VOLT project to enable power flexibility for UK industrial and commercial sites
Green data centre. Image courtesy LCP Delta
VOLT, a discovery-phase project led by Northern Powergrid, LCP Delta and Newcastle University, has received funding from Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to help industrial and commercial sites in the North East cut carbon emissions, boost energy resilience, and increase flexibility.
VOLT (Vector-Optimised Microgrid Operations for Industrial Low-carbon Transition) will explore how microgrids can combine renewable energy, storage, hydrogen, and smart technologies to deliver cleaner, more flexible, and reliable energy at high-emission sites such as ports, airports, and manufacturing hubs.
The study will assess how microgrids – local energy systems that can operate independently or alongside the main grid – can deliver benefits such as reducing peak energy demand, lowering network running costs and cutting carbon emissions.
According to LCP Delta, early estimates suggest that industrial and commercial sites could save 10–15% on energy bills while reducing emissions by up to 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
Sites using microgrids could also benefit from lower network charges and generate new income through participation in flexibility and grid-balancing services.
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The project will also look into any regulatory or infrastructure challenges that could slow progress, helping to develop a framework that could be applied across other industrial regions in the UK. The discovery phase will run over three months.
Commenting in a release was Tom Veli, head of energy networks at LCP Delta: “Commercial and industrial sites will play a crucial role in the energy transition and the journey to Net Zero.
“This SIF Discovery phase will support industrial businesses in identifying the most effective ways to decarbonise their operations – economically, resiliently, and through participation in the energy system. Backed by Northern Powergrid and NESO, the project aims to build a deeper understanding of large-scale I&C customer demand and generation.
“This will help unlock flexibility potential, enhance resilience, and reduce emissions at scale. The insights gained will be critical for network operators as they navigate challenges around investment, new connections, and network optimisation.”
Said Paul Fitton, director of digital and innovation at Northern Powergrid: “We are proud to lead the VOLT project in collaboration with our partners, and we’re thrilled that some of the North East’s major infrastructure providers and employers are involved in this journey.
“We play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and enabling decarbonisation across the areas we serve.
“This project will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and lowering costs for some major Northern businesses, facilitating their progress towards net zero and enhancing operational efficiency.”
Added professor Haris Patsios of Smart Energy Systems at Newcastle University: “The project presents a fantastic opportunity to develop new ways to enhance resilience and reduce the carbon footprint of energy systems from a local level.
“Microgrids can play a huge role in the decarbonisation and security of the wider system, but there are significant challenges to overcome. Particularly as transport and critical infrastructure is being electrified, and new generation and loads are being introduced.”
Northern Powergrid is the electricity distribution network operator for the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire.
It delivers power to eight million customers through its network of more than 63,000 substations and 60,000 miles of overhead power lines and underground cables, spanning some 9,650 square miles.
The SIF approved £147,200 (approximately $195,000) for project VOLT.
