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Introduction to Energise South Downs

Energise South Downs (ESD) is a community energy organisation dedicated to enabling locally owned renewable energy generation. Their mission is to lower energy costs, enhance long-term energy security, and drive progress toward net zero.

One of their key initiatives is identifying the most suitable sites in Hampshire for community-owned onshore wind power. This project not only supports the transition away from fossil fuels but also aims to deliver targeted benefits to communities experiencing fuel poverty.

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The Solution: LAEP+

Local Area Energy Planner Plus (LAEP+) is a net zero planning platform developed by Advanced Infrastructure, designed to support organisations independently plan region-wide energy transitions and Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs).

By streamlining workflows, integrating comprehensive datasets, and reducing reliance on external consultants, LAEP+ can accelerate project site identification by up to 90%, significantly cutting down on time and resource demands.

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In collaboration with Hampshire County Council, ESD leveraged LAEP+ to harness the power of data and digital twin technology. The platform’s geospatial mapping capabilities, enriched with multiple data layers covering heat, power, and socio-demographics, enabled ESD to take a data-driven approach to wind turbine site selection, benefitting the most fuel-poor communities.

LAEP+ was made available to ESD as a project partner to Hampshire County Council via Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ instance of the platform, Local Energy Net Zero Accelerator (LENZA).

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ESD’s Decarbonisation Challenges:

ESD faced several key challenges in their wind generation project:

● Access to accurate and comprehensive datasets

● The need to overlay multiple data layers

● Identifying locations with feasible grid connectivity

● Ensuring that wind energy benefits the most fuel-poor communities

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Key Outcomes:

1. Identifying the Optimal Locations for Wind Generation

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ESD previously relied on data from third-party sources such as the University of Southampton and WeWantWind.org. However, different modelling methods produced varying results, making it difficult to pinpoint the most viable locations for wind turbines.

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Using the LAEP+ Data Explorer ESD visualised contextual spatial datasets, enabling them to:

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● Visualise geospatial data and apply filters to refine site selection.

● Combine multiple methodologies to create a new dataset of optimal locations.

● Assess these sites alongside additional datasets, such as protected land areas and network infrastructure.

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2. Understanding Grid Connectivity

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Grid access is a critical factor in determining the viability of wind projects. Depending on the capacity of the proposed generation, sites may need to connect to either the 11kV or 33kV power networks. To minimise infrastructure costs, ESD prioritised locations near existing grid connection points.

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The LAEP+ Data Explorer provided access to Scottish and Southern Electricity networks’ topology data, allowing ESD to:

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● Identify the locations of 11kV and 33kV circuits.

● Assess proximity to substations to estimate grid connection feasibility.

● Evaluate available capacity using the Primary Substation Supply Areas dataset.

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3. Targeting Communities with High Levels of Fuel Poverty

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As part of their funding agreement with the charity Possible, ESD aimed to prioritise wind generation projects that could support communities affected by fuel poverty.

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Using LAEP+ Socio-Demographic datasets, ESD was able to:

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● Access and overlay fuel poverty data onto their site selection maps.

● Use the Filtering tool to highlight regions with higher levels of fuel poverty.

● Identify wind power sites near communities that would benefit most from local renewable energy generation.

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Conclusion

By integrating LAEP+ into their strategic planning, ESD has been able to streamline their approach to site selection for community wind generation. The platform has provided invaluable insights, enabling data-driven decision-making, reducing project risk, and ensuring that renewable energy initiatives align with both environmental and social priorities.

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Testimonial

Amelia Gabriel, Programme Manager at Energise South Downs said: “It has allowed us, as a community energy group, access to a geo-spatial mapping tool which is populated with many layers of data to help inform where we best target our efforts.”

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Why LAEP+ Is The Right Tool For Your Community Energy Projects:

Energise South Downs' successful adoption of LAEP+ demonstrates how the platform is a powerful tool enabling community energy organisations to integrate comprehensive datasets, streamline decision-making, and accelerate site identification. By visualising geospatial data, socio-demographics, and grid connectivity, it enables community energy organisations to efficiently select the most suitable locations for renewable energy generation, like onshore wind, while prioritising areas most in need, such as those experiencing fuel poverty.

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With its data-driven approach, LAEP+ reduces project timelines, minimises resource requirements, and ensures that energy initiatives align with both environmental and social goals, making it an invaluable resource for driving successful community energy transitions.

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Book your Free LAEP+ Demo with Advanced Infrastructure and learn how LAEP+ can accelerate your community energy projects, turning your energy plans into reality.

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