The Foundation collaborates with manufacturers and suppliers across the entire supply chain and seeks to demonstrate the practicability of DC microgrids to complement the public grid.
According to Adam Selvey, Built Environment Systems & Sustainability Director at Jacobs, this collaboration is of paramount importance to successfully integrate renewables into the UK’s energy mix, while responding to growing electrification needs. Estimating that the electrification surge could require the UK grid to nearly triple its current capacity, he stated, “To reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, we are currently in the largest mass scale electrification since the end of the 19th century. With the rapid expansion of renewables, battery storage and smart technology which generate, store and consume DC natively, we can now install DC networks in buildings as Edison intended. However, a successful DC framework must be based on unified standards, and we welcome Current/OS’ initiative in that direction.”
Referring to the objectives outlined in the Clean Power 2030 (CP2030) report, Mr. Selvey stressed that the identified projects were just the beginning of a grid transformation expected to take around a decade to complete.
“It underscores the need for Building Service Engineers across Britain to gain extensive knowledge about the forthcoming energy transition,” he added. “In this context, joining the international community of experts at Current/OS will allow Jacobs to gain insights from international projects and rapidly enhance skills across the supply chain. This will help create successful DC pilot projects and position the UK as a global leader in DC deployment within buildings.”
Yannick Neyret, President of Current/OS stated: “We are pleased to welcome Jacobs to our Foundation. Their expertise and awareness of the British infrastructure sector and its objectives, as well as their capacity to add value throughout the supply chain, will be critical to make a success of the shift to DC in the United Kingdom.”
