Smart Energy for Commercial Hubs
Unlocking cost-effective Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) through intelligent planning, smart EMS, and scalable commercial models.
Challenges
Rising electricity costs
Grid constraints
High upfront CAPEX
Landlord–tenant barriers
Opportunities
Solar & storage cost savings
Smart Energy Management System (EMS) optimisation
Flexibility market access
Structured approach to DER deployment
A repeatable workflow combining technical modelling, commercial analysis, and real-world validation.
Customer Benefits
⚡ Energy Cost Reduction
🌍 Carbon Reduction
🔋 Smart Energy Systems
🚛 Logistics Electrification
Case study
The DRAMMACH (Distributed Energy Resources and Modular Energy Management at Commercial Hubs) project was funded by the West Midlands Innovation Programme to explore how Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), including solar PV, battery storage, and smart Energy Management Systems, can reduce costs, improve resilience, and enable decarbonisation at commercial hubs.
Three representative sites across the West Midlands were selected for detailed assessment, reflecting the diversity of ownership models, operational profiles, and electrification readiness found across the region’s commercial and logistics hubs.
Owner-Occupied Logistics Site
Daytime load, solar canopy solution
Simple deployment, strong ROI
Leased Commercial Site
Landlord–tenant barrier
Shared savings / EaaS model
Large Distribution Hub
24/7 operations
PV + battery + EV charging integration
Key Insights
Strong financial returns for PV
EMS critical for optimisation
Storage value depends on sizing
Commercial models unlock deployment
Data and tariffs drive performance
Impact
£ Cost savings potential
⚡ Reduced grid demand
📊 Investment-ready business cases
🌱 Carbon reduction
🔁 Scalable approach
