News / Green Energy
Bristol’s quiet ‘green energy revolution’
In a bid to combat climate change and embrace sustainable energy solutions, Bristol has witnessed a surge in green energy initiatives.
These endeavours to underscore the city’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering a greener future have not gone unnoticed.
Recently, Bristol celebrated the opening of its first green hydrogen plant at the IAAPS (Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems) in Emersons Green. Green hydrogen involves advanced electrolysis technology powered by renewable energy sources, and is destined to revolutionise aviation, shipping, and heavy-duty transport drastically, say supporters.
To examine the future potential of the sector, Bristol24/7 spoke to David Eccles CBE, director at Hydrogen South West.
“Hydrogen is going to be important for aviation in the decades ahead,” said David Eccles CBE – photo: David Eccles
“Hydrogen is going to be important for aviation in the decades ahead and Airbus, who are one of our principal consulting consortium members, are looking to have a hydrogen-powered aircraft flying by 2035,” says Eccles.
“We have a complete network. We’ve got government funding for two projects, one on the outskirts of Exeter and one at Bristol Port. So, we hope that the two hubs will be up and running in 2026.”
“With Bristol City Leap, we have a game-changing approach, which is inspiring other cities all over the UK,” said James Sterling – photo: Bristol City Leap
Billed as ‘a world-first, game-changing approach towards decarbonisation at city-scale’, Bristol City Leap is another initiative shaking up the energy sector. The 20-year venture – which is a partnership between Bristol City Council, Ameresco and Vattenfall Heat UK – is expected to enable the delivery of more than £1bn of investment into Bristol’s energy system.
Speaking about the project, James Sterling, communications and engagement manager at Bristol City Leap, said: “Since we launched in 2023, Bristol City Leap has retrofitted hundreds of homes, connected several new developments to our low-carbon heat network, created over 100 new jobs, launched our £1.5m community energy fund, spent over £3m with local suppliers and I’m incredibly proud of our progress to date.
“With Bristol City Leap, we have a game-changing approach, which is inspiring other cities all over the UK. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver mass decarbonisation, whilst creating the opportunities for local job creation, community funding and warmer, healthier homes for residents. This is how we make the transition to net zero one that is both just and fair.”
Another organisation that is spearheading the green energy movement is the community-owned Bristol Energy Cooperative. The cooperative is responsible for 33 per cent of solar energy in Bristol and works to develop renewable energy with and for the benefit of the community.
“The wider picture can be bleak, but here in Bristol there is a lot of work happening to turn the tide on the climate crisis,” said Helen Martin at Bristol Energy Cooperative – photo: Bristol Energy Cooperative
Helen Martin, chief executive officer at Bristol Energy Cooperative, said: “The wider picture can be bleak, but here in Bristol there is a lot of work happening to turn the tide on the climate crisis.
“Bristol Energy Cooperative is a great example of this. We are building out rooftop solar across the city, investing in grid-connected solar farms and battery storage, and trying out new local supply options like microgrids.”
Bristol Energy Cooperative and Bristol City Leap were both recognised in the Green Energy Awards 2024.
Bristol’s strategic location along the coastline offers abundant opportunities for harnessing wind power.
“We believe initiatives like ACE are a vital way for people to access cheaper, greener energy on the grid,” says Suise Leppard at OVO Energy – photo: OVO
One such project is the Ambition Community Energy (ACE) turbine that is entirely owned by the Lawrence Weston community in Bristol. Energy generated by the turbine is sold to the national grid – creating around £100,000 a year in revenue for the local area.
The Bristol-based energy company OVO has stepped in to manage the energy produced by ACE and help residents of the area. The ACE turbine will generate enough power for 3,000 homes and save an estimated 87,600 tonnes of carbon over its lifetime.
Susie Leppard, head of renewable energy at OVO, said: “We believe initiatives like this are a vital way for people to access cheaper, greener energy on the grid. If we want to encourage more projects like this. However, the current complex planning laws need to be reformed and we need to enable faster connections to the energy system.”
WECA believes that with heat pumps, flooded coal mines could be repurposed to store excess renewable energy – photo: WECA
Coal power might be a far cry from decarbonisation but repurposing old coal mines as sites for renewable energy generation has gathered considerable attention lately, and has been endorsed by metro mayor Dan Norris.
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA), which Norris leads, announced the launch of a £1.6m study earlier this year to investigate how former mines that reside under many of the region’s homes and are now flooded with water, could heat houses.
Through innovative techniques, such as heat pumps and geothermal energy extraction, flooded coal mines could be repurposed to store excess renewable energy and provide a reliable source of clean power.
WECA estimates that this process has the potential to heat 100,000-plus homes in the West, as well as other buildings like schools, hospitals, and offices, through regional heat networks.
The Ambition Community Energy (ACE) turbine that is entirely owned by the Lawrence Weston community in Bristol has generated around £100,000 a year in revenue for the local area – photo: Charles Gamble
The burgeoning green energy sector in and around Bristol might have far to go, but its potential promises both significant environmental benefits and lucrative economic opportunities. Investment in renewable energy could see the city become a global pioneer in the green energy sector.
Main photo: Bristol City Leap
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