The project was developed following a community fightback against a polluting diesel plant. It has the capacity to store and deliver 1.5 hours (30 MWh) of electricity to the national and local grid. Thrive Renewables offered Bristol Energy Cooperative (BEC) the opportunity to make an investment of up to 20 percent, meaning the community will be able to own a share of it themselves.
“Battery storage is a critical technology for the UK to reach net zero, storing electricity when renewable power is abundant and making it available during peak times when consumption is at its highest” said Matthew Clayton, Managing Director of Thrive Renewables. “We’re thrilled to be working with the local community on this project, which not only supports the UK’s net zero goals, but Bristol’s ambition to become a carbon neutral city by 2030.”
Feeder Road was originally targeted as the site of a diesel power plant – only a few metres from a nursery school. The noise and pollution from the plant would have been equivalent to 96 bus engines. But thanks to the efforts of local campaigners Residents Against Dirty Energy (RADE), supported by BEC, the plan failed to win planning permission. Instead of the diesel plant, the site is subject to a landscape plan, currently in development via Thrive, that will protect and enhance the site’s biodiversity.
Feeder Road is just one of BEC’s array of community-owned energy developments.
BEC is currently inviting people to invest between £100 and £100,000, offering a projected return of 5 percent. They hope to raise £1,000,000 and will use these funds on a number of projects, including rooftop PV and additional investment into the Feeder Road battery.
“Community energy gives people agency to take practical action on climate change in their local community” added Andy O’Brien, co-director, Bristol Energy Cooperative. “This project is a perfect example of how the community coming together can bring about real change. People power fought off a highly-polluting diesel scheme and replaced it with the storage technology we need to help us go net zero.”
For additional information:
