Guest Blog: A unique and progressive collaboration, Neath Port Talbot Council and FLEXIS
Christopher Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council Energy Manager and FLEXIS Technical Representative
For me, it’s clear that FLEXIS has enabled the further development and implementation of decarbonisation, innovation and regeneration within Neath Port Talbot.
The localised presence of the academic partners also adds significant strength of the programme as it nurtures a culture of expertise and excellence, centered around the FLEXIS demonstration area.
(FLEXIS demonstration area illustration)
The FLEXIS programme has formulated a unique team of academic experts and stakeholders such as engineers, industrialists, technologists, energy professionals and the public sector.
Creating the foundations for clean technology development and implementation, enabling the foresight to understand the technological advancements required to move towards a smart decarbonized net zero way of working and living.
Exemplar of this being the Swansea Bay Technology Centre which will be an energy positive operational building.
(Swansea Bay Technology Centre within the FLEXIS Demonstration Area)
This building will soon supply surplus renewable electricity to the University of South Wales’ Hydrogen Centre, which will produce green hydrogen for use in the Council’s and other public sector fleet. In addition to the technological functionality of the building, the centre will be home to like-minded companies which will create a hub for developing and commercializing clean and innovative technology.
Our Journey Together
- Established the Demonstration Area (August 2017)
- Signed and approved the Memorandum of Understanding (November 2018)
- Created and developed the FLEXIS and NPT Traction Projects (December 2018)
- FLEXIS Demonstration Area launch (May 2019)
- Activity/project implementation (2017 to 2020)
- FLEXISApp (2019 – 2021)
Collaboration and Decarbonisation
Through the development of various collaborative projects such as:
- Smart Low Carbon Town
- Energy Performance and Carbon Mapping
- Redesigning Low Carbon Energy Futures in Port Talbot
- NPT Hydrogen Stimulus Project
FLEXIS has raised the profile of decarbonisation not just within the demonstration area and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC), but across Wales and internationally. Some examples of this work are available on the FLEXIS Demonstration Area landing page.
Our strong partnership with FLEXIS has helped to create the golden thread of understanding and collaboration for progressing decarbonisation from a multi vector energy system perspective at community level with public engagement, up through the various governance platforms to the decision makers at local, regional and central governments.
(Then, Deputy Prime Minister David Lidington discusses hydrogen fuel with Jon Maddy, director of The Hydrogen R&D Centre)
FLEXIS has created the foundations for clean technology development and implementation, enabling the foresight to understand the technological advancements required to move towards a smart, decarbonized, net zero way of working and living.
(Prof Mark Taylor, Deputy Director Energy Innovation at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) presenting on energy systems and clean growth: challenges and opportunities)
Traction Projects
The traction projects between NPTCBC and FLEXIS support the demonstration area vision of ‘creating a national centre of excellence in delivering low carbon technology, smart programmes and new applications, that provide a multitude of benefits that meet the needs of Neath Port Talbot businesses and residents.’
(Presenting the Traction Projects to guests at the FLEXIS Demonstration Area launch)
Each of these projects are positioned to have an immediate contribution to public health and wellbeing, decarbonisation, education and to stimulate the local economy. They are intrinsically link and include:
- Smart Town Port Talbot
- Electrical Grid Constraints
- Green Hydrogen for Transport
- Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy
- Mine Water Heat Recovery
- Real Time Energy Monitoring
- Air Quality Monitoring
More information about these projects can be found here
FLEXIS Influence
The project successfully raised the subject of decarbonisation on Neath Port Talbot Council’s agenda and supported the development of our:
- Decarbonisation and renewable energy strategy
- Swansea Bay Technology Centre – Energy Positive Operational Building
- Hydrogen Stimulus programme
- Electric vehicle charging stimulus programme
- Community focused air quality programme
These programmes will form part of FLEXIS’ legacy.
Future Focus
Now, FLEXISApp takes forward the research from FLEXIS to develop low carbon technological solutions. FLEXISApp will centre around commercialisation and one key theme will be the application of data analytics, artificial intelligence and digital twining in relation to energy optimisation, multi-vector energy systems and decarbonisation.
We look forward to further supporting, developing and implementing initiatives with our academic and industrial partners, under the FLEXISApp programme. Such as optimising building energy/carbon performance and costs and supporting educational engagement programmes centred around decarbonisation and energy systems.
