Rolls-Royce Provides Microgrid Solution for Biggleswade, UK Site

Tritax Symmetry and BasePower Ltd. have partnered to develop an industrial power solution at Symmetry Park Biggleswade, UK to support the country’s supply chain and energy transition. Base Power selected a Rolls-Royce mtu microgrid package to future-proof the Biggleswade site and provide renewable power. The microgrid solution includes three mtu CHP units, two mtu EnergyPack battery containers, two mtu emergency gensets, and a microgrid control system.

mtu microgrid solution for Biggleswade, UK; Image Credits: Rolls-Royce

In addition to providing 2 MW of reliable power to the site 99.9% of the time, the solution satisfies Tritax’s net-zero goals and allows customers to achieve long-term sustainability targets for ongoing operations. BasePower led the procurement, construction, and commissioning work and partnered with Rolls-Royce Power Systems to deliver an integrated microgrid solution.

Each component asset is controlled by a central smart microgrid control system connected through a fiber optic communication network. The controller is able to identify load requirements, calculate efficient distribution of power, and deploy sufficient assets while reserving enough emergency power for grid or asset failures. The microgrid is connected to photovoltaic panels installed on the warehouse rooftops, serving as a complementary power generation asset.

Rolls-Royce designed the microgrid solution with decarbonization as a priority, and it will continue to support larger amounts of solar energy as on-site renewable sources increase. Three mtu Series 4000 CHP plants installed at the Biggleswade site will have the ability to burn hydrogen with minor modifications.