Case Studies

Anesco supports highly acclaimed food service company increase its revenue through a new energy storage system.

Project Outline

Philip Dennis Foodservice, based in Devon, is a B2B wholesaler and family business that has been in operation for four generations. The company supplies customers in the Midlands, Oxfordshire and South West with frozen, chilled and ambient foods, together with a full butchery service, fresh fish and non-foods.

Environmental strategy a key USP

For the senior team at Philip Dennis, actively working to reduce the company’s carbon footprint by utilising renewable energy technologies, remains a core USP and market differentiator. Since installing a rooftop solar installation, more than five years ago, the company has continued to look for ways to grow its renewables portfolio, which now also includes two wind turbines.

An opportunity for energy storage

Philip Dennis contacted Anesco following a recommendation and with a desire to capitalise fully on the revenue streams available through battery storage technology. The company already had a small energy storage system, which it had been using to test the potential of the business model. However, following issues with the grid connection and entry to the capacity market, Anesco’s strong track record and end-to-end offering was very appealing and the Philip Dennis team was keen to see what else could be achieved.

A complete turnkey solution

The team at Anesco conducted a site survey, before making detailed recommendations and explaining all available options. Philip Dennis decided to invest in purchasing three battery energy storage units, with a total capacity of 3.75MW. Anesco managed the whole process, which included; pulling together a detailed project design; arranging the supply, delivery and installation of the three batteries; gaining planning permission; and successfully reapplying for a new grid connection. This was all completed within a very short timeframe to ensure the project would be available for the T-1 capacity market.

The three units have been installed on previously unused space outside company offices in Barnstaple. Anesco designed the site to utilise the available space in the optimal way possible, to ensure business could continue as normal with minimal disruption.
The batteries are being monitored by Anesco’s operations and maintenance service, to ensure they continue to operate at their optimum capacity. Philip Dennis has also appointed an aggregator to enter the site into the relevant grid balancing services contracts.

Long-term revenue stream

The three batteries were energised in May 2018 and are connected directly to the grid. They are generating revenue for Philip Dennis via various grid balancing schemes, as well as the wholesale market. For Philip Dennis, the energy storage system was an ideal solution for the site and one that complemented its existing renewables portfolio.