Viva Lewes Issue #156 September 2019

ENVIRONMENT
Powering up
Smart solar batteries and energy sharing
Lewes is rightly proud of
its Transition Town status
and its commitment
to becoming a more
sustainable community,
yet last year’s UK Solar
Power County Rankings
listed East Sussex as
just 33rd in the country.
So, could we be doing
better?
Simon Daniel thinks so
– and he’s keen to help.
His company Moixa (‘it’s
axiom spelt backwards,
as we like to do things differently’) has developed
a smart solar battery, which is now available in
the Lewes-Newhaven area, following a deal with
energy distributor UK Power Networks.
“The smart battery stores solar energy generated
from roof solar panels and releases it at peak usage
times to save energy,” Simon explains. “Often
people may be out all day, then, when they return
home, the sun is going down. By storing solar energy
generated during daylight hours, the smart
battery enables that green energy to be accessed
when it’s most needed, avoiding reliance on the
Grid at peak times.”
As well as reducing energy bills by up to 50 per
cent, he adds, the smart battery lessens dependence
on fossil fuels, lowering a household or
business’s carbon footprint.
Moixa isn’t just about solar energy storage,
though. The company also acts as ‘a virtual power
plant’ via its GridShare software, which enables
smart battery users to share stored energy to support
the Grid.
“GridShare co-ordinates energy demand and
acts like a pool, collecting excess energy and
distributing it where it is needed,” Simon says.
“In areas where more
people are using electric
vehicles, energy demands
can peak at particular
times. GridShare releases
stored clean solar energy
at these times, to cut
costs and ease demand
on the Grid.
“Having a solar panel
fitted takes a certain
amount off a person’s
energy bill, and having
a smart battery and a
smart tariff takes off even
more. Our software makes the batteries smart,
with an app and user interface that enable users
to see their energy profiles. It allows us to set up
a plan that is co-ordinated centrally for maximum
benefit. With GridShare, we are helping to
manage renewable resources and to reinforce the
Grid at times of congestion, potentially saving the
country £8bn a year on energy costs.”
Those signing up to Moixa’s GridShare membership
also receive a discount on the initial cost of
the smart battery, he continues, as well as a £50
annual ‘thank you’ for the first three years of
participation in the scheme. Additionally, they are
reimbursed for any financial impact caused by using
the battery to support the grid, ensuring that
savings are optimised.
“It’s appropriate that we’re doing this in Lewes,
which is a Transition Town at the very heart of
the sustainability movement. Our goal of reducing
carbon and increasing the usage of renewables
is part of a global initiative, of which Lewes is
representative. So it’s exciting that we are helping
the Lewes area to become even more sustainable.”
Anita Hall
020 7734 1511. moixa.com
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