Yarm within the next month , incorporating solar energy , EV charger , and Tesla Powerwall 2 .
“ These are exciting times because it is a whole new approach , and UCS Technologies is looking forward to being at the heart of it ,” said Paul .
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