Businesses sign up for clean energy advice

West Sussex businesses looking to make the transition to clean energy and reduce their operating costs can get help through a free online seminar.

The Clean Energy for Business Parks virtual event on Tuesday 16 March is for business parks or groups of businesses keen to find out how they can work together to generate, store and share more energy from sustainable sources, such as solar or wind.

Delegates will hear from UK and European energy experts, including the County Council’s Energy Services Team, who delivered the 4-year, Interreg 2Seas-funded Business clusters Integrated Sustainable Energy PackageS (BISEPS) project.

Through BISEPS, partners have worked with business parks in the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and France to help them collaborate and increase investment in green energy.

The County Council will share its experience of working with the Manor Royal Business District near Gatwick Airport to encourage businesses there to invest in clean energy infrastructure and set up a local energy community.

Attendees will also get a preview of the new online REACT tool which businesses can use free of charge to help them identify which combination of clean energy technology will deliver the best financial and environmental return.

With REACT, companies will simply need to input information about their activities, how much energy they use and some basic environmental data. In return the system will produce a summary of suitable clean energy solutions, such as largescale solar, wind or heat networks.

Companies, groups of companies or a whole business park can use these results as a guide to developing detailed feasibility work and, potentially, business cases for investment. REACT can also be used by developers to inform green energy plans for a new business park or by planners who may be asked to consider planning applications for renewable energy systems.

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Using energy and heat from sustainable sources can make a business greener, more efficient and cost effective to run. It can make it more attractive to customers too.

“We have learned a great deal from our involvement in the BISEPS project and this is a great opportunity to share our insights with other business parks who are keen to collaborate and make the transition to clean energy together.”

Steve Sawyer, Manor Royal BID Executive Director, said: “We are past the point now where operating a sustainable business or business park is a nice to have. The places of the future will be smarter and greener. Involvement in the BISEPS project has helped to elevate our thinking in this area and we look forward to sharing some of that learning at the Clean Energy for Business Parks event.”

The County Council’s involvement in BISEPS is part of its commitment to supporting businesses and the green energy sector in the county. With BISEPS at an end, the County Council is now working with UK and EU partners on the Interreg 2Seas-funded LECSEA project to develop the findings and establish a number of local energy communities.

You can find further information about the BISEPS Regional Seminar, including details of the agenda and how to book, here.