The Centre will incorporate a 2MW Solar Farm on adjacent land which in itself is forecast to provide 2.4GWh of annual generation directly to TRM. Wind, hydrogen-ready Combined Heat & Power (CHP) and battery storage form the mix of other technologies used.

The renewable energy company Infinite has won the tender to supply power directly to the Royal Mint (TRM). The project will bring together specialists in the renewable energy field - development, technical and finance, to build a multi technology Local Energy Centre on the site in Llantrisant. The Centre will incorporate a 2MW Solar Farm on adjacent land which in itself is forecast to provide 2.4GWh of annual generation directly to TRM. Wind, hydrogen-ready Combined Heat & Power (CHP) and battery storage form the mix of other technologies used.

Andrew Crossman, Director Infinite, said: "The Energy Centre at the Royal Mint is a tremendously exciting and innovative project that pushes the boundaries of decentralised energy generation and microgrid distribution. As a large manufacturing site, the Royal Mint is the perfect candidate site for an integrated energy centre. The generation from low carbon and renewable technologies, distributed via smart microgrid will provide a huge boost to The Royal Mint's carbon reduction strategy."

Sarah Bradley, Director of HR, Safety and Environment at the Royal Mint, said: "We are continually looking for ways to be a sustainable business and reduce our carbon impact and be a considerate neighbour to our environment. In 2018 we unveiled a wind turbine on site, and we are pleased to be working with Infinite to build on our commitment to renewable energy."

The Vestas 850kW ‘Daffodil' wind turbine which was designed, supplied and built by Infinite will be integrated into the LEC generation. It already supplies up to 10% of the Royal Mint's energy demand.

The containerised energy storage scheme (ESS), will comprise of a dual-chemistry ADEPT battery management system (BMS), developed by Infinite in partnership with GS Yuasa and the University of Sheffield and will offer a new power solution that combines the fast response of the lithium battery with the endurance of lead acid.

The Centre which is expected to be operational by Autumn 2022 is part of the Generation Storage Consumption Supply project (GSCS) and is funded by The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Albion Community Power. It will save on energy costs and offer carbon reduction.
Marco Yu, Investment Director, Albion Community Power, says: "Albion is thrilled to be bringing its local energy expertise to enable this ‘first of a kind' project alongside the Infinite team and the Royal Mint. It is an important signpost in how the UK can achieve net zero emissions, democratise the energy system and support employment in the area. It is a very exciting step forward."
Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change Julie James said: "This new project at the Royal Mint together with the recent opening of the Energy Centre in Ebbw Vale and other EU-funded local energy schemes which are planned across the South and West Wales are exciting developments and are an important step towards our ambition of a low-carbon future for Wales. They will provide cost-effective, reliable green energy to local businesses and communities."
Infinite will establish a local Community Fund with a percentage of the revenue generated by the CHP and Solar Farm distributed to local charities and community groups whose initiatives complement the themes of the European Structural Funds.

About Infinite:

Infinite was formed in 2010 as a specialist renewable energy developer to create merchant wind power schemes for commercial clients. Since then, it has delivered multiple commercial turbine and large scale Solar PV schemes across the UK and is now pioneering multi-technology renewable energy centres for industry, to provide more secure, reliable and cost effective sustainable energy directly to industrial communities.