New Residential Microgrid Promises UK Homeowners Zero Cost Electric Bills
For the next five years, customers in a new 113-home community north of London won’t pay a single electricity bill. Instead, the homes will be powered by a microgrid that includes solar panels, heat pumps and batteries.
Located in the Epping hamlet of Thornwood in Essex County, Carpenters Yard is the second and largest “zero bills” community developed by Octopus Energy, a global clean energy tech business, and gs8, a UK residential developer. The first zero bills site built by the companies was in Walthamstow in East London.
Launched in 2022 by Octopus Energy, the zero bills initiative aims to develop 100,000 homes completely powered by green technology by 2030. The company says its world-first energy tariff leverages renewable energy, artificial intelligence, energy storage and modern construction techniques to build energy efficient homes powered by clean energy, with no energy bills guaranteed for five to 10 years..
Excess solar power is either stored in a battery for later use or is sent to the grid in return for an account credit.
“‘Zero Bills’ is not just about eliminating energy bills - it’s about creating a sustainable future,” Nigel Banks, Zero Bills director at Octopus Energy, said in a statement. “Our partnership with gs8 to deliver a microgrid community is all about delivering a truly transformative solution that sets a new standard for affordable, eco-friendly living.”
The Carpenters Yard community features solar panels, heat pumps and a microgrid with a centralized battery storage system that seamlessly shares the power between the homes.
More than just green energy
Builder gs8 is following zero waste principles during construction, incorporating materials made from recycled plastics, reclaimed bricks and steel and bio-based insulation into its designs. In conjunction with rooftop solar and heat pumps, the company says its “Planet Positive Framework” stores more carbon in the homes than is needed to build and maintain them.
“This is a landmark development for us as a business, building on the groundbreaking regenerative housing approach we’ve been committed to for the past six plus years,” said Josh Gordon, co-founder of gs8. “We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Octopus Energy, a pioneering business which shares our vision and values, and seeking to create homes built for the future and developments that bring positive lasting impacts to local communities."
The UK is investing in residential microgrids
Octopus Energy and gs8 aren’t the only players in the UK residential microgrid space.
Last year, the Hook Norton community in Oxfordshire launched a small community-led microgrid designed to power affordable, sustainable homes.
The smart microgrid includes a 100-kWh battery and a 68-kWp rooftop solar array installed on the new homes, as well as an existing 5-kWp solar array.
Expanding zero bills to other markets
The Epping homes, some of which will border a nature reserve, will be available beginning in April; 35 have been earmarked as affordable rent properties.
Octopus Energy said it has accredited more than 1,000 zero bills homes through contracts with other home developers since the program’s launch. It is also introducing the initiative to other markets.
In January, the company announced a 24-home zero bills community would be built in Schramberg, Germany. The homes will also feature solar panels, heat pumps and batteries.
Octopus also has plans to bring the program to New Zealand.
Several residential microgrids have been announced in the U.S., however their viability is questionable. One proposed project in Lakeland, FL, was recently put on hold.
Microgrids of all shapes and sizes will be in focus when the Microgrid Knowledge Conference happens April 15-17 in Dallas. Register here for early bird discounts.
