In 2020 - 2022, Scene conducted a feasibility assessment for solar PV, battery storage, and EV charging at the Galaxy Sports facility in Grangemouth, Scotland. The study developed into a viable project which was implemented during 2022 and continues to operate, providing clean energy to the site, powering LEDs for the site's sports fields, and charging visitors electric vehicles.
Working within an overall project management role, we guided the project through all the barriers which came in its way. And there were lots of them, from the technical (ensuring no conflict with cathodic protection in the vicinity, in place to protect the pipeline infrastructure in the ground) to the historical (the site is near to the remains of the Antonine Wall, at the frontiers of the
Ancient Roman Empire). Finally, the new local energy system is up and running, cutting the carbon emissions of the site by more than half, using LED floodlighting which runs off the energy storage charged by the solar panels. Although the projected financial savings have been absorbed by escalating energy prices, the fact that the site is now generating a lot of its energy needs means it hasn’t had to escalate its own prices, and the Friday night football can continue.
The project has also led to the creation of the Galaxy Foundation, a registered charity, to expand the community outreach activities of Galaxy Sports, helped in no small measure by the community benefit income generated from the solar panels.