Ahead of COP 26 resource management company, Veolia, is now set to double its capacity to generate renewable electricity.
Working in partnership with various technology providers, the expanded capacity will come through using the latest solar panels deployed on restored landfill areas, giving a valuable use of this low value land. By increasing the capacity by up to 60MWe these projects, combined with biomass and biogas generation, will give a total of 134MWe of carbon neutral power for industry and communities.
At Ling Hall, in Warwickshire, the site is using around 13,200 of the latest generation of 530W bi-facial dual glass modules that absorb light on both sides to maximise the power density. These are linked to 22 string inverters, to convert dc to ac electricity, that is then fed to the grid through two 3MVA transformers. To gain the best advantage from the use of the land Veolia have selected the restored landfill areas with south facing slopes, and a sufficiently large electrical export connection or ability to connect to the site. This will enable optimum generation, give a new use to the land, and marks another significant step towards achieving a net zero carbon future. It also provides the potential added benefit of embedded power use on site.
By increasing our renewable energy generation we will contributing to the future energy infrastructure, and this means we will be able to deliver over 560MWe of renewable and low carbon electricity, enough to power over 1.3 million homes
Veolia has already installed solar power across a number of sites including hospitals, offices, water treatment works and recycling centres. When operational the new solar projects will add to the 63MWe of green electricity generation from the biogas, biomass and biodiesel combined heat and power plants operated across industrial, healthcare and commercial sites. These already save over 200,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Commenting on these new renewable energy projects, Donald Macphail, Chief Operating Officer – Treatment said “Electricity supports nearly all aspects of modern life and decarbonising generation is a key part of the strategy to reach a zero carbon future. By increasing our renewable energy generation we will contributing to the future energy infrastructure, and this means we will be able to deliver over 560MWe of renewable and low carbon electricity, enough to power over 1.3 million homes”