Consider installing renewable energy options on site to generate your own energy.
As businesses strive to become more sustainable and environmentally conscious, the adoption of renewable energy options has gained significant traction.
Generating their own energy through renewable sources not only helps reduce carbon emissions but also presents a compelling opportunity to lower operational costs. On this page we will explore several ways in which businesses can leverage renewable energy to reduce costs and achieve self-sufficiency.
Lowering operation costs through renewable energy
By embracing renewable energy options, businesses can reduce their reliance on traditional energy sources and lower operational costs. Whether through solar power, wind energy, geothermal systems, biomass solutions, micro-hydro power, or a combination of these, businesses can achieve energy self-sustainability and contribute to a greener future.
Additionally, integrating energy storage and implementing energy-efficient measures further enhances cost savings and overall sustainability.
Embracing renewable energy is not only an environmentally responsible choice but also a financially beneficial strategy for businesses aiming to reduce costs and remain competitive in the long term.
Installing solar panels on rooftops or vacant land can significantly reduce a business’s reliance on traditional energy sources. By harnessing the power of the sun, businesses can generate clean electricity, lowering their utility bills and reducing long-term energy expenses. In some cases, excess energy can even be sold back to the grid, providing an additional revenue stream.
To find accredited installers use the MCS website.
Solar Power
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For businesses located in windy areas, wind turbines offer a viable option for energy generation. Small-scale wind turbines can be installed on-site, providing a consistent source of renewable energy. While the initial setup costs may be higher, businesses can benefit from reduced electricity bills over time and potential government incentives or grants for adopting wind energy.
Wind Energy
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Geothermal energy utilizes the Earth’s natural heat to generate power and regulate indoor temperatures. By tapping into the stable temperatures underground, businesses can reduce heating and cooling costs, particularly in large facilities. Geothermal systems are highly efficient and have minimal maintenance requirements, making them a sustainable and cost-effective choice in the long run.
Geothermal Systems
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Businesses that generate organic waste or have access to biomass resources can consider installing biomass systems to produce heat or electricity. Biomass boilers or gasifiers can utilize organic materials such as agricultural waste, wood chips, or dedicated energy crops. By converting these materials into energy, businesses can reduce disposal costs and lower their reliance on fossil fuels.
Biomass and Biofuels
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If a business has access to a nearby water source, such as a river or stream, micro-hydro systems can be employed to generate electricity. Small turbines can be installed to harness the flow of water, providing a consistent and reliable energy source. Micro-hydro systems are particularly suitable for rural or remote businesses, offering a long-term cost-effective solution.
Micro-hydro Power
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To maximize the benefits of renewable energy, businesses can integrate energy storage systems, such as batteries, into their infrastructure. Energy storage allows for the capture and storage of excess energy generated during peak production periods, which can be used during periods of low or no generation. This minimizes reliance on the grid during high-demand periods and helps reduce energy costs.
Energy Storage Solutions
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In conjunction with renewable energy installations, implementing energy-efficient measures within the business can further optimize cost savings. This includes upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, utilizing smart HVAC systems, improving insulation, and adopting energy-saving practices throughout the organization. By reducing overall energy demand, businesses can optimize the utilization of renewable energy and lower operational costs.
Energy Efficiency Measures
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7 ways to leverage renewable energy to save costs
Some of the businesses we've helped
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The support and friendships I've developed through DCI have been invaluable. Learning from other start-ups and having a community to lean on has made a significant difference in my entrepreneurial journey
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The DCI program has been instrumental in our journey. The networking opportunities and support from DCI contributors have been invaluable in shaping AImploy into the company it is today.
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We have been delighted with the support that Business Durham and their partners have provided our company and with additional funding, we hope to further develop our working practices to safeguard our existing business and expand our capabilities to meet new customer demands and expectations.
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NETPark is a fantastic place to do business in terms of facilities, potential for growth and for collaboration.
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The facilities and ancillary business services here are second to none and the campus feel of the science park suits the culture within the company.
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The ecosystem in NETPark is just right for us; SEEDS first came here because of its partnership work with the CPI and now our vision is to have a busy lab facility developing various applications and licensing them out to companies.
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Teescraft Engineering has been a major employer in County Durham for a number of years and I’m delighted that, with grant support through the County Durham Growth Fund, the company is embarking on ambitious plans to significantly expand.
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ATT Fabrications
We knew we had the space to add new machines which would not only improve productivity and efficiency but also allow us to add new products and processes, the County Durham Growth Fund helped this happen.
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The Caring Caretaker is a company that’s grown from one to a team of 41 and is now, with grant support from the County Durham Growth Fund, in the process of taking its business journey to the next stage, moving to much larger premises and creating a further 10 jobs, cementing its long-term future here in County Durham.
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Renovo Solutions
We’ve been incredibly lucky to have secured financial investment from Business Durham which really has been crucial to the growth of the business and fast-tracked our plans in such a short space of time.
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The grant we’ve received from the County Durham Growth Fund has been invaluable to us as without it we probably would have only been able to purchase one machine.
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TO Mounter
We were looking at investing in new machinery which would enable us to expand our client base, and our accountant mentioned the County Durham Growth Fund to us.
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Investing in this additional space means we now own our future – we’re not in anyone else’s hands and that’s a fantastic position to be in.
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We took on more space than we needed to, allowing for our planned growth over the next five years, however with the grant support we’ve had from the County Durham Growth Fund, we are now looking at achieving our projections in the next three years.
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