Innovative electricity supply in Woking, Surrey.

[adam2]

https://www.thefifthestate.com.au/artic ... power-use/

An internet search finds various reports about this, but without any technical detail. Primarily adverts and press releases that say how wonderful they are without giving detail. It is implied that this a physically independent system and not simply another retailer of power that uses the same infrastructure.

Does anyone know more ?
Installed capacity ?
From what sources is the electricity generated ?
Generation and distribution voltage, 11KV ? or is the system small enough to distribute at utilisation voltage of 230/400 volts.
Is the frequency more or less stable than the grid supply, how is the frequency controlled.
What is the largest step change in load that the system can accept without undue disturbance of voltage or frequency.
Area served, number of customers.
Is it TRULY independent from the national grid, that is will it stay on if the national grid fails.

[kenneal - lagger]

Woking has been using cogeneration and energy efficiency measures in a local energy supply system for fifteen or more years. I don't think that there is anything different about the way they generate electricity, it's the way that they make use of the "waste" energy from both the generating plant and from Aircon and refrigeration that makes the difference. They are probably using gas or diesel powered gensets together with PV on buildings.

[adam2]

Co-generation has its merits, but as you point out is nothing new.
A recent on line meeting with a local political figure implied that something more radical is involved.
It was certainly implied that the Woking scheme is powered primarily by renewables and that it has its own distribution system, more technical details would be most interesting.

[BritDownUnder]

I should think they are running a combined heat and power (CHP) system, as they used to be called. The give away for me is when they are talking that a conventional power station emits waste heat. Probably they have a Jenbacher (natural gas fuelled diesel generator) unit, or similar, in their council offices and just use the waste heat to heat the offices and heat the hot water. I understand you can even use waste heat to power air conditioning.
I suspect they will probably still be connected to the grid as when demands are low these generators are inefficient, or maybe they have several. It probably could be ran in 'islanded' mode but will be quite inefficient.

Many small towns in Australia, Tennant Creek and Camooweal to name two are powered by small 5 to 10 MW islanded grids powered either by natural gas or diesel.

[Catweazle]

Manufacturers of stirling engined CHP systems claim high efficiency, I've seen 95% mentioned. I imagine this is a better option than a diesel engine.

[adam2]

Either would serve, but co-generation/CHP is arguably becoming LESS relevant than was the case some years ago.
CHP makes better use of fuel, but is still 100% fossil fuel reliant.
CHP is only worthwhile during the heating season, in most cases. The exception is when a large demand for hot water exists such as a hospital, hotel, or industrial laundry.

And of course with increasing insulation standards there should be a lot less heating needed. New homes should need zero heating in mild winter weather and only a couple of kilowatts in severe weather.
New large buildings such as department stores and office blocks should need no heating.

I would still like to know more about the Woking scheme in particular, there seems to be no technical data available, only press releases and adverts.