North West: Visit to Keele University's renewable energy park

Join ISEP North West for an in-person site visit to Keele University's renewable energy park, open to ISEP members and non-members.

During this visit we will tour three different spaces:

Tour 1

Renewable Energy Park Tour Explore one of the UK’s largest integrated campus-based renewable energy systems. This tour provides a comprehensive overview of how Keele University generates, manages, and stores low-carbon energy on-site.

Visitors will learn how the University utilises: •

Two large-scale wind turbines to harness on-site wind resources

Over 12,200 solar photovoltaic panels to capture solar energy

Battery storage systems to capture excess generation and optimise energy use

The tour explains how these technologies are combined to supply up to 50% of the University’s electricity demand, reduce reliance on grid electricity and upport decarbonisation and energy resilience objectives.

Guests will gain insight into system performance, operational challenges, and how the Park integrates into the wider campus energy network.

Tour 2

Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) Tour The Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND) is a UK and European first, using the Keele University campus as a real-world “living laboratory.” This tour showcases how multiple energy vectors—electricity, heat, and gas—are intelligently managed through advanced digital systems. Visitors will explore how SEND enables:

Real-time energy generation, distribution and storage optimisation

Smart balancing across diverse energy sources, including renewables and conventional systems

Advanced forecasting and demand-side response technologies

Integration of data analytics, AI and control systems to improve efficiency and resilience.

This tour is ideal for those interested in smart grids, energy systems innovation, and the future of integrated energy management.

Tour 3

HyDEX Demonstrator Tour (if time allows) Discover how Keele University is pioneering the transition to hydrogen as a clean energy vector through the HyDEX Demonstrator. This tour focuses on:

The use of excess renewable electricity (e.g. from wind and solar) to power electrolysis

The production of green hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel

How hydrogen is stored and utilised within a campus energy ecosystem Visitors will also see how hydrogen is applied in practice, including:

Refuelling infrastructure for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

Operation of two Toyota Mirai hydrogen vehicles, demonstrating zero-emission transport.

The tour highlights the role hydrogen can play in: decarbonising transport and energy systems , supporting energy storage and sector coupling and enabling a future low-carbon economy.

NB

Arrive by 9.45am for a 10am start.

If coming by car, please park in car park A3 on Innovation Way (ST5 5NT). Further information on obtaining a car park permit will be issued upon registration for the event.

Meeting Point

Meet at the entrance to the Renewable Energy Park at the end of Innovation Way (ST5 5BN).

Host

David Hoare PISEP Co-chair, North West Global Network, ISEP

David Hoare is a Chartered Environmentalist with over 25 years' experience in environmental consultancy. His experience relates to the environmental assessment and management of a wide range of projects including wind farms, pipelines, major infrastructure projects (motorway, trunk road and local authority road schemes in Wales, England and Scotland), gas storage facilities and mixed-use developments.

Speaker & Tour Guide

Matthew Dean Development Manager - Impact & Partnerships (Engineering, Physical Sciences & Mathematics) Directorate of Research, Innovation and Engagement Horwood Energy Centre | Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire

This event is hosted by ISEP North West, but we welcome members from other regions to join us as well. Why not connect with ISEP North west on ourLinkedIn page. (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14129624/)

This event counts as 1 hour of ISEP recognised CPD. Please see our CPD guidance pages (https://www.isepglobal.org/skills/cpd) for further details on how to do this.

Description supplied by the event organiser.